Altai Horse Ride
The Mongolian Altai mountains of western Mongolian offer a beautiful landscape coupled with three unique cultures - Mongolians, Kazakhs, and Tuvans. The area is rich in wildlife and provides one of the last refuges for the Altai Argali, the world's largest sheep, as well as the endangered Snow Leopard. In addition, western Mongolia is rich in archeological sites that vary from ancient petroglyphs to stone carvings from early Turkish nomads. To travel in western Mongolia and visit this area's nomadic people between the snow covered peaks of the Altai Mountains means to experience something that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world. On a trip though this region, one discovers new horizons, will feel the beauty of unexplored wilderness and experience the freedom of nomadic life.
Our horse treks take you through the country, where you’ll find camping in the traditional gers are a perfect way of discovering the traditional Mongol way of life. Mongolia has a unique and durable traditional culture, centered on the herding lifestyle. Herders remain semi-nomadic, moving their animals with the seasons as they have for centuries.
Here you will meet also Altai Nomadic Kazakh people and explore their cultures, specially Eaglehunting skills.
Day 1: To Olgiy (1725m)
Meet your local Kazakh guide and cars upon arriving at Olgiy airport and transfer to Blue Wolf Gercamp. After lunch, visit the local museum town with comprenhensive information of flora and fauna of Bayan-Olgiy aimag as well as it colourfull traditional costumes.
Overnight in Kazakh gers.(L,D)
Day 2: Drive to Blue Goat Nat.Park (2800m)
Today we drive 120kms(6-7hrs ) to northwest to come Kazakh Eaglehunter-Ongar’s summer spending palce, which is located just on the north-west side of Blue Goat Nat.Park. Meet Ongar and his magnificient bird.Overnight in tent.(B,L,D)
Days 3-4: Blue Goat Nat.Park (5-6hrs)(2800-3100)
Every day going with local horse rangers by the wild big remote mountains of Blue Goat Nat.Park, we can watch some Argalis,Ibexs and deers. This place has many wild endangerous animals and birds like snowleopard, Altai argali and Ibex,lynx,wolfrine and bearded volchure,black volchure,different kinds of falcons,golden eagle, and others. Staying with Eaglehunter,you can learn some skills. Overnights in tent same place.(B,L,D)
Days 5-8:Horse ride towards TsambaGarav Nat.Park (5-6hrs per day or 10-25kms)(2500-3000m)
These days,you start to ride towards another Nat.Park TsmabaGarav. Tsamba-Garav Uul(the altitude 4208m) is one of the most beautifull snowcapped mountains in Mongolia.
It is just on the border of three western aimags Bayan-Ulgii,Uvs and Hovd.We will see the beautifull snowcapped peaks,rocky valleys and crystal clear spring waters.We visit the nomadic Urianhai families (one of western Mongolian ethnic groups,who are famous Chinggis Khaan’s heroes with bow and arrow).
Last day come to north side of TsmabaGarav Nat.Park,where you will meet Uriakhai people. Overnights in tent.(B,L,D)
Day 9: Soft hiking day (2900-3100m)
Today staying near Tsedenbal’s ger(Urianhai family),you can walk only few hours to reach glaciers of Tsast Uul(4208m).There is small beautifull lake surrounded by many flowers.Good for photos. Overnight in tent.(B,L,D)
Day 10: Drive to Olgiy
After breakfast,drive about 95kms and reach Olgiy. Overnight in Blue Wolf gercamp.Welcome dinner with short Kazakh concert in Blue Wolf restaurant.(B,L,D)
Day 11: Fly out
After breakfast, transfer to Olgiy airport to catch a flights leave for Ulaanbaatar.(B)
Some recommendations: Summer months in Mongolia are from early June to midSeptember.Although
the Mongolian summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night.So be prepared for all weather conditions.
What to bring: Binoculars,sunscreen,a hat,gloves,long underware for travel in the high mountains , comfortable footware,lip balm,sanitary hand wipes ,sunglasses , prescription medications,(if needed),rain gear,flashlight.
Transport: We will select some good riding horses , saddle up, and ride. Our gear will be loaded upon Bactrian Camels, used by the locals.
Western Mongolian families frequently move from one pasture to the other using camels.The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.
Staff: A local guide who speaks English and Mongolian will accompany the group at all times.A cook will follow, with an assistant.In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.
Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals.We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips.For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.
Price:
from USD 1510 per person (min 2 members)
Group size: 2-8
Discounts available for groups.
Includes: English speaking guide, food(3 times per day), cook,packing horse or camels all overnights in gers and tents, camping equipment and all local transport /UB-Olgiy-UB flights /,National park permits.
Excludes: Drinks, Single room/tent/ger supplement is USD 20 per night.
DATES : 2013 Weekly, 25Jun-17Sep
