Trekking Adventure in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

You will need to transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport for your flight to Ulgii, a town in Western Mongolia.

Upon your arrival, your support team will welcome you and transport you to Tavan Bogd National Park. Our journey will take us across the mountainous desert for approximately 5 hours until we arrive at Baga Oigor Valley.

This valley boasts a remarkable petroglyph gallery that is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The rock carvings, dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages, stretch over 15 kilometers in length and 500 meters in width, showcasing depictions of both wild and domestic animals, as well as scenes of human activities such as hunting, animal husbandry, and religious rituals.

Once we reach the valley, we will set up our tented camp and have the remainder of the day to leisurely explore the rock art gallery. In the evening, we will return to our camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today we will take a journey through vast V-shaped mountain valleys, where small rivers cascade down from the glaciers that crown the peaks. The mountain slopes are adorned with vibrant green grass, contrasting sharply with steep cliffs blanketed in loose rock.

Along the way, we frequently encounter large, mushroom-shaped yurts belonging to Kazakh herders, along with their impressive herds of yaks and goats, as well as numerous marmots. After lunch, we reach the entrance to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, marked by a few yurts that serve as the home base for local rangers nestled at the base of even taller mountains.

This marks the start of our trek. You will have the opportunity to wander and explore the nearby foothills until dinner. In the evening, local herders will arrive with their pack camels, tasked with carrying our campsite, luggage, and provisions for the days ahead.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will set off on our trek to the Tavan Bogd base camp (BC), the gateway to the highest peaks in the Tavan Bogd range.

Along the way, you will have the opportunity to observe Bactrian camels being loaded up and beginning their journey to the BC. The majority of the trail features a gradual ascent through high mountain terrain, interspersed with some boggy areas, a few shallow streams to navigate, and just two short but steep sections. Midway through the trek, you will be treated to stunning vistas of snow-capped mountains and expansive glaciers.

Around lunchtime, the camel caravan will catch up with the trekkers, who are expected to arrive at the base camp in the late afternoon. Our campsite, situated at an altitude of just over 3000 meters, provides spectacular views of Mongolia's tallest peaks and its largest glaciers. After a day of adventure, we will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a tent.

Following breakfast, we will resume our trek along Mongolia's largest glacier moraine to ascend Mt. Malchin (4051m). The journey may be somewhat challenging, but once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Feel free to take your time and create unforgettable memories. While the climb is non-technical, the round trip typically takes between 6 to 9 hours, depending on individual fitness levels and weather conditions. Afterward, we will return to our camp for dinner and spend the night in a tent.

On that day, we will make our way downhill toward the lower gate of the national park. Be prepared for some marshy areas and streams that will require careful navigation. About two-thirds of the way in, we will reach the edge of a deep V-shaped valley. At the valley's bottom, the sound of the Tsagaan Gol River, rich with glacial silt, will greet us.

This river flows through a vibrant valley that serves as the summer grazing land for Tuvan camel herders who will be joining us. Once we reach the riverside, we will take a steep descent to our campsite, which is situated right next to the roaring river. Here, you will have the chance to unwind and mingle with fellow travelers who may also be camping at the designated area. We will spend the night in tents.

Enjoy an easy morning hike to visit a Tuvan family, likely one of the camel herders who accompanied us during our previous days of trekking. The Tuvans, also known as the Uriankhai, are an ethnic group of Turkic descent that has historically roamed southern Siberia. Traditionally, these cattle-herding nomads practiced shamanism, honoring ancestral and natural spirits, but today their beliefs have evolved into a strong blend with Tibetan Buddhism.

During our visit, we take the opportunity to learn about their way of life and sample food and drinks offered in accordance with local customs. Afterward, we hike to Mt. Shiveet and ascend to its expansive summit, where we can spot wild mountain goats (Capra Sibirica). While seeing them is nearly guaranteed, it does require some tracking and stealth. A less strenuous hike around the base of this sacred mountain will allow us to view ancient rock art depicting captivating scenes of hunting by the region's early inhabitants. We will then return to our camp.

We will depart from the Tsagaan Gol Valley and head towards the summer pastures of the Kazakh herders. The Mongolian Kazakhs are regarded as the keepers of authentic Kazakh culture and traditions, which vary significantly from those of the Mongolians. During our journey, we will visit local herding families, stopping by to learn about their stories, customs, and unique differences.

If we are lucky, we might get to observe their daily activities, such as caring for animals and preparing meals. To conclude our adventure, we will find a perfect spot to set up camp and spend our final night in the great outdoors, sleeping in tents.

On our return journey to Ulgii, we will visit a Kazakh family renowned for their ancient practice of hunting with Golden Eagles. This nearly forgotten tradition has been preserved by Mongolia's Kazakh minority and is currently undergoing a revival, with even women taking up the challenge of training these magnificent birds.

While the actual hunting occurs in winter, you will have the opportunity to learn about this unique craft and experience the impressive weight of the eagles by holding them on your arm. We aim to arrive back in Ulgii by lunchtime and check into a cozy hotel. If time permits, we can stroll through the town's streets, which showcase a distinctly Central Asian charm, and explore the local market and museum. To cap off the day, we will enjoy a traditional Kazakh dinner.

In the early morning, we will take a flight from Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, you will have some free time for shopping and can visit various locations such as the State Department Store, souvenir shops, gift shops, and cashmere boutiques.

At 6 pm, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian folk concert. Following the concert, we will gather for a farewell dinner before transferring you back to your hotel.

In the morning, following breakfast at your hotel, we will collect you and take you to Chinggis Khan International Airport.

Looking forward to our new adventures!