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Muir's Tours - Mongolia - Horse Riding |
Mongolia - Horse Riding in the Altai Mountains & 5 Kings
We offer a wide range of horse trekking in Mongolia, this one is in the far north west of Mongolia in the Altai and 5 Kings mountains. The Kazakh people have been riding horses and hunting with eagles for centuries. Join them on this horse trekking experience of a lifetime in the foothills of the Alti mountains and the 5 Kings mountains.
Enjoy
the tranquillity of riding on horseback and walking at a leisurely pace through
the lakes, rivers, valleys and snow-capped peaks of the Altai Mountain range.
Observe the traditions of the eagle hunter Kazakhs. Camp under the endless blue
Mongolian skies by the crystal-clear waters of mountain lakes.
The great expanse of Central Asia can be seen very clearly from the heights of the Altai Mountains. The clear blue sky stretches forever, and the land seems empty of any sign of life. Silence surrounds you. Yet within this vast space are fertile, green lands, and a wide diversity of ethnic minority groups.
This journey traverses the Altai Mountains from the foothills of the mighty Tsambagarav to the base of the five glorious peaks of Tavan Bogd (5 Kings), the highest in Mongolia. We will ride through green pastures and lush meadows, camping next to crystal-clear mountain lakes and amongst valleys filled with wild flowers. The journey will be on foot and horseback, but always at a leisurely pace. On the way we will meet nomadic people who maintain one of the world’s most ancient and sustainable ways of life. This journey will give you a fresh perspective on life and a renewed sense of well being.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Ulaan Baatar. On arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to a 3-star hotel for dinner and the night.
Day 2 Flight to Olgii – drive to Sagsai River. In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a 12.00 AM flight to Olgii, the centre of Bayan Olgii aimag, situated in the far west of the country. This aimag is populated by the Kazakh minority of Mongolia and the people are Muslims. The flight takes about 4 hours, including the stopover for re-fuelling. Our guide will accompany you on the flight. On arrival at the local airport our staff will meet you and drive you out of town for a late lunch. Then we will drive 35km to the west, across Sagsai River, where we will set up our tented camp.
Day 3 Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain. Today we will drive to Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, at the foot of the majestic 5 Kings Mountains – our destination for the day. From here we can view the peaks of the Altai Mountains and Potanin’s glacier. Horsemen with horses and camels will come to meet us in the evening. We will set up base camp here.
Days 4 & 5 2 days riding and hiking through the Tavan Bogd Mountains. As the mountainous terrain doesn’t allow vehicles to drive any further we will pack the food and equipment on camels and ride to Tavan Bogd (the ‘5 Kings Mountains’). These consist of five snow-capped peaks and a long glacier – Potanin - glistening in front of them.
On the 4th morning we will saddle up the horses and take a short ride to so that you can accustom yourself to the horse and tack, and to the terrain. Shortly afterwards we will start our ride and continue for about 5 hours. On arrival at Tavan Bogd we will set up camp at the edge of Potanin’s glacier. The highest peak is Huiten and is at an elevation of 4370m. Our camp will be pitched at about 2900m above sea level. The following morning we will have another glorious time horse trekking in the mountains exploring the glacier and foothills of the 5 Kings Mountains. In the afternoon of the fifth day we return to the base camp at Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain.
Day 6 Visit Kazakh families. Today we will have a well-earned rest at the camp. The Kazakh minority people populate this area, and are the only Muslim people in Mongolia. Their gers are a little larger than the Mongols and are decorated with traditional hand-stitched, colourful rugs. Their traditional dress is also slightly different to that of the Mongols - the men wear large, black dels (kaftan) and small, bright hats. We will visit a Kazakh family and experience their way of life.
Days 7-10 4-day horse ride to Khoton and Khurgan lakes. Today we start our linear horse ride to Khoton & Khurgan lakes, which are connected by a river. Many rivers and streams originating in the Altai Mountains feed the lakes with icy, crystal-clear water. This ride will take 4 days, covering an average daily distance of about 20-25kms. While riding we will pass through landscapes of snow-capped mountains, open valleys, lakes and rivers, and cross terrain varying from wide-open grassy valleys to rocky outcrops among the lower peaks. Our local horsemen and translator/guide will accompany us throughout the ride. The vehicles will drive ahead and move the camp every evening until we reach a place called Tsookhor Khargai at Khoton Lake’s shore. (Day 7 – Zagast Lake; Day 8 – Khagiin Lake; Day 9 – Mogoin Gol Valley; Day 10 – Tsookhor Khargai)
Day 11 Khoton Lake. Today we will drive along the edge of Khoton Lake, where we will camp for the night. The rest of the day you can swim, hike, or just relax sitting on the shore.
Day 12 Khoton Lake. A day of rest. Dinner is today’s highlight - you will be served a special Mongolian meal of ‘horhog’ as a farewell. The meal is mutton cooked slowly in a huge, metal urn with vegetables, water and hot rocks from a flaming fire. The meat becomes soft and tasty and the water turns into a thick meaty broth.
Day 13 Khargantiin River – Shar Lake. Today we will drive from Sagai soum towards Olgii, which is divided by the Khargantiin River. Our destination for the day is Shar Lake ger camp.
Day 14 Return to Ulaan Baatar. Drive into the township of Olgii and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be transferred to your 3-star hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 15 Ulaan Baatar - sightseeing & shopping – evening cultural program. Today will be a full day of guided sightseeing in Ulaan Baatar, including Gandan Monastery, the Natural History Museum, and the Fine Arts Museum. There will be some time for shopping before the evening program of a performance of traditional Mongolian folk song and dance. Lunch will be at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
16 Departure
Transfer to the airport for international departures.
NEW Visa Rules - If you are planning to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days you must register (and de-register) with the Foreign Citizens Registration Office – the cost of this is negligible, but you may need to allow extra time for the two visits to the registration office.
Departure codes and dates:
NRT010:
02nd-17th Sep 2007
Price Indication per person - 2007:
2 - 3 riders GBP1850 / USD3492
4 - 5 riders GBP1700 / USD
6 - 8 riders GBP1540 / USD
9 or more riders GBP1400 / USD2536 Email for current price
Single supplement:
GBP111 / USD210
Please note: The ‘single supplement’ refers to single room accommodation in hotels only. It does not refer to single accommodation in gers or tents. We endeavour to place single clients in their own ger or tent whenever possible.
The
base currency is the US Dollar and payments in any other currency may need to be
adjusted for exchange rate.
What is Included
All
transfers and transportation (inc. 2 internal flights) within Mongolia. Shared
accommodation in the Bayangol hotel or similar, single accommodation can be
arranged at an additional cost . Tented and ger camp accommodation in the
countryside. Meals as stated above by use of the code (B = Breakfast etc.). An
English speaking guide. All sightseeing costs and fees. Horse and all riding
equipment, except helmet (you must bring your own to ensure a good fit). All
support staff including drivers, horse men and camp assistants. 2 domestic
flights.
What is Not Included
The
price is based on joining in Ulaanbaatar and international flights and
airport departure taxes are not included, but we will be pleased to quote
for UK residents. Comprehensive travel insurance is required.
Visas fees. Alcoholic drinks. Tips and any item of a personal nature.
Airfare
(from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range GBP430 - GBP550 for economy class. We usually suggest Aeroflot based on price and convenience.
Visas
A
visa is required and will cost about GBP35. US Passport holders do not need a
visa.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.