Altai Kazakh Culture,Trek and Horse Ride
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. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.We will make horse riding between Blue Goat and TsambaGarav National Parks.
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 2 hour domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar. We will transfer out to the mountain regions from Olgyi, the Kazakh provincial capital, by 4wd Russian vehicles. Our crew will be Kazakhs . The local guide is trilingual at least: English, Mongol and Kazakh. Possibly also Russian.
Day 1: Arrive UB
By your arrival in UB meet by our guide and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Explore UB
Today we will do city site seeing tour. Explore Gandan Monastery,Buddhist center in Ulaanbaatar.See
Zanabazar Museum
Chojin Lama temple. Lunch time in a typical Mongolian Restaurant
The winter Palace
Buda Big Statue on the Hill
Typical folkloric Mongol performance ( songs and dances) , at the restaurant, during Dinner time (optional),
Overnight in 3* hotel.
Day3: To Olgyi
Meet your local Kazakh guide and cars upon arriving at Ulgii airport.After lunch Visit the local museum of Ulgii town with comprenhensive information of flora and fauna of Bayan Ulgii aimag as well as it colourfull traditional costumes. Overnight in gers.(L,D)
Day4: Drive to Blue Goat Nat.Park (2800m)
Today we drive 230kms(6-7hrs ) to northwest to come Kazakh Eaglehunter-Ongar’s summer spending palce, which is located just on the north-west side of Blue Goat Nat.Park. Meet Ongar and his magnificient bird.Overnight in tent.(B,L,D)
Days5-7: Blue Goat Nat.Park (hiking),(2800-3100)
Every day going with local horse rangers by the wild big remote mountains of Blue Goat Nat.Park, we can watch some Argalis,Ibexs and deers. This place has many wild endangerous animals and birds like snowleopard, Altai argali and Ibex,lynx,wolfrine and bearded volchure,black volchure,different kinds of falcons,golden eagle, and others.Staying with Eaglehunter,you can learn some skills.
Overnights in tent same place.(B,L,D)
Days8-11:Horse ride towards TsambaGarav Nat.Park (2500-3000m)
These days,you start to ride on Mongolian small,but tough horses to reach another Nat.Park TsmabaGarav. Tsamba-Garav Uul(the altitude 4202m) is one of the most beautifull snowcapped mountains in Mongolia.It is just on the border of three western aimags Bayan-Ulgii,Uvs and Hovd.We will see the beautifull snowcapped peaks,rocky valleys and crystal clear spring waters.We visit the nomadic Urianhai families (one of western Mongolian ethnic groups,who are famous Chinggis Khaan’s heroes with bow and arrow).
Last day come to north side of TsmabaGarav Nat.Park,where you will meet Uriakhai people.
Overnights in tent.(B,L,D)
Days12-13: Soft hiking day (local guide,cook)(2900-3100m)
Today staying near Tsedenbal’s ger(Urianhai family),you can walk only few hours to reach glaciers of Tsast Uul(4208m).There is small beautifull lake surrounded by many flowers.Good for photos. Overnight in tent.(B,L,D)
Day14: Drive to Ulgii
After breakfast,drive to Ulgii 95kms and reach Ulgii.The bazaar in Olgyi is interesting, as well as the mosque, which has been renovated in recent times. There are some very interesting back street handicraft shops and a well-stocked local museum. Overnight in ger. Hot shower and Kazakh Concert during dinner.(B,L,D)
Day15: Fly out
After breakfast, transfer to Olgyi airport to catch a flights leave for Ulaanbaatar. Meet by our guide in UB and transfer to hotel 3*.(B)
Day 16: Free day in UB
Shopping for Mongolian cashmere and wool things , city tour.
Overnight in 3* hotel.(B)
Day 17: Transfer to Chinggis Airport
After breakfast,transfer to Chinggis Airport and depart UB.(B)
Some recommendations:
Summer months in Mongolia are from early June to mid September.Although the Mongolian summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night.So be prepared for all weather conditions.
What to bring:
Binoculars,sunscreen,a hat,gloves,long underware for travel in the high mountains,comfortable footware,lip balm,sanitary hand wipes,sunglasses,prescription medications,(if needed),rain gear,flashlight.
Staff:
A local guide who speaks English, Kazakh and Mongolian will accompany the group at all times.A cook will follow, with an assistant.In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.
Meals:
Our cook will prepare the meals.We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to 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:
USD 2265 per person (min 2 members)
Group size:
2-18
Discounts available for groups.
Includes: English speaking guide and all meals outside of UB . All overnights in hotels and tents, camping equipments, flights (UB-Olgyi-UB) and transfers, packing camel or horses, all Border and National park permits.
Excludes: Alchogol drinks, lunch and dinner in UB, laundry and horse ride.Visa fee.
Single tent/ger supplement is USD 20 per night.
