This tour is special and far different than the West Journey due to the distinct nature that you will see. The mountain belt of the Mongol Altai with their perpetual snow, glaciers, traces, and signs of ancient ice covers from the bronze age thave been well preserved due to a constantly cold climate and strong winds.
Day 1. After meeting your driver at the reception, take local domestic flight to Olgii; it’s a 3 hours flight. Meet Mr. Bek and the local driver as well as other team members such as an English and local languages speaking guide and cook who will accompany you during your trip. After having lunch in Olgii, start driving to the south-west heading to the Kholtset khairkhan sacred mountain. After a 4-5 hour trip, reach Kholtset Khairkhan and overnight there in tents or with nomadic families.
Day 2. See rock art, nomadic life, and part of the ethnography of Mongolia with the small minority Uriankhai. Overnight there in tents or families’ gers.
Day 3. See the famous Kholtseet natural mineral water source for meditation, which meditates kidney, stomach, and other inner organs. You may see ibex, mountain goats, wild eagles, argals, and other wild animals. Overnight there in tents or in gers.
Day 4. Walk to Monkhkhairkhan Mountain and see ice age snow caps as well as finding ancient tools such as ancient swords or ancient arches. Overnight in tents or in gers.
Day 5. Drive back to the East to fish in Buyant valley and have a picnic. Overnight in the valley in tents along the Sagsai River.
Day 6. Drive East, pass Khatuugiin Davaa Hill by mini van; it is 2008 metres high. There you will see all the Altai mountains around western Mongolia including Russian and Chinese territory. Then Drive down to Khatuu Valley, see stella stones, rock art, and an ancient cemetery. Overnight in Khatuu valley with nature.
Day 7. Drive South the next day to perhaps see bear, snow leopard, ibex, other wild animals, and you can do bird watching. See Kazakh nomadic life and a waterfall (3 metres high). Listen to a herdsman who tells stories about Cryptozoology (wild man) who had lived in Asia in Mongolia. Overnight there in nomadic families.
Day 8. Today is an independent day, so everyone can enjoy themselves doing what they would like to do around the valley and with nomadic families. Overnight there in tents or in gers.
Day 9. Drive back to Olgii; after dinner in Olgii, watch a brief traditional concert. Overnight in Olgii.
Day 10. Fly back to UB.
DATES : 1 June-15 September
Some recommendations: Summer months in Mongolia are from early-June to mid-September. Although the Mongolian summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night, so be prepared for all weather conditions.
What to bring: Binoculars, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, long underwear for travel in the high mountains, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed), rain gear, and a flashlight/torch.
Transport: Western Mongolian families frequently move from one pasture to the other using camels. The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.
Staff: A local guide who speaks English and Mongolian will accompany the group at all times. A cook will follow, with an assistant. In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals. The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.
Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips. For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.
Price: 1200 USD per person (min 2 members)
Group size: 2-12 [Discounts available for large groups]
Price Includes: English speaking guide, food(3 times per day), cook, packing horse or camels, all overnights in gers and tents, camping equipment and all local transport (UB-Ulgii-UB flights), all Border and National park permits.
Price Excludes: Drinks. Guesthouse costs 10-USD per night, per person.