Russian Altai & Mongolia Drive
Theme Cultural nomadic , Nature exploring, Moderate
From $3350
Duration 12 days
Intro text
- The heart of the Altai mountains
- Two countries
- Meet Kazakh & Russian ethnic group
Why choose this tour
- Discover the biggest nomadic and largest country in the world – rich diversity of nomadic culture in the regions
- Trek to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains
- To see rare/endangered animals like snow leopard, ibex etc
- Amazing nature and unique people with great hospitality
- Historical sightseeing
Services included
- Shared accommodation at Ger camps
- Private transfers
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Horse, camel ride
- Mongolian barbecue
- Letter of Invitation
- Visit Eagle Hunter and his family
- Border and nat. park permits
- ULG-ULN flight
- Overnights at 4* hotel in Gorno-Altaisk and UB.
Services not included
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
- Single supplement
- Personal needs
- Laundry and alcoholic drinks.
- ULN-ULG-ULN flights (Free luggage allowance is 15kg).
- Single occupancy USD $720
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Gorno Altaisk Teletskoe Lake (168km)
rrival to Gorno-Altaysk, meeting at the airport. Drive to the Artyubash village that is located on the Shore of Teletskoe Lake. The steep rocky shores of the lake, covered with larch and birch trees, are impassable. Teletskoye Lake impresses the travelers with the touch of majestic beauty. After lunch we do a boat trip to the station of Altayisky nature reserve and the travelers make a quick excursion to the famous Korbu waterfall. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 2 Katun River (215 km)
We travel up the Katun River to Chemal village to visit the small and spectacularly located nunnery of Patmos monastery, situated on a rocky island in the river and accessible by a hanging bridge. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 3 Chemal Sarlyk Mountain Boochi (350 km)
Drive to the top of Semeinskii pass, where we hike to Sarlyk Mountain, the highest point of the Seminsky Mountain, Central Altai. The name means ” ” in Altaian and on the slopes one can usually find herds of yaks. The mountain is on the border of Shebalinskiy and Ongudai regions of the Altai Republic and from the top there are stunning views of the whole area. After lunch we continue to the village of Boochi where we spend time meeting local Altaian families and discovering local archaeological sites like graves and petroglyphs. We hope also to meet a local shaman if possible. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 4 Pazyryk burialz & Chulishman valley (240 km)
Today we drive about 120 kms to explore most interesting Pazyryk burials in Altai. Mounds is located in the tract Pazyryk on the right bank of the River Bolshoi Ulagan, on the road from Ulagan (16 km) to the village Balyktuyul. The name “Pazyryk” comes from the Tuvan “bazyryk” – “Mound.” Burial mounds are the graves of tribal or tribal chiefs, built mostly in the VI-III centuries. BC A chain of five mounds stretching from north to south along the great valley a few kilometers from Balyktuyul. Then we drive to Chulishman valley. The Valley of Chulyushman River from bird’s-eye view looks like a famous Grand Canyon in Colorado. It is an awesome picture of vertical gigantic walls, cut with the dry beds of waterfalls and the blue line of a river, pressed between the rocks deep underneath. This area is considered to be the remotest and the most untouched in the Altai region. Nature of the area, staggers by its wildness and primordial beauty. Canyons, cascade, the Red Gate Rocks, the Tcheikkel (Dead Lake) cluster around the road from Aktash to Ulagan. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 5 Excursion to Aktru Glacier (167km)
We are away into the Aktru mountains today by our 4WD vehicle and then on foot for an hour or two to the terminal of the Aktru glacier. The vehicle takes us the first 30km; across the steppe and up the 4×4 truck through the fir forest to the Aktru mountaineering base from where we set out on foot to climb the moraine for views and a picnic lunch. The 4×4 truck climbs steeply until it reaches the hanging valley of the upper Aktru River and there are fords to cross the braided river bed. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 6-7 To the Eshtykkel Plateau
Today we drive to the beautiful Eshtykel plateau called the “Ukok in miniature”. We stop near Dzhangyskol Lake that is often called Eshtykel Lake. The lake is located on a 1,750 meters altitude plateau in the valley of the Chuya River between North Chuya and Kurai ranges. Small pass separates Eshtykel plateau from Kurai steppe. The Eshtykel plateau called the “Ukok in miniature”. It is better to climb to the top of hill in order to see the plateau in all its glory. The mountains are reflected in the mirrored surface of the lake Eshtykel that creates a feeling of a holiday in the heart of the tourist. Overnight at wooden hotel. (BLD)
Day 8 Drive to Khovd Town
Drive to South and reach Hovd town. The Hovd town was a trade center, located on the northern Silk Road with connections to Russia and China. In 1763 the Manchu administration built the fortress Sagijn Cherem (Castle). An area of about 4 ha was fenced with 3m high and 2m wide walls. Now all 18 Mongolian ethic groups live in this province. Have a lunch. After driving to south about 30km from Hovd town, we will see the Khar Us Nuur National Park, where WWF Mongolia is very active. The largest of the lakes is Khar Us Nuur (Black Water Lake).The great lakes basin has the largest reed beds in all of Central Asia, with many bird species as well as Saiga Antelope, the rare Wild Boar (in the reeds!), Snow Leopards, Gazelle, Wolves etc. We will move from the desert steppes to Altai Mountains. The nomads live from livestock herding. We continue our driving and reach small village Darvi. Overnight at local hotel. (BLD)
