Mongolia’s far west, way out in the China-Russia borderlands, is a region of
giant beauty, virtually untouched by the outside world until quite recently.
Forested valleys and clear alpine lakes are punctuated by expansive meadows carpeted
with wildflowers, and, as a backdrop, the eloquent glaciated peaks of the
Altai Mountains.
We fly from Ulaanbaatar to Olgii, where the country begins narrowing to a point, and drive into Tavan Bogd National Park for the first days of trekking through mountain-girded valleys and an optional nontechnical rock scramble to the summit of Malchin Peak, where we gaze into Russia and China.
Then we set out on a gorgeous trek through the heart of the park, where solitude takes on a new meaning. Along the way, we’ll occasionally come upon families of nomads in their ger encampments. Living in the shadow of these mountains, the nomadic Kazakhs of western Mongolia move seasonally in search of good pasture for their animals, maintaining one of the world’s last horse-based nomadic cultures (which, happily, is still very much a going concern). The Kazakhs in this region also practice an ancient tradition passed down from their Turkic ancestors: the art of hunting with trained golden eagles. We’ll encounter these nomadic eagle hunters, catching a glimpse of a proud and thrilling tradition. And, in the midst of this remarkable trek, we’ll witness a rare solar eclipse from the shores of Khoton Lake.
We fly from Ulaanbaatar to Olgii, where the country begins narrowing to a point, and drive into Tavan Bogd National Park for the first days of trekking through mountain-girded valleys and an optional nontechnical rock scramble to the summit of Malchin Peak, where we gaze into Russia and China.
Then we set out on a gorgeous trek through the heart of the park, where solitude takes on a new meaning. Along the way, we’ll occasionally come upon families of nomads in their ger encampments. Living in the shadow of these mountains, the nomadic Kazakhs of western Mongolia move seasonally in search of good pasture for their animals, maintaining one of the world’s last horse-based nomadic cultures (which, happily, is still very much a going concern). The Kazakhs in this region also practice an ancient tradition passed down from their Turkic ancestors: the art of hunting with trained golden eagles. We’ll encounter these nomadic eagle hunters, catching a glimpse of a proud and thrilling tradition. And, in the midst of this remarkable trek, we’ll witness a rare solar eclipse from the shores of Khoton Lake.
Days 1 & 2: USA to Seoul • Day 3: fly to Ulaanbaatar •
Day 4: Terelj National Park • Day 5: fly Ulaanbaatar sightseeing • Day 6: fly to Olgii • Day 7: drive to Tavan Bogd National Park • Day 8: trek to Pantonin Glacier • Day 9: day hikes for acclimatization • Day 10: optional climb of Malchin Peak • Days 11 & 12: horseback through Shivreet Khairkhan Mountains • Day 13: rest day, visit Tuvan families • Days 14 & 15: trek over Most Pass into Tsagaan Us Valley and on to Khoton Lake • Day 16: explore Khoton Lake (solar eclipse) • Day 17: drive to Tsengel Khairkhan Mountains, visit Kazakh eagle hunters • Day 18: return to Olgii • Day 19: fly to Ulaanbaatar • Day 20: fly to Seoul •
Day 21: return to USA.
Trekking in Mongolia’s Altai Mountains
Trip Details
- There are currently no departures for this trip
21 daysActivity Type:
Trekking
Trip Price:
From $5695
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