Trekking in Mongolia's Altai Mountains

Day 1: Arriving in Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival at Genghis Khan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar in the late evening, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar sightseeing

In the morning, we meet our local guide and take a leisurely city tour of Mongolia’s capital. The city is preparing for the age-old Naadam festival and we will observe the preparations. 

We start with a visit to the Gandan Monastery to explore the country’s spiritual heritage. Next, we visit the outstanding museums of National History and the Fine Arts Museum of Mongolia.

After lunch, we visit the Zaisan Hill, where we get a bird’s-eye view of the area. This old Soviet period relic is a popular place for locals to hang out and offers great panoramic views of the entire city.

In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance, featuring Khoomii or “throat” singing followed by a welcome dinner at one of the city’s fine local restaurants. Overnight at hotel. (B, D)

Day 3: Ulaanbaatar / Bayan Olgii

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Olgii, the capital of Bayan-Olgii, home to Kazakhs and many other ethnic groups of western Mongolia. Though Kazakhs’ pastoral-nomadic lifestyle is similar to that of the Mongolians, these nomads are predominantly Moslem. Explore the city and visit its market with a chance to purchase renowned Kazakh handmade crafts, including felt rugs. Then, time permitting, we will visit a local museum, which displays excellent cultural and natural exhibits. Overnight in a local ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Bayan Olgii / Naadam Festival

Today we are observing the Naadam games. Naadam means "games." Naadam originally was a way to train men for military skills -- every soldier had to be able to ride fast, shoot arrows, and wrestle with enemies during combat. In Mongolia, which has a scare population, nomadic ways, and individual herders living far apart from each other, it was important to come together from time to time for training. As time passed, it became a way to celebrate important events. Dinner and overnight at the local ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Olgii / AltaiSoum

Today we drive to Altai Sum, located 125 km west of the capital (4 hours). The province of Bayan Olgii consists of 14 sub-districts called Soum. Kazakh women are renowned for their skilled embroidery, and their homes are beautifully decorated with ornate tapestries on the walls, ceilings, and floors, each design unique to a particular family. We reach our host family near the Chinese border and overnight in tents next to traditional Kazakh families. Tents with communal gers. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Horse riding with eagle hunters

Today we spend a few hours (optional) riding with eagle hunters into the mountains into Hoid Bardam Valley. Eagles are caught from the wild and used for hunting for more than 10 years, before they are released back into the wilderness. Normally a female eagle is used because her maternal instincts make her more aggressive and determined to hunt than the male eagles. Kazakh hunters will explain how eagles are trained, and they offer us food and shelter, like any other nomadic families in the country. You will accompany some of the hunters on horseback. However, during the summer months no actual eagle hunting takes place.

In the afternoon, we visit our host Kazakh herder family. It is one of the highlights of our trip. Each ger is decorated with tapestries woven by Kazakh women and each tapestry is decorated with unique patterns designed by the family. Kazakh women are renowned for their handcraft and tapestry skills. Kazakh men train Golden Eagles for hunting, an age-old tradition that has survived among the Mongolian Kazakh population during the 20th century. Learn about daily chores of Kazakh herders looking after their yaks and sheep. Approx. 3 hours walking around the area. Tents with communal gers. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Trekking in the Altai Mountains

Today we begin trekking in the Holtsiit valley with excellent views of the distant mountains. In the afternoon, we arrive at a local Uriankhai family who will treat us with their traditional milk tea and homemade doughnuts. In the evening we get a chance to fish in the nearby Sagsai river. (Approx. 6 hours hiking, 9 miles at 8,100’ altitude. Tents with communal gers; B, L, D)

Day 8: Trekking in the Altai Mountains

Today we continue our trek in the southern Altai mountains and explore the surrounding area, enjoying a picnic lunch. We continue exploring the local flora and fauna then and return to our base camp.  Overnight in tents along the river banks. (Approx. 6 hours hiking; 10 miles at 8,300’ altitude. Tents with communal gers; B, L, D)

Day 9: Trekking in the Altai Mountains

Today, we will trek westward to the Taliin Lake. Along the way we will trek through the largest summer camps of the ethnic Uriankhai families whom we will visit and we enjoy viewing a traditional Mongolian archery contest. We then continue trekking and overnight at the shore of Lake Taliin. (Approx. 6 hours hiking, 8 miles at 8,500’ altitude. Tents with communal gers; B, L, D)

Day 10: Lake Taliin/Lake Tolbo

This morning we will begin driving back to Ulgii, via Lake Tolbo. We will  come across one of the highest  mountain passes in the region with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After lunch we drive back to Ulgii arriving at a local rustic hotel. Enjoy our dinner and overnight. (Approx. 4 hours of driving; local hotel: B, L, D)

Day 11: Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast we transfer to the local airport for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon on our own for shopping and sightseeing. Dinner is independent. (Overnight in hotel, B)

Day 12: Ulaanbaatar / Gobo Desert / Yol Valley / Moltsog Els

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for your departure south to the Gobi Desert.  Upon arrival, we drive to the Yol Valley located in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the largest park in the country. Yol Valley is named after the “Yol” or Lammergeyer, the huge, rare birds of prey who dwell in the higher cliffs of the valley. Ice built up by a small stream over the winter persists in the valley’s canyon as late as July. This stark picturesque valley is home to many of the Gobi’s wildlife, including Ibex, Argali sheep and Snow leopard.

