Altai Tavan Bogd National Park:
The most significant parts of Mongolian Altai Tavan Bogd are its high, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, ancient archeological sites, and unique nomadic customs of locals, the Kazakh and Tuvan people. The mountain belt of the Mongol Altai with their perpetual snow, glaciers, traces, and signs of ancient ice covers from the bronze age have been well preserved due to a constantly cold climate and strong winds. The area is inhabited by some endangered animals (such as the Argali sheep, Ibex, Snow Leopard, Rock Ptarmigan, and Altai Snow cock) and plants (such as the Dwarf Siberian Pine and White Gentiana). The biggest glacier of the country, Potanin, is in the Altai Mountains and has a total area of 107.9 square km.
ACTIVITIES:
For these few days, while staying with host families, you can walk up and down about 18kms along Potanin Glacier to see the highest snow capped peaks of the Mongolian Altai Mountains [Khuiten(4374m) and Malchin (4025m)]. If you want, you can stay one night in a tent near those peaks to climb the next day to Malchin Peak (5hrs up and 4hrs down). There are excellent view from Malchin towards Belukha Peak (4506), located on the north-east (about 130kms), as a border between Kazakhstan and Russian Altai Areas.
One day, we will hike towards Shiveet Khairkhan Mountian, which is the sacred mountain for local Tuvans; they provide a shamanistic ceremony in the beginning of every July there. Walking around this mountain, you will see many ancient petroglyphs and carved stones with faces. As it is a sacred mountain, there is no hunting, so many ibex live there. If you book in advance, we can organize a meeting with a Tuvan shaman.
LOCATION:
High Altai rocky mountains (2200m-4374m) with glaciers and high speed mountain rivers with white water.
HORSE and CAMEL RIDES:
Half day or full day horse and camel rides can be organized at an additional cost. Picnic lunch can be provided from the camp.
TRANSFERS:
Operates twice every week and are subsidized as shared stuff. It takes 5-6hrs one way. On the way, you have a chance to enjoy remote, spectacular mountain country.
You can order a private driver at any time.
PRICE (min. 2 people):
…… USD per person,
Single supplement: 15 USD per day
Price Includes: All meals outside Olgii, all overnights in double occupancy, transfers to and from camp on scheduled dates.
Price Excludes: Laundry, imported drinks, overnights in Olgii.
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.