Siberia 2014 16 days in May/June. Lake

Baikal, taiga & wetlands

ULTIMATE BIRDING WITH MIKSTURE

Welcome to 16 days Siberia birding tour with Miksture

From 29.05 – 13.06 2014. Springtime is a favorite time of year for birding Siberia. The migrants already

turned up, and the bird’s activity is on its peak and provides challenging and exciting birding. The

late spring makes the vegetation fresh and green, the light is clear and sunny, excellent for photo-

graphing – the temperature is comfortable for birding. Siberia provides some of the most prolific

and rewarding birding and some of the most wanted bird species - species known as dream-

species in our field guides. We have found the best people providing good meals, problem less and

smooth way of making the tour, and of course the locations are well known by us. We don’t make

any compromise to find the birds, however we always make priority not to flush and frighten the

birds. This is mouthwatering bird watching in the best birding areas in central Siberia and our theme

is to see and experience as many of the regions birds as possible. Nevertheless it’s also an unrivalled

way of travelling through the regions magnificent landscapes and meets the regions people. These

areas has for decades been almost impossible to travel, though well-known for the excellent birds.

Indeed a journey in the taiga and marshes. Quality is our keyword, which means maximum time in

the field for birdwatching, good comradeship, descent food, beautiful nature and magnificent

landscapes. The expedition is well-planned, researched and guided by Michael and his team. So

you are in good hands.

The wide range of habitats is reflected in an exciting avifauna which encompasses both mainly Si-

berian species, including species unique to the taiga habitat. Prime specialties include: Falcated

Duck, Long-toed Stint, Swinhoe’s snipe, Pintail Snipe, Oriental Cuckoo, Great Grey Owl, Ural Owl,

White-throated Needletail, Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Crested Hon-

ey Buzzard, Pied Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Amur falcon, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Besra, Rich-

ard’s Pipit, Olive -backed Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Rufous-tailed Robin, Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian

Blue Robin, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Thrush, Eye-browed Thrush, Dark-throated Thrush, Spotted

Bush Warbler, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Lanceloated Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Arctic War-

bler, Pallas’s Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Naumann´S Thrush,

Dark-sided Flycatcher, Taiga Flycatcher, Brown Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Siberian Jay, Az-

ure-winged Magpie, Daurian Jackdaw, White-cheeked Starling, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Asian Rosy

Finch, Pallas Rosefinch, Meadow Bunting, Chestnut Bunting, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Pallas’s Reed

Bunting, Yellow-browed Bunting, Little Bunting, Chestnut Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Pine Bunting

Emberiza, etc. This journey provides excellent birding in this great country, and Miksture knows thor-

oughly the locations and the birds of course - in short: the best and most rewarding birding. Our

team provides good meals, and we always make the journey as comfortable and smooth as possi-

ble. We don’t make any compromises, however we always make priority not to flush and frighten

the birds.

Tour start and concludes: In Irkutsk. We meet either in Irkutsk or enroute in Moskau

Friendly greetings, Michael Westerbjerg Andersen, tour-leader and owner of Miksture

Siberian birding when it’s best!

Siberia is one of the important breeding and stopover sites for Palearctic species. Breeding birds

occur in many different habitats (from taiga forest through different steppes and wetlands). Beauti-

ful landscape and quiet lifestyle attract many birdwatchers to Siberia.

The very name Siberia conjures images of a vast, remote and distant land; the land of the un-

known. The Republic of Buryatia is a federal subject of Russia. Its area is slightly over 350,000 km²

with a population of almost one million. Its capital is Ulan-Ude. The republic is located in the South-

Central region of Siberia along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. The total area of the republic is

351.3 km², which is about the territory of Germany. It is bounded by Irkutsk and Chita regions, Re-

public of Tuva and Mongolia and is washed by one of the greatest and magnificent lakes in the

world — Lake Baikal. There are more than 300 sunny days yearly in Buryatia - the climate is dry, win-

ters without severe frosts and temperature in summer being not so high. By its diversity the Buryat

landscape can be equally compared to Swiss Alps, steppes of Mongolia or the woods and plains of

the European part of Russia.

