ALTAI MOUNTAIN HIKING TOUR

Tour code: MN-15
Seasons to be arranged: April-November
Duration: 10 nights & 11 days
Number of travelers: Available for solo traveler, 2-4 people, group max of 20 people
Tour grade: Easy and for beginner or intermediate hikers. Hike on non-technical heights
Total distance: 2200 km by plane, 400 km by jeep
Activity: 1 hour horse riding, 4 hiking day, meeting with nomads
Specially advised to pack: In Altai mountains summers are warm and dry with occasional rain, sometimes the temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night. So be prepared for all weather conditions. It is advised to bring your binoculars, long brimmed hat, gloves, long trousers (snow trousers) with water proof for travel on the high mountains, comfortable hiking boots and additionally snow hiking boots, crap-on, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, rain coats or some coats with wind protection and water proof, and flashlight.

Altai Mountains in western Mongolia offer a beautiful landscape coupled with unique cultures of three ethnics- Mongolians, Kazakhs and Tuvans. This area is rich in wildlife and provides one of the last refuges for the Altai Argali, the world's largest sheep, as well as the endangered Snow Leopard. Also Altai region is rich in archeological sites that vary from ancient petroglyphs to stone carvings from early Turkish nomads.

Our hiking travel in Altai mountains will be arranged in Altai Tavanbogd National Park including following hikes: day hike up the non-technical heights of Malchin snow capped peak (4050 m), day hike up to Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain (), day walking along Prezevalskii and Potanin Glaciers, Tavanbogd means “The Holy Five” and it refers to the peaks of Huiten (4374m and the highest), Naran, Ulgii, Burget and Nairamdal. It is a stunning setting with the awe inspiring massif of high snow capped peaks.

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar city
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, Meeting assistance upon arrival by Blue Mongolia Tour agency representative and transfer to Hotel with 3 stars. Free time to adjust for time difference, Stay in hotel with 3 stars

Day 2: Bayan-Olgii Province - Tsagaan River valley
After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch flight to Olgii town in western part of Mongolia, Upon your arrival in Ulgii airport our Ulgii tour guide will meet you and take you to grocery shop to collect some food staff: bottles of beer and wine, if you like to drink, your favorite delicacies and so on.. Travel to north-west about 185 km to Shiveet khairkhan Mountain, Free time and Outdoor Tent camping

Day 3: Hiking at Sul Mountains around Shiveet Khairkhan Mountian
Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain - single big mountain, which is separated from others, has over 400 mountain wild goats on it, as so local people respect and do not any hunting. It is also keeping the Huns tribe’s trails dated to 3 B.C, The Huns were the reason for the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi to build the Great Wall of China, Continue the trip, Reach Tsagaan river, Drive to Tsagaan River – White River, After some rest head to Tsagaan River basin area- main gateway of national park Altai Tavan Bogd, Day Hike to the peak of Sul mountain and visit to Tuvan family on the top of high hills, Come down to base camp at Tsagaan River, Meet up with local Tuvan herders who will provide us with horses and camels for the hike, In the evening enjoy bon fire and dinner, Stay in outdoor tent camping

Day 4: Altai Tavanbogd Mountain with snow peaks – Trekking
In the national park area vehicles and motorcycles are forbidden, so with the support of camels and horses, our hiking travel will be more comfortable. All of luggages will be loaded on the camelback for 16km to the base camp area at the edge of 20 km long Potanina glacier and some high peak. Get introduced with local guide, who will take care for horses and camels and luggages, Trekking travel will start to Potanina Glacier edge, that runs down from the highest mountains in Mongolia Stay overnight in outdoor tent camp

Day 5: Trekking along Glacier & Malchin peak
At breakfast enjoy a cup of coffee and tea, which water is from snow and ice next to colorful flower carpeted green meadow, Walking along the Potanina Glacier, Walking on the wild flower carpeted green meadows heading to Grane and Prezevalskii Glaciers, Hike up through a mountainous terrain of rock outcroppings to Malchin base camp, Perhaps catch sights of local wildlife including marmots, hares, and a number of birds (golden eagles, vultures, and falcons), Come to the Malchin mountain, Free time, Campsite elevation is 2,900m, stay overnight in outdoor tent camp

