Home | Our Adventures | About Us | Waypoints | About Mongolia - FAQs | Galleries

Adventures

Trip Information - Western Mongolia Cultural Adventure

Day 1. Arrival (D)
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time of arrival, we may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening welcome dinner. Overnight in a 4 star hotel.

Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Ulaangom/ Uureg Lake (B,L,D)
Depart Ulaanbaatar by flight to Ulaangom, the capital of Uvs Province. At the airport we wil meet our drivers that will be accompanying us for our stay in western Mongolia. If time permit, we will go to visit the local museum, and the local WWF headqurters, in which we will learn about the flora, fauna and the diverse ethnic groups inhabiting the area. We then head west out of town and and over the Red Mountain Pass to Uureg Lake. Here ancient graves are scattered along the lake shores. Camping overnight.

Day 3. Uureg Lake/ One Hundred Eight Lakes (B,L,D)
After enjoying a beautiful sunrise by Uureg lake, we head south in our vehicles along the Kharkhira Mountain Range, then through a coal mining town and up Kharkhira Mountain into the area know to Mongolians as ‘many lakes’ or Olon Nuur. The area is a large plateau at the heart of the Kharkhira mountains where snowmelt from Kharkhira’s glaciers drains into the 108 Lakes, creating a magnificent site. Overnight with a nomadic family.

Day 4. Trekking - One Hundred Eight Lakes/Yamaatin Mountain Pass (B,L,D)
Today we will trek around the area of Olon Nuur towards the Yamaatin Mountain Pass. Its name in Mongolian means the Goat’s Pass, named after the large herds of Ibex or wild goats, that roam the area. With a little bit of luck we will see them grazing. Camping overnight.

Day 5. Trekking- Yamaatin Mountain Pass/Yamaatin Valley (B,L,D)
We start the day by climbing over the Yamaatin Mountain pass, and then descending into the Yamaatin Valley, surrounded by amazing landscapes. The valley is home to many nomadic families that are grazing their herds in the vast meadows. Camping overnight.

Day 6. Yamaatin Valley/ Ulgii Town (B,L,D)
Leaving Yamaatin Valley continue our trek west to the home of the local ranger who patrols the Yamaatin Valley, where we meet our vehicles in the late afternoon. We camp overnight near the ranger’s home.

Day 7. Ulgii Town/ The Eagle Trainer’s Home (B,L,D)
Today we get back in our vehicles and head towards Bayan Ulgii, Mongolia’s western-most province, which is largely inhabited by Kazakhs. We stop on the way for a beautiful view of Achit Lake. From there we follow the course of the Hovd River, Western Mongolia’s largest river, to Ulgii Town. The Kazakh are folk Muslims who mainly follow traditions of ancestor worship and animism. Over two centuries ago troops of the Russian Empire pushed Kazakhs out into neighboring countries. The Lower Dzuuz Clan or Southern Kazakhs came to Mongolia and were allowed to settle in Bayan Ulgii. For most of the 20th century they remained an isolated community. Mongolian Kazakhs are now highly respected in Kazakhstan for their knowledge of the old customs. Other ethnic minorities in the region include Tuvans and Buriats. When we reach Ulgii, we will have lunch and then continue to onwards to the home of one of Mongolia’s greatest eagle trainers. The tradition of hunting with eagles, which has been practiced for thousands of years in central Asia, was banned by the soviet regime, and was almost forgotten in Central Asia. Only a few trainers continued the practice in secrecy and kept the tradition alive until the present. We will stay with the eagle trainer’s family and learn the secrets of taming these enormous birds, as well as about the traditions of the Kazakh minority in Mongolia. Overnight with the trainer’s family.

Day 8. The Eagle Trainer’s Home (B,L,D)
Today we will go with the eagle trainer to a nearby mountain, joining him and his helpers in a hunt which will allow us to observe the skills of his eagle. In the afternoon we return to his home, and enjoy a cozy evening with his family. Overnight with the trainer’s family.

Day 9. The Eagles’ Trainer home/ Ulgii Town (B,L,D)
After a farewell from the trainer’s family, we head back to Ulgii town and arrive in Ulgii in the early afternoon. Here we will have time to stroll the streets of Ulgii, and explore life in this remote city. Overnight in Local Hotel.

Day 10. Ulgii Town/ Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
Taking the first available flight, we return to Ulaanbaatar and check in to the hotel. If time permits, we will go on a sightseeing tour of the city, and visit the Natural History Museum, which has on display dinosaur skeletons excavated in the Gobi desert. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11. Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
We begin the day with 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 Ulaanbaatar. After lunch we will visit the Bogd Khan Palace museum, the palace of the last Mongolian king, who was considered a living god. 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. Overnight in 4 star hotel.

Day 12. Departure (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your international departure.

› top   › return to trip summary

Map

› top   › return to trip summary