Lake Baikal was known as the "North Sea" in historical Chinese texts. It was situated in the then

Xiongnu territory. Very little was known to Europeans about the lake until the Russian expansion into

the area in the 17th century. The first Russian explorer to reach Lake Baikal was Kurbat Ivanov in

1643. The Trans-Siberian railway was built between 1896 and 1902. The scenic railway around the

southwestern end of Lake Baikal required 200 bridges and 33 tunnels; until its completion, a train

ferry transported railcars across the lake (from Port Baikal to Mysovaya) for a number of years. Be-

ginning in 1956, the impounding of the Irkutsk Dam on the Angara River raised the level of the lake

by 1.4 m. As the railway was being built, a large hydro geographical expedition headed by F.K.

Drizhenko produced the first detailed atlas of the contours of Baikal's depths. Known as the

"Galápagos of Russia", its age and isolation have produced some of the world's richest and most

unusual freshwater fauna. Lake Baikal is in a rift valley, created by the Baikal Rift Zone, where the

crust of the earth is pulling apart. At 636 kilometers long and 79 km wide, Lake Baikal has the largest

surface area of any freshwater lake in Asia (31,722 km²) and is the deepest lake in the world

(1,642 m). The bottom of the lake is 1,186.5 meters below sea level, but below this lies some 7 km of

sediment, placing the rift floor some 8–11 kilometers below the surface: the deepest continental rift

on Earth. In geological terms, the rift is young and active - it widens about two cm per year. The

fault zone is also seismically active; there are hot springs in the area and notable earthquakes every

few years. The lake drains into the Angara tributary of the Yenisei. Its age is estimated at 25–30 mil-

lion years, making it one of the most ancient lakes in geological history. It is unique among large,

high-latitude lakes, in that its sediments have not been scoured by overriding continental ice

sheets. U.S. and Russian studies of core sediment in the 1990s provide a detailed record of climatic

variation over the past 250,000 years. Longer and deeper sediment cores are expected in the near

future. Lake Baikal is furthermore the only confined fresh water lake in which direct and indirect ev-

idence of gas hydrates exists. The lake is completely surrounded by mountains. The Baikal Moun-

tains on the north shore and the taiga are technically protected as a national park. It contains 27

islands; the largest, Olkhon, is 72 km long and is the third-largest lake-bound island in the world. The

lake is fed by as many as three hundred and thirty inflowing rivers. The main ones draining directly

into Baikal are the Selenga River, the Barguzin River, the Upper Angara River, the Turka River, the

Sarma River and the Snezhnaya River. It is drained through a single outlet, the Angara River. Despite

its great depth, the lake's waters are well-mixed and well-oxygenated throughout the water col-

umn, compared to the stratification that occurs in such bodies of water as Lake Tanganyika and

the Black Sea.

Prior departure Miksture mail a detailed list of birds; this is the “official list” that we expect to observe

during the tour. Of course we can’t promise all species to be seen – some probably lack when we re-

turn home, whereas others is added… Our target species is the Siberian birds, and we are in the best

places for these species. Before departure everyone receive a checklist of possible birds to be seen

during our journey. Every evening we´ll use time updating the list in common ship. This has proven to be

an excellent way of getting everybody updated with the others comments and questions.

Red-throated Loon, Black-throated Loon, Black Stork, Swan Goose, Falcated Duck, Spot-billed Duck,

Velvet Scoter, Smew, Long-tailed Duck, Hazel Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan, Rock Ptarmigan, Spoonbill,

Spotted Crake, Baillon’s Crake, Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Pacific golden plover, Long-toed Stint,

Swinhoe’s snipe, Marsh Sandpiper, Temminck´s Stint, Jack Snipe, Pintail Snipe, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-

tailed Tattler, Caspian Tern, Oriental Turtle Dove, Oriental Cuckoo, Great Grey Owl, Ural Owl, White-

throated Needletail, Pacific Swift, Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Crested

Honey Buzzard, Black-eared Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Eastern Marsh Harrier,

Pied Harrier, Buzzard ssp. japonicas, Upland Buzzard, Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Imperial

Eagle, Amur falcon, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Pale Sand Martin, Asian House Martin,

Richard’s Pipit, Olive -backed Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, Blyth´s Pipit, Red-

throated Pipit, Common Waxwing, Altai Accentor, Alpine Accentor, Rufous-tailed Robin, Siberian

Rubythroat, Siberian Blue Robin, Red-flanked Bluetail, Common Redstart, Daurian Redstart, Siberian

