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8 Day Adventure in the Altai Mountains

Price $1150 7 days
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8 Day Adventure in the Altai Mountains

$1150 per person

In this 7-day trip, travel to the far western corner of Mongolia where the Altai Mountains lie – a scenically beautiful region of snow-capped peaks, torrents, glaciers, and large alpine lakes. See the highest mountain in the Mongolian Altai Tavan Bogd area: Khuiten Peak; the Shiveet Khairkhan Sacred Mountain, ancient petroglyphs, the pristine Khoton and Khurgan Lakes, and the Baga Durgin waterfall.

Experience the unique Mongolian culture: nomadic life, eagle hunting, traditional throat singing, and horse trekking and hiking.


Prices:
$1150 per person (1 – 4 people)
$1060 per person (5 – 8 people)
$950 per person (9 – 12 people)

  • Departure Time
    Guests can request and confirm tour dates, at least one month before departure.
  • Included
    Accommodation
    All Museum Tickets
    Horse Guide
    Meals
    National Park Permits and Fees
    Personal Guide
    Sightseeing
    Transportation/Car
    Typical Souvenir
1
Day 1: Ulaanbatar to Ulgii
3 hour flight from Ulaanbatar to Ulgii
From Ulaanbatar, take a 3 hour flight to Ulgii City in the Bayan-Ulgii province of Western Mongolia. Your English-speaking guide and driver will welcome you upon arrival and introduce you to Ulgii, with its unique Kazakh culture and language (you'll be surprised to know that little Mongolian is spoken in Ulgii).
Immerse yourself in Western Mongolian culture
You'll visit the local museum, open air market, and mosque, giving you a real flavour of the region and its people. After lunch, the journey begins!
Begin the journey to Tavan Bogd National Park
The first day of the long journey to Tavan Bogd (Five Peaks) National Park stops at The Sacred Mountain Shiveet Khairkhan. It is surrounded by archaeological monuments constructed during the Bronze Age and through to the Turkic period. Day 1 will take approximately 7 hours, before we settle in tents for the evening. (L/D/Tent)
2
Day 2: Potanin Glacier
Horse ride to Potanin Glacier
Depending on your preference (and horse availability), we either walk or ride to the impressive Potanin Glacier - seeing both the Potanin and Alexander Glaciers. The 20km long Potanin Glacier runs down from the highest mountains of Mongolia and is an excellent base for trekking and climbing the surrounding peaks. Our luggage will be transported by camels and handled by the friendly and helpful local people. The day ends at the base camp, at an elevation of 3000 metres. (B/L/D/Tent)
3
Day 3: Malchin Peak
Climbing Malchin Peak
Enjoy a good breakfast, as today we take a one hour trek, then climb, up to Malchin Peak (4050 metres) - at the Mongolian-Russian border of Tavan Bogd. Malchin Peak is the lowest of the Holy Five Peaks (the highest being KhĂ¼iten Uul at 4374 metres). It's a 6-7 hour rocky climb. At the end of the day, we return to camp to relax. (B/L/D/Tent)
4
Day 4: Tsagaan Gol Valley
Tsagaan Gol and Tuvan Throat Singers
We trek down to Tsagaan Gol Valley, following the white glacier river and beautiful deep canyons. Near the Tuvan Gers we will cross the bridge over the Tsagaan Gol River. (Until 2011, the only way to cross the river was by horse - an exciting crossing for the horses and camels.) Down river, we set up camp in a lush green pasture at the foot of glacial bowls, then in the evening, we visit a local Tuvan family. A small population of Tuvan people live in this area, keeping their old traditions and Shamanism beliefs. A meeting with a Tuvan Khomii throat singer will be confirmed on this day. (B/L/D/Tent)
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Day 5: Khoton, Khurgan Lakes
The Khoton and Khurgan lakes, and Mongolian-Chinese border
Next, a drive to one of the most beautiful parts of Western Mongolia: the southern end of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. See the mesmerising Khoton and Khurgan lakes. On the way, we stop in Mogoit Valley to see the ancient stone man, balbals. We set up camp on the shores of Khoton Lake, with a back drop of the beautiful snowcapped mountain range - outlining the Mongolian-Chinese border. In the evening, we visit a local Kazakh family, observing the local nomadic life. (B/L/D/Tent)
6
Day 6: Eagle Hunters
Free Day and Eagle Hunters
Enjoy a free morning on the shores and summer pastures of Khoton Lake. Learn more about the Kazakh culture, find great fishing spots, and/or trek to the Baga Durgin waterfall. In the afternoon, we visit an Eagle Hunting family, where you'll learn about the practice and skill of eagle hunting. Get the opportunity to take photos with an eagle perched on your arm. We camp near the Eagle Hunter's family home. (B/L/D/Tent)
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Day 7: Horse riding along the Sumd-airakh
Horse riding and the Sumd-Airakh River
Today, we saddle up and horse ride for 18km along the Sumd-Airakh river. Cross small and large rivers on horse back, and ride through forests, before arriving at a camp set up by the team. Enjoy our last night camping in the National Park. Take in the beautiful view of the Sumd-Airakh river and Altai's snowy mountains. Nomads pass by herding their cattle, or milking their mares. We'll celebrate the night with cold beers and a traditional Kazakh meal. OPTIONAL: Sleep in a Kazakh Yurt. (B/L/D/Tent)
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Day 8: Return to Ulgii
Ulgii Guest house
We return to Ulgii following the Khovd River. We take a pit stop at Tsengel Soum, a small village center. After a full day of driving, we arrive in Ulgii. Rest overnight at a guest house. (B/L/D/Guest house) OPTIONAL: Stay in a Ger.
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Day 9 Return to Ulaanbaatar
Mongolian ger in Ulaanbataar
Catch your return flight to Ulaanbataar. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your Mongolian ger. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B/L/D/Ger)

Tour Location

Explore the Altai Mountains
  • Altai Tavan Bogd
  • Khuiten Peek
  • Shiveet Khihan Sacred Mountain
  • Khoton and Khurgan Lakes
  • Baga Durgin waterfall
  • Sumd-Airakh river
  • Tsengel Soum
  • Ulgii

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Accommodation
Meals
Transport

  • Backpack or soft/duffel bag
  • Sleeping bag (appropriate for -5C -10C temperatures)
  • Waterproof bag cover
  • Head lamp/flashlight
  • Spare batteries
  • Personal medication
  • Towel
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Waterproof jacket with hood
  • Waterproof over pants
  • Fleece jacket or wool jumper
  • Cotton t-shirts
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Lightweight trousers
  • Shorts
  • Warm hat/beanie
  • Long underwear/long johns/thermal underwear
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Sun hat
  • Gloves
  • Sandals
  • Sun glasses
  • Sun cream
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
  • Water bottle
  • Camera/binoculars
  • Hiking stick
  • Tissues/toilet paper/wet wipes
  • Watch/alarm clock
  • Money belt/pouch
  • Copy of travel insurance
  • Emergency contact details
Note: The list above, whilst extensive, may not prepare guests for all situations experienced on the tour.
Package Price DOES NOT INCLUDE:
  • Airfares
  • Travel insurance
  • Medical insurance
  • Visa application fees
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses, i.e. items of personal nature, gratuity to local guides and drivers, airfare or bus tickets, airport taxes, excess baggage charges (over 33 pounds / 15 kilograms), fees for changes of arrival/departure flights, additional services, any charges of force majeure beyond our control (e.g. imposition of quarantine restrictions, etc.), optional excursions unless stated in your itinerary, etc.