Introduction
The Altai Mountains, the largest chain in Central Asia, guard the farthest western reaches of Mongolia, at the point where China, Russia and Mongolia meet. The Tavan Bogd or ‘Five King Peaks’ are the highest peaks in the Mongolian Altai range, the highest reaching over 4000 meters. In the summertime, the region is full of colorful wildflowers. Kazakh and Uriankhai nomads roam the plains with their flocks of sheep and herd of horses, camels and sometimes even yaks, living in their traditional yurts, called gers in Mongolia. The Muslim Kazakhs are famed worldwide for hunting with their Golden Eagles. The Uriankhai are Buddhist, and hunt in a more traditional way with bows and arrows.
Inclusion
What's included ?
- Shared accommodation in ger camp
- All meals as listed in itinerary
- All entrance fees
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Accommodation in 4 stars hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin standard room double occupancy)
- Transportations by 4WD vehicles
- English speaking guide (other language guide on request)
- Daily supply of bottled water, Domestic flight
What's not included ?
- International airfare
- Travel insurance
- Beverages
- Optional activity cost
- Excess baggage charge
- Single room supplement
- Personal equipments
- Any additional things which are not mentioned above
Day to Day Itinerary
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Day 1 Ulaanbaatar (City tour)
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia. Depending on time of arrival transfer to hotel after a meal enjoy a city tour including: Gandan monastery and visit to the biggest square Sukhbaatar which is located in the center of Ulaanbaatar. Have lunch in Mongolian Traditional Restaurant. then visit the Natural History Museum which is famous for its authentic dinosaur skeletons and fossils.Visit Zaisan memorial hill for a view of the whole city. Welcome dinner at restaurant,stay overnight in hotel. (B, L, D) -
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar to Bayan Ulgii province
After breakfast fly to the Bayanulgii. The flight takes one and a half hours,Bayan Ulgii is located in the extreme west of the country and it shares borders with both Russia and China. The border between the two neighboring countries is very short here and ends after about 40 km at the eastern end of Kazakhstan. Bayan-Ulgii is the highest Mongolian aimag. For the most part it is located in the Mongolian Altay, at the transition point to the Russian Altay. About 10% of the territory is covered by forests, consisting primarily of Siberian Larch. Stay overnight in local hotel. (B, L, D) -
Day 3 Bayan Ulgii province to Shiveet khairkhan Mountain
Today, we make our way to travel Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain for lunch in the nature. Visit a Kazakh family and you have a good opportunity to learn more about the lives of nomadic people. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 4 Shiveet khairkhan Mountain to Altai Tawanbogd
In the morning we pack all of our luggage on the backs of our camels on the camels’ back for a trek to the Holy Mounts of Altai. We reach base camp on the edge of the Potaniin’s Glacier. Enjoy an extraordinary view of Mongolias highest mountains and glacier. It takes 4-5 hours of moderate walking around 16kms. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 5-6 Discover Altai Tavanbogd
The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is a beautiful place, snowcapped mountains, glacial valleys, forests and beautiful lakes and rivers all go to create a majestic setting. In the north of the park, Khuiten peak (4374m, the highest point in Mongolia) of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains and the Potaniin’s Glacier (23km²) draw alpine enthusiasts from around the world. This park extends over 630.000 hectares including Altai, Sagsai, Ulaanhus and Tsengel soums. There are about 35 glaciers in the Altai Tavan Bogd including Potaninii Glacier. Fishing, hiking canoeing, camping and horseback and camel riding are possible possible. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 7 Altai Tavanbogd to Shiveet khairkhan Mountain
We travel back to Shiveet khairkhan Mountain. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 8 Shiveet khairkhan Mountain to Tolbo Lake
Early in the morning we make our way to Tolbo Lake,about 50 km south of Olgii town. The saltwater lake is high (2,080m), expansive and eerie. There are a few gers around the lake and the water is clean enough for swimming if you don’t mind icy temperatures. We will have a picnic in the beautiful natural surroundings. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 9 Tolbo Lake to Bulgan (Khovd)
Today we will drive to Bulgan which crossing route will connect Bulgan in Khuvd soum in west Mongolia with the Chinese town of Tarkshken in the Qinghe County located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 10 Bulgan (Khovd) to Uench River
Early morning we drive to the Canyon of the Uench River and on the way there is a good opportunity to enjoy the wild life of the area. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 11 Uench River to Bugat soum
Today we travel to Bugat Soum for a picnic in the nature. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 12 Bugat soum to Boon Tsagaan Nuur.