Thrush, Eye-browed Thrush, Dark-throated Thrush, Spotted Bush Warbler, Pallas’s Grasshopper War-

bler, Lanceloated Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler,

Yellow-browed Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Humes Warbler,

Eversmann´s Redstart, Guldenstadt´s Redstart, Pied Wheatear, White-throated Robin, Naumann´s

Thrush, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Taiga Flycatcher, Brown Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Brown

Shrike, Siberian Jay, Azure-winged Magpie, Daurian Jackdaw, Spotted Nutcracker, White-cheeked

Starling, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Asian Rosy Finch, Pallas Rosefinch, Meadow Bunting, Chestnut Bunt-

ing, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Godlewski´s Bunting, Yellow-browed Bunting,

Little Bunting, Chestnut Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Pine Bunting etc.

Active birding! Early up, lunch break, and short siesta if it’s hot. No climbing, but participants should

be ready for shorter or longer hiking in different types of terrain in order to find the birds.

Taiga, wetlands, forest and mountains.

Predominantly cool but sunny. Some overcast weather and rain is likely. Temperatures generally

range from warm to cool, but its cold at night at higher altitudes and sometimes during daytime as

well.

The accommodation (hotels, guesthouses and homestays) are of normal and comfortable stand-

ard. Some nights in tents, while this is the only accommodation off the beaten track.

Opportunities are good and challenging

Siberian dream species, beautiful landscapes. Interesting reptiles, flora and creeps. Culture and hos-

pitality

Siberia 2014

Irkutsk – Selenga River Delta (wetland) – Teplie Ozera (taiga) - Tunka Valley (mountains) – Olkhon Island (forest

and coast) – Irkutsk

Day 1. Departure Scandinavia, 29.05

Day 2. Arrival Irkutsk. Afternoon birding at Novolenini Marshes, 30.05

Day 3. Transfer by train to Selenga River Delta, 31.05

Day 4. Birding the Selenga River Delta: Boat-tour, 01.06

Day 5. Selenga River Delta - Teplie Ozera, 02.06

Day 6 and 7. Teplie Ozera – Birding the Taiga, 03.06 – 04.06

Day 8. Teplie Ozera – Lake Ilchir, 05.06

Day 9. Birding at Lake Ilchir, 06.06

Day 10. Lake Ilchir – Arshan, 07.06

Day 11. Mountains and marshes at Arshan, 08.06

Day 12. Forested areas in the Sayan mountain system, Tunkinskie Goltsy range, 09.06

Day 13. Transfer to Olkhon via Irkutsk (390 km, 7-8 hours), 10.06

Day 14. Trip across the island, 11.06

Day 15. Olkhon Island – Irkutsk, 12.06

Day 16. Heading home – Welcome home! 13.06

Day-to-day program

Miksture always try to make the journey according to program, but sometimes it can be necessary to

change routes, and order of the locations. In order to optimize the birding we might add extra loca-

tions or change locations. One month before departure Miksture mail an updated program. Miksture is

of course always ready to answer questions and for more information. Please feel free to contact us.

Please note following meals provided during the days. B (Breakfast), L (Lunch) and D (Dinner)

Day 1. Departure Scandinavia

29.05: Departure from Stockholm, Copenhagen or other cities. Meeting in Irkutsk or enroute in Moskau.

Day 2. Arrival Irkutsk. Afternoon birding at Nonvo-Leninsky marshes

30.05: Welcome to Siberia! Irkutsk is a beautiful city with about 500 architectural monuments, among

which historically constructed ensembles are depicted. On Siberian map Irkutsk appeared in the mid-

dle of the XVII century. The greatest interest has the ancient part of the city including Church of the

Savior and Znameniye Cathedral. Irkutsk itself is a good birding site and you can have a great time

walking along the River Angara and get acquainted with the first sibes upon arrival to our central situ-

ated hotel: Eurasian Hobby, Radde’s, Arctic and Two-barred Greenish Warblers and a singing Com-

mon Rosefinch, as well as excellent views of the very common Pacific Swifts flying over the city. In the

afternoon we go birding at nearby Novo-Leninsky marshes: Bluethroat, Yellow-breasted and Eastern

