Best of Altai Mountain Tour (6 days)
Overview
Discover the ancient Altai Mountains!
There are thousands of mountains in the world but none is like Altai. This super gigantic mountain has a rough and void face, but when you get closer, when you start climbing, you will find out how rich and alive this mountain is. The Altai Mountains is the highest of three major mountain ranges in Mongolia, straddling the Russian and Chinese frontiers in the Far West.
We praise The Altai Mountain as father, because it’s home to thousands of animals, as well as nomadic people. More than 14 different ethnic groups live in this area.
The majority are Kazakhs, muslims who speak an ancient Kazakh language. Mongols and Tuvan people are very similar, Buddhist and shamanistic. This spectacular journey will bring you to the heart of Altai mountain and enormous Potanin’s glacier.
Get ready to experience true wild nature and meet with exotic nomads with golden eagles next to their yurts.
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Get to explore the highest and longest mountain ranges in Mongolia, straddling the Chinese and Russian borders to the West.
- Get to know and experience the lives of the Kazakhs who are Muslim and speak ancient Kazakh.
- Meet the Buddhist and Shamanistic Tuvan people, who live mainly on the mountain ranges where silence is golden.
- Trek across the Potanin Glacier with local herdsmen, carrying Golden Eagles tied to their Yurts and riding atop camels.
- Get to know more about the ethnic minority nomads who live in this remote mountain range.
- Shared accommodation at a local hotel
- 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 Horse ride
- Sleeping bag
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Itinerary
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 lake Hoton and Hurgan.
During the drive, Altai mountain will never make you bored of it’s magnificent and enormous view.
While you drive through Ulaankhus village, you will have a chance to visit Kazakh Eagle hunter’s family and feel their grade hospitalities.
Overnight in Kazakh Ger L+D) (200km; 7hours)
The lakes are situated in the heart of Altai mountains, near the borders between China and Mongolia. Even though the Lakes are super isolated from any human civilization, many Nomadic Kazakh families still spend their summer here. 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) (60km)
Today we will have a full day drive following Tsagaan Gol Valley (White River) to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (a.k.a The Holy Five). Altai Mountain range is Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range with high peaks over 4000 meters above sea level.
“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 local ger. (B+L+D)
Take a horseback trek to the Altai Tavan Bogd referring to the peak “Huiten '', the highest- 4374m. 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 by explorer Potanin.
Back to camp and overnight in local 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 tourist camp. (B+L+D) (200km, 7hr)
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. (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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