This itinerary comprises of few key destinations in far northeastern Mongolia such as Khurkh river valley, steppe lakes along Ulz river valley and adjacent wetlands. 

Khurkh river valley

Khurkh River Valley, one of the North-East Asian Crane Network Sites. It has a Ramsar Site (a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Wetlands) designation due to its importance for the breeding and migration of many wetland dependent species. According to Ramsar Criterion 6, Khurkh river valley supports 20% of the biogeographical population of White-naped Crane Grus vipio. 

Khurkh river basin is in the transition zone of Siberian taiga forest and steppe zones, it is one of the tributaries of Onon river, a headwater of the mighty Amur river. The river valley itself is 15-20 km wide along the middle and end stages. Separated from the forests, the valley contains many small wetlands that are rich in waterbirds and nesting cranes. We will see hundreds of breeding White-naped, Demoiselle and Common cranes, potentially a small number of Hood cranes and Great Bustard (ssp dybowskii), also Japanese quail, Grey nightjar and buntings. 

One of our main targets here is the highly rare Siberian crane Leucogranus leucogranus (in 2000 it was listed as Critically Endangered). This species is mainly represented by its eastern population of approximately 4,000 individuals. North Eastern Mongolia is the flyway stopover and staging wetland site for the species. We often see Siberian cranes using this site as their non-breeding summering habitat. 

Ulz River valley and its wetland:

The Ulz River in northeastern Mongolia and shallow steppe lakes in the river valley are part of the Daurian steppe ecoregion which were inscribed in the list of World Heritage Sites, category natural properties to protect their unique ecosystem and wildlife. Many species of migratory birds breed and make stopovers at these wetlands during their migration.

Unfortunately, in the last 2 decades, the river level and size of the wetlands decreased due to successive droughts. Also, the number of breeding White-naped cranes and other endangered wetland bird species has declined due to habitat loss by overgrazing. For this reason, the importance of preservation is really high in the region.

Mongol Daguur

Daurian steppe ecoregion, a transnational protected area lies in the northern part of Inner Asia. Most of the Daurian steppe is situated in Eastern Mongolia and North-East China; the Russian part is confined to Zabaikalsky Province and the Buryat Republic. The area possesses a very high level of biodiversity for the steppe zone, and it is included in the Global 200 Ecoregions of the World.

Mongolian part of Daurian steppe is called “Mongol Daguur” and it is designated in the list of Wetlands of International Importance, Important Birds Area (MNO66), East Asian Crane Site, UNESCO-MAB, UNESCO World Heritage site, Daurian International Protected Area, WWF ECO 200, Mongolian Strictly Protected Area and East Asian-Australasian Flyway [024] network site.

Mongol Daguur wetlands are specific with the vast steppe and wetland valleys of tectonic and volcanic origins supporting numerous different (big and small) sized rivers and lakes. The wetlands and their immediate vicinities are rich in endemic flora species and provide important nesting, breeding, distribution, and stopover sites to the globally and regionally threatened bird species on their seasonal migration flyways. Amongst, there are six species of crane (Siberian, White-naped, Hooded, Demoiselle, Common and Red-crowned) occurring and stopover at the wetlands during their migration and breeding seasons.

In this remote grassland, rarely visited by tourists, we can find a remarkable assemblage of birds and mammals.

Accommodation: Eastern Mongolia is a highly underdeveloped region. So our only lodgings option is a tent. Mongolia is generally a great place for camping as we are allowed to wander and set up our own camp wherever we want. Tents are also the most suitable accommodation for a birdwatching tour because we are able to spend the night nearby, or exactly at the bird watching hot spots. Therefore, we can start birding early the following morning, without wasting time on travel. It is a genuine natural experience that allows people to connect with the environment.

We provide our clients high quality, spacious 3 person North Face Summit series tents, warm sleeping bags and self-inflatable sleeping mattresses.

A spacious traditional Mongolian marquee style tent is set up for dining. It provides good insulation against the summer heat and protection from the cold spring wind. Tables and chairs are set up in the tent.