Khuvsgul, Taiga, Grand Altai 15 days Cultural tour in Mongolia

• ITINERARY

• Day 1: Khuvsgul Lake

  After breakfast in UB, we will head to the airport to take a domestic flight to the city of Murun in northern Mongolia. It is a 110 km drive to the town of Khatgal on the southern end of Khuvsgul Lake. We will take a short hike to see the lake and then have lunch at the ger camp that we will be staying in that night. After lunch we will go horseback riding for an hour and then take a walk to the Khyasaa mountain top. It is a beautiful area, the first of many on our trip, with fantastic views and a peaceful atmosphere. How is that for your first day of real travel in Mongolia?

• Accommodation: Ger Camp
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 2: Khuvsgul Lake - Ulaan Village /250 km/

  After breakfast we will drive to Ulaan - Uul village. We will likely see local herders gers, yaks, goats, cows, sheep and horses living in the mountains and hills on the way. We will cross several rivers and streams and reach the Darkhad valley in the evening. The valley is named after the Darkhad tribe that has lived in the valley for centuries. The Darkhad people are very closely related to Khalkh Mongols, the main tribe of Mongolia, but they do speak their own dialect and have their own customs. We will eat lunch on the road and stay in the motel.

• Accommodation: Motel
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 3: Ulaan - Uul Village - Kharmai, Tsagaan Nuur /100 km/

  After breakfast we will drive to Tsagaan Nuur village. We will visit our friend Batmunkh's ger in Kharmai. We will eat lunch and meet with their nomadic life and culture. We also hike around the area and have dinner in his home.

• Accommodation: Guest Ger
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 4: Kharmai - Tsaatan (Reindeer people)

  After breakfast, we will get ready for our horse trek through the Taiga region. A local family will have prepared horses for us. We will travel exclusively on horseback, as the reindeer herders camp cannot be reached by car, and will use pack horses to carry our luggage. The trek will take us through the thick forests and mountains of the Taiga, which is a distinct ecological zone separate from the typical steppe. Travel time to the camp will take 2-3 hours. Upon our arrival we will rest in a reindeer herder family's teepee. We will have dinner and spend time with the family that night.

• Accommodation: Teepee
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 5: Reindeer herder family

  We will begin learning about the lifestyle of the reindeer people right at sunrise. After breakfast we will see how they milk reindeer. These reindeer people have lived in this region, fishing, hunting, gathering fruit and herding reindeer for many years. They practice shamanism and worship the mountain savdag (spirit). We will observe their lifestyle and take in the beauty of the Taiga Mountains and the lake nestled in the midst of the mountains. We will also learn about the handmade goods that allow the reindeer people to maintain their culture and lifestyle and to prepare their children receive an education in this unique environment.

• Accommodation: Teepee
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 6: Taiga - Kharmai, Tsagaan Nuur

  After breakfast we will ride our horses back to the Kharmai valley where we left our van and driver. We will have a lunch on the way and stay at Renchinlumbe village.

• Accommodation: Motel
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 7: Renchinlumbe Village - Murun /280 km/

  After breakfast, we will have a long 7-8 hour drive back to Murun. We will stay in a hotel that night.

• Accommodation: Hotel
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 8: Murun - Oigon Lake

  We will set out early in the morning to drive to Oigon Lake which is located near Tudevtei in Zavkhan province. Historically Oigon Lake has been the setting of many wars for the independence of Khalkh Mongolia. The locals say that there are up to 108 small lakes in the area surrounding Oigon. We will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area while resting and staying overnight.

• Accommodation: Nomadic family or camp in tent
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 9: Oigon Lake - Khyargas Lake

  The next stop on our trek is Khyargas Lake in Uvs province. It is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Mongolia. It covers 1.406 square kilometers and is 75 kilometers long, 31 kilometers wide and 80 meters deep. The water is brackish and has rare fish such as the Mongolian Grayling. We will rest to enjoy the scenery and stay overnight near the lake at a ger camp.

• Accommodation: Ger camp
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 10: Khyargas Lake - Bayan-Ulgii province

  After breakfast, we will continue heading west to Bayan-Ulgii province. We will have a lunch on the way. We will visit the Kazak national museum and stay in the Kazak guest house with dinner .

• Accommodation: Guest house
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 11: Bayan-Ulgii province - Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

  After breakfast, we will enter and explore Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. The park covers 630,000 hectares of land and has three large freshwater lakes, 34 glaciers and several waterfalls. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will park our car and hike around the area. We will be camping in tents for the night.

• Accommodation: Guest Ger or Tent
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 12: Altai Tavan Bogd trekking - Tsagaan Gol

  After breakfast we will drive over to Tsagaan Gol valley and see the beautiful view. Afterwards, we will head to President's cairn and have a lunch on the way. On the way, we can see the Malchin Peak . We will and either camp in tents or stay overnight in a nearby nomadic family's ger.

• Accommodation: Tent or Guest Ger
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 13: Lake Khoton and Khurgan - Eagle Hunter Family

  After breakfast, we will travel to Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. We will visit and interact with an eagle hunter's family and stay with the family overnight.

• Accommodation: Eagle Hunter's family
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 14: Eagle Hunter Family - Ulgii Town

  In the morning we will spend some more time with the hunter and learn about the tradition of hunting with eagles. The eagle's eyes are covered until it is time to hunt and it only communicates with its owner during the hunt. At some point between mid- and late-September the fin feathers grow and the eagles become strong enough to hunt and carry larger prey. We will also have a chance to see a traditional tug-of-war game that consists of pulling a goat skin between two competitors on horseback. Having a photo with holding an eagle on your hand is fantastic memory. We will drive to and stay in the town of Ulgii that night.

• Accommodation: Guest house or Hotel
  Meals: BF, L, D

• Day 15: Ulgii - Ulaanbaatar

  After breakfast, we will do some sightseeing around Ulgii if time allows before our domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Our driver will pick you up from the airport and drop you off at your hotel in UB.Meals: BF, L

• Accommodation: Your Hotel

Trip Cost:
3 and more people 2150 USD (per person)
2 people 50 USD (per person)
1 person 7400 USD
Note: The itinerary may change slightly or skip certain landmarks due to weather and/or road conditions. While on the road our driver and guide will explain the conditions and council with you to make sure you feel comfortable. Also our manager from the head office will be in contact with the guide to direct and make suggestions every step of the way. The purpose is to make sure the trip goes safely and suits your schedule.

Price include:

Private vehicle with driver
Private English speaking guide
All accommodations
All meals on itinerary
Horse rides
Local guide and horse guide
Reserved land entrance fees
Museums and attraction
Sleeping bag and tent
Snack and water
Airport pick up and drop off
All area entrance fee
All tickets of museums and monastery

Price exclude:

All personal expenses
Travel insurance
Additional tours to places not on the itinerary
Additional camel and horseback riding
Kayaking at Khuvsgul Lake
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

Note: The itinerary may change slightly or skip certain landmarks due to weather and/or road conditions. While on the road our driver and guide will explain the conditions and council with you to make sure you feel comfortable. Also our manager from the head office will be in contact with the guide to direct and make suggestions every step of the way. The purpose is to make sure the trip goes safely and suits your schedule.