Reed Buntings, Pallas’s Grashopper Warblers and Siberian Stonechats. In the marshy grasses we have

excellent chances of locating Lanceolated Warblers giving their distinctive songs. On the shallow pools

wildfowl abound and may include scarce species in the form of Eastern Spotbilled and maybe Falcat-

ed Ducks. The drier meadows here give us the opportunity to find Eurasian Bitterns in the open with

Northern Lapwings and possibly migrant waders. In the poplars Fieldfares occasionally breed whilst the

pylons sometimes attract Ospreys on migration. Over the lakes Common Tern of the race longipennis

(sometimes split as Siberian Tern) occur with elegant White-winged Terns. Night in hotel. BLD

Day 3. Transfer by train to Selenga River Delta

31.05: Transfer to the Posolkoe at the Selenga river delta by train (arrival afternoon). Posolskoe a set-

tlement is situated on the shore of Lake Baikal near the Selenga River delta. The settlement was found-

ed by Russian ambassadors to Mongolia and China at the 17th century. It’s also famous for its monas-

tery, built at the late 17th century. We try to spot some of the most sought after birds in the delta like

Asiatic Dowitcher, Long-toed Stint, Spot-billed Duck and Falcated Duck. Other gem’s is, Peregrine,

Black Stork, Marsh Sandpiper, Demoiselle Crane, White-tailed Eagle, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier,

Caspian Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Pallas’s Reed Warbler, Siberian Rubythroat, Richard’s Pipit, Cit-

rine Wagtail, Dusky Warbler, Lanceloted Warbler, Pine Bunting, Yellow-Breasted Bunting, etc. All of

which are characteristic breeding birds of the delta. At the lake itself bird observations are usually few

due the depth are several hundred meters – but include species Herring Gull (mongolicus), Velvet Sco-

ter (stejnegeri) and Red-breasted Merganser. Along the shore, wetlands and reed-beds dominate here

more species of marsh- and waterfowl occur. We accommodate at Sofia Guesthouse nicely situated

on the lake Baikal shore. This will be our base for the next days. The Sofia guest house is situated on the

lake Baikal shore and offers twin and triple accommodation with indoor facilities. BLD

Day 4. Birding the Selenga River Delta

01.06: Bird watching at the Selenga River Delta, in boats. Overnight: Sofia Guesthouse. BLD

Day 5. Selenga River Delta - Teplie Ozera

02.06: After breakfast we continue further west (184 km 4 hours). Gradually the landscape change,

and more forest occur – Taiga. The area of interest is mainly the forest along the river Snezhnaya, origi-

nating in the eastern Sayan Mountains south of Lake Baikal. The taiga is very nice in the region espe-

cially around the health resort named Teplie Ozera (Hot lakes) a few kilometers upstream river Snezh-

naya: a group of three shallow lakes situated seven km away from the shore of Lake Baikal at the foot

of Khamar-Daban mountain chain. The microclimate close to the health resort is said to be warmer

than the surrounding area and especially north of the resort, towards the Lake Baikal, deciduous trees

with thick undergrowth dominate the vegetation. Southwards from the resort, coniferous taiga also

with thick undergrowth and lots of dead fallen and standing trees covers the mountains. Here and

there small mires and lakes are found. The forest in the area seems never to have been affected by

forestry and was hence of a very high quality. The birds usually are excellent: Siberian Blue Robin and

Siberian Rubythroat are fairly common, Olive-backed pipits and Pallas’s warblers are common. Singing

males of Swinhoe’s Red-tailed Robins, Spotted Bush warbler, Taiga Flycatcher, Black-faced Bunting,

Dark-sided Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Taiga flycatcher, Siberian Thrush, White’s Thrush, Eye-

browed thrush, Chestnut Bunting, Crested Honey buzzard, Besra, White-throated Needletails. Wood-

peckers are well represented: White-backed; Three-toed and Grey-headed woodpecker, and some of

the large owl species occur as well – hidden in the taiga! Azure-winged, Magpie, Brown Shrike and

several species of warblers. A truly amazing birding site! As in other villages around Lake Baikal, Daur-

ian redstarts sing from the buildings. Accommodation in hotel. BLD

Day 6 and 7. Teplie Ozera – Birding the Taiga

03.06 – 04.06: We spend the days in the forest-area. We will encounter several goodies and there is

time to explore and enjoy the beautiful taiga forest on site. Accommodation in the same hotel as pre-

vious night. BLD

Day 8. Teplie Ozera – Lake Ilchir

05.06: Transfer to the Tunka Valley. Mondy settlement (400 km 8 hours). Lunch en route. Change

transport to 4 wheel drives and continue to Ilchir Lake. The road is very beautiful as it snakes upwards.

