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Trip Rating Details
Moderate: Hotels, lodges, or full service tent camping. Hikes of two to four hours on some days. Easy physical activities. May include one to three longer driving days.
Packing List
This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- backpack or soft bag
- sleeping bag (-5C)
- day pack
- head lamp/flashlight
- spare batteries/bulb
- personal medications
- towel
- hiking boots/shoes
- rain jacket with hood
- fleece jacket or wool jumper
- cotton t-shirts
- long sleeve shirts
- lightweight trousers
- shorts
- warm hat
- socks
- underwear
- sun hat
- sandals
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- spare glasses
- insect repellent
- resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
- binoculars/camera
- wet tissues
- watch/ alarm clock
- money belt/ pouch
- insurance confirmation copy
- emergency contact number
See our packing tips for detailed information.
Trip Information - Western Cultural Adventure & Eclipse
Day 1. (25 Jul) Arrival Day (D)
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time of arrival, you may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2. (26 Jul) Ulaanbaatar/Ulaangom/Uureg Nuur (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will catch a flight to Ulaangom where we meet our 4X4 vehicles and we begin our exploration of Western Mongolia. From Ulaangom we will drive west to Uureg Lake, a brackish lake which is a major stopping point for migratory birds. Near the lake are several examples of bronze age burial mounds. Camping overnight next to Uureg lake.
Day 3. (27 Jul) Uureg Nuur/Yamaat Valley (B,L,D)
We start the day by by driving over a high mountain pass, and then
descending into the Yamaat Valley, surrounded by amazing landscapes.
The valley is home to many nomadic families that are grazing their herds
in the vast meadows. We will spend the afternoon visiting nomadic families and learning about the way of life of Mongolian nomads. We will also meet one of the local park rangers who is working on snow leopard conservation in the area, to learn about wildlife in Uvs and the endangered species protection efforts of the Altan Sayan project. Camping overnight.
Day 4. (28 Jul) Yamaat Valley/Ulgii (B,L,D)
Today we continue to the western-most province of Bayan Ulgii, which is mostly inhabited by Kazakh people. Other ethnic groups also reside in the region, among them Tuvans and Buriats. The Kazakh have brought with them their rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts and the ancient tradition of Hunting with Golden Eagles. On the way to Ulgii, we will stop at Achiit Lake for a picnic lunch and later on by the side of the Hovd River. Overnight in a ger camp just out of town.
Day 5. (29 Jul) Ulgii/Eagle Trainer's Family (B,L,D)
After breakfast Today we will visit one of these sites, then continue to the home of an eagle trainer's family. You will learn from the eagle trainer about the ancient tradition of training and hunting with golden eagles. In the evening you will join the family in their ger, and enjoy the traditional music of the Kazakh. Overnight with the family (in tents set up next to their home).
Day 6. (30 Jul) Eagle Trainer's Family/Tsambagarav Mountain (B,L,D)
Leaving the eagle trainer's fmaily, we continue to Tsambagarav Mountain, known for its year-round glaciers and wildlife. The Mongolian government has designated this a protected area for the conservation of the Snow Leopard. You may see other wildlife today including marmots, fox, Argali sheep and Ibex, but it is rare indeed to spot the elusive snow leopards. Camping overnight.
Day 7. (31 Jul) Tsambagarav Mountain/Dayan Lake (B,L,D)
After breakfast we head through an area of lakes and rivers, reaching our eclipse camp at Dayan Nuur. Part of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, this crystal clear lake is full of fish and many birds. You may also see elk, Argali sheep,Ibex, maral (Asiatic red deer), stone marten and deer in the forests and mountains nearby. Camping overnight.
Day 8. (1 Aug) Eclipse Day (B,L,D)
Today you will have free time to make your preparations for viewing the eclipse. We will also watch for cloud cover in case we need to make last minute adjustments to the viewing location. About three hours before the event, we will drive a short distance to the peak of a hill where we will be viewing the eclipse. Eclipse watching, followed by a celebration dinner at our campsite by the lake shore. Camping overnight.
Day 9. (2 Aug) Dayan Lake/Khoton Lake & Khurgan Lake (B,L,D)
Around Altan Tavanbogd park there are many archeological sites, including ancient burial sites and balbals (Turkic stone statues, sometimes shaped like humans). Today we will drive to a point bewteen two lakes in the park, to an area that offers excellent possibilities for hiking or just relaxing. Camping overnight.
Day 10. (3 Aug) Khoton Lake & Khurgan Lake (B,L,D)
Today we have a relaxing day exploring Tavan Bogd national park. We will do some light hiking and visit with some Kazakh families nearby. Camping overnight.
Day 11. (4 Aug) Khoton Nuur/Ikh Turgen Valley (B,L,D)
Fron Khoton Nuur, we drive to the Ikh Turgen Valley, which is carpeted with wildflowers in late summer. It is a short drive, and there will be plenty of time in the afternoon to explore, go for a hike, or relax in camp. Camping overnight.
Day 12. (5 Aug) Ikh Turgen Valley/Tavan Bogd (B,L,D)
Today we have a longer drive to Tavan Bogd, following the Hovd River Valley towards Tsengel before turning west again. Reaching the foothills of Tavan Bogd, we will be stopping to visit with the park rangers who live just at the entrance to the park before continuing to our campsite nearby. Overnight in tents.
Day 13. (6 Aug) Tavan Bogd (B,L,D)
Today we will hike in the foothills of Tavan Bogd. The mountain scenery in this area, known by Mongols as the Roof of the World, is stunning. Many herder families live along the white river and you many meet people from one of several ethnic clans, including the Kazakh, Khalkh, Durvud, Uriankhai, Tuvan, and Khoshuud minorities. Overnight in tents.
Day 14. (7 Aug) Tavan Bogd/Ulgii (B,L,D)
This is our last day in Ulgii, and we will drive from Tavan Bogd back to Ulgii town, arriving in the late afternoon. We go straight to our ger camp just outside the town for hot showers and a relaxed dinner. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 15. (8 Aug) Tavan Bogd/Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
In the morning we will visit the local bazaar in Ulgii, time permitting, and then catch the first available flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel. Optional early evening stroll through the main square and city center, dinner at a restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
Day 16. (9 Aug) Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
In the morning we will visit Gandan Monastery, the center of Buddhism
in Mongolia. After lunch we will spend a few hours exploring the Black Market. This huge market contains every single item a Mongolian might need, whether they are nomads or urban apartment dwellers. Goods brought from all corners of Mongolia are here for sale. A visit to the market is a colorful experience which gives the visitor an insight to the everyday life of the people of Mongolia. Free shopping time in the afternoon. Mongolia is world renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this and many other souvenir items in the city. Farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 17. (10 Aug) Departure Day (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
