DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 ARRIVE TO OLGII.
Olgii is highest Mongolian aimag (province). For the most part is located in the Mongolian Altai mountain region. The aimag is famous for the traditional hunting method using trained golden eagles. An estimated 80% of the world`s eagle hunters live here.At local airport you will be met one of the our representative: driver, English speaking tour guide, and cook. We will drive from airport to the entrance of the “Altai Tavan Bogd National Park”. (180km from Olgii). Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (L-D)
Day 2 GLACIER EXPLORATION.
After breakfast you will start trekking from the entrance of the National park to the base camp. For approximately 5-6 hour on foot. In this day join our team camels and horses with guides. Baggage and all stuffs will transfer by camel. After 16km trekking you will reach one of the longest Potanine glacier which is surrounded with snow-capped peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd mountains. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 3 TO CLIMB “MALCHIN” PEAK.
We'll awake to the fresh mountain air and stunning morning glow of the Altai Tavan Bogd NP. This day we will climb up to the Malchin peak 4050 meter high which is located on the Mongolia and Russian border. So come hydrated and with plenty of sunscreen. It’s not a technical climbing. You can easily be on the top. You’ll have the best view of the whole Altai Tavan Bogd national park and the longest Potanin glacier from the top of the Malchin peak.
Return to the base camp and overnight accommodation in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 4 TREKKING TO “WHITE RIVER ” VALLEY
After having breakfast you will trekking back to the Tsagaan gol (white river) valley. It is called white-colored river because it gathers white dust, earth and sediments from the glaciers of Altai Tavan Bogd. Approximately five-six hour trek this day. Have a rest, relax. There will be time for in evening hike to the beautiful twin mountain lakes. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 5 HIKE TO THE “KHAR AIRKH” VALLEY.
Hike to the Khara-Airkh valley through “Shivet Hairkhan” mountain. On the way we will stop for watching numerous of petroglyphs (rockarts) from the Bronze and Turkic ages. After five hour walking you will reach Khara-airkh valley which is summer home of local Tuvan nomads. You will be able to get acquaint with the rich Tuvan culture and their daily life. You will have a chance to taste milk products such as: local yak cheese, milk vodka which is distilled from yak milk, and others. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 6 TREKKING TO “BEAR VALLEY” AND "TAKHILT" CROSSING.
We'll experience a spectacular descent from the mountain pass all the way down to the Bear valley. The Bear valley offers you unspoiled natural beauty and unique opportunity to see wild animals such as: ibex ( wild goat), Argali sheep, red deer, snow leopard, Bear, Altai snow-cock, Golden eagle and many others. The wooded meadows between forested hills are covered with wild and sweet smelling flowers. You’ll enjoy the spectacular scenery of wild nature. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 7 TREKKING TO "AKH SU" VALLEY.
After having a breakfast you will start trekking from Bear valley to Akh su valley. After 2-3 hour trek you will stop for lunch one of the most beautiful “Green lake”. Water in lakes is fresh and surrounding forests are rich variety of rare plants and animals. Then continue on to Akh su valley that Kazakh Nomads spend their summer time. There we will be met our driver. Farewell to our lovely friends horse and camels. From here we drive 50km to Khoton lake. We’ll set up our camp on the lakeshore of khoton. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 8 DRIVE TO “SAGSAI” VILLAGE, VISIT EAGLE HUNTER'S FAMILY.
After 100 kilometer drive you’ll arrive in small Sagsai village which is situated in a picturesque place on the bank of the Khovd river. Visit nomadic eagle hunter’s family. It is a most important activity of the every tour that we organize.Each day you will have a lots of chance to talk with eagle hunter and photographing with golden eagle, get acquaint nomads life style , their rich culture etc. Also you can ask any questions from eagle hunter. He gladly answer your questions and demonstrate his eagle and give interesting information about trained wild eagle. Furthermore you will enjoy tasting milk products and hospitality of local Kazakh nomads. Overnight accommodation will be in a tent. (B-L-D)
Day 9 DRIVE BACK TO OLGII.
