Trekking in Snow Capped Altai Mountains

Tour Highlights

Explore one of Mongolia’s most scenic mountains on foot. Enjoy trekking and camping by colorful alpine lakes in the backdrops of snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys dotted by Mongolian nomad homes or gers. This lifetime experience offers a stimulating 91-km hike for a week with local nomads leading their camel caravan.

Hike dramatic and untouched wilderness of Altai Mountains
Experience Valley of Many Lakes (or Olon Nuur) - the haunting beauty of Mongolia
Walk with a camel caravan which carries your luggage
Immerse in the diverse culture of Durvud ethnic group
Camp under the glittering stars of crystal clear night sky
Stay in a traditional ger or yurt

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Meet your travel crew and fellow travelers in Ulaanbaatar. Settle in your centrally located hotel and enjoy your free time following your air travel. Opt to indulge in the bittersweet history of Mongolia at the National Museum, which features exhibitions of dinosaur findings, history of Mongolia’s dynasties and empires, and socialism and modern era. If time permits, the option is yours to stroll through the city center. Gather for the reception dinner with your fellow travelers and guides. (3-star hotel, D)
DAY 2: Ulaangom and Uvs Lake
Fly to Ulaangom for about 3 hours and transfer to Uvs Lake. Hike a bit along coastline, enjoying eye catching panoramic landscapes of wide expanding River Delta meeting with the biggest Lake of Mongolia and imposing snow-capped mountains. Stay in a Tourist Ger Camp on shore of the ancient lake. (Tourist Ger Camp, B-L-D, 1-2 hours of easy hike)
DAY 3: Tel Mod
Drive to get Tel Mod in Yamaat Valley. Pitch a camp on lush grassy bank of River Yamaat and wander around to enjoy some ancient petroglyphs and burial mounds in the backdrops of forested slopes, freshwater river, and rugged peaks. (Tents, B-L-D, 1-2 hours of easy hike)
Day 4: Mustiin Am
First day of our trek for next 7 days. Trek amongst amusing wildflowers and intriguing wildlife in marvelous vistas of snow-capped peaks. Keep an eye out for elusive Snow Leopards and superb Siberian Ibexes or Mountain Goats. (Tents, B-L-D, 10 km trek along river valley)
Day 5: Ereesiin Davaa
Get panoramic views of seamless valley bottom dotted by 108 colorful lakes on Ereesiin Davaa or Erees Pass. The best point to gaze up close at the Twin Peaks of Kharkhiraa and Turgen. (Tents, B-L-D, 14 km trek along valley and slightly steep at end of the trek)
Day 6: Rashaany Am
Walk breathtaking valley of alpine lakes and camp by the most scenic green lake. Rashaany Am valley has three lakes in different colors; first one is green; second yellow; third or the upper most red. Optional strenuous hike (2km) to the red lake which is located in the lowest part of permanent glacier or an ice river about 10m high and 30m wide. (Tents, B-L-D, 15 km trek along valley of lakes)
Day 7: Kharkhiraan Davaa
Have dramatic views to the Twin Peaks, rock-strewn slopes, high mountain meadows and huge valley of River Kharkhiraa. Delight in startling carpet of luxuriant wildflower and abundant wildlife and look out for magnificent wild animals and birds only found above 2,500 m above sea level. (Tents, B-L-D, 10 km trek along valley of lakes)
Day 8: Khoroony Ehen
Rejoice in another happy trek to the next terrific destination – the spectacular confluence of rivers Khoroo and Kharkhiraa. Visit a nomadic family home and enjoy talking with them about what you are interested to know. (Tents, B-L-D, 17 km trek along river valley)
Day 9: Turgenii Belchir
Hike down the dramatic Kharkhiraa valley and reach striking confluence of two rushing rivers. (Tents, B-L-D, 17 km trek along river valley)
Day 10: Khukh Nuur
Ecstatic yet last long trek to the overwhelmingly scenic Khukh Nuur or Blue Lake. Meet your drivers and enjoy traditional meal called Khorkhog for dinner, which is cooked with the use of hot stones. (Tents, B-L-D, 13 km trek on mountain meadows and slightly steep slopes)
Day 11: Kharkhiraa Camp
Enjoy a night in tourist ger camp by relaxing your muscles and unwinding. Conclude your journey with your group while sipping Mongolian brandy beer at a comfortable restaurant of the camp. (Tents, B-L-D, 13 km trek on mountain meadows and slightly steep slopes)
Day 12: Ulaangom and Ulaan Uul
Dip in what’s called ‘Culture of Chandmani’, which displays bygone burial mounds and cemetery from VII-III century BCE, found around a mountain, Ulaan Uul. (Hotel; B-L-D)
Day 13: Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and check in your centrally located hotel upon arrival. Then set off to Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs. If you are in the mood for shopping, go for world-class cashmere and souvenirs for back home. Enjoy fascinating cultural concert by Tumen Ekh Ensemble. (3-star hotel, B-L-D)
The dinosaur museum features dinosaurs of all shapes, sizes and appetites once roamed the Gobi Desert where their fossilized bones and eggs were first discovered by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920s. The exciting cultural concert features the traditional music, songs, dances and contortions which have been developed over centuries in the land of blue sky.
Day 14: Fly Home
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. (B)

Dates & Prices

In order to CUSTOMIZE or BOOK the tour please contact us via email.

2020

Departures	Duration	Availability	Group Size	Price ($)
Thu 25th, Jun - Wed 8th, Jul	14 Days	FEW SEATS	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Wed 15th, Jul - Tue 28th, Jul	14 Days	SPACES	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Sat 1st, Aug - Fri 14th, Aug	14 Days	FULL	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Sat 15th, Aug - Fri 28th, Aug	14 Days	SPACES	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$

2021

Departures	Duration	Availability	Group Size	Price ($)
Fri 25th, Jun - Sat 8th, Jul	14 Days	FEW SEATS	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Thu 15th, Jul - Wed 28th, Jul	14 Days	SPACES	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Sun 1st, Aug - Sat 14th, Aug	14 Days	SPACES	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$
Sun 15th, Aug - Sat 28th, Aug	14 Days	SPACES	2 - 20 PAX	1905$ - 2690$