Trekking Altai Tavan Bogd | Trekking Mongolia

Tour Description

Majestic Altai Mountains guard 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 Kazakh and Tuvan hunters whose ways of life have not changed since times unmemorable. Kazakhs have ancient traditions of falconry. They employ Golden Eagles which are kept for hunting foxes, hares and other small animals. Start off from the alpine lakes of Khoton and Khurgan, trek along glacial rivers, across lush meadows and icy gorges. Myriads of flowers entertain eyes of those traveling in June. Hundreds of stone mounds marking burials of various ancient tribes lie alongside our trail. Finally reach the base of the Tavan Bogd mountain range, the highest in Mongolia. Here, facing cold glaciated peaks and vast moraines beneath them time stands still. The tour allows a wealth of cultural experience in the caring company of local nomads and hunters.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Trekking in Majestic Altai mountain range area

• See authentic culture of Kazakh people with golden eagle and Tuva nomadic people

• Camel supported trek between NP gates and Tavan bogd mountain’s base camp

• See highest peak Mt. Khuiten and the largest glacier Potanin,

• Ascent to the Malchin peak 4050m ASL

• Petroglyphs and Twin lake.

Price includes

All accommodation (twin shared)
All transfers including arrival & departure
Internal flights
Indicated meals (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
Visits & national park fees
Camping equipment
English speaking guide
Expedition cook
Local guides
Horse & camel hire

Price excludes

Travel insurance
Excess luggage fees on internal flights
Meals not indicated
Sleeping bags and pads
Drinks
Gratuities

Tour dates:

28 June - 7 July 2024 OPEN
14 July - 23 July 2024 OPEN
26 July - 4 August 2024 OPEN
6 August - 15 August 2024 OPEN
18 August - 27 August 2024 OPEN

Price per person

2 pax: 2,695 USD per person
3 pax: 2,510 USD per person
4-5 pax: 2,280 USD per person
6-9 pax: 2,060 USD per person
10-12 pax: 1,900 USD per person
Single Supplement: 270 USD

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, guided city tour

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a centrally located 4 star hotel. Afternoon guided walking city tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city: The central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and Sukhbaatar statue placed at the center as well. Museum of National History is located right next to the square will introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era. Then choose to visit one or two museums from the following: 1. Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. 2 The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum displays old arts including Buddhist arts, painting, folk arts and crafts, sculptures, carvings and embroideries. A show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion at 6PM will be followed by a welcome dinner. (Hotel/D)

Day 2: Flight to Bayan-Ulgy, the Muslim province of Mongolia

Early this morning take a 3 hour flight to Ulgy town in Western Mongolia. The Kazakhs living in the area are the largest national minority and practice Sunni Islam. A number of other ethnic groups also reside in the province in the region. Upon arrival meet with a support team of driver(s), cook(s) and a guide and head westward. At the end of a 5 - 6 hours travel across mountainous desert we camp in the valley of Oigor river. Upon arrival we erect our tented camp. Dinner and overnight in tents. (tent/B,L,D)

Day 3: Acclimatization day

Trek for 15km to Tavan Bogd peaks base camp (BC). 2 thirds of the way is a gradual but continuous ascent across high mountain terrain with some marshes and a couple of streams to cross. Camel drivers load up camels and start later but soon overtake and arrive at camp earlier allowing the cook set up his operations. Trekkers carry their lunch boxes.(tent/B,L,D)

Day 4: Climb up Malchin peak 4050m

Climb to 4051m Malchin peak. A return trip takes at least 7 hours. We will need to hike along the Potanin glacier moraine for an hour before stepping on the mountain. Although clearly established the trail is mostly on the scree. Once at the top you can enjoy spectacular bird's eye views of glaciers beneath and of the Russian territory as the ridge overlaps with the border line. Only trekking poles are required for the Malchin climb. Alternatively, you can take a less demanding option of hiking up to a lower ridge and glance into Russia too.(tent/B,L,D)

Day 5: Wilderness trek along White river

Trek out to lower gate of Tavan Bogd NP - White river valley. This time it is an easy stroll downhill although interrupted by a couple bogs and slightly longer than the way up. Again loads are carried by camels. (tent/B,L,D)

Day 6-7: Drive to Khoton & Khurgan lake

Drive to Khoton, a spectacular alpine lake at 2073m. The campsite at Khoton lake is idyllic. It has one of the largest petroglyph galleries in Mongolia. They date back to Neolithic period and the Bronze Age and depict numerous hunting scenes, and representations of wild and domestic animals. Also there are some distinctly well preserved ancient burial sites. This evening and the next leisure day you may go swimming, explore the surroundings or laze in the camp. (tent/B,L,D)

Day 8: Drive back to Ulgy town

7-8 hour return drive to Ulgy town. En-route we stop to visit a local Kazakh family and see their golden eagles which are kept for hunting purposes. In Ulgy we check in to the Eagle Nest hotel by far the best accommodation in town. Dinner in a local restaurant. (hotel/B,L,D)

Day 9: Return flight to Ulaanbaatar

This morning we catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon for shopping and else. Farewell dinner. (hotel/B,L,D)

Day 10: Departure transfer

Transfer to airport for your return flight home. (B)

MAREIKE SCHMIDT

The second trip – horseriding in Terelji – was great as well! Amazing team I had around me: driver, local horse guide and “J”, awesome and very quick-witted guide. I think he was a little upset that he could not make me gallop with the horse. Both regions (Töv and Bayan Ulgi) are amazing places with breathtaking landscape, interesting culture and history.

Especially Malchin Peak and the Khoton and Khurgan Nuur were outstandingly magic. Overall – very professional, friendly and familiar atmosphere within the teams, well organized. Thank you for organizing amazing trips for me. Attached you can find two pics. All the best and best regards from Germany

Mareike

ADAM and HEATHER LEWIN

We also spent a week trekking/camping in Alta Bogd national park. Wow what a great adventure. We set off from Ulgii in our Russian van. Spent 6 nights camping. The guide,cook and driver were amazing. We requested vegetarian meals and I don't think we have ever eaten this many vegetables on a trip before. The cook- really a chef was one of a kind- he studied for 3 months in Italy - we got great Italian food on the trek! He even brought illy coffee! Our guide was very nice and knowledgable.

So patient as he helped me traveling by horse to base camp and back. Our driver got us through some tough roads. The tents were high quality - spacious, comfortable and held up in the wind. They even made us a toilet tent. They also had a shower tent! All of the staff made the trip that much more special. Overall I feel this was a once in a lifetime trip. Truly special experience that would not have been possible without Mongolia expeditions and their staff. I highly recommend them.

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