Altai Trekking

The Kazakh people are the ethnic minority in Mongolia.  Numbering over 100,000, they comprise the largest ethnic minority in Mongolia, although only 4% of the total population.  The Kazakh population is concentrated in the western province of Bayan-Ulgii, a region physically separated from Kazakhstan by a 47-60 km mountainous stretch of Chinese and Russian territory. Mongolian Kazakhs are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists, herding sheep, goats, yaks, camels and horses.  The Kazakh language belongs to Turkic family of languages, and is the dominant language in Bayan-Ulgii.  Local schools teach in either Mongolian or Kazakh. The Kazakh population is predominantly Muslim. 

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2. Bayan Ulgii

Day 3. Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Day 4. Altai Mountains

Day 5. Dayan Lake

Day 6. Khurgan Lake

Day 7. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain

Day 8. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain

Day 9. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain

Day 10. Buyant River

Day 11. Sagsai River

Day 12. Sagsai village

Day 13. Ulgii/Ulaanbaatar

Day 14. Ulaanbaatar

Day 15. Departure.

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel and start city tour in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital, visit Chinggis square, Zaisan Hill; Museum of National History, famous for its exhibition for Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime. Traditional cultural performance with traditional folk songs, throat singing, beautiful melody of horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances and contortion. Overnight at hotel

Day 2. Bayan Ulgii. We will take morning flight to the Bayan Ulgii province. The province is located in the western most part of the country. We will arrive in Ulgii city, the provincial capital. Lunch in the city then we will drive to the Altai soum area about 120km. Altai soum is a village settled between the mountains. Population is consisted nearly equal of Kazakhs and Mongols. We will mount our camp on the bank of Sagsai river. Briefing about the trekking routes and procedures. Overnight in the tent camp near the river.

Day 3. Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. After breakfast, we will start our trekking toward Altai National Park which extends over 632.2 ha, including Tsengel, Altai, Ulaan Khus and Sagsai soum. The Tavan Bogd (Five Holy Peaks) chain includes the highest peak in Mongolia, Khuiten Uul (4353m), which borders China and Russia. Today’s approximate distance of the trekking is 15-20km. The horses or yaks will be used for transportation of the luggage. We will reach the foot of the Altai Mountain by afternoon. Overnight in the tent camp.

Day 4. Altai Mountains. After breakfast, we will start our day walking to the Yolt Mountain. On the way we will witness the spectacular beauty of the snow-capped Altai Mountain range and glaciers. The lush meadows between the mountains are carpeted with wild and sweet smelling flowers. Average elevation today is 10 000ft to 10 500ft equal to 3000-3200m. We will reach in the Yolt Mountain Valley in the afternoon. Relax and overnight in the tent.

Day 5. Dayan Lake. After breakfast, we will start our trek to Dayan lake. Dayan lake is a moraine lake 18kms long and fed by small rivers and snow waters. On the way we will visit Kazakh village and go into the one of the homes of Kazakhs, local residents who domesticate golden eagles for hunting. In the afternoon, we will continue our trek with occasional rests towards mountain. Overnight in the tent camp near the lake.

Day 6. Khurgan Lake. We will witness sunrise near the Dayan lake in the early morning. We will trek to the direction of north and across wildest territory of the region. Our trekking route will reach the extreme western edge of the country along the Russian and Kazakh border. We will reach Khurgan Lake in the late afternoon. Khurgan Lake is alpine lake with small islands, is 22 km long and 28m deep in places. Overnight in the tent camp near the lake.

Day 7. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. We will trek to the Tsengel Khairkhan, a mountain of breathtaking spirits today. On the way to the Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain, we will visit Uriankhai family, a small ethnic group of Mongolia, which speaks different dialect from Khalkha Mongolian. We will reach at the foothills of the Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain in the afternoon. Overnight in the tent camp.

Day 8. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. After breakfast, we will trek around Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. Only a few local herdsmen know this beautiful mountain. We will be welcomed by local nomads over a cup of milk or yoghurt. Today, we will trek through the mountain pass. Overnight in the tent near the grandeur looking mountain.

Day 9. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. We will have a full day to explore rest of the area and opportunity to have a photography session. Average altitude of our trekking route is 2800-3000m. We will explore surrounding area of Tsengel Khairkhan. We will see the alpine scenery, cool temperature and arid landscape. Overnight in the tent camp near the mountain.

Day 10. Buyant River. After breakfast near the mountain, we will start our day trek along the Buyant River. Buyant River is small river that is fed by Khar Lake. We will trek down the Sagsai river. In the summer time, the temperature is around +10+15 Celsius. Overnight in the tent camp near the river.

Day 11. Sagsai River. We will trek along the Sagsai river. On the way, we will see every day life of Kazakhs family which tames golden eagles and their hospitality. Kazakhs are famous for their unique way to host their guests including salty tea and “kazi”- specially prepared horse meat dish and “bishmarmak” mutton with noodles. We will overnight near the Sagsai river in the tent camp.

Day 12. Sagsai village. Today we will trek along the Sagsai river up to the village of Sagsai. Sagsai village is located on the bank of Khovd River. The population is mostly Kazakh with Mongolian minority. We will visit one of the Kazakh families and experience the Kazakh’s cultural performance. In the evening we will celebrate dinner with Mongolian specialties. Overnight in the tent camp on the bank of Sagsai river.

Day 13. Ulgii/Ulaanbaatar. We will drive back to Ulgii city and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon we will arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and overnight in the hotel.

Day 14. Ulaanbaatar. We will start our city tour Gandan Monastery a heart of Mongolian yellow head Buddhism. We will experience the sense of Buddhism in Mongolia and see the outstanding and impressive 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. We will head to the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 dedicated to the 8^th Bogd Gegeen, the head of lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 15. Departure. Our Altai trekking ends here by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport.