Compare Mongolia Trek by Tusker Trail
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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| Duration | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 4,640 |
| Price Per Day | $ 309 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
We spend our days journeying through pristine alpine terrain. Venturing through a hidden world, we cross the river valleys of the Altai Mountains over lush tundra and open steppe. Glaciers rumble in the distance while frothy white rivers plunge through emerald green meadows into smoothly sculpted lakes. Nomadic Kazakh people who continue their 1,000-year old tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles, welcome us into their warm and colorful felt-lined tents. We witness traditional Kazakh games on horseback, and find ourselves invited to local ceremonies. |
Day 1-2: Arrive Mongolia
Accommodation: Ulaan Bataar Hotel
Our Mongolia trek begins when you arrive in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaan Bataar. Our second day is spent on a tour of this bustling city, where we visit the Gandang monastery, as well as some fascinating museums. Overnight at Platinum Hotel or similar.
Day 3: Fly to Bayan Ulgii
A 3 hour flight west takes us to Bayan Ulgii. We drop our gear at our Ger Camp, modeled after the traditional nomadic camps, then explore Ulgii's busy outdoor market and sleepy town. Overnight at the Ger Camp.
Day 4-5: Drive to Khoton Nuur
A full day's drive to the west takes us through the small town of Tsengel on our way to Khoton Nuur. After crossing the rickety bridge over the Khovd River, we set up camp for two days on the magnificent lakeshore.
This is where our trek begins and, if you plan to ride, where you meet your horse. We visit the local Kazakh nomads in their Gers (tents), and learn about their age-old traditions and attend the exciting horse games.
Day 6: Upper Khoton Nuur
Our crew loads up our camels, and we start trekking through the Alpine forest, heading north. We cross a few glacial rivers, following the lakeshore to upper Khoton Nuur. Our campsite is located near a small river with a majestic view of the lake and mountains.
Day 7: Cheben Hill
We cross over to the east side of the Tsagaan Gol River, and continue up through the river valley and set up camp on Cheben Hill overlooking the beautiful grassy plains below.
The glacial depression that contains Khoton Lake is marked by horizontal benches that reveal ancient lake levels; probably the result of glacial dams that periodically built up and broke away. The Tsagaan Us River is one of three tributaries to Khoton Lake, flowing south from the Tavn Bogd glaciers through the heart of the Altai Mountains.
Day 8: Yak Milk Valley
Descending Cheben Hill toward the river junction, we trek up the river gorge on the eastern bank of the Tsagaan Gol River. We're at the halfway point of our trek, so we spend an extra night here. Spectacularly located in a wide valley, shouldered by high snowcapped mountains, the white Tsagaan River flows right in front of our camp.
Day 9: Sheveed Uul Gorge
Ready for the mountain pass ahead, we trek out of the river gorge, and cross the 10,350 ft. mountain pass. If there has been any precipitation, we might be hiking part of the day through snow, and will have to dig a path through it. We set up camp at Sheveed Uul Gorge on the other side of the pass.
Day 10-11: Tsagaan Gol River
Heading downhill, we stop to visit some of the local Tuvan people who follow traditional Shamanistic beliefs. Then we descend into the Tsagaan River valley. This is an exciting river crossing on horseback to our campsite.
Day 12: Tavn Bogd Base Camp
We trek for 10 miles today to the National Park base camp at the foot of the magnificent Altai Tavn Bogd Glaciers. The Potanini glacier lies at the foot of Khuiten Peak (14,350 ft.) the highest point in Mongolia.
Nearby, Nairamdal Peak (13,392 ft.) marks the triple border point common to Mongolia, Russia and China. The climate in this high mountain area can be extreme and since it is above the tree line there is very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. Very few species have adapted to these harsh conditions and the area is characterized by tundra, lichen-covered rocks, alpine meadows and high mountain swamps.
Day 13: Bayan Ulgii
Our last day takes us north and east to the Ranger station. We unload the camels, and meet our vehicles, heading back to Bayan Ulgii. We overnight at the Ger Camp in Bayan Ulgii.
Day 14-15: Fly to Ulaan Bataar - Fly Home
A short drive takes us to the nearby Ulgii airport for our flight to Ulaan Bataar. We overnight at thePlatinum Hotel or similar.
On our last day we drive to the Ulaan Bataar airport to catch our flights home.
