Arrival in UB and city tour

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our local staffs (drivers and guide) will pick you up at the international airport of Chinggis khan. You will be transferred to a centrally located three-star hotel.
At noon, you will be escorted for a guided city tour that highlights the city’s most notable attractions, impressive National History Museum, Sukhbaatar Square and the Parliament building.
As the evening approaches, at 6:00 PM, experience a traditional Mongolian show at Tumen Ekh ensemble, featuring folk dances, contortion, and khoomii, the unique throat singing, followed by a welcome dinner.

Flight to Olgii, the western border of Mongolia

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Olgii, either early this morning or in the afternoon, depending on the schedule. Olgii, the capital of Bayan-Olgii province, is a vibrant region inhabited by the Tuvan, Kazakh and Uriankhai peoples.
After 3-hour domestic flight, you will be greeted by your support team, including drivers, cooks, and guides, and begin your journey to Tavan Bogd National Park. About 5-hours’ drive through the stunning mountainous and desertic steppes will lead us to Shiveet Khairkhan valley, where we will set up our camp. Later in the evening, local herders will arrive with their pack camels, ready to transport our camp equipment, luggage, and food for the days ahead.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and spend a restful night in the tented camp.

Beginning of our trek towards White river

Our luggage, gear, and supplies will be transported by camels guided by Tuvan herders. So each participant should carry a small backpack with essentials like water, a raincoat, and hiking snacks.
After breakfast, we will take a hike around Shiveet, the holy mountain worshipped by Tuvan nomads. There, we will explore ancient rock paintings that show impressive hunting scenes and the wild animals that once roamed this area. After that, we will return to our camp.
Then, we will begin our trek with a camel caravan to the gateway of Tavan Bogd National Park, where we will meet the local rangers after crossing the white river on a bridge. Along the way, we will walk through meadows filled with colorful wildflowers and see ancient burial sites with human-like statues.

Setting up camp on the banks of White river.

Trekking day to the Base camp

Today, we will hike 18 km to the base camp of Mt. Khuiten, once our camel caravan is ready. The trail features a gentle uphill climb, offering stunning views of the Potanin and Alexander glaciers, as well as the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival, we will set up camp at the scenic base of Mt. Khuiten, embracing breathtaking beauty of the Altai Mountains.

Ascent of Malchin peak (4050m)

We will stay at the same campsite for one day to climb Malchin (4050m), to the Mongolia-Russian borderline. We’ll start hiking along glacier moraine then traverse marshlands to reach at the foot of the mountain. The ascent takes approximately 4 hours, with an additional 2 hours for the descent (However, the total time may vary between 6-9 hours depending on participants’ fitness levels and weather conditions.). At the summit, revel in breathtaking views of the valley, Tavan Bogd’s snow-capped peaks, and the Potanin Glacier.

Back to Tsagaan gol, White River

Today, we depart from Base Camp towards the lower entrance of Tavan Bogd National Park, an area where the Tuvan people have lived for centuries. As we leave, we will pass the blue-white lake at the end of the Potanin Glacier. We’ll then make a gentle descent through Tsagaan Gol Valley, enjoying the sight of the fast-flowing river filled with glacial silt. Our belongings and camping gear will be carried by camels. We will spend the night camping in tents.

Khar-salaa valley

After the visit to our Tuvan guides’ family, we will hike to Mount Shiveet and climb a hill to reach a lake. There is a chance to observe wild goats (early in the morning). After passing the hill, we’ll enter the Khar-Salaa Valley, passing by small lakes and the winter camps of Kazakh families. Setting up camp on the banks of a river with crystal-clear waters.

Crossing the Takhilt Pass: hiking in Bear Valley

Today, we will hike across the Takhilt Pass, which is 3,500 meters high. It’s one of the steepest passes on our journey, and the descent into Bear Valley will be amazing. Bear Valley is beautiful and untouched, giving you a chance to see various wild plants and animals. The meadows between the hills are filled with lovely, fragrant wildflowers. We will camp near a river.

The Green Lake: hiking along the Tsagaan Us River.

Following breakfast, we will begin our hike from Bear Valley to Tsagaan Us Valley. After walking for 2-3 hours, we’ll stop for lunch at one of the stunning “Green Lakes.” The lakes have fresh water, and the nearby forests are home to many rare plants and animals.
Once we finish lunch, we will continue to Tsagaan Us Valley, where Kazakh nomads spend their summers.

Last day of independent hiking in the Sirgaal region: beautiful Khoton Lake

Today, we will go for a hike lasting approximately 3-4 hours, eventually arriving at our vehicle located at the end of the valley, close to the ranger station. Get ready to navigate through several rivers along the way. It’s time to bid farewell to our friends, the dedicated horse and camel herders.
Our journey continues with a 2-hour drive leading us to a campsite by the beautiful Khoton Lake.
Once we’ve set up our camp by the lakeside, you’ll have the opportunity to hike up to Biluu Hill. This route offers a chance to discover ancient petroglyphs dating back to the Bronze Age. We strongly encourage you to reach the summit, as it provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This hike will take around 2-3 hours.

Visit a Kazakh family and hike to the Baga Tugen waterfall.

After breakfast, we will drive for about half an hour to the eagle hunter’s family. The Kazakh people are well-known for their traditional hunting with specially trained golden eagles. Let’s discover more about the ancient traditions of the nomadic Kazakh people. Enjoy the hospitality of the Mongolian people and experience the nomadic lifestyle.
In the afternoon, you will hike along the beautiful gorges of the Baga Turgen River, located in a clean, untouched wilderness. The waterfall, which comes from snow-covered mountains, is 15 meters tall, making it the tallest in the area. The nearby mountains are filled with Siberian larch, fir trees, and wild currants. This area is located within a protected zone near the national border with China.
After the hike, we will return to the eagle hunter’s family.

Drive back to Olgii

We will take 5-6 hours of drive back to Olgii. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch and visit a Kazakh family known for their ancient practice of hunting with Golden Eagles. Although actual hunting takes place in winter, you’ll have a chance to talk with the eagle hunter, take photos with the eagle, and learn about their way of living.
Once we arrive in Olgii, you can visit the local market and regional museum. We’ll spend the night at a local hotel.

Return flight to Ulaanbaatar

Transfer to Olgii Airport, where we will board our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel. You will have free time for the rest of the day. In the evening, we will come together for a farewell dinner.

Departure: See you next time 🙂

Transfer to International Airport for your journey back home. You can choose your return transfer time based on your flight.