Tour Scope: Western Mongolia Tour Route: UB- Uvs Province -Bayan-Olgii Province – Altai Mountains- UB
Highlights: Uureg Lake, Yamaat Valley, lake Hoton & Hurgan, Tavan Bogd National Park, Olgii Town, Kazakh Ethnic group
Tour Season: 01 June - 30 September Tour Level: Moderate
Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
Day 2. Flight to Ulaangom, Uvs and travel to Uureg Lake
Day 3. Explore the area of Uureg Lake
Day 4. Explore the area of Tsagaan Gol (White River)
Day 5. Travel to /Yamaat Valley Strictly Protected Area
Day 6. Trekking/Yamaat Valley Strictly Protected Area
Day 7. Olgii Town
Day 8. Khurgan and Khoton Lakes
Day 9. Hiking to the Baga Turgen Waterfall
Day 10. Tavan Bogd National Park
Day 11. Hiking day
Day 12. Olgii Town
Day 13. Flight to Ulaanbaatar
Day 14. Departure
Accommodations: 2 nights in hotel, 2 nights in local hotel, and 9 nights in tent Meals: Inclusive meals are indicated in itinerary (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Transport: 4WD Japanese Minivan or 4WD Japanese Jeep Optional activities: Camel riding, Horse riding
Staffs: Visit Mongolia Team (Tour guide and driver)
DAY 1 ULAANBAATAR
Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport in Mongolia, you will meet Visit Mongolia crew and transfer to the hotel, conveniently located downtown Ulaanbaatar. After freshening up from your flight, we start our first day around Ulaanbaatar starting from Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. From here we will go to the National History Museum which tells the rich history of Mongolia. The heart of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square, is just a short walk away. Here we will see the Parliament House, National Opera and City Hall. Afterwards, we will visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing). Overnight in hotel. (L,D)
DAY 2-3 FLIGHT TO ULAANGOM, UVS PROVINCE-UUREG LAKE
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1400km, 2.30h of flight and 90 km, 2-3h of driving Fly to Deglii Tsagaan airport in Ulaangom town, Uvs province. Have a picnic near the airport and then we drive passing by Ulaan davaa (Red Mountain Pass) to reach our campsite. The camping site is at the Uureg Lake where we will stay for the next 3 nights exploring around the area where you find number of petro glyphs and mound graves which relate to the Bronze Age.
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4 UUREG LAKE-TSAGAAN GOL
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 20 km, one-way driving distanceThis is a long morning and we will have another chance see the sheep on the ridges of mountains. Drive up to narrow mountain mouth for a while and then get out of the car and hike up to mountain. A local ranger will lead us. After breakfast, we will have a short drive appr. 20 km to the Tsagaan Gol (White River). This is a high chance to see Argali sheep (the biggest wild sheep in the world) on the way to White River. In the afternoon we come back to the campsite.
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5 TRAVEL TO YAMAAT VALLEY STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 100 km, 2-3 hoursAfter breakfast, we drive to the next camp site in Yamaat Valley, a half day of driving. The Yamaat Valley is located “Turgen” Strictly Protected Area (SPA). This area represents unique features and characteristics of natural zones, has preserved its original conditions and is an area of a special scientific and cultural significance. Free time in the afternoon- so we will visit to a Nomad family.
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinnerbr> DAY 6 TREKKING ON TURGEN MOUNTAINS
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 40 km, 5-6 hours hikeFull day of hiking in the valley, here you`ll find some marks of snow leopards. The valley itself is home for Ibex, the biggest wild goat in the World. We will come back to our based camp late afternoon. For dinner we will enjoy “Khorkhog”, a real Mongolian barbeque, grilled with hot stones.
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7 OLGII TOWN
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 150 km, 4-5 hoursDrive to Olgii, center of Bayan-Olgii province, the only muslim province in Mongolia. About 90% of its population are kazakhs. We visit the local museum of Olgii Town with comprehensive information of flora and fauna of the Bayan-Olgii province as well as its colorful traditional costumes. Then wonder around open market where most products are being sold by locals.
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 8 KHURGAN & KHOTON LAKES
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 180 km, 5-6 hoursDrive to picturesque alpine lakes of Khurgan and Khoton. Travel to Hoton Lake and camp by the lake. There are two lakes in the area Hoton and Hurgan which are connected by a stream and fed by rivers and streams originated in Altai Mountains. The surrounding countryside has captivating scenery with snow peaked mountains and glaciers and white water rivers flowing down the mountains into the lakes. Green meadows littered wild flowers and forested hills surround the lakes. Both of these amazing lakes offer wonderful opportunity for fishing and hiking around the area. Visit a Kazakh family and learn more about their unique lifestyle.(app. altitude 2100m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 9 TREKKING TO THE BAGA TURGEN WATERFALL
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 20 km, 4-5 hoursAfter breakfast, we will have a drive to a mountain gorge and then out of the vehicle to start trekking to Baga Turgen Waterfall. Late afternoon, we will visit local Kazakh families and watch how they live their traditional ways in the modern world. It will be hottest part of this trip. The Mongolian Kazakhs use female eagles for hunting as they are bigger than males and more aggressive. These eagles are trained to hunt foxes, wolves, rabbit and wild cat. Every day will go with Eagle hunter to hunt mostly fox. We learn and enjoy this unique customs of the Mongolian Kazakhs. We have the chance to visit some Kazakh families and feel their hospitality. (app. altitude 2200m above sea level)
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10 TRAVEL TO ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NATIONAL PARK
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 7-8 hoursThis morning we will continue our travel to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, the pristine wilderness of western Mongolia. This is border area of three countries – Mongolia, China and Russia. On our way we will enjoy ancient deer stones and burial sites.
