Journey with Tim Cope into the heart of the oldest horseback nomad culture in the world on a tour that will take you from remote desert landscapes, to high glacier capped peaks and into the heart of Mongolia’s most ethnically diverse region. Highlights of the journey include a three day trek accompanied by nomads and their animals through the Gobi Altai mountains,a trek through the most northern desert in the world on the border with Siberia, and visiting nomad families to learn of their rich history, culture and traditional lifestyles. We will be visiting ancient rock art sites, lakes rich in wild bird life, and even have the opportunity to learn the basics of throat singing from a people who have mastered the art through millennia.
Tim, who has become an expert on the history and heritage of the Mongols and nomads more broadly will provide a unique, exploratory style journey with a focus on cultural encounters. Tim will be accompanied by experienced Mongolian tour leader- professor of biology, Terbish.
Integral to this tour, is also supporting a local Mongolian charity, Autism Mongolia, a cause close to Tim’s heart. $100 of your tour price will be donated to this charity in Ulaanbaatar at a special presentation when we arrive. There will be the opportunity to meet with representatives from the charity and make additional donations.
Your tour highlights
- Discover the diverse nomadic cultures of remote Western Mongolia & their ancient heritage by foot, camel, & 4WD vehicle
- Exploratory-style, off the beaten path journey through diverse landscapes from deserts to vast lakes, steppe & glacier capped peaks
- Journey with renowned adventurer and author Tim Cope, & Mongolian professor of biology, Khayankhyarvaa Terbish
- Trek for three days through the high Gobi Altai together with nomads & their camel caravan (horse riding optional)
- Ride camels, horse, or trek with nomads near the border of Siberia through the most northerly sandy desert in the world
- Visit rock art, standing stones, & ancient burial sites
- Visit the spiritual centre of some Mongolia’s rich throat singing tradition and learn about their techniques and heritage
- Explore the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar
Tour itinerary
On arrival you will be met and transferred from the airport to the group hotel. Following an orientation tour of the city, including a visit to the National Museum and a traditional Mongolian concert, we will meet in the evening for a group dinner and briefing. Included in the tour price is a $100 donation for Autism Mongolia. We will be joined at dinner by a representative of this organisation. Overnight: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Today we fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii (Ulgii) in remote western Mongolia. Ölgii is the capital of Bayan-Olgii Aimag, Mongolia’s most western province, and lies on the banks of the Khovd River. It is the gateway to Tsast Bogd National Park. We will drive out of the provincial centre to stay with a Kazakh nomad family and spend the night camped with them. This will be an opportunity to learn a little about Kazakhs, who have lived in Western Mongolia since the 1850s, but whose Turkic nomad ancestors trace their history on the steppe untold millennia. Overnight: Tented camp
After breakfast, we will drive by edge of Khar Us lake which is a renowned habitat for migratory birds at this time of year. We will stop along the way for bird watching before continuing on through desert, and rocky mountains towards the so called ‘North Tsenkher cave.’ The North Tsenkher cave is known for its ancient rock art of wild sheep (Argali), Ibex , ostrich, rhinoceros, and of different human figures on its orange walls and roof. According to archaeologists humans inhabited the cave around 40,000–12,000BC, during the Stone Age. The rock art is thought to be 3000-4000 years old. Camp this night will be in a ger camp nearby to the cave. Drive: 150km, 2-3hrs Overnight: Ger camp
In the afternoon we will be driving into the so called ‘Baatar’ mountains which are part of the greater Gobi Altai range. These peaks rise up from the arid steppe and sands to glacier capped peaks nearly 4000 metres. This particular part of the mountains is home to an ethnic minority called the Uriankhai, as well as Oirat tribes. These people shift between the high mountains in the summer, to the wide valleys in the autumns and spring, and the foothills in the winter. We will camp in the shadow of the ice capped peak of Tsaast Bogd Moutain. Drive: 150km, 2-3hrs Overnight: Tented camp
Today there will be a day hike to the edge of the ice cap on the broad summit of Tsast Bogd Mountain, which rises to around 3900m. The nomads who will accompany us with their camels for the trek will arrive in the evening. There will be earlier turn around points during the trek for those people who would like a less strenuous hike. Trekking: 18km, 7-8hrs Overnight: Tented camp
