The Roof of Mongolia Trek (12 days)
Overview
Common imagination of travelers about Mongolia is a sandy Gobi desert and boundless steppes. As matter of fact, Mongolia is situated in the middle of 4 high mountain ranges and therefore 50% of total territory is covered by mountainous grassland. Altai mountains in the west , Khangai mountains in the central part, Khentii mountains in the east and Khyangan in the south are towering in the 4 ways and protecting us, forming their distinctive microclimates and Watching over thousands of lives.
The ancient Altai mountain is the largest and highest among others and its beauty is incomparable. Be a guest of our father Altai mountain and listen to its epic harmony.
Discover Mongolia offers you a perfect trekking holiday through the heart of Altai Tavan Bogd. Along the way, meet nomadic Kazakh people, observe wildlife and visit historical sites. Conquer the snow-capped mountains, breathe its fresh air and walk in the cloud towards the eternal blue sky.
It will be a trip of your lifetime and we promise to deliver it!
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Discover the biggest nomadic country in the world - rich diversity of nomadic culture in the regions
- Trek to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains
- Meet Kazakh ethnic group and an opportunity to watch Eagle hunting
- To see rare and protected animals like snow leopard, ibex, etc
- Amazing nature and unique people of Western Mongolia
- Domestic flights included
- Std twin room at 4* hotel
- Shared accommodation at Ger camp
- 2 person per tent, camping equipment
- Private transfers
- Internal air tickets - free luggage allowance is 15 kg
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Camel support
- Local keeper
- Sleeping bag
- Mongolian barbecue Letter of Invitation
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
- Single supplement
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel.
Take a city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see a huge gold plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival.
And there are other highlights - Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolia - where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to present time.
Excursion to Zaisan Hill Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
Ulgii’s population is mostly Kazakhs (93%), descendants of kok-turk nomads of central asia. We differ a lot even though Mongols and Kazakhs stand united under Mongolian flag. Upon arrival in Ulgii, our driver and guide will pick you up and start the tour to the Altai Tavan Bogd national park.
Altai Mountain range is Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range with high peaks over 4000 meters above sea level. During the drive, Altai mountain will never make you bored of it’s magnificent and enormous view.
Overnight in local ger. (B+L+D) (200km; 7hours)
“Shiveet Hairhan” Sacred Mountain is a famous spot, where you will see the largest petroglyph galleries date back from the period of bronze age to Huns (approx. 200-1000 B.C.).
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D) (25km; 6hours)
Trek to the Altai Tavan Bogd referring to the peak “Huiten '', the highest- 4374m. Tavan Bogd means "The Holy Five '' and the peaks are named Huiten (4374m the highest), Naran, Ulgii, Burged and Nairamdal. Enjoy this stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif snow capped peaks. You will reach out the 30km long enormous Potanin’s glacier, 2 million years old, an ancient ice river that was discovered in the 19th century.
Supplied by camel caravan, we will trek for 16km to the base camp area and settle our camp at the edge of the Potanin’s glacier.
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Trek back on the other side of the Tsaagan River (White River) to Shiveet Hairhan Mountain, where the Tuva people live. You will be able to see the remote and spectacular country.
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Time to go downhill?
Not yet. Today we will trek through Khar Salaa valley for 20 km to Takhilt pass (3600m). This will be the beginning of the true wild adventure. You will see nothing but wild nature & wildlife.
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Brace yourselves for the highest elevation of the entire journey. Today we will get across Takhilt pass very near the peak of Tsagaan Hairhan Uul (Holy White peak 3668m) heading to Tsagaan Us river. Stay near Bear Valley.
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Today we will trek though Tsagaan Us river for 12km and drive to Khurgan and Khoton lake.
Along the lakes, we see the beautiful waterfall, rock paintings, and some ancient Turkic stone figures of humans.
On the right side of the lake, we see the snow capped mountains with forests, standing like a wall between China and Mongolia.
Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
The lakes are situated in the heart of Altai mountains, near the borders between China and Mongolia. Even though the Lakes are super isolated, many Nomadic Kazakh families still spend their summer here.
Visit to Kazakh herdsmen. Their yurts are a bonanza on handicrafts, and they are very friendly and hospitable people. Hike around Khurgan and Khoton lakes.
Overnight in Kazakh ger. (B+L+D)
After early breakfast, drive via Ulaankhus soum through desert-mountain plateau. Meanwhile, snow-capped beautiful Sogoog Mountain will make your eyes happy. Enjoy photographing the charming landscape.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D) (180km;7km)
Transfer to the airport and fly to UB. Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey.
Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)
Good to know
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
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