MONGOLIA JEEP TOURS – Tavan Bogd Mountain

WESTERN MONGOLIA JEEP TOURS ITINERARY

Day One – Arrival, Ulaanbaatar City Sightseeing and Fine Dining (D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and Overnight in Hotel): On the first day of your arrival you will transfer to the 3 Star Hotel and possibly have a short Ulaanbaatar city sight-seeing tour (depending on arrival time) that includes visiting the main square, oldest Buddhist Gandan Monastery and the National Museum. In the evening, you will have a welcoming dinner at a fine local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the evening. It’s a good idea to rest early this evening before tomorrow’s early departure that will take you to the first point along the travel route.

Day Two – Arrive in the far Western Mongolia (B ,L ,D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): Today we will fly to far western Mongolia, over many lakes and the mountain Ranges, to arrive in Bayan Olgii Province’s Olgii town which located at 1710 meters above the sea level. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we will start the journey towards the snow-topped Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain for some 165kms; around the mountain many Tuva ethnic people live. Because the mountain is locally worshiped, it’s forbidden to hunt – which makes it a wonderful opportunity for wildlife photography – such as wild ibex around the Mountain.

Day Three – Hiking to the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): Today we will start our hiking to Tsagaan River for 10kms in a valley full of edelweiss and wild flowers where many Kazakhs nomads have set up their camp. We will pass by the old Kazakh cemetery where we find sculptures with human shapes. As we start having the view of the Tavan Bogd Mounts and their snow-topped peaks are breathtaking – we’ll cross the Tsagaan River to reach our camp facing the Tavan Bogd.

Day Four – Hiking to the Tavan Bogd’s Potanin Glacier  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): We will continue hiking to Potanin glacier for 16 kms. The Potanin Glacier is the longest glacier in Mongolia, its long about 14 kilometers and located through in the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain in Altai Mountains. The glacier is named after explorer Grigory Potanin – as many other glaciers around the world the Potanin Glacier is gradually decreasing in size.

Day Five – Attempt Ascending the Malchin Peak  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): We stay in the same camp today, however, you’ll have an opportunity to attempt ascending the Summit of Malchin for 12kms (4037 meters above sea level). We’ll cross-bogs to get closer to the base of the mountain to which we will have a beautiful view on the valley and the snow-covered Tavan Bogd and Potanin glacier. Hiking up to the Malchin Peak will take about 4-5 hours (round trip). We must be vigilant because the stones are likely to move when we walk and it is not uncommon that they slide down the slope (snow is possible sometimes). From the top, we have a breathtaking view of Mongolia’s neighbor countries – both Russia and China as well as an incredible view of deep blue mountain lakes.

Day Six – Hiking back to the Tsagaan River  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): We will continue hiking back to the Tsagaan River for 16kms. Along the way, we may pass by some Tuva ethnic families. Our destination for today is at the bank of Tsagaan River where you will setup camp, have a hot meal and overnight.

Day Seven – Hiking to Khar Salaa (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): Today you will continue hiking for 20 kms to Khar Salaa which is the base of the pass. We will trek at the hillside and pass by some Kazakh families’ winter camps – we’ll set up our camp on a hill overlooking a clear river.

Day Eight – Hiking to Tahilbain Pass  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and camping): After breakfast, you will continue hiking for 20 kms to Tahilbain Pass – you may have an opportunity to see some marmots along the way. Once you get close to the pass you might better to take it slowly walking via the narrow zigzag path through the rocks till you successfully cross the pass. From the top, you can enjoy the beautiful view over the valley. Again you better to walk carefully from the pass towards the beautiful valley with many colorful flowers – we’ll camp near a river in a valley called “The Bear’s Valley”.

Day Nine – Drive to Khoton Lake and Ulgii Town (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and staying at local hotel): After breakfast, we will meet with our drivers and start the journey towards to Khoton Lake. It lays at the foot of the Altai Mountains, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters above sea level. Khuiten Rivers feeds the Lake from the east and other rivers from the north. This lake is the country’s twenty-sixth largest lake by surface area with a maximum depth of 8.58 meters and is home to abundant fish life. After enjoying the picnic lunch at the bank of the Lake you will head back to Ulgii Town.  Upon arrival to Olgii Town, you will check into your hotel and have some time to visit the local Kazakh Handicraft Cooperative where you can learn the process of making embroideries (bags, wall hanging, items for eagles, Kazakh silver belt, hats and other garments). On this day feel free to bring a little extra cash to purchase souvenirs from the handicraft shop as well as anything else you would like to get from the local shops before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Day Ten – Departure back to Ulaanbaatar  (B, L, D – Western Mongolia Jeep Tour and  3 Star Hotel): In the morning, our drivers will take you to the airport to fly back to Ulaanbaatar city. After checking in your hotel, you will have “free time” for shopping at Gobi Cashmere Factory shop and Mary & Martha Fair trade shop. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at the fine restaurant.

Day Eleven – Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B): After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for our international departing flight.

Western Mongolia Jeep Tour – Included services:

• All breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
• Private English speaking guide on route
• Private cook service
• Round trip domestic flight to Ulgii town
• Border permission
• Sightseeing
• Boiled water on route
• National park fees, Gandan monastery fee, National Historical museum fee
• Private vehicle service according to itinerary
• Safety vehicle will follow the group during the trekking
• 7 nights in tent
• 2 nights in 3 star hotel (standard twin share)
• 1 night at local hotel (standard twin share)
• Camping equipment (2 per tent, 3 season sleeping bag, foam mattress and riding helmet)

Western Mongolia Jeep Tour – Not included:

• International airfare
• Travel insurance
• Gratuity to guide and driver
• Alcoholic beverages