Further up the landscape change and we encounter subalpine tundra with grassy plains and Rhodo-

dendron bushes. Beautiful views to Munku Sardyk – the highest mountain in Buryatien (3.400 m). Brown

Shrike is common. Dinner upon arrival. Night in tents. BLD

Day 9. Bird watching at Lake Ilchir

06.06: We use the day in the beautiful landscape. Olive-backed Pipit is common and Red-throated

Thrush too. One of the most rewarding and great experiences is to find Pallas´s Reed Bunting – locally

common here. Hen Harrier, Booted Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Besra, Horned Lark, Water Pipit, Cit-

rine Wagtail, Pallas’s Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Humes Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Spotted Nut-

cracker, Altai Redstart, Eversmann’s Redstart, Brown Accentor, Altai Accentor. The shorebirds are inter-

esting and challenging: Jack Snipe breeds alongside Swinhoe´s Snipe. BLD

Day 10. Lake Ilchir – Arshan

07.06: Transfer to Arshan settlement (214 km 5 hours). Stop for lunch en route. We continue 4 hours’

drive in our private chartered vehicles to Arshan. We have time for birding enroute when we drive

through the Tunka Valley. The habitat starts to open up into farmland dotted with seasonal lakes that

are attractive to waterfowls. The large lakes near Arshan lure Demoiselle and Common Cranes along

with Imperial Eagle and Black-eared Kites. We drive eastwards into agricultural landscape, but stop

birding at different locations along the way, where the habitat looks interesting. White’s Thrush, Siberian

Rubythroat, Siberian Blue Robin, Black-faced Bunting, Oriental Cuckoos, Olive-backed Pipit, Greenish

Warbler of the Siberian subspecies P. t. plumbeitarsus, Dusky and Pallas’s Warblers, Pine Bunting, Ru-

fous-tailed Robin, Crested Honey-Buzzard, Thick-billed Warblers, Black Stork, Oriental Turtledove, Brown

Shrike, Radde’s Warbler, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Eye-browed Thrush, Daurian Redstart, Siberian Flycatch-

er, Imperial Eagle, Hoopoe, etc. At present we are planning camping at the marshes; alternatively we

drive to Arshan and overnight at hotel. BLD

Day 11. Mountains and marshes at Arshan

08.06: Today we visit the Tunka marshes, an area dominated by patches of woodland, grass meadows

and several small lakes with reedy margins. The bushes are worth checking for Siberian Rubythroat,

Meadow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Long-tailed Rosefinch and Pine Bunting. In the meadows Rich-

ard’s Pipits are common whilst stands of trees and scrub hold Eurasian Wryneck, Brown Shrikes and

Thick-billed Warbler. A walk around Tunka Marshes may reveal Eurasian Bittern, Asiatic White-winged

Scoter, Common Pochard, White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, White-winged

Tern, Siberian Stonechat and singing Yellow-breasted Buntings. Tunka is also reliable for calling Japa-

nese Quails, although our chances of seeing one are slim. Scarcer birds occurring at Tunka include

Black Grouse, Eastern Buzzard and Little Gull. In the afternoon we drive to Arshan and overnight at ho-

tel. BLD

Day 12. Forested areas in the Sayan mountain system, Tunkinskie Goltsy range

09.06: Destination today is the mountainous area around Arshan settlement. Arshan is situated at the

foot of the Sajan Mountains. Easy hiking. In the afternoon we continue the exploration with a walk to

Arshan Datsan monastery and the forest nearby. Overnight at hotel. BLD

Day 13. Transfer to Olkhon Island via Irkutsk (390 km, 7-8 hours)

10.06: Olkhon Island, the “heart” of Baikal, is the biggest island of Baikal with a population of 1500 peo-

ple. The major occupations are fishing and cattle breeding. The Island’s aboriginal people are the Bur-

yats. The “capital” of the island is Khuzhir. After breakfast transfer to board the public hydrofoil to the

Olkhon Island. 08:30 depart with a hydrofoil and 14:25 arrive to the Khuzhir village on the Olkhon Island.

