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 Kazakh, Tuvan, 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 4-hours’ drive through the stunning mountainous and desertic steppes will lead us to the serene Shiveet Khairkhan valley, where we will set up our camp. You can spend the afternoon immersing yourselves in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and spend a restful night in the tented camp.

Drive to Tsagaan gol: Gateway to Tavan bogd national park

Continue driving westward until we arrive in the afternoon at Tsagaan Gol, the White River Valley, the homeland to Kazakh and Tuvan herders. This marks the starting point of our trek to the base camp tomorrow. 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.

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. Our luggage, gear, and supplies will be transported by camels guided by Tuvan herders. Each participant should carry a small backpack with essentials like water, a raincoat, and hiking snacks. 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.

Acclimatization and training on Potanin glacier

It is a day to begin our initial technical training with all mountain gear on the Potanin glacier in preparation for our upcoming ascent. As the base camp is located at 3,000 meters, today’s training will also serve as an acclimatization exercise. We will be accompanied by our skilled mountain guides to navigate Mongolia’s vastest and longest glacier, which stretches 19 kms long and 6 km wide. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the base camp. The rest of the day will be free for leisure activities.

Setup at the Advanced Base Camp

To get to the advanced base camp at 3500 meters, we will start early morning hike over the Potanin glacier. The trek will take approximately 5 hours. We’ll set up our camp at the base of the eastern side of Mt. Khuiten. Local porters will handle all the the camping materials and food, as for the trekkers, they should carry their own backpack, climbing gear, a sleeping bag, and a mat.

Summit days of Mt. Khuiten (4374m) and Nairamdal (4200m)

After spending the night at Advanced Base Camp (ABC), we wake up early, around 4 or 5 AM, to start our climb to the peak, staying roped together. We will cross several crevasses and go around four main rock formations to reach the first height. Then, we’ll tackle some steep sections until we reach the summit, where there are icy areas near the fourth rock. Once at the top, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks and the bordering territories of Russia and China.

The next day, the group will attempt to climb Nairamdal Peak and return to base camp if the trekkers’ physical condition and weather allow.

a spare day for weather

If the weather doesn’t permit the ascent, we have an extra day, free for rest.

Back to Tsagaan gol, White river

Today, we begin our last day of trekking as 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 for the last time. We will spend the night camping in tents.

Drive back to Olgii

After saying good bye and thanked to our local guides, we get into our vehicles for the 5-hour 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.