Altai Nomadic Life (Fixed Dates)

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. We will then continue across the high Altai and trek into the lakes region, next to the Chinese frontier.Dayan is one of the biggest crystal clear lakes of Mongolian Altai.Good fishing for grayling and others.The biggest river Hovd starts from here . Also Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.You have a chance to feel their grade hospitalities.

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 3 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: Drive to Chigertei Lake and Visit nomadic family

Visit some Kazakh Nomadic families and feel their grade hospitalities.Meet Kazakh Eaglehunter and see his magnificient bird.See how Kazakh women are making felt and other handycrafts.Stay with family.

DAYS 2-3: You are out of civilation

Next two days we trek by Jolt and Onion Areas,which are full of lush valleys. Walking by open plate remote country,you can feel yourself wildness,where is no families,no cars and no civilization.You are out of all world problems for these few days.

DAYS 4-5: Lake Dayan Nuur

Start to walk towards to Dayan Nuur.On the way you enjoy the remote mountain country with some forest and lakes.The lakes and rivers are rich by fish.On the west side of your way you will see the mountain called Holagash.There are many bears and elkes,by chance you can see them.We will come to Dayan Nuur,one of the crystal clear lakes of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where is good fishing for lenok,grayling and others.Staying around the lake one night,it allows us to see stunning sunsets and sunrises.The lake is home of the wild ducks,swans,geese,seagulls and others.

DAY 6: Drive to Ulgii

Drive to Ulgii 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.

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.

Transport: Western Mongolian families frequently move from one pasture to the other using camels.The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.

Staff: A local guide who speaks English 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 475 per person (min 2 members)

Group size: 2-18
Discounts available for groups.

Includes: English speaking guide and all meals. All overnights in gers(2nts) and tents(3nts), hot shower with ger, camping equipment and all local transport,all Border and National park permits.

Excludes: Alcohol drinks, local flights, laundry and renting of riding horses.Visa fee.

Single tent/ger supplement is USD 20 per night.

Fixed departures: 2012 (Tue-Sun), (Sat- Thu)
AM&NL01          12-17June/Tue-Sun

AM&NL02          16-21June/Sat-Thu

AM&NL03          19-24June/Tue-Sun

AM&NL04          23-28June/Sat-Thu

AM&NL05          26-01June/Tue-Sun

AM&NL06          30June-05July/Sat-Thu

AM&NL07          03-08July/Tue-Sun

AM&NL08          07-12July/Sat-Thu

AM&NL09          10-15July/Tue-Sun

AM&NL10          14-19July/Sat-Thu

AM&NL11          17-22July/Tue-Sun

AM&NL12          21-26July/Sat-Thu

AM&NL13          24-29July/Tue-Sun

AM&NL14          28July-02Aug/Sat-Thu

AM&NL15          31July-05Aug/Tue-Sun

AM&NL16          04-09Aug/Sat-Thu

AM&NL17          07-12Aug/Tue-Sun

AM&NL18          11-16Aug/Sat-Thu

AM&NL19          14-19Aug/Tue-Sun

AM&NL20          18-23Aug/Sat-Thu

AM&NL21          21-26Aug/Tue-Sun

AM&NL22          25-30Aug/Sat-Thu

AM&NL23          28Aug-02Sept/Tue-Sun

AM&NL24          01-06Sept/Sat-Thu

AM&NL25          04-09Sept/Tue-Sun

AM&NL26          08-13Sept/Sat-Thu

AM&NL27          11-16Sept/Tue-Sun

AM&NL28          15-20Sept/Sat-Thu

AM&NL29          18-23Sept/Tue-Sun