Beautiful and very interesting landscapes. Birding are less common on the island, but it’s actually sur-

prisingly good, and usually we get new species on the list, e.g. Upland Buzzard, Isabelline Wheatear,

Rock Thrush. The forests are drier, but include more taiga species, and along the coast are several in-

teresting species: Daurian Jackdaw is common. Enroute to/from Olkhon island we birdwatching and

stops in forested areas where we in 2013 had really good birding, e.g. Siberian Thrush. Overnight in

guesthouse. BLD

Day 14. Trip across the island

11.06: Visit the Shaman Cape and the Khoboi cape, and the forested areas. Picnic lunch with Baikal

fish soup cooked on the fire. Shaman Cape is one of 9 Asian relics. Used to be known as «Stone tem-

ple». The Cape is considered to be the residence of the top ranked celestial Hute-Baabay Khan who

has come down to earth to manage human beings lives. Khoboi Cape (from Buryat language «Fang“)

is the most northern cape of Olkhon island. From the sea the cape resembles the side face of a wom-

an who is looking afield. Local legend says that it is the petrified Buryat lady who asked the celestials to

present her with the better castle than her husband was presented with. For her anger and envy she

was fated to be a stone till there would be evil and rancor. Good chance to see the rare and endem-

ic Nerpa – the Baikal Seal. Overnight in guesthouse. BLD

Day 15. Olkhon Island – Irkutsk

12.06: Transfer to Irkutsk (5 hours). As mentioned, there are several hot-spots enroute to Irkutsk. The city

itself is a good birding site: Eurasian Hobby, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Radde’s, Arctic and Two-barred

Greenish Warblers and a singing Common Rosefinch, as well as excellent views of the very common

Pacific Swifts flying over the city. On Siberian map Irkutsk appeared in the middle of the XVII century.

Irkutsk has a great number of monuments of wooden architecture. There are about 500 architectural

monuments in the city, among which historically constructed ensembles are depicted. The greatest

interest has the ancient part of the city including Church of the Savior and Znameniye Cathedral. Night

in hotel. BLD

Day 16. Heading home – Welcome home!

13.06: After early pre-breakfast transfer to airport.

This is an active journey. Participants should tolerate and be ready for active birding. The activity level

will be adjusted so it fit all clients, and everyone can enjoy this journey. There is certain flexibility, so in-

dividual wishes and pace can be respected. We don’t climb mountains or endure tough levels of ac-

tivity, but this is birding and participants should be ready getting up early – and should be ready to en-

dure changing climatic conditions. We know the areas and the conditions. We are well prepared, and

make sure the participants achieve the best possible comfort – tasty, healthy and enough food! Com-

fortable accommodation, and most nights we stay at hotels, small guesthouses and homestays. There

will be NO nights in tents.

What to bring…?

Prior departure, and usually at booking confirmation, we send a detailed packing list and in-

formation about what to bring. Miksture are of course always prepared to assist and explain,

so please feel free to ask us about every matter.

WALKING: The walking effort during the main tour is mostly easy to moderate, although there will be

one or two optional harder walks in the mountains.

MEALS: All meals have been paid. Lunches can be packed and be basic. Some evening meals will be

in the hotel or in a restaurant. Dinners are with plenty of food and a variety of communal dishes. Soups

are often included as well as both meat and vegetable dishes. Meal times are generally very flexible

and the group will eat together. We provide mineral water during all tour, and serve tea and coffee to

all meals. When possible and wished we make tea and coffee-breaks.

CUSTOMS: Before departure Miksture send out a detailed Practical List of what to bring. On entering

Russia you might need to declare all equipment such as cameras and money, a form will be provided

on the aircraft or in the airport. Usually it goes smooth and without any problems.

BAGGAGE: Please bring soft luggage if at all possible (i.e. lockable bag, strong nylon or canvas bags

rather than hard suitcases, which are for more difficult to pack into the vehicles and take up more

room). In addition take a small to medium sized rucksack which should be carried as cabin baggage.

Pack photographic equipment, binos and things of this sort in your rucksack for the journey.

