Natural and Cultural Delights in Mongolia

Today you'll arrive in Ulaan Baatar. You'll visit the National History Museum and Gandan monastery. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner and have a briefing of the upcoming tour. Overnight in hotel.

Today you'll catch your flight to Uliastai town, a centre of Zavkhan province, which lies in the Khangai mountain range. You will also reach Otgontenger peak, one of the Sacred mountains declared by the Mongolian state. These sites are treated with utmost respect. In proximity of these sites, cutting trees, hunting wild animals or digging the land is forbidden.

Dating back to pre- Buddhist animist beliefs, these taboos serve the double purpose of worship and protection of the sorrounding environment. Nowadays, people continue to follow these traditions, now incorporated into Buddhism.

Here you will meet your travel team at the airport and arrive in an already settled tented camp. You'll have time to get acquainted with the team: drivers, chef and local guides. Overnight in the tented camp.

Today you'll drive to Khar Lake or Black Lake, another wonder of natural beauty. This lake occupies an area of 40 square kilometres and is sorrounded by magical sand hills. It's 40 metres deep. You'll hike in the nearby areas and ride a two-humped Mongolian camel. Overnight in a tented camp.

On this day, you'll arrive in Songino village. You'll visit a settlement of local herders and interact with this nomadic population. You'll have a unique opportunity to enjoy these days at the nomadic settlement familiarizing with its lifestyle.

You'll then explore Arag valley and visit a site of ancient stone monuments. Overnight in tent close to the herders' settlement.

On these days you'll drive to the west heading towards the Uvs province, a chain of lakes, wetlands, sand dunes and high mountains. You'll arrive at Khyargas Lake, the second largest salt lake of Mongolia. The lake has abundant fish and it's a nice stop for birdwatching. Overnight in a tented camp.

You'll reach Kharkhiraa Valley, a beautiful river valley sorrounded by dense forests meadows carpeted by colorful wild flowers. Twin peaks of Kharkhiraa mountain and Turgen mountain dominate the area.

People of Khoton ethnic group inhabit this area. You'll arrive at Uureg Lake which lies at the borders of Uvs and Bayan - Ulgii provinces. The lake is sorrounded by peaks of 3000 metres heights and more, such ad Tsagaan Shuvuut mountain (3,496 m). It's a great place for trekking, hiking and fishing. Overnight in a tented camp.

You'll enter Bayan Ulgii province. Unlike other provinces, its population is mainly made up of Turkic Kazakhs, who have their own language, customs and Muslim religion. En route you'll visit a Kazakh family, living in slighltly larger and colorful gers.

They train eagles, falcons and hawks to hunt marmots, small foxes and wolves that they cook and eat. Overnight in a tented camp near their settlement.

You will enter Altaj mountain area and arrive at Shiveet Khairkhan mountain, the closest place to the Altaj peaks reachable by car. You will be travelling at the altitude of 2500-3000 m. You will visit a local Kazakh family to learn about their life.

You will also rent horses for the next trip. Prepare your luggage for the upcoming 3-day trekking trip to the Altaj peaks. 

You will leave the vehicle and load your luggage on the horses and trek toward the Altaj Tavan Bogd peaks, 4100-4374 metres high. You'll arrive at the base of the high peaks. Overnight in tent.

Today you will start your trekking towards Potanin Glacier and the Tavan Bogd, meaning "Holy Five Peaks", the highest peaks in Mongolia: Khuiten Uul, Peak Malchin, Peak Naran, Peak Burged and Peak Ulgii.

While trekking we will cross glaciers connecting these five peaks. Trekking distance is approximately 20 km before arriving at the camp. Overnight in tent. 

Today you'll travel back to Ulgii town.

On this day you'll take the flight back to Ulaan Baatar from Ulgii town. You'll visit the State department store for shopping souvenirs and presents. In the evening you'll attend a cultural performance. Overnight in hotel.

Today you'll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.