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MONGOLIA: Trekking Mongolia's Altai Mountains A Follow the Leader Trip with Brian Weirum-New for 2008! In the far western region of Mongolia where the borders of China, Russia, and Mongolia meet lie the Altai Mountains, the largest mountain chain in Central Asia. The Mongol Altai is the homeland of nomadic Kazakhs who are known for their genuine hospitality and ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. You’ll enjoy meeting these friendly people and observing their pastoral-nomadic lifestyle as you trek into the Altai’s majestic Tavan Bogd—“Five King Peaks”—a grouping of dramatic peaks topping 14,000 feet and a remote mountain world of snowy peaks and glaciers where Argali sheep, ibex, and elusive snow leopard roam. You’ll also explore the richest petroglyph collection in Central Asia and stone burials dating back to the fourth century B.C. Mongolia is still a relatively unexplored country, and the remote nature of the Altai still keeps its secrets from the outside world. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
"If you’ve never been to Mongolia, particularly the Altai Mountains of the remote Far West, I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Gentle rolling hills in pastel hues suddenly collide with massive glaciers and snowcapped peaks. Known as the “Land of The Eternal Blue Sky,” the vastness of Mongolia defies imagination. I’ve led three treks to this wild and compelling land since 2001 and invite you to join me in 2008." - Brian Weirum |
 Itinerary: MONGOLIA: Trekking Mongolia's Altai Mountains
Day 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Day 2 - Visit Gandan Monastery and the Chojin Lama Museum, whose temples and religious art were saved from destruction by being converted into a museum. Day 3 - Day 3 Fly to Ölgii, home to Kazakh-speaking nomads who are predominantly Muslim. Drive to a beautiful campsite. Days 4-6 - On trek through the Yolt Valley past streams, lakes, and rocky hills covered with wildflowers. You’ll meet with the gracious and hospitable Kazakhs who still practice the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles, as well as Kazakh families who spend their summer grazing livestock in the area. Days 7-8 - Drive over the rugged but beautiful terrain of the Hologash Mountains to Shiveet Khairkhan, passing ancient burial grounds and battlefields and visiting Kazakh families. Days 9-10 - Hike into Tavan Bogd National Park to a camp on the Potanin Glacier, a 12-mile-long river of ice named after a 19th-century Russian explorer. Day hikes from camp to explore the mountains’ canyons and flora, and to spot some of their rare fauna, including the Altai snowcock. Days 11-12 - Hike to Ek Ashi, the official entry point of Tavan Bogd National Park. Optional day hike to Snow Leopard Pass, which marks the border of Mongolia and Russia—an auspicious spot for all Mongolians since their independence from Russian rule in the 1990s. Day 13 - Drive back to Ölgii, stopping to explore the thousands of petroglyphs of the Tsagaan Ereg Valley. Day 14 - Fly to Ulaanbaatar. Day 15 - Depart Ulaanbaatar. Detailed Itinerary - MONGOLIA: Trekking Mongolia's Altai Mountains 1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format 2008 Detailed Itinerary (PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.) 2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com 3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000 We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mountain Travel Sobek 1266 66th Street, Suite 4 Emeryville, CA 94608 USA Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526 Phone: +1-510-594-6000 Fax: + 1-510-594-6001 Email: info@mtsobek.com |