Western Mongolia in Focus

Upon your arrival at the airport, our tour guide and the driver will pick you up at the airport and then transfer you to check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to walk around Chinggis Khan Square in city center where also gathers almost all important buildings, to get to know local people’s life.

Free Time Suggestion
If you arrive earlier on the day, you can spend the rest of the time at Sukhbaatar Square in the city center where gathers almost all important national buildings. Or, visit to Gandan Monastery is also a good option. As for transportation, APP named UBcab is workable, and it’s better to call taxi under the help of the hotel staff as the driver always calls you up for the exact location but they do not speak English. VIP taxi costs double but with no obvious advantage. Please prepare enough local currency as most of the drivers refuse to change, and the credit card is unacceptable on taxies.

Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel or similar

Today we will head to Western Mongolia. Our tour guide and driver will transfer you to airport to catch a morning flight to Ulgii and check in at the hotel. Since the flight schedule is changeable, we will not arrange the tour arrangements on the day. Located in the west of Mongolia, Bayan-Olgii is the settlement of Kazak people.

The Kazakh people first migrated to Mongolia in the 19th century and now account for 5% of the total population of Mongolia. Kazakhs in western Mongolia are one of the only remaining nomad in the world with cattle and sheep being their main sources of income and food. They migrate four to six times a year. In summer, they live in traditional circular tents and in wooden or stone houses during the rest of the time. In addition to grazing, the people here also rely on eagles to make a living.

The Kazakh people are skilled in handicrafts, especially the iron forgings, wooden products, gold and silver jewelry. They are also famous around the world for their intricately embroidered wall hangings (tuskies) used on ger walls. It is said that making one wall hanging needs over 200 hours. You will have chance to see it once you visit a local family.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mediana Hotel or similar

After breakfast today, the guide, the driver and the cook are all ready to go further west with you. A scenic drive along the changeable landscape takes you to Ranger Station of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. This drive will take about 7-8 hours with several stops on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

The Tavan Bogd, locally mean holy five peaks. Today we will drive uphill to President’s Ovoo, the view point of Altai’s five peaks and glaciers. Please be prepared for the rough road. All the magnificent scenery about mountains that you can imagine is here: valleys, alpine lakes, rivers, glaciers, and the highest peaks in Mongolia. Fully enjoy the sightseeing and phots taking there. Return to the Ranger Station, take a horse riding for about one hour and stay overnight at the local ger.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

Today we will take 4-5 hours’ drive along the White River and head to Shiveet Mountain to see three sites of the Petroglyphs Complexes. Viewing the snow covered peaks on the horizon and the changing scenery along the river, the drive is not boring at all.

The Petroglyphs Complexes of the Mongolian Altai is a large number of stone carvings and burial monuments show the development of human culture in Mongolia for more than 12000 years. The rock paintings in the Altai Mountains provide valuable historical data for understanding the prehistoric society in North Asia and are a true portrayal of the history of nomadic peoples. It is also one of the UNESCO sites. Visit the site and let the rock paintings take us to the scenes of ancient nomadic life and hunting, their funerary and ritual scenes, and the process of how humans integrated with the environment they live in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

Today, we will cover a driving distance for about 5 hours. Lying in the center of Altai Mountains, the lake looks like a blue gem inserted on the earth. In addition to the lake itself, there are beautiful waterfalls and some stone statues of ancient Turks around here. Many wild animals also live here, including deer, birds, and horses. In the distance, the snowcapped mountains are the natural barrier between China and Mongolia. Tonight, we will set up a tent by the lake to stay overnight and you may make some preparations in advance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

A short drive will take you to Baga Turgen waterfall. Glacier melting water falls from a 36 meter high cliff and is divided into two waterfalls. Due to rough roads, the original form of the waterfall has been well preserved. A small hiking will be delightful with the scenery around. You will have a chance to talk with the local Eagle hunter’s family.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Guest House

The last long drive of the vacation is on today’s schedule. Drive back to Ulgii for about 6-7 hours. On the way, you will have stops at places with beautiful scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mediana Hotel or similar

Our tour guide and driver will transfer you back to the airport and will help you to board the flight to Ulaanbaatar and check in at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel or similar

Our guide and driver will pick you up and see you off at the airport.

Meals: Breakfast