We continue driving to the ger camp located nearby for a little rest. Late afternoon we drive to the Moltsog Els, one of Gobi’s few areas covered by sand. Possible opportunity to ride Camels for a short time. (Approx.4 hours driving; Ger Camp; B, L, D).

Day 13: Havtsgait Petroglyphs / Flaming Cliffs

In the morning, we visit the Havtsgait Petroglyphs where hundreds of rock paintings by Gobi’s first dwellers were made. Discovered only in the mid-2000s, this site contains some very rare depictions of Mongolia’s ancient culture and objects. Return to the ger camp for lunch.

In late afternoon we drive to the Flaming Cliffs, red cliffs that stretch for about 3 km. This legendary place was first discovered by the Central Asiatic Expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews of the American Museum of Natural History in the early 20th century. It is where the first dinosaur eggs were discovered and many important dinosaur species have been unearthed. We will enjoy a sunset over the cliffs. Overnight at the ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Gobi Desert / Gorkhi Terelj National Park

After breakfast we transfer to the airport to fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival we drive a short distance to the Gorkhi Terelj National Park, comprised of granite rocks. En route we stop at Genghis Khan Equestrian statue, the largest of its kinds. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Ulaanbaatar

In the morning we drive back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving in time for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is for last-minute sightseeing and shopping. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Departure

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)

Getting There

The cost of air transportation between the United States and Mongolia is not included in the trip fee. All travel within Mongolia is included. You are responsible for making your own international flight arrangements. For U.S. nationals, a visa is not required. Once you have registered for this trip, the leader will provide extensive instructions. Be sure your passport has several empty pages. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar are in standard hotels. In other locales, we stay in traditional gers (yurts) or tents. All accommodations are based on double occupancy. However, you may choose single accommodations for an additional charge. Ger camps offer an authentic experience of Mongolian culture and provide the unique opportunity to visit areas which otherwise lack visitor accommodations. Comfortable beds consist of mattresses on elevated wooden frames with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets. Western-style shower and toilet facilities are located in a central building and meals are served in a camp dining room.

We’ve carefully chosen the restaurants for our group meals in Ulaanbaatar. Due to a short growing season, only some basic vegetables are available and fruits will be scarce. However, balanced nutritious meals are served in all of guest establishments we will be using during our journey in Mongolia. Vegetarian options will be available throughout the trip. 

Trip Difficulty

This trip is designed for hikers in good health who are used to walking up to 10 miles a day for several consecutive days. The terrain is moderate, with trails consisting mostly of well-groomed dirt tracks winding through open tundra, and dirt roads. Good balance and tolerance of heights is required because some trails include narrow ledges with steep drop-offs, rock hopping, wooden suspension bridges, and short, steep ascents and descents. Elevations are also moderate and changes in elevation are insignificant. The highest peak in the area is Buyant mountain, which rises to 3,661 meters or 10,983 feet. The average hiking altitude will be around 8,000 to 8,500 feet.

Our support bus will carry our luggage and be available in case of illness, exhaustion, or injury. The length of any day's hike may vary from the itinerary, depending on the route selected, the weather, and group safety. considerations.

Equipment and Clothing

Sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, and a daypack are essential; otherwise, your normal travel gear will do. The weather at this time of year in Mongolia is variable; we may encounter heat, very windy conditions, chilly rain, and dramatic thunderstorms all in one day, so you will need to be prepared with layers and waterproof rain gear. A complete list of equipment will be provided prior to the trip.

References

Books:

• Schaller, George, Into Wild Mongolia. An excellent book.
• Genghis Khan: His Conquests, His Empire, His Legacy.
• Marco Polo: The Journey that Changed the World.
• Mongolia -- Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture.

Videos:

• Echoes of the Empire: Beyond Genghis Khan: https://watch.eventive.org/virtualcinemapolis/play/5f65083b4a8f11006952c91e?fbclid=IwAR1kM0LWPe2c6QtVj4NifNKJKLc9I6CyOQPH8AfZJOVVu6Dm7WTHRtAesbw
• The Eagle Huntress (shows the family we will be visting):
  https://watch.eventive.org/virtualcinemapolis/play/5f65083b4a8f11006952c91e?fbclid=IwAR1kM0LWPe2c6QtVj4NifNKJKLc9I6CyOQPH8AfZJOVVu6Dm7WTHRtAesbw
• Past trip photos and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoHB5QVERZ4&t=5s

Conservation

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

On this trip we will learn about the environmental problems facing Mongolia include desertification, water supply issues due to climate change, biodiversity and air and water pollution. The presence of the Gobi Desert in the southeastern part of the country and mountains in the northwest provide natural limits to the amount of agricultural land.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.