Early morning we drive to Boon Tsagaan nuur,a large salt water lake.It has a lot of birdlife, especially the relic gull, whooper swan and geese. The region also boasts an extraordinary volcanic formation, canyons withcascading streams and ancient cave painting. The lake is about 90 km south-west of Bayankhongor City, Buutsagaan soum. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 13 Boon Tsagaan Nuur to Orog Nuur (Tuyn gol)
In the morning we travel to Orog Nuur the salt water Orog Nuur is at the end of the Tuin Gol, which passes through Bayankhongor City. With a jeep and a local guide it is possible to drive to the top of Ikh Bogd for stupendous views. You can use the lake as a base to visit sights further south.Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 14 Orog Nuur (Tuyn gol) to Khongor sand dune
Drive to Khongor sand dune approximately 180 kilometer longs and 3-15 kilometers wide. From a distance it looks like a fin of huge gold fish. After arriving take a shower and welcome dinner. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 15 camel riding tour to Sand dune
Early morning drive to and visit Gobi three beauties national park. Riding a horse or a camel and trekking to the gorge. Packed lunch on the way and visit nomadic family, continue driving to Khongor sand dune which the length of approximately 180 kilometers and 3-15 kilometers wide. From distance it looks like a fin of huge gold fish. After arriving take a shower and welcome dinner. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp (B, L, D) Free day! Visiting camel breeding family to learn about their traditional nomadic lifestyle and take some photo. You have chance for camel riding tour is available at the area nearby the sand dunes. The shifting sand blown by the wind or someone makes sound so it is called Singing Sand Dunes. There is beautiful green oasis known as Seruun bulag near the Khongor River. Return to the camp for lunch and enjoy feeling silence and a peaceful in the beautiful surroundings Gobi Deserts. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp (B, L, D) -
Day 16 Khongor sand dunes to Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Drive to Bayanzag which is located 20 kilometers far from Bulgan soum, where 70 million years ago a lot of Paleontological findings have been discovered. The place is known as Flaming Cliffs so named by Roy Chapman Andrews American explorer who had visited Mongolia in 1922. During two years he searched through the Mongolian Gobi Desert and he found dinosaur fossils and dinosaur eggs about 10-15 cm from the Bayanzag for the first time in the world. Visiting and exploring native land of dinosaurs and taking some photos for beautiful surroundings. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp (B, L, D) -
Day 17 Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) to Yol valley (Gobi three beauties)
Breakfast at the camp and early morning drive to Yol valley which is located 62 km from the South-Gobi province in the MT Zuun Saikhan. On the way visit the ruins of an ancient small temple known as Sum Khuh Burd. Very wide at the entrance, it narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. Packed lunch on the way, continue to drive and transfer to the camp nearby at the Gobi three beauties. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 18 Yol Canyon to Baga Gazriin Chuluu (Earth stone)
Drive to Middle Gobi is known as Baga Gazriin chuluu (earth stone).Arrive in the early afternoon, lunch at the camp. There are some interesting granite rock formations, also there eye spa which supposed to be good for your vision. There is ruin of an ancient small temple, located in the middle of the rock. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) -
Day 19 Baga Gazriin Chuluu (Earth stone) to Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and lunch at the finest restaurant in Ulaanbaatar.Afternoon free time for shopping.In the evening go to a national folklore performance by “Tumen Ekh” for national songs, throat singing, tsam mask dances and more. A farewell dinner and stay overnight in hotel. -
Day 20 Departure
Check out from the hotel and transfer to the “Chinggis Khan” International airport or train station for departure.