Mongolia: the name stirs the imagination. This vast, windswept land at the heart of Asia was once the seat of the world’s greatest land empire, led by the legendary Genghis Khan. Today, Mongolia remains one of the planet’s most sparsely populated countries—said to be the “Last Wilderness Nation.” A place where wild horses still roam the steppe, nomadic herders live much as they have for centuries, and the silence of open space is broken only by birdsong and the wind.

On this two-week summer journey through Central Mongolia, we invite you to discover a country where the modern world feels far away—where you'll see a diverse array of Asian birds and mammals. Each day brings new habitats: steppe lakes, tranquil river valleys, boreal forests, and the picturesque, boulder-strewn hills of the Mongolian interior.

Beginning in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, we’ll explore nearby riverine woodlands for striking bird species like Azure Tit and Long-tailed Rosefinch. Then we’ll visit the grasslands of Hustai National Park to search for Przewalski’s Wild Horses. Scanning the sky, we might see raptors like Bearded Vulture, Amur Falcon, and Golden Eagle.

Traveling further west, we’ll watch White-winged Terns and Mongolian Gulls glide over the waters of Ugii Lake, and perhaps find Demoiselle or White-naped Cranes stepping through the reeds. In the ancient capital of Karakorum, we’ll walk the ruins of the Mongol Empire, and look for songbirds around the grounds of Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery. Next, we spend two days exploring the sand dunes, steppe, and rocky hills of Khogno Khan National Park.

Returning east, we’ll walk the slopes of Bogd Khan Mountain. In the boreal forests of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, we’ll search for birds like Siberian Rubythroat and Taiga Flycatcher among wildflowers and conifers. And finally, we’ll take in the views and go birding at Ayaga Lake and the Herlen River, where cranes call across the valley and Argali sheep tread the high ridges.

Our days will be filled with rich birdlife, cultural wonders, and the kind of stillness that only a truly wild place can offer. If you’re drawn to the romance of the unknown, to rare species and timeless landscapes, this Mongolian adventure is calling.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 - Jun 23: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meet your Wild Latitudes guides, and enjoy a welcome dinner in the city.

Day 2 - Jun 24: Local Birding around Ulaanbaatar

Bird along the Tuul River and nearby ponds, searching for species like Azure Tit and Long-tailed Rosefinch.

Day 3 - Jun 25: Hustai National Park

Travel west to Hustai National Park to search for raptors, mammals, and the iconic Przewalski’s Wild Horse.

Day 4 - Jun 26: Birding Hustai National Park

Explore the steppe and hills for specialties like Bearded Vulture, Steppe Eagle, and Mongolian Lark.

Day 5 - Jun 27: Ugii Lake

Drive to Ugii Lake and bird its shores for waterfowl such as Swan Goose and White-naped Crane.

Day 6 - Jun 28: Exploring Ugii Lake

Bird the lake’s western delta and surrounding grasslands, seeking species like Mongolian Gull and Pallas’s Fish-Eagle.

Day 7 - Jun 29: Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery

Visit the ancient capital of Kharkhorin and explore Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, with some local birding.

Day 8 - Jun 30: Elsen Tasarkhai Dunes

Bird the sand dunes and wetlands for a range of waterbirds and steppe species like Arctic Loon and Oriental Reed Warbler.

Day 9 - Jul 1: Khogno Khan National Park

Explore rocky mountains and temples for birds like Wallcreeper and mammals like Corsac Fox and Siberian Ibex.

Day 10 - Jul 2: Travel to Bogd Khan Mountain

Drive east to Bogd Khan, one of the world's oldest protected areas, and enjoy some forest birding.

Day 11 - Jul 3: Bogd Khan and Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Bird the forests of Bogd Khan, then transfer to Gorkhi Terelj National Park to continue exploring Mongolia’s taiga habitat.

Day 12 - Jul 4: Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Spend the full day in the park searching for specialties like Chinese Bush Warbler and Black-billed Capercaillie.

Day 13 - Jul 5: Ayaga Lake and Herlen River

Bird Ayaga Lake and the Herlen River region, seeking cranes, waterfowl, and grassland birds like Pallas’s Bunting.

Day 14 - Jul 6: Genghis Khan Statue and Return to Ulaanbaatar

Visit the towering Genghis Khan Statue Complex, then return to Ulaanbaatar for sightseeing and a farewell dinner.

Day 15 - Jul 7: Departures

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward to your next destination.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,295

START DATE: Jun 23, 2026

DURATION: 15 days

GROUP SIZE: Up to 10

TRIP FOCUS: Birding & Wildlife

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Guiding services
• Double-occupancy lodging
• Ground transportation
• All meals, from dinner Jun 23 to Breakfast Jul 7
• Excursions and park fees

YOUR GUIDES

Ivan Phillipsen, Co-owner of Wild Latitudes, is a passionate naturalist with a background in scientific research. He holds an M.S. in biology and a Ph.D. in zoology. Natural history is Ivan’s true passion and what he is most excited to teach to others. Although he is fascinated by just about every aspect of nature, Ivan is particularly fond of birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, plants, and geology. Everything is interconnected in nature and Ivan takes a holistic approach when teaching about the natural world.

Steve Backus is an avid birder and naturalist with a background in the maritime industry hailing from North Carolina. An infinitely curious person by nature, he is drawn to explore the life around him and the environments they occupy. As a mariner, waterbirds are of particular interest to Steve and his time as a ship’s naturalist, a captain of wildlife cruises, a point counter at migration hot-spots, and many other employments and community science efforts has deepened his appreciation of birds.