Mongolian Wilderness Adventure - 17 Days

The Nomadic wilderness of trekking & optional horse trekking

We start trip in Ulaanbaatar where we stay overnight and fly the next day to Ulgii (the captial of Bayan Ulgii) in the western most province of Mongolia.
This part of Mongolia has seen virtually no tourism (apart from us!), so offers a uniquely authentic chance to experience one of the last truly nomadic cultures. We will mix with the local people and  be invited in to their gers for a glimpse of local life and offered various ‘delicacies’ to try. You will be shown how to navigate the cultural, such as always giving and receiving with the right hand whilst your left hand supports your right elbow…Luckily the culture is quite ‘relaxed’ and transgressions are more a source of amusement than offence!

There are wonderful opportunities for immersion in the local womens’ lives. They will be more than happy to give hands-on lessons in yak-milking and how to process the milk into a range of dairy products. Hand-made textiles are an integral part of life and it is interesting to try your hand at that too, or simply chat with the women about their lives – they are very open and friendly people.

This trip has been timed for the Eagle festival in Sagsai near Uligii. This is a festival where Kazakh eagle-hunters arrive at the festival on horseback, with their trained hunting eagles to compete with fellow Kazakhs with eagles hunting for objects that are being dragged by horses.

There will be various sporting contests at the festival, such as ‘bouzkhasi’ (similar to polo, but played with a carcass of a dead goat), horse races and events like picking up objects from the ground while riding on horseback.

The Mongolian Kazakhs only hunt with the larger female eagles, which can be nearly a third heavier than the male birds. These are golden eagles and they are collected as chicks from nests up in the mountains. Once the hunter has obtained his eagle, he will spend several months training it to fly for its reward of food. Eventually the eagles become a highly efficient at hunting with acute eyesight and powerful talons, which they use to hunt rabbits, hares and foxes.

Horse Riding

Since Mongolia is still very much a horse-based culture, and the riding is fantastic, it makes sense to include some horse riding as part of the trip. However we understand that not everyone likes the idea of riding. You can ride for an hour or two at any time when they would like a break from trekking. Alternatively we can arrange to have horses for everyone on some dedicated riding days.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Fly Ulaanbaatar – Uligii and drive to Altai village
Day 3: Trek towards Base Camp
Day 4 & 5: Trek to Base Camp
Day 6: trekking to remote camp
Day 7 & 8: day trekking from remote camp
Day 9: return trek to 1st base camp
Day 10: Rest day
Day 11 & 12: trek towards twin lakes
Day 13 & 14: trek to Shar Col – drive to Uligii – Eagle festival
Day 15: Uligii – Eagle festival
Day16: Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Day 17: Ulaanbaatar

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 196
Grade: Challenging
Group Size: 5 – 12
Accommodation: Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and tents/Gers while trekking/ with optional horseriding
Deposit: NZD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
NZD $5,490.00  - per 5 – 8 pax,
NZD $5,390.00 – per 9 – 10 pax
NZD $5,690.00 –  per 11 – 12 pax
Price includes return flights Ulaanbaatar to Uligii, sightseeing in Ulanbaatar, cultural dinner, permits, food while trekking, accommodation, guides, and optional horse trekking.
Prices for 2013 season still to be confirmed

Trip Dates

Start: Ulaanbaatar     End: Ulaanbaatar
02.09.12  - 18.09.12
01.09.13 – 17.09.13
(Please be aware that this trip is for both women & men)
Other dates available on request for private groups