CLOTHING: You will be outside most days unless you request to stay at base for any reason, so it is es-

sential to be properly kitted out. At the same time, try to travel as lightly as possible; leave superfluous

clothing etc. at home. It will be both fairly warm and cold during the trip. However, clothing needs to

cater for these fluctuating needs. The season is predominantly wet. In addition, in the mountains it can

be windy and cold. Remember that it is easier to keep warm if you wear several layers.

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING & ITEMS: Insect repellent, one thick sweater/fleece, waterproof cloth, mit-

tens/gloves, hut, a pair of walking/trekking boots (trainers are generally not suitable but are useful for

changing into, in towns, hotels etc.), torch and spare batteries and binoculars + extra batteries.

Other good equipment: A water bottle or thermos for tea (must not leak), a small everyday ruck-sack,

sunglasses, sun screen, pills for indigestion, diarrhea etc., Kleenex tissues, wet wipes, travel wash and

mug.

SUPPLIES: Supplies such as biscuits, some fruit (fresh & bottled), chocolate, beer, etc. can be bought

readily in all the towns we are visiting.

ELECTRICITY: Guesthouses and hotels will have electricity. Charge whenever possibilities are available.

LAUNDRY: Bring your own washing powder; hotels normally, but not invariably, have a laundry service.

INOCULATION/VACCINATIONS. One is recommended: Against tick-borne disease (Ixodes persulactus).

Also it’s recommended that you protect yourself against tetanus. A check up with your doctor and

dentist are wise precautions before departure.

ESSENTIAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENTS: Please ensure that if you use any medicament, you have an ade-

quate supply to last for the trip; they will be difficult, if not impossible, to purchase. Bring: Simple pain

killer (e.g. Paracetomol), Lip salve, and travel sickness pills if required, 1-2 toilet rolls, Sun screen with a

high protection factor (e.g. 25 sun block is recommended), Sunglasses, suitable for screening out high

UV at altitude. Sun hat. If you are prone to diarrhea then Lomotil or Imodium and Dioralyte or Rehydrat

may be useful.

TIPPING: Tipping is always welcomed.

SPENDING MONEY: Exchange is possible only in the cities! Bring EURO or USD in cash!

WEATHER AND CLIMATE: The climate is influenced by altitude. In May and primo June it can be cold.

It’s cool in the mountains and rain occurs.

ACCOMMODATION: Guest houses, homestay and hotel. Rooms are provided with twin beds. One key

only usually (but not always) is allocated per room. Extra blankets and color televisions (but not in

guesthouses) are provided in most hotel rooms. Most hotels have adequate bathrooms with hot run-

ning water for at least part of the day. The accommodation in the countryside can be fairly primitive,

and the toilet/washing facilities can be outside.

MAMMALS: Though its birds we go for, there is an excellent range of mammals to be seen in the re-

gion, and good bird sites usually is good places for other animals, etc. The Baikal seal, Lake Baikal seal,

or Nerpa Pusa sibirica, obsolete: Phoca sibirica, is a species of earless seal endemic to Lake Baikal in

Siberia. Like the Caspian seal, it is related to the Arctic ringed seal. The Baikal Seal is the smallest of the

true seals, and with the exception of a subpopulation of inland harbour seals living in the Hudson Bay

region of Quebec, Canada (lac de loups marins harbour seals), the Baikal seal, the Saimaa ringed seal

Pusa hispida saimensis, and the Ladoga seal Pusa hispida ladogensis are the only exclusively freshwa-

ter pinniped species. It remains a scientific mystery how the seals originally came to Lake Baikal, hun-

dreds of kilometers from any ocean. Some scientists speculate the seals arrived at Lake Baikal when a

sea-passage linked the lake with the Ocean. The total population is estimated to be over 60,000 ani-

mals, and hunting of the seals, once widespread, is now restricted.

Price per person (in shared double-room) 10 pax: 2.350 EURO (excl. flight), 11 pax: 2752 EURO, 12 pax:

2681 EURO, 13 pax: 2605 EURO and 14 pax: 2545 EURO. The price is calculated for a group of minimum

10. To book a seat on this tour a non-refundable deposit on 270 EURO per person should be paid (if

Miksture cancel 100% this deposit will be returned, of course) – You are not reserved a seat before the

deposit is paid. The remaining amount per person should please be paid LATEST 1.th April 2014.

