Trekking in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
(7 days)

Guranteed Departure

Tavan Bogd National Park is an amazing beautiful park embodies with special characteristics of high mountains with snow capped peaks, icy crystal rivers, mountain valleys, steppe landscapes and ecosystems.

Detailed description

Bayan – Olgii

This journey will take you to a place that only a few people have visited. Mongolia’s western regions are a linguistic mash-up of Muslim and Mongolian customs. Trekking through this wild landscape can include a variety of encounters as well as a thrilling journey of discovery.

We will be flying to Olgii, the capital of Bayan Olgii province, today. Unlike the rest of Mongolia, which is ruled by Khalkh Mongolians, Bayan-Olgii has a Kazakh majority, almost all of whom are Muslims. Olgii also has its own small mosque.

When you arrive, our local team will greet you and take you west into the National Park.

(Tented Camp L, D)

Olgii – Tsagaan River

The Altai Tavan Bogd is a 636,161-hectare pristine landscape that runs along the western frontier of the Bayan-Olgii aimag’s Ulaan Khus, Tsengel, Sagsai, and Altai soums. In Mongolia’s far west, the national park contains extremely high peaks with perpetual snow and glaciers. The peak of Khuiten Uul on the Altai Tvan Bogd range, which rises to 4374 meters above sea level, is the highest point. The park extends for over 200 kilometers from Russia to China, following the Altai Mountain Range that separates China, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.

The park contains tens of thousands of petroglyphs that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous Turkic Stone Men and stone burial mounds can be found. The White River is one of many rivers that originate from the Tavan Bogd glaciers’ melting ice.

We’ll travel through the foothills of the mountains for 7 to 5 hours today, arriving in the early afternoon at the Tsagaan River Valley. This is a popular spot for nomadic people to set up camp in the summer, and it is also where Tuvan people practice their Shaman religion. We’ll meet our camel guide here to get ready for the hike the next day. We’ll begin our trek along the White River.

(Tented Camp B, L, D)

Base Camp – Potanin Glacier

Today we will go to Tavan Bogd to begin our 18 km descent into the base camp. Camels will carry our baggage, which will be managed by the polite and supportive Tuvan people. On our way, we’ll pass by the Potanin and Alexander Glaciers, which have ice peaks. The base camp is situated at a height of 3000 meters. It will take approximately 6 to 8 hours. The glaciers are situated between 3,500 and 4,000 meters above sea level. They are the source of the Tsagaan River and run for 16 kilometers. We’ll set up our camp and get ready for the next day’s trek to Malchin Peak when we arrive at base camp
(Tented camp B, L, D)

Malchin Peak – Base Camp

We will depart for our expedition to the Tavan Bogd Glacier after a hearty breakfast. We’ll hike through a high mountain landscape of wetlands and rocks. The five mountain peaks of the Tavan Bogd Mountain, as well as its glacier, will be visible from above. The absolute top of the Altai Mountain Chain and Mongolia’s highest mountain peak will be in front of you. Malchin hill, the smallest of Tavan Bogd’s mountain tops, is our final destination today (4050 m). It will take us approximately 6 hours to reach the summit. The majority of the climb will be on rocks, and we will return to camp in the evening. We will be able to see Russia and China from the top of the mountain.

(Tented Camp B, L, D)

Oigor River

The final day of hiking will take us to the north bank of the Oigor River, where we will meet a Kazakh family at their summer camp and learn about their traditions and culture.

(Tented Camp B, L, D)

Drive back to Olgii

Today is the last day of our journey across the wild west. We’ll pack everything into our cars and return to Bayan-Olgii. We can stop by a Kazakh family in Sagsai or Ulaankhus sum on the way.

(Hotel B, L, D)

Flight back to Ulaanbaatar

The time has come to leave and fly back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. You can use your free afternoon to see as you fit. You could always go see the lovely cultural show and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.

(B)

optional

Option 1: Altantsogts village, visit eagle hunters

We will visit Kazakh families in their traditional Ger bigger than Mongolian Gers and brightly decorated with hand-made rugs. We will enjoy a cup of tea, share with our hosts delicious Kazakh dishes such as Kuz “salted and smoked horse meat” Bisbarmak while chatting and deepening our knowledge of rich Kazakh culture and custom. Afternoon we will go trekking in a nearby mountain valley and riding on horseback together with hunters through the scenic landscape.
(Family Stay)

Option 2: Khurgan and Khoton Lakes

We’ll travel to the Khurgan and Khoton Lakes today and visit the surrounding area. On the way, we can stop at Tsengel sum, a world heritage site inscribed by UNESCO, to see the large and beautiful deer stones located 15 kilometers to the south.

Khurgan and Khoton lakes are Mongolia’s second largest and clearest lakes, with an average depth of 26 meters and a maximum depth of 58 meters. A deep natural channel connects the Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. The scenery surrounding the lakes is stunning, with snow-capped mountains in the background.

(Tented Camp)

Option 3: Khuiten peak climb extension

Between the base camp and Khuiten Peak, we’ll cross the Potanin Glacier. Before reaching the summit, we’ll have to cross some large crevasses. The hike takes one day from the base camp. Depending on the weather, we will begin climbing Mongolia’s highest mountain, Khuiten, the most prominent of the Tavan Bogd Holy Five Peaks, early in the morning. Our experienced guide will teach us how to climb and provide us with all of the required equipment.

If the weather turns grim, the climbing experience will be more difficult. Climbing may be postponed!

(Tented Camp)

Option 4: Drive one way between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan Olgii

You could take the 3-4 days’ trip to drive one way between Ulaanbaatar and west Mongolia. You will discover a variety of landscapes and sceneries on the way. It’s a great option for people who have more time in Mongolia.

FIXED DEPARTURES CALENDAR

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June 2023

INCLUDED

Land transportation
5 nights tented camp stay
Hotel 1 night
Meals 6B, 7L, 6D
Tour guides
Camping and kitchen equipment
National park entrance fees
Local flight tickets
Local flight airport transfer

NOT INCLUDED

Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
City touring
Medical, trip insurance and evacuation costs
Local flight excess baggage charges
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Airport transfer