Ecotours Worldwide - Stop Dreaming - Start Booking
This epic expedition ventures into the majestic Altai Mountains in Mongolia’s far west in a quest for truly enigmatic Snow Leopards along with other iconic wildlife, including Pallas’s Cat, Mongolian Saiga, Siberian Ibex and more.
After arrival in the capital Ulaanbaatar, fly to Mongolia’s remote west in pursuit of the elusive Snow Leopards in the pristine wilderness of the Altai Mountains, which is home to roughly 20% of the world’s estimated population of the species. What is more the area boasts some of the interesting Central Asian bird specialties as well. Depending on the timing of the tour many unexpected Siberian migrants might appear on the way, especially during May and June. On the other hand July and August dates are best in terms of temperature and climate when we are birding above 2500 or 3000m in the mountains. Beside searching the elusive mammals birding in the hills will be one of the best experiences this tour has to offer.
Download detailed PDF Mongolia Tour itinerary
- 2-week-long tour
- start and finish at Ulaanbaatar
- 3-4star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- traditional Mongolian ger/yurt camp in the hills both at excellent birding areas
- average altitude of the ger/yurt camp is 2000meters, we search wildlife between 1500-3200meters
-ger/yurt is heated with stove, toilet & wash room at a secluded part of the camp
- cca.80% chance for Snow Leopard, usually 500+ meters
-you might need to walk max 2kms or 1,5miles on a relatively flat terrain
-beside breakfast, lunch, dinner we provide hot drinks, fruits and snacks
The incredibly scenic Mongolian Altai with snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, meadows, and rivers;
Enigmatic Snow Leopards along with cryptic Pallas’s Cat as well as charismatic Mongolian Saiga, Argali, Siberian Ibex, Przewalski’s Wild Horse, Mongolian Gazelle, and more;
Mongolian Altai Bird Specialties: Altai Snowcock, Lammergeier, Himalayan Vulture, Golden Eagle, White-winged Redstart, White-winged Snowfinch, Brown Accentor, & Grey-necked Bunting;
Khar-Us Lake: Swan Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Arctic Loon, Demoiselle Crane, Mongolian Gull, White-winged Scoter, White-headed Duck, Pallas’s Gull, White-crowned Penduline-tit, Rosy Starling, White-headed Yellow Wagtail, Long-tailed Rosefinch; (Only during May-June tours: Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Asian Dowitcher, Relict Gull, Azure Tit)
Steppes of Hustai and Altanbulag: Amur Falcon, Saker Falcon, Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Hill Pigeon, Mongolian Lark, Small Snowfinch;
Stay in the community-based ger camp run by Mongolian nomads.
3 nights Hustai National Park
1 night Hovd Hotel
7 nights at Altai Mountains
2 nights Ulaan Baatar
www.ecotours-worldwide.com/dates-prices
Ask for the actual price.
Our price includes:
- all travel within the country as noted in the itinerary; return flights between Ulaanbaatar and Hovd
- all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner
- services of the leader(s);
- trip materials.
Not included:
- international flights
- optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
- airport and other departure taxes, tips;
- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
- excess baggage charges;
- telephone calls;
- alcoholic beverages;
- compulsory personal insurance.
If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.
- moderate walks, sometimes steep slopes
- average altitude of the ger/yurt camp is 2000meters, we search wildlife between 1500-3200meters
-you might need to walk max 2kms or 1,5miles on a relatively flat terrain in the hills
Some bumpy drives expected
Day 1: Arrival & Hustai National Park
Welcome to Mongolia and transfer to the Pallas’s Cat ger camp located in the rolling hills of Hustai National Park. (Community-based Ger Camp, L-D) (drive ~2h)
Day 2-3: Hustai National Park
Hustai National Park is a successful reintroduction site for the last wild horse living in the native environment. As a result, there are now over 220 wild horses roaming in the area, where lies the panoramic rolling steppes of Mongolia. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Target birds: Hill Pigeon, Steppe & Golden Eagles, Little Owl, Amur & Saker Falcons, Père David's Snowfinch, Richard's & Blyth's Pipits, Meadow Bunting, Mongolian Lark, Northern, Isabelline, and Pied Wheatears.
Target mammals: Pallas’s Cat, Przewalski’s Wild Horse, Tarbagan Marmot, Brandt’s Vole, Corsac Fox, Mongolian Gazelle & Asian wapiti. Chance for Argali in May-June.
