Mongolia's Altai Trek (& Eagle Festival) (15D / 14N)
17 DAYS / 16 NIGHTS
19 days / 18 nights (with Eagle Festival)
2024
september 2-18
september 2-20 (with eagle festival)
Altai Mountain is the highest of three major mountain ranges in Mongolia, straddling the Russian and Chinese frontiers in the Far West. In these remote regions live many nomads of ethnic minorities. The western part of Mongolia is rich with spectacular views of the Altai mountains. On this trip, you will get closer to the wild nature by hiking everyday. Besides the nature here, various ethnic nomads inhabit the place such as the Kazakh and Tuvan nomads who are famous for their hospitality. You will visit the snowcapped Altai mountains in Mongolia where you find glaciers, twin lakes with waterfalls. Western Mongolia is rich in archeological sites that vary from ancient petroglyphs and bulbuls from the Turkish period.
On a trip to this region, one discovers new horizons and experience the freedom of nomadic life. As part of our mission to create gender equity in the tourism industry, the trek will be led by a female guide and a mixed gender team as a way to elevate the roles of women in the tourism industry.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Rest day. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
DAY 2 City Tour
Today, you will do a city tour to see the Gandan monastery, Buddhist center, Zanabazar museum, the Winter Palace, Chingis Khaan museum and Dinosaurs museum. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
DAY 3 Fly to Bayan-Ulgii & drive to Hoton Lake (2300 meters)
Today, after breakfast, we take a flight to Bayan-ulgii where we start the journey to the Altai mountains. We drive180 kms to reach the Hoton and Hurgan twin lakes where many nomadic Kazakh families stay during the summer. This is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains with forests which is near the Chinese border. We drive 15 kms north along Hoton lake and reach Biluut mountain where we meet our pack camels and horse rangers.
Overnight in the tent.
DAY 4 Altai Trek (1st day)
After breakfast, we will get ready for packing our things on the camels. On the first day of our trek, you can see petroglyphs. We meet the Kazakh people who live here and experience their generosity and hospitality. They live in ger which they made by hand. Today, we continue hiking inside the forest.
Overnight in Kazakh traditional ger.
DAY 5 Altai Trek (2nd day)
In the morning, we continue our trek and enjoy the view of the Altai mountain. You will also enjoy some birdwatching. We will hike between 15 and 20 km and 4-5 hours each day.
Overnight in tent next to the river.
DAY 6 Altai Trek (3rd day)
Today, we hike to Green Lake and leave behind civilization as we go deeper into the remote section of the mountains where we roam freely in nature. It’s a picturesque place that’s ideal for night time photography. At night, you can see a clear sky full of stars as you’re surrounded by high mountains.
Overnight in tent along the glacier-fed White River.
DAY 7 Altai Trek (4th day)
. Today, we will get closer to Takhilbai pass which is one of the highest sections of the Altai mountain range. At this point of our trek, we are surrounded by the Altai mountains.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 8 Altai Trek (5th day)
Today is a big day as we hike to the Takhiilbai pass which is located in an area inhabited by the Tuvan people.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 9 Altai Trek (6th day)
On this day, we enter the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park where we start to view the snowcapped mountains and white glacier water river. Again, this area is inhabited by the nomadic Tuvan people with their herd of yaks and livestock. Today, we visit Tuvan families in their gers to learn about nomadic culture and lifestyle.
Overnight in tent next to White River.
DAY 10 Altai Trek (7th day) Tavanbogd massif and climb to Malchin peak (2550m-3300m, 4025m)
The next few days are all about enjoying the best views in the Altai Mountains. We hike about 16 kms toward the base camp of the snow-capped Tavanbogd massif. Here, we enjoy the view of the Potanina glacier – the biggest one of the twenty glaciers in Mongolian Altai. Tavan bogd means “The Holy Five,”which refers to the five highest peaks, of which Huiten Uul is the highest in Mongolia at 4374 meters above sea level. It is a stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif of high snow-capped peaks.
Stay in tent next to glacier.
DAY 11 Altai Trek (8th day)
The Malchin peak is one of the highest peaks of the Holy Five mountains which is about 4050m above sea level. It is a nontechnical climb that takes 4 hours with 2-3 hours of descent. At the top, you will enjoy the view of the Altai mountain range and the glacier below.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 12 Altai Trek (9th day)
After breakfast, we pack our things on the camel and start our 4 hour hike back to reach White River valley where our car will pick us up.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 13 Drive to Sagsai Town & Eagle Hunting Community
Today, we drive 150 km to Sagsai town where we spend the night with an eagle hunter’s family. This is an opportunity to learn about the nomadic life and experience the hospitality in this part of the world. At night, we will have a traditional Kazakh meal called Sirne.
