Compare Wild Mongolia by Intrepid Travel vs Ancient Cultures of the Altai by Blue Silk Travel
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Trip |
4.5 | Great
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0 | Poor
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Duration | 15 days | 11 days |
Price From | $ 3,663 | $ 3,950 |
Price Per Day | $ 244 | $ 359 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A |
10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 10 Dinners |
Description |
Travel to Mongolia and experience the raw beauty and tradition of this remote region. Hidden from the world for so long, it is hard to imagine that this secluded country once created the largest land empire ever known. Unmatched geographical diversity, pristine grasslands, crumbling ruins and roaming herdsmen riding tough Mongolian horses – see it all on this journey through a land that time forgot and travellers are now discovering. |
Travel to the Altai Mountains in Mongolia's far west. Explore the ancient rock art of the UNESCO World Heritage Mongolian Altai Petroglyphs. Meet herders and horsemen, camp in remote mountain valleys each night, and take a four-day horse trek to Tavan Bogd, Mongolia's highest peaks. |
Day 1 Ulaanbaatar
Sainbainuu! Welcome to Mongolia. You can arrive at any time before your group meeting at 6 pm. Please have your passport, insurance and next of kin information ready to give to your leader at this meeting. Afterwards you'll have the option to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive in town earlier and have time, be sure to get out and explore 'UB', a fascinating town where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young business elite. A great place to start is Gandan Khiid, Mongolia's largest and most important monastery. The Fine Arts Museum, Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan and Intellectual Museum are also well worth visiting.
Day 2 Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Today your adventure begins as you drive out through the beautiful Mongolian countryside. Most of the drive today is on paved roads, but be prepared for some bumps after the final turnoff to the the remote Amarbayasgalant Khiid. Your leader and drivers will be glad to teach you some basic Mongolian words on the way – a great way to prepare for interactions with the locals, few of whom speak English. Your final destination today is Mongolia's second most important place of worship (after Gandan Monastery in UB), situated in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley, at the foot of Burengiin Mountain, in the Selenge province. After seeing the monastery, you will get your first taste of life in a ger at the first camp of the trip. This is the way that the majority of Mongolia's population has always lived – away from the city and in the wide open spaces of seemingly endless countryside. It's the quintessential Mongolian experience. Although such camps are set up for visitors, this type of housing is still used around the country, even in the capital where you will have seen many 'ger suburbs' surrounding the city centre. Our drivers and leader also often double as our cooks in those places where we prepare meals ourselves. You are always welcome to lend a hand too! We share our meals together in the dining quarters. Vegetarians can be catered for although choices may be limited - please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements at time of booking. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day until our return to Ulaanbaatar. Some food will be traditional Mongolian style but as the traditional diet consists solely of meat and dairy products, most meals are less challenging and based more on Russian or Western meals which are now also common in the Mongolian diet.
Day 3 Erdenet - Selenge River - Unit
Continue to the lovely Selenge River via the copper mining town of Erdenet (approximately 7 hours including stops). There may be opportunities to spot some interesting wildlife along the way, such as marmots and many different species of birds. You will arrive at your ger camp in the settlement of Unit in the afternoon. Stretch your legs on arrival and take a walk up to the Togoo Uul (Pot Mountain) – an extinct volcano looming over the surrounding steppe. The hike to the top rewards you with views of the crater's lush interior. From this vantage, you can only imagine what this incredible landscape must have looked like millions of years ago.
Day 4 Ikh Uul Family Ger Camp
Today your journey (approximately 7 hours including stops) brings you to the mountainous outskirts of Ikh Uul for your first stay with a local nomad family. This is a rare opportunity to see how modern Mongolian nomads are preserving an ancient way of life while embracing some elements of modernity. You will be welcomed into the family ger and shown traditional Mongolian hospitality, starting with a bowl of salty milk tea and perhaps some aaruul (dried curds). This evening you will help your hosts prepare dinner – maybe some buuz (steamed dumplings) or barbecue. Many nomad families keep animals, so don't be surprised if there is some interaction with goats, dogs, horses and sheep. The location is remote, with no nearby settlements or light pollution. The night sky is incredible in clear weather, so be sure to do some stargazing before retiring for the evening.
Day 5 Khovsgol Lake
Enjoy breakfast with our host family and bid them farewell. It's another long day of driving today, across some rough terrain, to Khovsgol Lake (approximately 7 hours including stops). Some say this is Mongolia's most beautiful destination, a pristine wilderness area that's home to many ethnic minorities. It boasts spectacular scenery with stunning fir forests, lush green grasslands and meadows peppered with wildflowers. Since it is a popular destination for both foreign tourists and local holiday makers, you will likely come across other travellers here, especially in the peak travel months of June and July. On the way, stop at Uushig Valley and check out the unique Deer Stones that are representative of Bronze Age religion, culture and society significance. Tonight, you'll stay in a tourist ger camp just near the lake. Settle in for the night and sleep well, because there are plenty of optional activities to choose from tomorrow.
Day 6 Khovsgol Lake
Today you might like to hike up to one of the nearby peaks or perhaps take a boat trip out on the lake. Explore on foot and relax on one of our few days not on the road. All of these are great ways to experience this gorgeous region. Overnight in the tourist ger camp again tonight.
Day 7 Murun - Shine Ider Family Ger Camp
Today we will set off early to drive back through the town of Murun, and on to Shine Ider (approximately 8 hours on dirt road, including stops). Here you will enjoy the second family stay of your trip. Now that you know what to expect from a Mongolian homestay, you should feel more comfortable the second time around. Get to know your hosts as you help them prepare for an exciting Mongolian style BBQ dinner and get to know all the importance of meat in their diet and how Mongolian characters are intertwined with their food and cooking. You might even have the chance to watch as the family's livestock are milked and herded.