Day 6: Hiking to Malchin Mountain
Breakfast, today you will remain in the same camp and make a day hike up the non-technical heights of Malchin Uul (4050 m above see level), where we are likely to trek up through snow. Picnic meal, On the peak of Malchin Mt. you will see that the ridgeline straddles the Russian border and provides spectacular views of the Potanin glacier, snow-capped peaks, and sights into Russia: massif of Mt. Belukha (4,500m) in Russia, the absolute top of the Altai mountain range, Stay in outdoor tent camp

Day 7-8: Altai Mountain Hiking and Crossing
We have allocated two full days for the crossing of the Altai Mountain range, which is a total of a mere 32 km. We will pitch camp before the snow area. For sure, big game such as Snow Leopards and its prey species live here, but they are extremely difficult to get to see. Perhaps there is Altai Snowcock the highest living bird of Mongolia. We will cross the Altai at the highest elevation of same 3600m our trek & hike and have the broad views across the Altai Mt. We are here near the peak of Tsagaan Uul (Sacred White Mountain 3662m) arrive to a scenic valley which the locals called BEAR Valley where we will pitch camp for two over nights.

Day 9: Hiking to Tsagaan Uul Mt. & Trekking to Bear valley.
We are now in a scenic area where small streams develop into rivers fed by melting glaciers flowing down broad steppe valleys. Around here there are larch forested hills and mountains. Along the rivers there are wooded and alluvial meadows with broad leaf forests. We will make day hikes in the area.
Trek down a valley with patches of larches forests and reach so called Green Lake, where we pitch camp.

Day 10: Drive back to Ulgii town
After breakfast it is the time to say thank you and goodbye for your horse/camel guide, Drive a day to Ulgii town. Stay in local hotel, Free time, Stay in hotel

Day 11: Ulaanbaatar city - Hiking to Zaisan hill
After breakfast visit the local museum of Ulgii town with comprehensive information of flora and fauna of Bayan Ulgii province as well as it colorful traditional costumes. Transfer to the airport and fly to UB approx. 4 hours. Free time, Visit main square Chinggis Khan, Hiking to Zaisan hill, which is observation deck for Ulaanbaatar city from west to east. After dinner stay in hotel

Day 12: Departure
Breakfast, Check-out at the hotel before 12.00 noon, Blue Mongolia Tour guide and driver will see you at the hotel lobby and Make a Transfer to the airport/ train station, Departure

The tour itinerary is subject to be changed at the traveler's request and requirements.

TOUR PRICE

For individual travelers /1-4 people/: 2500-3200USD
For group /more than 5 people/: 1900-2500USD

Above mentioned price is average amount to give you an idea. The exact amount is varied for everyone depending on number of travelers and service type including how many stars hotels you want to stay in, double or single occupancy you would prefer, what kind of additional service /such as visa support/ is required and so on...

Discount conditions:
• If group is bigger than 16 people: 16 +1pax free of charge
• For Family trip, children 0-9 years old are free of charge

This price INCLUDES:
Transfer to/from airport/hotel, Private transport with driver during the trip including petrol cost, Accommodation at hotels in Ulaanbaatar, Accommodations in Ger tourist camps in countryside, Everyday 3 times meals, English speaking tour guide, Entrance fees to protected areas, Entrance fees to sightseeing and museums and cultural shows, Horse rental and camel rental fees, Rental of tent camp and outdoor equipments, Domestic return flights, flight insurance, Daily supply of mineral water - 0.5L bottle of water per day, invitation letter arrangements for Mongolian tourist visa issue, service fees and government tax.

This price DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International air flight round trip, Travel insurance, medical insurance, Fee for Visa obtaining, Alcoholic beverages, Additional services, Fee for extra luggage, Personal expenses such as IDD call, internet using, laundry, any charge for major force beyond of our control such as the imposition of quarantine restrictions, weather bad conditions, changes of arrival/departure flights, poor roads conditions, etc.

Please, Note:
1. The maximum weight of loaded luggage for domestic flight and vehicle is 10 kg, hand luggage 5 kg. For overweight, each kg will be charged in 1.5USD. Extra luggage can be stored free at hotels in Ulaanbaatar.
2. Hotels in Ulaanbaatar city reserved on double occupancy, and in countryside all Ger styled tourist camps are based on triple or 4 occupancy.
3. Check-in at hotels is at 12:00m/Check-out at hotels is at 12:00m.

!!! Tour itinerary and price may be subject to change.

The duration of the above trip can be prolonged or changed to suit your needs.

Please, make your reservations at your earliest convenience.