Day 4: Fly to Hovd and transfer to hotel
The late afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Hovd for about 2 hours. (Local hotel, B-L-D) (Departs at 19:50-19:00, 1 hour difference)
Day 5-11: Mongolian Altai Mountains
Our adventure drives through uneven roads will bring us to the Mongolian Altai. Settle in the community-based ger camp which is located on the mountain meadow near the elusive cat’s habitat. We will spend these days exploring the mountain for the ‘ghost’ and other exotic animals in this pristine natural environment. Our camp assistants, local guides, and cooks are all friendly local people who grew up in the same mountain we stationed, which will be a great benefit to our guests as they know a lot about the area. During dinner time, you can spend a lot of time chatting with the team. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
In order to prevent further disturbance and disruptions to the wildlife, we are not mentioning the exact name of our Snow Leopard spotting site.
The mountain provides all the main prey species of Snow Leopards including the Siberian Ibex, Mongolian Marmots, and the Altai Snowcock. The exotic bird species which are only found above the 3,000 m above sea level in the Mongolian Altai will be the highlights of the trip, which include White-winged Redstar and Rufous-streaked Accentor. Asian Rosy-finch is possible during May-June tours.
The mountain provides a high opportunity to photograph the flying raptors including Himalayan and Bearded Vultures, Golden Eagle, Saker Falcon, and other unexpected migrants.
Target birds: Chukar, Altai Snowcock, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Saker Falcon, Eurasian Crag-Martin, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Altai Accentor, Brown Accentor, Mongolian Accentor, Rock Sparrow, White-winged Snowfinch, Common Rosefinch, Mongolian Finch, Godlewski's Bunting, and Gray-necked Bunting.
During May-June tours you have a chance as well for Asian Rosy-finch, Alpine Accentor, Siberian Accentor, Black-throated Accentor, Red-mantled Rosefinch and Great Rosefinch.
Target mammals: Alpine Pika, Pallas’s Pika, Tolai Hare, Mongolian Marmot, Long-tailed Ground Squirrel, Red Fox, Wolf, Steppe Polecat, Mongolian Saiga, Pallas’s Cat, Snow Leopard and Siberian Ibex. Argali can be added during May-June.
Also, set off to the semi-desert areas in order to find the critically endangered Mongolian Saiga (S. t. mongolica), which has been pushed to a small patch of the area in western Mongolia. At the Great Lakes, we will search for Savi’s Warbler, Arctic Loon, the attractive Pallas’s Sandgrouse and smart Henderson’s Ground Jay will be our target species.
Target birds: Bar-headed Goose, Swan Goose, White-headed Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Little Grebe, Pallas's Sandgrouse, Demoiselle Crane, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint, Pallas's Gull, White-winged Tern, Long-legged Buzzard, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Paddyfield Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper-Warbler, Desert Wheatear, and White-headed Yellow Wagtail.
Additional possible species during May and June: White-winged Scoter, Oriental Plover, Common Grasshopper-Warbler, Stejneger's Scoter, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Relict Gull, Hen Harrier, Pallas's Fish-Eagle,
Target mammals: Long-eared Hedgehog, Pallid Ground Squirrel, , Midday Jird, Mongolian Five-toed Jerboa, Gobi Jerboa, and Corsac Fox. Usually we can add Campbell’s Hamster and Mongolian Jird during May and June.
Day 12: Fly from Hovd and transfer to Ulaanbaatar
Late arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. (Tourist Ger Camp, B-L-D) (Departs at 20:20-23:00, 1 hour difference)
Day 13: Ulaanbaatar (Free day)
You can do birding around your hotel which is located close to the airport on the bank of the Tuul River. The guests are free to do birding in the riparian forest for some interesting species including Azure Tit, Eastern Penduline Tit, White-cheeked Starling, Azure-winged Magpie, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Red-throated Thrush, etc.
Day 14: Fly Home
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. Arrive home
Phone: Call May-October; Text all year
+36 30-645-9318 or +36 30-211-0006
Call Nov-April: +506 84961012 or 84961417
e-mails:
ecotoursgabororban @ gmail.com
toucanbirdingecolodge @ gmail.com
Our first priority is to save habitats & species.
Secondly we would like to share our knowledge of wildlife and encourage you to participate directly or indirectly in protecting nature.
We are also working continuously on our carbon balance with developing our 23 hectares of wildlife reserve.