Day 8-9 Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
After breakfast with the family, we'll drive to the surreal Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, aka the Great White Lake (approximately 9 hours on dirt road). This natural volcanic lake, surrounded by mountains, is a surreal and memorable sight. Depending on where you'll be for tonight, you might drive up to one of the volcanic craters and hike to the top for spectacular views. There are plenty of nice trails to walk during your two-night stay here, so make the most of this relaxing break from the road.
Day 10 Tsetserleg - Tsenkher
Travel to the Tsenkher Hot Springs (approximately 6 hours). These are situated in the valley of the Delger River. On the way, you'll stop at Tsetserleg, a provincial town with a local market and a unique little museum housed in a former temple, which you'll visit with a local guide. At this stop, there's the chance to wander around the town for a glimpse at what provincial Mongolian life is like. Perhaps stock up on some snacks and drinks for the travels ahead. From here it's about another hour to the hot springs, where you'll check into the tourist ger camp on arrival.
Day 11 Tsenkher
Enjoy a Mongolian archery lesson today and then have the rest day free to relax, explore, or simply laze about in the thermal waters of these invigorating natural hot springs. Be sure to pack your swimwear so you can take part in this activity. Surrounded by the remote beauty of the landscape, this location is perfect for slowing down to a more meditative pace and taking it easy. There are also optional hikes and activities on offer if you'd prefer something more active.
Day 12 Karakorum - Khogno Khan
Continue to Karakorum (approximately 4 hours), a town built by the legendary Genghis Khan in the 13th century. Ask your leader and drivers to tell you some stories about this great man on the way – after all, he's the nation's hero. In Karakorum you will visit the first Buddhist centre of Mongolia, the immense Erdene Zuu Monastery. This impressive walled compound retains much of its former glory, and within it you can inspect the three temples, each one dedicated to a different stage of a Buddha's life – child, adolescent and adult stages. Later in the afternoon, you will drive to Khogno Khan, the location of your tourist ger camp tonight.
Day 13 Khogno Khan
Just nearby Karakorum is a sudden strip of sand dunes – a striking contrast to the landscape you have just travelled through. Here you will enjoy a camel trek along the dunes – an ideal way to experience this eye-popping landscape. The follow your leader on a short hike to the ruins of an old local monastery. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please.
Day 14 Ulaanbaatar
Travel back across the rolling grasslands to Ulaanbaatar (approximately 8 hours). The route will take you past 'ovoos' (roadside shrines) and ger suburbs. Arriving in the metropolis, you'll check back into your hotel. Depending on the arrival time, there might be the chance to shop for some local handicrafts such as cashmere and felt products, or check out some more of the city's sights and museums. Tonight you can celebrate your journey around Mongolia by witnessing a special cultural performance featuring throat singing and traditional dancing. There will be an optional final dinner at a local restaurant recommended by your leader.
Day 15 Ulaanbaatar
Say 'bayartai' to your group as your adventure draws to a close. There are no activities planned for the day, and you're free to depart the hotel at any time before 12 noon. If you'd like to stay longer in UB, it's recommended that you book additional accommodation well in advance.
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Meet your guide at Genghis Khan International Airport and travel into the heart of Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia’s cosmopolitan capital. Discover Ulaanbaatar's roots as a Buddhist settlement at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Then, trace the country’s history from the Stone Age through Genghis Khan to the present at the National Museum of Mongolia.
Day 2: Journey to the Altai Mountains
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii Province and the principal town of
Kazakh Mongolia. Head into the countryside west of town and set up camp for the night.
Day 3: White River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drive west to a campsite along the White River in the heart of the Altai Mountains. The river is
rich in minerals, giving the water a milk white color. Meet one of the families of herders living
along the river bank.
Day 4 & 5: Ride through Ancient Empires
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
Begin your horse trek with two days of riding along the White River. The trek staff will drive ahead with your supplies, preparing your campsite each night. On the second day, reach the foot of Mt. Shiveet Hairhan, the end of Mongolia’s most western road and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Mongolian Altai Petroglyphs. Explore ancient Bronze Age rock paintings, as well as statues and graves from the Turkic Empire, which ruled Central Asia 1200 years ago
Day 6 & 7: Horse Trek to Tavan Bogd
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
Enjoy two more days of horseback riding by traveling to Tavan Bogd, Mongolia’s five highest peaks, straddling the borders of Mongolia, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. At the foot of the mountains is a massive glacier. The route to Tavan Bogd is impassable by 4WD vehicle; pack horses will carry your supplies and tents. Camp at Tavan Bogd for a night before riding back to Shiveet Hairkhan the next day.
Day 8: Prehistoric Rock Art
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Depart Shiveet Hairhan and drive northeast to Tsagaan Salaa and Baga Oigor, a second region of the Mongolian Altai Petroglyphs. Marvel at the thousands of pictures etched into rock during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Set up camp for the night.
Day 9: Frontier Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drive back to Ulgii. Explore the town, including the bazaar, a good place to find local embroidery and quilts. Spend the evening in a small hotel and enjoy your first hot shower in a week.
Day 10: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Visit Gandantegchenlin Monastery, the center of Mongolian Buddhism and home to hundreds of monks. Browse the city's shops and department stores. In the evening, enjoy a folk music and dance performance by the renowned Tumen Ekh Ensemble, followed by a farewell dinner.
Day 11: International Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Your trip ends with an early morning flight to the U.S. via Beijing or Seoul.