Overnight in ger.
Day 14 Eagle Hunting Community Stay
We will learn about eagle hunting traditions with the eagle hunting family. To be an eagle hunter requires patience. The tradition is passed on from the father to his son/daughter. These days, female eagle hunters are becoming more common. Hunting with eagle is one of the traditional games of Kazakh people. The Golden Eagle can hunting with fox, rabbit, marmot and sometimes wolf. Today, we will also visit the Khusvegi Museum & English Library - a community-led initiative that complements the award-winning 30 day cultural immersion initiative, Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp - ran by the Sagsai community. Overnight in ger.
Day 15 Drive to Ulgii
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our host family and drive back to Ulgii.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 16 Fly to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we drive you to the airport to catch your flight to Ulaanbaatar. (Those who booked for the Eagle Festival will follow a different itinerary from here).
Overnight in hotel.
Day 17 Fly home.
After breakfast, we drive you to Ulaanbaatar airport to start your journey back home.
FOR ALTAI EAGLE FESTIVAL EXTENSION
Days 16-17
Meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters. The rodeo of eagle hunting. A fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers alike to see these magnificent birds up close. There are approx. 400 eagle hunters in Bayan-Olgii aimag. The eagle hunters from around regions gather to test their finely trained birds in singular contests of speed and agility in these few days. During the festival we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “BushKushi” (Try to take out from each other the goat skin on horseback),”Kiss woman on horseback”, “Pick up coins from the land on horseback” and others.
Overnight in hotel in Bayan-Ulgii.
Day 18
After breakfast, transfer to Ulgii airport to catch your flight to Ulaanbaatar. Airport transfer to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 19
After early breakfast, transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport to catch your flight home. (B)
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
You can watch the recording of our trip meeting for Women-Led Migration & Altai Trek via this link.
TREK STYLE
This is a STRENUOUS trek. Recent hiking and/or backpacking experience is highly recommended. You will need to prepare in terms of cardio workout and consult with your doctor prior to joining the trip given the high altitude. You will be required to familiarize yourself with the hazards and risks of high altitude trekking, sign a liability waiver and terms & conditions forms.
PRICING
Per person for a group of two or more:
$2900 Altai Trek Only
$3250 Altai Trek with Eagle Hunting Festival
Single supplement:
$ 280 for Altai trek (4 nights hotel)
$ 370 for Altai Trek & Eagle Festival (6 nights hotel)
Deposit due: $700
***IMPORTANT***
FOR THE ALTAI TREK WITH EAGLE FESTIVAL, IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE THE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS SELL OUT FAST FOR THE EAGLE FESTIVAL.
Balance Due Dates:
For Altai Trek with Eagle Festival: 90 days before the trip
For Altai Trek only: 60 days before the trip
A completed booking form & non-refundable deposit are required to book. For questions, send us an email at equity@browngaltrekker.com
Click on Book Now below to book.
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS and LIABILITY WAIVER before booking.
INCLUSIONS
English-speaking guide.
All land transports.
All meals during the trek.
All accommodations during the trek.
Group camping equipment such as dining tents, cooking utensils, all meals during the trek, pack camels/horses & horse rangers.
Hotel stay in Ulaanbaatar & Ulgii (with breakfast).
Airport transfers.
Trekking/entrance fees, border & national park permits.
EXCLUSIONS
Tips for Guides and porters, mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags), any personal expenses (such as laundry, souvenir shopping etc), extra activities (e.g. horse riding), visa fees & travel insurance, international and domestic flight tickets.
FLIGHTS
International and domestic flights are excluded. Clients must book their own flights. The domestic flight is Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii, round trip or Ulaanbaatar to Hovd with a private car to take you to Ulgii. Please send us your flight itineraries by e-email no later than the balance due date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED
After making a deposit, you are required to obtain appropriate travel insurance through Global Rescue or other insurance of your choice that should cover at a minimum 100% of the trip cost (land & air), emergency medical and evacuation for high altitude trekking of up to 5000 meters. Proof of travel insurance must be provided via electronic mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date. Failure to obtain travel insurance by the trip balance due date will result in cancellation and no refund of your trip deposit and/or applicable cancellation fees as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Note: If you opt to buy your insurance from a different insurance company, please ensure that the insurance you purchase covers high altitude trekking as there are only a select number of companies that provide such type of coverage.
VISA & VACCINATIONS
Please check ahead of time as to the visa requirements for the country of your choosing. You are responsible for securing your own visa, if required and getting the required and/or recommended vaccinations.
COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Please check current COVID-19 related entry requirements. You can check the latest via the U.S. State Department website or the website of your embassy in Mongolia.
GEAR LIST & TRIP NOTES
Upon booking, you will receive trip notes that include the recommended gear list.