After breakfast we’ll drive back to Olgii city on the way we’ll stop for watching Dear stones or Bal bals. In Olgii you will visit local Bazaar (outdoor market) and central museum of Olgii province. Time for shopping local art and souvenir. In the evening “Altai nomads travel” team organize a wonderful short musical concert to include Kazakh folk song, Kazakh traditional dance, and you can listen to the amazing sound of “dombra” that Kazakh main traditional musical instrument. You will enjoy having a Kazakh traditional meal Beshbarmak. Overnight accommodation will be in a Kazakh yurt or hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 10 FAREWELL TO OLGII
After breakfast you will driven to the local airport with your guide for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. B
TRANSPORTATION: 4 WHEEL DRIVE VAN
HOW IS KAZAKH YURT LOOKS LIKE?
An incredible adventure in the Tavan Bogd Nat’l Park and a most exciting experience in the land of the nomads!
The topography of the Altai mountain range was breathtaking with sunny skies that eased the chill in the air. Western Mongolia is one of the most beautiful land I have seen and to top it all, the people were so admirable. My visit with the Eagle Hunter's family was fascinating. I was welcomed in their guest Yurt and enjoyed sharing food, watched their children play and with some interpretations, I shared stories with the members of the family. I felt at home!
I highly recommend this tour that combined the stunning beauty of the place, the hospitality, friendliness of the people and the way it's organized by Altai Nomads Travel.
Louella Starr
Amazing trek through the Altai Mountains!
Amy Spurling
Trip of a Lifetime!
We traveled with a guide, a cook, and 2 camel wranglers, with 3 horses and 3 camels. (My husband and I are not keen on horses, so we trekked with our guide while the others rode horseback.) We started in the North of Altai Bovd National Park and traveled South, down to the twin lakes over a period of 2.5 weeks. The terrain was amazing, with giant mountains and glaciers in every direction! Our guide was extremely helpful, and every day spent time pointing out artifacts, petrogliphs, and explaining the culture and norms of a nomadic life. Many days we got to join the local nomads in their gers for warm tea, cream, and cheese.
Our cook deserves a paragraph of her own... we had been told prior to leaving that Mongolian food was not the best, but every day she prepared us a feast and proved the nay-sayers wrong! The food was absolutely delicious, with lots of variety and thoughtful touches. Every morning we had a warm breakfast, and then were given packed lunch made of homemade treats to take with us on our trek. Dinner included things like homemade dumplings, soups, meatballs, and stir fry. We had afternoon tea every day after we were done hiking, which provided warm breads, jams, and cookies, and candy bars. We never left the table hungry or unsatisfied.
All in all, choosing Altai Nomads was the best decision we could have made. I strongly feel that arranging a trip like this on your own would have been extremely difficult, especially with limited time in the country. Serik, and all the people at Altai Nomads were amazing; they provided a dream trip with the best team members, fantastic food, competitive prices, and a flawless itinerary. Their professionalism and knowledge of the region is second to none, and I can't recommend them highly enough!
Epboregon
3 innocent women fall in love with Altai Mountains
We really are appreciated the service provided by Serik and his team member, I have sent many emails to Serik and he always addressed me in time. The moment we set foot in Olgii, we are about to start the journey at the entrace of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
In those 10 days, we were lead by the likeable-looking young man, Amandih, and began the trekking in this vast landscapes, we feel a chill to see the lakes region, Galcier, valley, the highlight is to climb the "Malchin" peak which I believe is our utmost limits of capabilities. Amandih is smart, funny and capable of showing his strong feeling ahout trekking, his genuine interests in Altai Mountains.
One of our team mate needs extra help from our horsemen since she could barely walk after the climbing, 2 horsemen take care of her entirely out of kindness, and most of the time, they are more than happy to help us for the daily routine when we show our clumsy behaviour.
As for our fantastic cook, Feruza (I've heard she is good from other hikers who give her a thumbs up) we could feel her enthusiasm in the way of food preparation, she spends most of her time in the kitchen and worried much when we couldn't finish our meal after the hiking, well, it's not her fault, it is because we are too tired to consume any food. Feruza is really a treasure of Altai Nomads Travel, she meets every one's need.
Overall, I highly recommend this ANT because everyone we have met shows their expertise and friendliness, and we are impressed by their hospitality and selfless spirits. No doubt ANT is the best!!!
Chan Y
The best adventure trekking tour in my life
The experience was amazing and the level of professionalism was impressive. I would absolutely recommend this trek to anyone who loves nature and hiking and is an open-minded traveller ready to learn about Kazakh/Mongolian culture. This was the best adventure trekking tour in my life.
Stephanie P