Day 9 To Delger Valley
Drive about 380km by desert open area between two big mountain ranges and reach the Delger valley-big open steppe area. Overnight near village Unen Us (true water), which only water-well around and why many nomads with their animals live here. You have a chance to visit one of nomadic families. Overnight at local hotel. (BLD)
Day 10 To Gobi Lakes
Today is a long drive to east, through big open steppe area. We will move from Altai Mountains to steppe areas. We will reach the remote Lake Orog and camp. The nomads live from livestock herding. However, by international standards, it is not densely populated. Near the sands they keep Bactrian Camels. Orog Lake and its immediate surroundings. The lake sits next to Ikh Bogd (Big Holy) Mountain (3957m) at 1200m above sea level. There are also some nearby sand dunes. Tuin River empties into the lake from its journey from Hangai Mountains. The abundance of food attracts plenty of birds. There is a small island with some 60 pairs of Grey Herons nesting on the ground! The world’s longest fault line is visible through the terrain. It came about in 1957 and extends for some 270km westwards from Orog Lake. Overnight at local hotel. (BLD) The Gobi Desert is a vast zone of desert and desert steppe covering almost 30 percent of the Mongolian territory. The area is often imagined as a lifeless desert like in many other parts of the world. In reality, most part of the Gobi Desert is a land of steppes and it is the home for camel breeders rich with wildlife and vegetation. Wild asses, camels, snow leopards, mountain sheep and gazelles flourish here, as do different types of flora.Dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs have been preserved here to the present day. Mongolians consider that there are 33 different Gobi, where sandy desert occupies only 3 percent of the total territory. Climate is extreme with 40 degrees Celcius in summer and severe winter.
Day 11 To Hongoryn Els
Full day driving to south-east, we come out from mountain area into gobi area with small hills. Reach Khongorin Dunes, the biggest sand dunes in all Asia.The 800-meter high sand dunes in Sevrei soum, South aimag, are called Khongoryn Els. These dunes are 20 km wide and 100 km long. The Khongoryn River flows along the sand dunes and gives birth to oases. Visit the dunes with camel riding. Visit a local camel breeding family and learn about their breeding programs. Overnight at ger camp. (BLD)
Day 12 Drive eto UB (650km)
Full day drive to north and reach UB. Overnight in 4* Kempinskii hotel. (BL)
DESCRIPTION
(RUSSIA-MONGOLIA)
Altai Mountains is the snowcapped high mountain, straddling the Russian and Mongolian frontiers in the Far West. Mountains of eternal snowcapped mountains and glaciers. In these remote regions live many nomads of ethnic minorities. The Kazakhs are Muslims, and speak an ancient Kazakh language, as well as Tuvans, who are Buddhist and shamanistic. This dramatic journey will bring us to Russian and Mongolia’s Altai mountain region. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.
Brief Outline Itinerary
On this dramatic journey you will drive comfortable and safety 4wd Japanese vehicles and reach most spectacular and picturesque diverse places. Our crew is trilingual at least: English, Mongol and Russian. Possibly also Kazakh and Russian.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Prices: As we’ll customize your journey based on your preferences and needs, please note that this indicative price is just a rough estimate. Prices may vary depending on season, type of accommodation and activities/experiences chosen (private vs. shared) etc.
- This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.
- Health: Travellers to Mongolia should ensure that they are up-to-date with routine vaccination courses and it may be advised that further vaccines are sought. Please talk to a health professional 4 – 6 weeks before travelling. It is recommended that most travellers are vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Tetanus but it is also worth discussing Hep B, Typhoid, Meningitis, Tuberculosis, Tick-borne Encephalitis and Rabies.
- Long bumpy rides: Be prepared for some epic long car rides in some old school furgons (Russian UAZ vans). As few of the vans have speakers or a method of playing music, you might like to bring along your own portable speakers and an MP3 player (but bear in mind others may like to enjoy the serenity!) It is not unheard of for people to feel a little travel sick, so if you are prone to this, remember to bring your tablets and feel free to ask your guide/driver to stop as frequently as you wish.
- Guide:
An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. - Occupancy: Single $720
You can stay in a single, twin or double room/ger/tent (where applicable). Single occupancy may not be possible during the Naadam festival (July 5th -15th) at ger camps. At community-based camps and ger homestays, single occupancy is subject to availability. Single and twin/double occupancy at ger camps require an extra supplement. - The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year, but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. - Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be stay in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Blue Wolf is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own. - Transport:
We use the highest level, most comfortable, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day’s drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km. - Personal things to bring with you:
Binoculars, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, long underwear for travel in the high mountains, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed),pills for motion sickness, rain gear, flashlight, universal plugins for charger.