We leave our vehicles behind this morning and hike along the main ridgeline of the Baatar mountain range. Together with us will be our camel caravan and nomads, who will be guiding us along ancient migratory trails. Views to the north and south extend into arid plains, deserts and mountains. There may be the opportunity to see wild ibex. Snow leopards are also known to inhabit these mountains. We will camp in high alpine pastureland. Trekking: 14km, 6-7hrs Overnight: Tented camp
Today we will be trekking down the valley of Shiliin Gol river until we cross a high pass Baatar Mountain and begin to enter the northern side of the range. Camp will once again be made in alpine pastureland. Trekking: 15km, 6-7hrs Overnight: Tented camp
Today our trek continues toward the banks of Khuduu Nuur (lake) near Zereg village – the central village for the ‘Zagchin’ nomads. The Zagchin are part of the Oirat tribes of Western Mongolia who have their own unique history. They formed their own empire (known as the Zhungar Empire) in the wake of the Mongol Empre collapse. When, in turn, the Zhungar Empire collapsed the Oirats travelled west to the Caspian Sea, before returning to Asia in the 18th century due to Russian oppression. Today the Oirats have their own unique identity and in the Gobi Altai Mountains many of them carry on an ancient way of life using camels for migration. Near Khuudu lake we meet the drivers and farewell our camels, horses and nomad companions. Trekking: 18km, 7-8hrs Overnight: Tented camp
From Zereg village we will cross a broad valley, and drive beyond the spectacular ‘Jargalant’ mountains to the village of Chandmani village – a community renowned world wide for its rich tradition of throat singing. Here we will camp near a local nomad family. Drive: 200km, 5hrs Overnight: Tented camp
This day, we visit a nomad family to experience their lives, traditions and the art of ‘khöömei’, or throat singing. Khöömei is a form of singing originating in western Mongolia, in the Altai mountains. The performer imitates sounds of nature, simultaneously emitting two distinct vocal sounds along with a continuous drone, the singer produces a melody of harmonics. This singing style is believed to have been learned from birds, whose spirits are central to shamanic practices. Khöömei is performed by Mongolian nomads in a variety of social occasions, from grand state ceremonies to festive household events. It is also sung during herding, and inside the yurt to lull babies to sleep. Traditionally, the art is transmitted orally from bearer to learner, or via master-to-apprentice. Those who want to learn will have the opportunity to receive a short training session. Overnight: Tented tent
This morning we drive to Gun Nuur Lake in Gobi Altai province. The lake located just on the fringe of the Mongol Els sand dunes is one of Mongolia’s most picturesque lakes which we can explore on foot. We will pack a picnic lunch to enjoy whilst we explore the area. Overnight: Tented camp
Today we will undertake a full day walking excursion in the nearby sand dunes before returning to our camp site in the late afternoon. Overnight: Tented camp
We will spend the next few days exploring the Mongol Els sand dunes by camel. We plan to cover between 8-16kms per day stopping for a packed lunch along the route. Our evenings will be spent enjoying the night skies from our campsites. Day 15 is a contingency day to allow for uncontrollable changes in the itinerary due to local flight schedule, weather conditions and other unforeseeable changes that may be required. Overnight: Tented camp
Today we will drive to Khovd. There will be time for some sightseeing in the town before gathering for a farewell dinner for local staff at the hotel. Overnight: Local hotel .
This morning we catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar. The afternoon is free to relax in one of the capital’s sidewalk cafes, do some last minute shopping, or visit other sights such as the Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan. Tonight we will have a special group dinner to celebrate the end of our journey. Overnight: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Trip concludes after breakfast. Transfers will be organised to take you to the airport.
What you’ll see on the tour
Tour pricing:
from $10,690
To secure your place now:
Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]
Tour Inclusions:
- 17 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 17 dinners
- Accompanied by Tim Cope, Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year
- Expert bilingual local guide
- 2 nights 5 star hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
- 13 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare basis
- 2 nights ger accommodation on a multi share basis or basic hotel
- Airport transfers (day 1 and 18 only)
- Internal flights Ulaanbaatar/Olgiy and Ulaangom/Ulaanbaatar
- Souvenir World Expeditions 50l kit bag
- Pack animal support during trek with 20kg allowance
- AUD$100 donation to Autism Mongolia
- Private transportation in quality 4WD vehicles
- Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
- Medical kit