Date: June-July
16 days/ 15 nights
• 2400 km with car
• 5 days horse trekking or
• 5 days hiking
• Aircraft 1.5 hours
Majestic Altai Mountains overlook the western frontiers with China and Russia. Its spectacular peaks, covered in vast glaciers, are home to Argali sheep, Ibex, Lynx and the elusive Snow Leopard. The area is inhabited by proud Kazak and Tuvan hunters whose ways of life have not changed. Kazaks have ancient traditions of falconry. They employ Golden Eagles which are kept for hunting foxes, hares and other small animals. Starting off from alpine lakes of Hoton and Hurgan we trek through green meadows, lush forests and icy gorges. Myriads of flowers entertain eyes of those coming in June. Hundreds of “kereksur” or tombs left by various ancient tribes lie alongside our trail. Finally we reach foothills of the Tavan Bogd range, the highest mountains in Mongolia. Here, facing cold glaciated peaks and vast moraines beneath them time stands still. This tour is a huge spiritual challenge and offers a wealth of cultural experience in the caring company of local nomads and hunters.
Included: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).
Day 1: Arrival and check into accommodation. Begin by a city tour of Ulaanbaatar including: Sukhbaatar square where you can see the statue of Chinggis khan, Gandan monastery and National Natural History Museum. You have free time for more sight-seeing and shopping. In the evening we have dinner in Mongolian BBQ restaurant.
L, D
Day 2: Drive to Kharkhorin, the site of the 13th century Mongolian Empire’s capital, founded by Chinggis Khan. Visit to the ruins and Erdene Zuu Monastery, the biggest monastery of 16th century surrounded by 400mX400m walls build from the ruins of ancient capital city. Accommodation: Ger (Mongolian traditional house) camp.
B, L, D
Day 3: Drive to the White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur) in the Khangai Mountains in central Mongolia. The Khorgo volcano is located near the eastern end of the lake and the Suman gol river springs from lake. Also we will visit Yellow dog heaven, Stone ger and set up tent camp near the White Lake. There will be a walking tour to top of the Volcano crater.
B, L, D
Day 4: In the morning we will drive to the Telmen Lake. The lake lies near the boundary between the forest-steppe and steppe ecosystems. The Telmen Lake, a closed lake basin, is slightly salty (about 4g per L salinity). Lunch in the Tosontsengel territory.
Accommodation: Tent
B, L, D
Day 5: After breakfast we will drive to Otgontenger Mountain which is 4021m above sea level and the peak of the Khangai Range. Set up tent in the bank of Chuluut River.
B, L, D
Day 6: Today drive to Bayan Lake followed by passing Uliastay city, Erdene khairhan, Zavkhanmandal territories. We see Bor Khyars sand dune. Hope you enjoy sand dune
Accommodation: tent camp
B, L, D
Day 7: In the morning we will drive to the Khyargas Lake which is one of Mongolia's largest lakes covering 1,406 square kilometers. The brackish water of the lake is home to rare fish including Mongolian Grayling and we will hike around the lake.
Accommodation: tent camp
B, L, D
Day 8: We will drive to Khovd province, reach the Achit Lake and set up tent there.
B, L, D
Day 9: We will drive to Ulgii city in the western Mongolia and then to Ulaanhus territory. After arriving at Tsagaan river, we will set up tent near the Tsagaan river bank.
B,L, D
Day 10: We will go to the north of the Tsagaan Lake and visit Tuva family in Shiveet Khairhan mountain. We will meet our horsetrekking guide and rent out horses for the tracking.
B, L, D
Day 11: Hiking and horse trekking up to the ice river of Altai Tavan Bogd. Shiveet Khairhan Mountain is 3943m above the sea level.
Accommodation: Tent
B, L, D
Day 12. Khuiten mountain is the tallest of the Altai tavan bogd mountain which is 4374 m above the sea level. Hiking and horse trekking in the Malchin mountain which is 4037 m above the sea level.
Accommodation: Tent
B, L, D
Day 13: We will go down along the ice river and arrive at Shiveet Khairhan mountain. Accommodation: Tent
B, L, D
Day 14 : Passing the Tsengel territory, we will visit Kazakh family. We will spend a full day with the Kazakh families. The Kazakh peoples live a similar herding lifestyle like Mongolians. However, the Kazakh people are Muslims and speak the Kazakh language. The Kazakh people are famous for their intricate handicrafts and amazing needlework. Their yurts (tranditional house), which are larger than that of a Ger, are elaborately decorated with brightly colored wall hangings and floor rugs. The Kazakh men spend a great deal of time hunting with eagles during the winter months. These great birds are caught at a young age and trained to catch small prey. We will have a chance to see these magnificent birds. We will arrive in Sagsai territory later in the day.
Accommdation: Tourist camp
B,L,D
Day 15: Today we will drive back to Ulgii city and fly to UB. Arrival and check in accommodation.Free time at your leisure. Evening program will be held folk group performance.
B,L,D
Day 16: Departure date. Transportation to Chinggis Khan National Airport is provided for your departure.
B
It was a great pleasure having you with us and please visit Mongolia and our tour again~!
Bayartai! (Good bye)
