UB + Western trail 8 days
The Wild West
UB + Western Trail
THe Wild West
- Duration:
- 8 days
- Available:
- Group or Individual
- Price:
- $899
code: WT-04
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UB + Western Trail 8 days
The Western part of Mongolia is a remote place, now accessible with a (still unreliable) flight from UB. It has borders with China & Russia and contains the highest and most beautifull mountains of Mongolia: The Altay Mountains. It is home to the Kazakh minority, who have their own language and culture and still manage to live according to their ancient nomad ways. In combination with the natural beauty of the mountains and the lakes makes a tour in this area an experience of a lifetime. The uniqueness and authenticity of the place make you easily forget the rather basic accomodation opportunities.
- Eagle hunters culture
- Divers landscapes
- Altay Mountains
- Excellent horse-riding trails
- Hiking to waterfalls
- National parks
- Plenty of hiking opportunities
- Unique Kazakh culture
Programme
Start & Finish in UB.
You will experience the remote Western part of the country, with the beautiful Altay mountains and its pristine lakes, where the Kazakh culture keeps its nomadic traditions fully alive.
DAY 1: CITYTOUR ULAANBAATAR
- Sukhbaatar Square
- National History Museum
- Lunch
- Ganden Monastery
- Cashmere factory
Start in the morning, we first walk around on Sukhbaatar Square, we can see lots of Mongolian people here with old and new buildings as backdrop, In the National History Museum we get an overview of the history of Mongolia, from the earliest Huns to modern Mongolia! After lunch we visit Ganden monastery, if we are lucky we can hear the monks chanting. A visit to a factory gives us an idea about the Cashmere production.
DAY 2: UB - Olgii - Tavan Bogd
- Shopping
- Lunch
- Kazakh nomad family
- National park
We take an early morning flight to Bayan-Olgii province. After landing in Olgii we will have some time for shopping in the local supermarket so we can stock up some food for the next 2 days. After lunch in a local restaurant we will drive to the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (= Five Holy Peaks) We will have our dinner and stay with a local Kazakh nomad family in their ger.
DAY 3: Tavan Bogd
- Presidential Ovoo
- Horse riding trail
- Views on 5 holy peaks
- Potanin Glacier
- Tavan Bogd Basecamp
Today we will pack our stuff on the back of one or more camels, and ride on horseback for about 17km to the Tavan Bogd Base Camp. During the ride we will have some stunning views on the snow capped mountains and some colorful lakes & Ovoos on the way. In the base camp we will set up our tents and enjoy the views on the Potanina glacier with its ice river.
DAY 4: Tavan Bogd
- Hiking to top of the mountain
- Picnic
- Overnight in basecamp
Today we will start very early to hike to the top of one of the 5 peaks. Again some wonderfull views on the highest mountains of Mongolia will be our reward today. We will prepare our ouwn food and stay one more night in our tents.
DAY 5: Tavan Bogd - Khoton lake
- Horse ride
- Lunch
- Rock paintings & Balbals
- Khoton & Khurgan lakes
- Kazakh nomad life
In the morning we will ride with our horses back to the entrance of the Nature Park and continue driving to the Khoton Lake area. On the way we will pass some intriguing rock paintings and some ancient burial sites with their characteristic balbal stones. OUr destination today is a Kazakh nomad family, living on the border of the lake with their livestock. We will spend some time with them, this is an excellent opportunity to see a real nomad family in their daily life. After dinner we will spend the night with the family.
DAY 6: Khoton & Kurgan lakes
- Hike to waterfall
- Eagle hunting family
- Stay with nomad family
After breakfast we will do some hiking through the forest around the lake. The hike will take us to the Baga Turgenii waterfall. After lunch we will continue driving to another Kazakh nomad familly. Here we will witness their skills in training their eagles & Saker falcons for hunting. Dinner & overnight witht the family.
DAY 7: Kurgan lake - Olgii
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Friendship memorial
After breakfast we will drive back to Olgii, on the way we will stop for picnic, bird watching & hiking around another lake. In Olgii we will visit the friendship memorial, which is actually a very nice lookout spot for some views on the city and its surroundings. Overnight in a local hotel.
DAY 8: Olgii - UB
Flight back to UB
Practicals
Included:
1. English speaking guide and driver
2. All relevant transfers and transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
3. Accommodation at the best tourist Ger camps based on 2 people sharing 1 room (twin beds)
4. All meals as specified in the itinerary: B-breakfast, L-lunch and D-dinner
5. All entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
6. Bottled mineral water (0.5*2 per person)
7. Credit card bank charges 4% for deposit & balance payment
8. All government, visa invitation letter
NOT INCLUDED:
1. International Airfare or Train tickets to enter or leave Mongolia
2. Mongolia entry visa fees
3. Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
4. Daily personal expenses
5. Travel insurance (trip, medical and personal)
