wild west - goyo travel...standard twin room, ulaanbaatar hotel ulaanbaatar, meaning "red...

Wild West

goyotravel.com - +44 (0) 1869 866520 - +976 9959 8468 – [email protected]

05-Aug-18 Duration: 15 Days Group Size: 4 - 12 Pax

Accomm. Type Name

Sun 5 Aug Hotel UB Hotel

Mon 6 Aug Camping Tent

Tue 7 Aug Tavanbogd; Altai Mountains; Hike to Potanii Glacier Camping Tent

Wed 8 Aug Mount Malchin Climb (non-technical hike) Camping Tent

Thu 9 Aug Hike to Tsagaan Gol Camping Tent

Fri 10 Aug Riding; Khara Airikh Valley via Shiveet Hairhan Uul; Petroglyphs Camping Tent

Sat 11 Aug Camping Tent

Sun 12 Aug Camping Tent

Mon 13 Aug Camping Tent

Tue 14 Aug Camping Tent

Wed 15 Aug Ger Homestay Local Family

Thu 16 Aug Ger Homestay Local Family

Fri 17 Aug Hotel Kobesh

Sat 18 Aug Fly to Ulaanbaatar Hotel UB Hotel

Sun 19 Aug Depart - -

Riding; Tsaagan Hairhan Uul

During your journey you will be staying

at a centrally located hotel in UB, camping

during the trek and in guest gers next to a

nomadic family, and a new hotel in Ulgii.

Good quality tents and rest mats are provided -

sleeping bags and liners can be borrowed on

request. A basic loo and shower tent is

erected at each camp site. A cooking/dining

tent also accompanies this expedition, in

addition to a fantastic cook!

Riding; Bear Valley

Riding; Green Lake

Riding; Khoton Lake; Ikh Turgen Uul

Lake Dayan; Kazakh Eagle Hunter Family Homestay; Hiking

Ulgii

Lake Dayan; Kazakh Eagle Hunter Family Homestay; Hiking

Overview

Arr. Ulaanbaatar; National History Museum; Tumen Ekh

Fly to Ulgii; Kazakh Bazaar; Local Museum; Tavanbogd National Park

Departure:

At Goyo Travel we believe

that a good guide is essential

to the enjoyment of any trip.

Knowledge, enthusiasm,

good humour, pro-activity,

language and communication

skills need to combine with

responsibility and a

sensitivity to guests' needs.

Your guide will be

handpicked by us to suit the

itinerary and your

requirements. We personally brief them on all elements of

the trip. You will be sent

guide details in the week

prior to travel.

Wild West


Our vehicle of choice is the UAZ. These

beasts of the east were born for the wilds of

Mongolia. Fun, functional & practical, with a

high wheel base, large surround windows,

ample luggage space, and a flexible sociable

layout .

Ulgii province is remote and vehicles may

not be as new or well-maintained as in other

parts of the country, although we do provide

the best available. There is a vehicle per

every 4-5 guests. There will be no vehicle

support whilst walking and riding in

Tavanbogd National Park - pack camels will

carry all luggage.

Travel Details Arrival time tbc; 45mins/14km Airport-Hotel

Accommodation

Meals Included Dinner

Travel Details

Accommodation Camping

Meals Included

TRIP DETAIL

ULAANBAATAR - NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM - TUMEN EKH

Your guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals hall at Ulaanbaatar Chinggis

Khan Airport. Transfer to the hotel and check into your room. The plan for today is

quite flexible, as arrival times may differ between group members, and you will

probably want some downtime to relax and catch up on sleep. You may also need

to sort out exchanging money and other practical things.

We suggest meeting your guide in the hotel reception at 14:00 for a leisurely walk

across the impressive Sukhbaatar Square to visit the National History Museum with

its well-laid out informative displays showcasing the country's fascinating past.

Afterwards, walk south towards the city's main park, and enjoy an intimate

performance of music and dance by the Tumen Ekh ensemble at a small theatre. A

welcome dinner at one of our favourite Mongolian restaurants rounds off your first

day in Mongolia.

Standard Twin Room, Ulaanbaatar Hotel

Ulaanbaatar , meaning "Red Hero", was so

named in 1924, following the creation of the

Mongolian People's Republic. The city was

founded in 1639 as a moveable Buddhist

monastic centre but in 1778 it settled

permanently at its present location on the

Tuul River in north-eastern central Mongolia.

The city lies at an elevation of about 1,310

metres (4,300 ft) and is home to almost half

of the country's 2.7m population.

The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park covers 6,362 km². Within it's boundaries is Mongolia's highest mountain, Khuiten Uul - Cold Mountain -

which stands at 4,374 m, plus Lake Khoton, Khurgan, and Dayan and 34 glaciers. The protected area offers a home for many species of alpine

animal, such as the Argali sheep, Ibex, Red deer, Beech marten, Moose, Snow cock, and Golden eagle. Tavan Bogd means the "Five Holies" in

Mongolia, referring to the 5 main peaks, and is considered sacred to local Kazakhs, Tuvans, and Mongolians.

