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Vacation Activities Highlight |
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Altai Mountains is the high major mountain ranges in Mongolian, Russian, Kazakhstan and Chinese frontiers. Mountains of eternal snow capped mountains and glaciers. In these remote regions live many nomads of ethnic minorities. The Kazakhs are Muslims, and speak an ancient Kazakh language, as well as Tuvans, who are Buddhist and schamanistic. This dramatic journey will bring us to Altai’s highest mountain region. We will trek to Snow capped glaciers supported by pack camels, horses and locals. We will then continue across the high Altai and trek into the lakes region. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.
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Vacation Activities Information |
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DAY 1: To Olgyi
Meet your local Kazakh guide upon arriving at Olgyi airport or report to the bar of the Blue Wolf Restaurant in Olgyi, 17h00 at the latest. You will meet your local guide there. Drive half an hour west to Sagsay village and check in at Blue Wolf Ger Camp. Dinner will in the big Kazakh yurt (ger).
DAY 2: To Altai Tavanbogd National Park
We load our luggage and drive via Ulaanhuis over desert mountain landscapes, with the snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountain as a powerful backdrop and the Altai Mountain range ahead of us. We will find numerous petroglyphs and Turkic stones along the Goloog River basin. Bayan-Olgyi is rich in archaeological remains, as a reminder of the Bronze Age and the time of the Huns and Turkic invasions. At Shiveet Hairhan Mountain, where numerous Tuvan nomads live, is Altai Tavanbogd National Park, where we will pitch our camp. Shiveet Hairhan is sacred for these local people. Overnight will in tents.
DAY 3-5: Tavanbogd massif
We will load our equipment onto pack-camels and/or pack-horses - and trek for 6km toward the base camp of the snow-capped Tavanbogd massif. Pitch camp next to the 20km long Potanina glacier – the biggest of the twenty glaciers in Mongolian Altai. Remain there for two nights. Tavanbogd means “The Holy Five”, referring to the five highest peaks, of which Huiten Uul is the highest in Mongolia, 4374 meters above sea level. Quite a considerable height at this latitude. It is a stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif of high snow-capped peaks. For a full day we will make day hikes to the Malchin Uul. These are non-technical climbs. Back at Shiveet Hairhan Uul we will be able to view the biggest petroglyphs from the second period of the Huns (200 B.C.). The Huns were the reason that the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi built and finished the Great Wall of China at this time. On the third day, trek back on the far side of the Tsagaan River and pitch camp. We may have a chance to view Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) here.
DAY 6-7: Altai Mountains crossing
We have allocated two full days for the crossing of the Altai Mountain range, the total distance being 32km. We will pitch camp before the snowy area. Certainly big game such as Snow Leopards and its prey species live here, but they are extremely difficult to see. Perhaps you may see Altai Snowcock, the highest altitude living bird of Mongolia. We will cross the Altai at the highest elevation of some 3600m and have broad views across the Altais. We will be near the peak of Tsagaan Hairhan Uul (3662m). Then we will trek to a scenic valley which the locals call Bear Valley, where we will pitch camp for two nights.
DAY 8-9: Bear Valley
Small streams that develop into rivers originate here. They are fed by melting glaciers which flow down broad steppe valleys. Surrounding the valley are mountains and forested hills of larch. Along the rivers there are wooded and alluvial meadows with broad leaf forests. We will day hike in the area.
DAY 10: To Green Lake
Trek down a valley with patches of Larch forests and reach the so-called Green Lake, where we will pitch camp.
DAY 11: To Hoton Lake
Full day trek through the dramatic steppe valley along the river that drains from the Altai Tavanbogd massif, creating a series of beautiful lakes. Our impressive camel caravan comes out to the steppe valleys of the lake area. We pitch camp on the shores of Hoton Lake. The area is below the snow-capped Ikh Turgen Uul. We are now only 10km from the China border. These are the summer pastures of numerous Kazakh herdsmen. Their yurts are a bonanza of handicraft. They are a very friendly and hospitable people. A fishing rod comes in handy here. The largest subspecies of Mongolian Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is easily fished here. The numerous Great Cormorants in the vicinity are a good indicator that there are plentiful fish in the lakes.
DAY 12: Ikh Turgen Uul
Another sacred mountain is Ikh Turgen. We trek east along the southern shore of Hoton Lake. Subject to the permission of the border police we may have a chance to trek around the mountain, toward the Chinese frontier. In any case, we plan to camp by the beautiful Fish River.
DAY 13: To Horgon Lake
Trek out to the steppe valley towards the Horgon Lake, passing an old simple wooden mosque that, for some unknown reason, was spared in the purges of the 1930s. Perhaps because it was so remote. The pick up vehicle(s) will arrive at this campsite tonight.
DAY 14: To Olgyi
Drive to Olgyi towards the Hargant Valley below Tsengel Hairhan Uul (3043m), another of the many snow-capped mountains. Here live Tuvans. They are Buddhists, but of a Turkic speaking ethnic group. Their gers (yurts) are more like Mongol gers as opposed to the larger Kazakh ones. Arrive back to Sagsay village and Blue Wolf Ger Camp.
DAY 15: Olgyi and out
After breakfast, drive a short way (30 minutes) to Olgyi. The bazaar in Olgyi is interesting, as well as the mosque, which has been renovated in recent times. We usually have the whole morning to visit Olgyi. There are some very interesting back street handicraft shops and a well-stocked local museum. In the afternoon, flights leave for Ulaanbaatar. You may – at additional cost – add a transfer to Hovd (5-6h).
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Notes for price Information |
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Price Includes:
English speaking guide and all meals. All overnights gers and tents, camping equipment and all local transport,all Border and National park permits.
Price Excludes:
Drinks, local flights, laundry and renting of riding horses.Visa fee. Single tent/ger supplement is USD 30 per night. Riding horse with saddle: -$25 per day . Riding camel: -$30 per day
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