Upon arrival the area we will pitch our camp nearby Tsagaan River which originates from ice glacier of the majestic Altai Mountain. (app. Altitude 2600m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 11 TREKKING ON ALTAI MOUNTAINS
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 16 km, 6-7 hoursIn the morning after having hearty breakfast we start trek to the Holy Mounts Altai Tavan Bogd. We will reach the hill. Enjoy an extraordinary view of the mountains and glacier. If time allows us, we will visit a Tuvan family who are a minority ethnic of Mongolia. (app. altitude 3100m above sea level)
Accommodation: Tent
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 12 OLGII TOWN
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 7-8 hoursToday we will drive towards Olgii and check into the local hotel.
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 13 ULAANBAATAR
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1700 km, 3.30 hours flightFlight to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel upon arrival in UB. The remainder of the day is free for shopping or independent touring. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing).
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 14 DEPARTURE
After long adventure together ends with your transfer to the airport or train station for your departure.(B)
Visit Mongolia’s policy is to provide top quality service to our customers at reasonable prices. We will pleased to provide detailed price quotes for those interested in specific tours.
In Ulaanbaatar:
Hotels are available in different ranges of quality and service. The package cost includes all services except accommodations in Ulaanbaatar (UB). We do give “choices” for our clients to pick their appropriate accommodations in Ulaanbaatar. However we encourage group travelers to pick the same property. We will provide hotel rates for Visit Mongolia customers for your selection. Please select hotel and room type and let us know.
In the Countryside:
– Ger Camps
While touring in the countryside, the most common accommodations outside cities on our tours are called ger camps. A ger is the traditional felt tent of nomadic herders. Accommodation in the ger camps is based on two people sharing one ger. Each ger is heated by a wood stove and has two wood-framed beds.
The camp restaurant and western-style toilet/shower facilities are located in the middle of the camp or close by. All camps supply towels. The ger camps provide all bedding and clients will not be expected to bring their own sleeping bags if they stay overnight in the ger camps. Staying in a ger is a memorable experience of Mongolian culture.
– Tented camping
We use tented camps on our adventure journeys to more remote areas. The tents are either 2 or 3 person tents. A sleeping mat will be provided to each person staying in a tent but clients are asked to bring their own sleeping bags. Our expedition staff sets up camps and prepares meals and takes care of all your needs. Tented camps allow you to interact more with the nature and visit the remotest areas of the country.
We use different types of vehicles depending on the nature of tours, destination and final number of travellers.
– For jeep overland adventure tours we use Japanese 4WD vans and SUV’s (Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan), which is the best available for its type
– A bus or mini-bus serves group tourists within Ulaanbaatar
– In some remote areas where we have to fly, we arrange local vehicles most of which are Russian 4WD jeeps or minivans. Daily driving distance will be appr. 200-250km.
– For sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar we use deluxe coaches, vans and sedans.
All Visit Mongolia drivers have many years of experience. They know their way around the Mongolian countryside including many places where they are no marked roads. They are all skilled mechanics which is crucial in remote places. Technical inspections on the vehicles are made regularly.
An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the entire time of your trip. The most of our guides have a wonderful and outstanding reputation among our clients. They have an in depth knowledge of Mongolian history, nomadic civilization, customs, traditions, and nature memories. After every tour we get feedbacks and emails about our guides.
Meals are included in the cost. Visit Mongolia provides the selection of the best available local restaurants on cities and popular destinations.
When you are in Ulaanbaatar, you can eat out in number of restaurants as serving Indian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, English, French, German, Russian, Latin American and of course Mongolian cuisines. FYI, basic foodstuffs for Mongolians are beef, mutton and noodles.
When you stay in tourist Ger camps, the most camps provide meals as western cuisine. During excursions to remote areas we provide services of professional chefs who normally accompany the group. Arrangements can be made for vegetarians and those with special dietary needs with advance notice.
Mongolia’s climate is continental and extreme. With more than two hundred days of full sun per year it has been given the nickname of ‘the’ Country of Blue Skies’.
The tourist season in Mongolia is between the months of May and September. The weather during this time varies considerably from region to region. The highest rainfall period is in July and August, however, there are still days of glorious sunshine during this time. The Gobi usually has the hottest temperatures. Summer evenings in the Gobi can be cool because of Mongolia’s high altitude. The best time to visit the Gobi is June and September. The spring is a time of strong winds, especially difficult in the sandy areas of the Gobi.
Most travelers come to Mongolia in mid-July for the annual National Naadam Festival.