Western Region.

• Picturesque sceneries of mountains and lakes of the western Altai Hills

• Home to more than 19 specially endangered bird species of Central Asia

• Hiking and trekking in stark and pristine air around lake shores

• Great photo-shooting spots and environment

Cultural Insights.

• Visit Kazakh families and learn their way of living with hunter eagles in Altai Hills

• Visit Mongolian nomadic families and experience their lifestyle

• Stay in Mongolian traditional gers in wild nature

Activities.

• Great observation and watching spots around beautiful lake shores

• Out-door tent camping and dining in Mongolian western Altai region

• Authentic and original experience with Mongolian horse-riding in fresh air

• Expedition with an expert guide in ornithology from one of Mongolia’s leading universities

Ulaanbaatar city.

• Attend Folklore music and dance concerts

• Visit Mongolian cultural and historical sites in Ulaanbaatar

The Itinerary

Day 1 | Ulaanbaatar City

Welcome to Mongolia-the Country of Eternal Blue Sky and the land of Nomads. Upon your arrival at Chinggis Khaan Airport, Laguna Stella Team will be waiting to welcome you!

Transfer to the hotel centrally located in downtown Ulaanbaatar and enjoy some walking chill-out around Sukhbaatar Square, the very center of Ulaanbaatar. After having dinner at a restaurant, stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 2 | Khovd: the Far Reach

Take an early flight to Khovd, the center of Khovd Province. A brief city tour. Local Museum - geology exhibit, collections of stuffed wildlife, including an ibex with its distinctive corrugated antlers, ethnic costumes and artifacts, and a snow leopard pelt tacked up on the wall.

Explore the surrounding area, visiting old Manchu ruins, and get food supplements for the next days.

Day 3-4 | Lake Black Water

Driving to Khar Us Lake - 28kms from the Khovd city. Khar Us Lake - the second largest freshwater lake of Mongolia, home to more than 260 species of birds, including Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Great-white Egret, Swan Goose, and 4 species of fish especially rich in Ruff and Altain Osman. Here we will be birding for 2 days and accommodating in tent camp.

Day 5-6 | Jargalant Mountain

The next 2 days of birding, we arrive at Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain, is an isolated extension of the Mongol Altai mountain range. Located in the middle of Khar Us Lake Depression, the diversity of habitats and wildlife. The site supports two Globally Threatened species, Saker Falcon and White-throated Bushchat, as well as Cinereous Vulture and Altai Snowcock and Mongolian accentor. Stay in tent camping.

Day 7-8 | Hunters with Eagle

Once you arrive in western Mongolia, especially as a birder you should not miss this authentic experience of old falconry tradition. Visit Kazakh hunter family and spend a day with them to get keen knowledge of eagle hunting, hunter eagles, and local nomadic lifestyle. You can also take stunning photographs of hunter golden eagles, their masters on horseback along with dramatic Tsambagarav mountain. Sleep in nomadic dwelling ger/yurt.

Day 9 | Lake Tolbo

Lake Tolbo is a freshwater lake, located in Tolbo village, supports at least 1% of the flyway populations of the following waterbird species, Great Cormorant; Whooper Swan; Bar-headed Goose; Common Goldeneye; and Northern Lapwing and more birds.

Day 10-11 | Lake Achit

Lake Achit is a shallow, tectonic lake, surrounded by semi-desert habitat near the lake, through steppe habitat to meadows. Parts of the site (specifically the channel between Achit Lake and the Khovd River and Dewel Island along the Khovd River) are designated as a nature reserve, and most of the site lies within Lake Achit and its surrounding wetlands Ramsar Site.

Globally Threatened species using the site comprise Swan Goose, Houbara Bustard, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Lesser Kestrel, and Great Bustard. The site supports assemblages of species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert and Eurasian high montane biomes. The site regularly supports at least 1% of the flyway populations of Great Crested Grebe and Ruddy Shelduck. Birding here for 2 days and stay in tent camp.

Day 12 | Khar Yamaat Mountain

Today we drive to Khar Yamaat Mountain, in Bukhmurun village, alternatively called as a home land to the Ibex mountain Sheep. Here we can see ibexes and Argali wild sheep. Indeed, this is our route to enter Uvs Province region.

Day 13 | Lake Uureg

Globally Threatened species using the site are Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN), Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (VU), and Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (VU). The site supports species typical of the Eurasian steppe and desert and Eurasian high montane biomes. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea regularly occurs in numbers exceeding 1% of the flyway population. Today, we will mostly travel on horseback to reach the local destination.

Day 14-15 | Lake Uvs

Many pools and ponds, which used to be suitable places for feeding and breeding birds. The lake has good potential for the development of ecotourism and is designated as a Ramsar Site, a natural World Heritage Site, and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

The site supports species typical of the Eurasian steppe and desert biome. The site regularly supports at least 1% of the flyway populations of Great Crested Grebe, also a globally threatened species such as White-headed Duck, Swan Goose, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and more. We stay in a Ger camp.

Day 16 | Ulaanbaatar city

Today we take a late afternoon flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Once we check-in to our hotel, the time is for your leisure. You can have some walking around the city center and enjoy the evening.

Day 17-18 | Ulaanbaatar discovery & Departure

Today, we will visit National History Museum and Gandan Monastery. After that, we also visit the Mongolian State Department store and Goyo Cashmere as the country is well known for its fine and quality cashmere products. In the evening, we will attend to Tumen Ekh Folklore Concert, famous for its wide variety of dance and singing performances.

We will have a farewell dinner at one of Mongolia's prestigious restaurants hosted by your Tour crew.

​Accommodation

• 5 Star ★★★★★ Hotels in Ulaanbaatar (see more)

  (Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel Deluxe Rooms)

• 11 Days of Tent camping/Mongolian ger

• 2-3 Days of Tour camps (see more)

Tour Crew 24/7

• Lead Drivers with years of experience in tours and expeditions across Mongolia

• English speaking Trip Leader with great passion for travel and years of experience

  (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese languages are offered upon availability)

• Ornithology Guide from the National University of Mongolia (English speaking only)

Ground Transportation

• Lexus 470/Toyota Land Cruiser SUV (see more)

• Domestic Flights (as specified in itinerary)

• Vans/Buses during Ulaanbaatar days

Dining and Facility

• On-site Catering service during tour days (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, soft drinks, etc)

• Snacks and additional facilities

• 1x Host Dinner in Ulaanbaatar