International flights - the earlier it’s booked – the cheaper. At present, October 2013 the prices added is

following: Stockholm-Irkutsk-Stockholm: 802,94 EURO, Copenhagen – Irkutsk – Copenhagen: 750,29

EURO. If interested in departure from other airports pls contact Miksture. If bought later then classes and

price will be different. It’s important to notice; don’t wait until few months’ departure! Miksture of course

assist and book. When minimum number of participants is reached it’s time for booking, so pls be

aware that we kindly ask you to transfer the amount for the ticket.

Price include: Guiding by Michael Westerbjerg Andersen ● Local (English-speaking) interpreters ● Local

(English-speaking) ornithological guide – not present during all the tour ● All transportation according

program: Bus, train, 4 x 4 vehicles, etc ● All accommodation in Siberia according program ● Full board

in Siberia ● Bottled water each day ● All permits ● Services of tour leader & administration from Miksture

● Local entrees and fees according day-to-day program: National Parks and museums ● Sightseeing

specified cost ● Specified cultural program ● Hydrofoil tickets ● Visa support invitation letter. Siberian

poor roads conditions & changing weather conditions ;)

Price does NOT include: International and domestic flight ● Alcoholic drinks at meals in restaurants and

cafes ● Personal expenses for eventual extra arrangements not mentioned in the program ● Tips to

drivers and interpreter ● Travel insurance – mandatory! ● Extra arrangements not mentioned in the

program ● Money for own expenses – actually very little needed ● anything strictly personal (e.g. laun-

dry, phone calls, any excess luggage charges, snacks) ● Visa to Russia . Visa fees and applications will

be explained prior departure.

Single room: Pls contact Miksture.

Booking procedure:

In order to book a seat on SIBERIA 2014, pls contact Miksture, and pls insert deposit 270 Euro per person

to Mikstures account – your seat is booked when deposit is paid. As soon Miksture registries deposit, we

mail a receipt and you seat is booked. If Miksture cancel the tour the deposit will be refunded 100%

1. Deposit of 270 Euro per person should be paid to Mikstures account (pls mark it: “Deposit SIBE-

RIA 2014”

2. When deposit is received, Miksture mail a receipt of the received amount, together with list of

birds of SIBERIA 2014 and Practical Travel tips SIBERIA 2014 which essential is a little booklet of all

practical matters and a pack list

3. Mail a JPG file of the “picture-page” in your Passport, or a scanned copy of the page to Miks-

ture. This will be used for obtaining permits, and book accommodation. Pls note – the copy of

the Passport SHOULD is the same as you will use during SIBERIA 2014!

4. Visa – we assist with this matter. When your seat is booked Miksture inform you about the visas.

5. The remaining amount of tour price should please be paid latest 1.th April 2014.

6. One month before departure Miksture mail an updated program

Account: Miksture

Bank: NORDEA

Bankadress: NORDEA, Lyngby afd.

Reg nr: 2418

Account nr: 8976114257

IBAN: DK5220008976114257

SWIFT: NDEADKKK

All birders are welcome and on our travels there usually is a mix-ture of nationalities. Language is no problem – Birders

talk the same language! English, Russian, French, German and Danish are spoken. Miksture was established with the pur-

pose of encourage and combine Eco-tourism and biological scientific research in Central Asia; mainly Kyrgyzstan and Ka-

zakhstan. The approach of combining Eco-tourism and Nature Conservation is in many ways opposite activities, but in Kyr-

gyzstan we have done it without severe compromises for the visitors and the environment. Our tours are the result of

friendship and strange ideas and our carefully planned itineraries and intensive approach have since 1994 given those who

travel with us an unusually experience. Miksture is an independent company, established and owned by Michael

Westerbjerg Andersen. You will always be in contact with Michael when you contact us. All itineraries in Central Asia are

accompanied by Mikstures staff that possesses the knowledge and experience to make the tour wholly successful. They

know the areas thoroughly and take pride in showing those who travel the local hotspots, confidently coping with any

problems that may arise and so greatly increasing the chance that everything will run smoothly. Leading a tour in Europe

or North America is one thing, leading one in Central Asia and Siberia where logistical problems are a fact of life is quite

another! Where practicable and necessary we obtain the assistance of local leaders who have both an intimate knowledge

of their home areas and the ability to look after the group to the required standard.

Welcome to SIBERIA 2014Michael Westerbjerg Andersen, owner of Miksture