Mongolia: Central

Mongolia lies at the heart of the vast continent of Asia. It’s a land where nomadic horsemen still ride across windswept steppes, where shamanism and ancient Tibetan Buddhism still flourish, and where, according to legend, lies the last resting place of Chinggis Khan, leader of the once great Mongol empire. This exotic country is also full of natural wonders: the vast Gobi Desert, which covers one third of Mongolia; the endless steppes strewn with lakes; the picturesque Altai Mountains; and the rich taiga forest—all remote, beautiful, fascinating, and full of birds.

Our trip will be more than just a birding tour; it will be a true adventure. From the capital city of Ulaanbaatar we’ll travel across land, much of it unchanged for centuries, and, as befits a culture famous for its nomadic way of life, we’ll camp as we go. We’ll gaze upon stunning landscapes seen by few Westerners and on birds most Western birdwatchers can only dream about: with perseverance and a little luck we should see Black-billed Capercaillie, Altai Snowcock, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Oriental Plover, Relict Gull, Amur Falcon, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Blyth’s Pipit, and Kozlov’s Accentor, among many others.

We’ll travel in 4×4 vehicles admirably suited to the terrain and stay in reasonably comfortable ger camps that are testament to Mongolia’s nomadic heritage. We’ll mingle with the locals tending their flocks of sheep, cattle, goats and horses, much as they have done for centuries, and we’ll walk along pathways few have trod.

In 2026, this tour can be taken in conjunction with our new tour Mongolia: The Eastern Steppes.