ULGII - SOGOOG RIVER - TURKIC STONES & PETROGLYPHS - TAVANBOGD PARK

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ulgii. Although your Ulaanbaatar guide will

check you in, you'll be 'flying solo', since you will have a local guide out west who

will be waiting to meet you there.

On arrival, have breakfast/coffee in a cafe in town, and visit the local bazaar and

museum. Then board the vehicles for the day's journey to Tavanbogd National

Park, passing through ever-changing wilderness scenery as expansive rocky plains

give way to green valleys, and then the rugged peaks of the Altai, and the stunning

wilderness terrain of the Tavanbogd National Park. Your journey takes you via

Ulanhuis, and you will stop to explore numerous petroglyphs and Turkic stones

along the Sogoog River basin. Bayan-Ulgii is rich in archaeological remains, a

reminder of the Bronze Age civilisations and the Hun and Turkic invasions. On

arrival at the campsite tonight, on the edge of the National Park boundary, you will

meet local Tuvan people who will prepare horses and camels to support your trek.

Enjoy rustic fare around a campfire on the banks of the glacial Tsagaan River.

25mins/14km to airport; Flight Dep. 06:00/Arr. 08:00; 6 hours (180km) drive Ulgii - Tavanbogd

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Ulgii is the capital of Bayan-Ulgii Province,

1645km from Ulaanbaatar, and an ethnically

Kazakh city that happens to be in Mongolia. It

certainly feels like a Muslim-influenced

Central Asian region. There are signs in Arabic

and Kazakh Cyrillic; the market is a bazaar

rather than the Mongolian 'zakh', selling

kebabs (shashlyk) and stocked with goods

from Kazakhstan.


Travel Details


Meals Included

Travel Details


Meals Included

Travel Details


Meals Included

MOUNT MALCHIN HIKE/CLIMB

A full day hike to the peak of Mount Malchin - the lowest of the 'Tavan Bogd', but

still one of Mongolia's highest peaks at 4,037m. It is considered a non-technical

peak, and therefore can be reached by trekkers. The climb starts from close by the

Potanii glacier, and the ascent takes about 4 hours. From the top are great views

of Mongolia, Russia, and China. Hearty & delicious freshly prepared food by our

fantastic cook tops and tails the day.

TAVANBOGD NATIONAL PARK - ALTAI MOUNTAINS - POTANII GLACIER

After breakfast, set off on the 16km trek towards the base camp of the snow-capped Tavanbogd massif. You will pitch camp next

to the 20km long Potanii glacier – the biggest of the twenty glaciers in Mongolian Altai. In the afternoon head onto the glacier for a

walk on the ice. Tonight's campsite is just on the edge of the glacier, and you will remain here for two nights, in the shadow of the

“Holy Five” peaks - Khuiten, Nairamdal, Ulgii, Burged and Malchin. It is a stunning setting with awe-inspiring high snow capped

peaks and great views of all of them during sunset and sunrise.

The Altai Mountains have been inhabited for around 7000 years. The area is

characterised by high glaciated snow capped mountains, alpine and sup-alpine

forests, large lakes, rivers and streams, mountain grasslands, barren rocky

mountain ranges and semi-arid desert type valleys. The range straddles China,

Mongolia and Russia, and extends for around 900km into Mongolia through Bayan

Ulgii, Hovd, Govi-Altai and Omnogovi provinces.

At the border with China and Russia lies the Potanii Glacier , at 24 km2 the largest

in Central Asia.

4hrs/16km to Potanii Glacier; Possible further walks on glacier and in surrounding area


4hrs/16km walk, plus additional hikes in the area if desired


4-5hrs ascent; 3-4hrs descent


TSAGAAN GOL VALLEY

Trek back to the head of Tsagaan Gol valley where Tuvan families spend their summer. In the evening visit a local Tuvan family

and get introduced to their culture, taste dairy products as well as milk vodka, which is distilled from the yogurt made from yak

milk. They also make wonderful felt crafts. Camp nearby the family.


Travel Details


Meals Included

5-6hrs/15-25km riding per day


HORSE TREK - KHARA AIRIKH VALLEY - SHIVEET KHARKHAN MOUNTAIN - BEAR

VALLEY - HORONDIK VALLEY - NOMADIC HOMESTAY - LOCAL FESTIVAL

Saddle up for a 5 day horse trek through the Altai to Khoton Lake, via the

petroglyphs at the sacred Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, over stunning passes at

around 3600m, past Tsaagan Hairhan Uul, and down through the lush green Bear

Valley to Green Lake through larch forests and alluvial meadows to Lake Khoton.

Around 5-6hrs a day will be spent in the saddle, with options for additional forays

on horseback or on foot from each day's camp locations.

