Altai Mountains

- camel supported Trek to the glaciers -

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Altai Mountains is the highest of three major mountain ranges in Mongolia, straddling the Russian and Chinese frontiers in the Far West. Mountains of eternal snowcapped 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 Mongolia’s highest mountain region. We will trek to the Potanin glacier supported by pack camels and locals. We will then continue across the high Altai and trek into the lakes region, next to the Chinese frontier. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.

Brief Outline Itinerary

On this dramatic journey we use low impact traditional modes of transport. Our equipment will be carried on pack-camels, possibly also in addition, packhorses. We will fly to west Mongolia on an almost 4 hour domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar. We will transfer out to the mountain regions from Ölgii, the Kazakh provincial capital, by 4wd Russian vehicles. Our crew will be Kazakhs and/or Tuvan. The local guide is trilingual at least: English, Mongol and Kazakh. Possibly also Tuvan and Russian.

DAY 1: To Ölgii

Meet your local Kazakh guide arriving at Ölgii airport or report at the bar of Blue Wolf Restaurant in Ölgii, latest 17h00. You will meet your local guide here. Drive half an hour west to Sagsay village at check in at Blue Wolf Ger Camp. Dinner in the big Kazakh yurt (ger). Dinner.

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-Ölgii is rich in archaeological remains, as a reminder of the Bronze Ages and the time of the Huns and Turkic invasions. At Shiveet Hairhan Mountain, where numerous Tuvan nomads live, in Altai Tavanbogd National Park, we will pitch our camp. Shiveet Hairhan is sacred for these local people, why no hunting here. Overnight in tents.

DAY 3-5: Tavanbogd massif

We will load our equipment on to pack-camels – perhaps also pack-horses - and trek for the 16km towards the base camp of the snow-capped Tavanbogd massif. We will pitch camp next to the 20km long Potanina glacier – the biggest of the twenty glaciers in Mongolian Altai - and 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. The other peaks are named Nairamdal, Ölgii, Burget and Naran.

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 for the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi to build and finish the Great Wall of China at this time. On the third day, trek back on the far side of the Tsaagan River and pitch camp. Here we may have a chance to view Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica).

DAY 6-7: Altai Mountains crossing

We have allocated two full days for the crossing of the Altai Mountain range, which is a total of a mere 32km. We will pitch camp before the snow area. For sure, big game such as Snow Leopards and its prey species, live here, but they are extremely difficult to get to see. Perhaps there is Altai Snowcock, the highest living bird of Mongolia. We will cross the Altai at the highest elevation of some 3600m our trek and have the broad views across the Altais. We are here near the peak of Tsaagan Hairhan Uul (Sacred White Mountain/ 3662m). Arrive to a scenic valley which the locals call the Bear Valley where we will pitch camp for two overnights.

DAY 8-9: Bear Valley

We are now in a scenic area, where small streams develop into rives fed by the melting glaciers flowing down broad steppe valleys. Around are forested hills of larch forests and mountains. Along the rivers there are wooded and alluvial meadows with broad leaf forests. We will make day hikes 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 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 lakes area. We pitch camp on the shores of Hoton Lake. The area is below the snow capped Ikh Turgen Uul.

We are now a mere 10km from the China border. These are the summer pastures of numerous Kazakh herdsmen. Their yurts are a bonanza of handicraft. They are very friendly and hospitable people. This area will be totally vacated for the winter, which takes place some time in September. A fishing rod comes 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 is plentiful of fish in the lakes and rivers.

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 way, we aim at camping by the beautiful Fish River. There is a wooded meadow, and as the name indicates, a lot of fish. Our pick up vehicle(s) will meet us here.

DAY 13: To Ölgii

Trek out on the steppe valley towards the Horgon Lake, passing an old simple wooden mosque that for some reason, was spared the purges in the 1930s. Perhaps the reason being, it was remote enough to get there to destroy it. Our pick up vehicle(s) will arrive to this campsite tonight.

DAY 14: To Ölgii

Drive to Ölgii 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. There are also some shaman practitioners among them. Arrive back to Sagsay village and Blue Wolf Ger Camp.

DAY 15: Ölgii and out

After breakfast drive the short way (30 minutes) to Ölgii. The bazaar in Ölgii is interesting, as well as the mosque, that have been refurbished. We usually have the whole morning, to continue in Ölgii. There are some very interesting back street handicraft shops as well as a well-stocked local museum. In the afternoon the flights leaves back to Ulaanbaatar. You may – add additional cost – add a transfer to Hovd (8h).

Nomadic Journeys Style Trek

Nomadic Journeys have introduced a concept of practical and desirable ways of travel in Mongolia, which is the synergy of Western and Mongolian ideas brought about after many years experience of travel all across Mongolia.

Transport:  Local nomadic families frequently move from one pasture to another using pack-camels or pack-horses. The services of some local herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.

Staff:  A Kazakh leader will accompany the group at all times in Bayan-Ölgii. The service will be in English. There will also be a cook. In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.

Riding horses: There will be an opportunity for experienced riders, at the time of booking, to order a riding horse at the cost of USD 10 per day.  This cost is payable in Mongolia only. The horses are peculiar and horsemanship is somewhat different among the Kazakhs as compared to home. We suggest you bring your own riding hat with you, since none are available locally.

Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with 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 ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 1790 per person (min 2 members)
Discounts available for groups. 

Includes:  All meals. All overnights in ger camp (2n.) and tents (12n.), camping equipment and all local transport.  Borderline permits. 

Excludes:  Imported drinks, airport tax on departure,  rent of riding horse, (USD 7 per horse per day). Flights. Visa fee. Single room/tent supplement USD 20 per night.

DATES start in Ulaanbaatar 2007: 

ALT01: 26Jun – 10Jul (Tue-Tue)

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