Lake Khoton lies below the snow capped Ikh Turgen Uul. The camp spot here, at

the culmination of the horse trek, is a mere 3km from the China border. These are

the summer pastures of Kazakh nomads and you will have a chance to camp

nearby or alongside a family - experience their hospitality and learn about their

culture. You will notice that Kazakh gers are much bigger in size and a lot taller

than Mongolian or Tuvan gers, and are much more colourfully decorated.

Horses & Riding - Mongolian horses are of a

stocky build, with relatively short but strong

legs and a large head. They range in size from

12 to 14 hands high. Despite their small size,

they are horses, not ponies! Mongolian

horses have great stamina, although they

have smaller body they can gallop for 10 km

without break. The hooves are very robust,

and very few animals are fitted with

horseshoes.


Travel Details

Accommodation Simple Ger next to Eagle Hunter [Wed&Thu]; Standard Twin Room, Kobesh Hotel [Fri]

Meals Included

Travel Details

Accommodation Standard Twin Room, Ulaanbaatar Hotel

Meals Included

4hrs/180km to Lake Dayan [Wed]; No long drives on following day; 6hrs/200km drive to Ulgii [Fri]


LAKE DAYAN - EAGLE HUNTER HOMESTAY - HIKING - ULGII

Drive to Lake Dayan where you will be staying for the next 2 nights in a ger next to

a local eagle hunter and his family. Enjoy Kazakh hospitality, do some riding and

walking in the surrounding countryside, and learn about your host's fascinating

tradition of hunting with his golden eagle. There are also other nomadic families

who live in this area and there will be an opportunity to visit them and experience

traditional nomadic hospitality and local community life. You could also drive to

see ancient Turkic burial sites, petroglyphs, and the Baga Turgen Waterfall.

Summer is also the time of celebration - rural naadam festivals, weddings, horse

races, so we hope to be able to incorporate seeing one of these events during your

stay.

On the final day say goodbye to your hosts and drive north towards Ulgii through

the Khovd river valley, stopping en route by some deer stones and balbals (Turkic

stone man), through the Hargant Valley, below Tsengel Hairhan Uul (3043m) and

other snow-capped mountains. Tuvans live in this area - they are Buddhists, not

Muslims, but of a Turkic speaking ethnic group.

Arrive in Ulgii in the afternoon. There are some great handmade Kazakh textiles

that you may like to purchase at a variety of small local outlets (rugs, wall

hangings, fur hats, hunting accessories, wooden carvings, bags, cushion covers

etc.). Check into your hotel, enjoy a hot shower, before heading out for dinner.

Kazakhs living in Bayan-Ölgii Province of

Mongolia continue to hunt with eagles today.

There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters in

the region. There is a local proverb: "There

are three things a real man should have: a

fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle".

These huge birds weight up to 6.5 kilograms

with wingspan of seven or eight feet. With

vision about eight times sharper than human,

they can spot a fox or rabbit up to a mile

away. Usually Kazakh hunters go for female

birds as they are heavier than males and

much more aggressive. Eagles can live for up

to 50 years but most hunters keep the birds

for about 10 years and then release them

back into the wild.

ULGII - ULAANBAATAR

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. The flight usually lands around 3pm. After arriving, head back to the hotel - perhaps a detour en route to

the Gobi Cashmere store might be an idea - it's up to you, so discuss with your guide. You may also want to do some shopping in

town - perhaps at some of the decent craft outlets (Tsagaan Alt felt shop, Quilters, Mary and Martha) or the State Department

Store. Your guide will be on hand to assist. In the evening head out for a farewell dinner at one of our favourite restaurants.

3hrs Flight (time tbc); 45mins/14km Airport-Hotel



Travel Details

Accommodation

Meals Included

USD GBP

Cost Per Person $3,280 £2,525

Single Supplement* $190 £145

45mins/14km Hotel-Airport; Departure time tbc

-

Breakfast

DEPART

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Euro

€ 2,850

€ 165

* Not applicable at rural homestay, as it may be necessary to share with other group members. Supplement only covers camping and hotels

Currencies - All trip costs are priced in USD. The GBP and Euro rates above are indicative only - if paying in these currencies the amount will

be calculated according to the exchange rate on xe.com at the time of booking.

Included

Domestic flights - Airport transfers - English-speaking local guide - Surfacetransportation - Road taxes - Accommodation as specified - Sightseeing and activities as specified - Museum & park entrance fees - Border Permit - Meals as specified above - Water & snacks in the vehicle - Camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)

Excluded

International flights - Tips - Laundry - Bar bills - Items of a personal nature - Visas - Photography/filming chargesat e.g. museums and monasteries - Sleeping Bag (can be borrowed upon request - please ask prior to trip start)

Booking - To confirm your booking we require a deposit of 25% of total trip price. Balance due 8 weeks prior. Payment methods, bank details and further information can be found on our Booking Form & Conditions.


Travel Advice - We provide all our guests with a copy of our Mongolia Travel Advice. If you have not received this, please request a copy

wild west - goyo travel...standard twin room, ulaanbaatar hotel ulaanbaatar, meaning "red...

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