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Day 1: Ulan-Bator
Reception at the airport by our team. Transfer to the hotel. We go after lunch to explore Ulaanbaatar, an amazing city. This Soviet-style city still marked by its history is very much alive today. At the crossroads of Eastern and Western influences, it seems in transition between communist and capitalist economy, nomadic and sedentary lifestyle.
Visits of National Museum of History and of Gandan Monastery, the largest religious center of Mongolia, will provide a clear historical and cultural basis for exploring the country.
Evening at the national academy for a traditional songs and dances performance.
Night: in hotel, lunch at restaurant
Day 2: Ulan-Bator- Ulgii – Ulaankhus
Morning flight to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province. 80% of the population of Bayan-Ulgii belongs to the Kazakh ethnic group. After a lunch at downtown, we will start our adventure on a jeep, ahead forward to the west, guided by the Khovd River, which winds between the high peaks of Altai mountain range. We will camp near the town called Ulaankhus, by the Tsagaan Gol (White river) river bank.
Night: in tent, 3 h of flight, 3-4 h of drive
Day 3 : Ulaankhus – Shiveet Khairkhan
We will drive further to the west, through the valley of Tsagaan Gol river, which takes source in Altai Tavan Bogd mountains. We are already in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Five holies of Altai) , which represents the most western part of Mongolia. Here, the nature is wild and intact. Only some ancient steles and graves dating from several centuries ago, testify us the trace of men. By the evening we will reach foothills of Shiveet Khairkhan sacred mountain, worshiped by Tuvan people.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of drive
Day 4: Shiveet Khairkhan
One day of rest will help us to acclimatize and to prepare for our next mountain climbing. We will use this day off, to discover some petroglypes dating from Stone Age.
Night: in tent, 1-2 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike
Day 5: Shiveet Khairkhan – Potanin camp
Trek to base camp of the Tavan Bogd Peaks. This gradual ascent takes us through a high mountain terrain of rock outcroppings and of wetlands. With a bit of luck you will see some of the wildlife that inhabits the area including marmots, hares and a numerous birds such as Golden Eagles, Black Vultures and Falcons. Our tents and provision will be transported by pack camels. Upon completing two thirds' of the way there open majestic perspectives of Potanin and Alexander glaciers with the icy peaks of Khuiten (4374 m), Nairamdal (4082 m), Snowchurch (4071 m), Malchin (4051 m), and Cradle (4113m) on their far side. During the evening, we will camp at 2900m.
Night: in tent, 6-8 h of hike
Day 6: Malchin peak
Climb to Malchin Peak (4051 m). Malchin is the lowest of the five Peaks. We hike along the Potanin glacier moraine for an hour and start climbing on the scree of Malchin. Return to the camp in the evening.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of hike
Day 7: Khuiten
Today, we shall try to conquer the roof of Mongolia, the Khuiten peak (4374 m), which means "Cold" in Mongolian. Its ridge-line overlaps with the borderline of Mongolia and Russia and provides a spectacular bird's eye view of the Potanin glacier, glaciated peaks and Russia. Return to the camp in the evening. Over to the west, weather permitting, you will see the massif of Mt.Belukha (4500 m) lying in Russia. That is the absolute top of Altai mountain range.
Night: in tent, 5-7 h of hike
Day 8: Potanin – Shiveet Khairkhan
Today we trek back to our camp in the Tsagaan River valley. This time it is a gentle downhill and easy stroll. It is a chance to glance into every single valley of the "Tavan Bogd" massif and to observe how the glacier melt develops into torrents of the Tsagaan gol River.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of hike
Day 9: Shiveet Khairkhan – Ulgii
Drive back to Ulgii. We go to stay in a tourism camp where a hot shower and cold beer, waiting for us.
Night: in a tourist camp, 4-6 h of drive
Day 10: Ulgii – Tsambagarav
Today we will drive to the east in order to reach the western slopes of Tsambagarav Mountain. The Stunning Tsambagarav (4193 m) is one of the most beautiful peaks in Mongolia and is permanently covered with snow. From the top of the mountain, it is possible to see Tavan Bogd Mountain.
Today we will stay in the peaceful valley of Namarjin, the summer encampment of Kazakh and Uriankhai families.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of drive
Day 11: Tsambaragav
Today, we will explore the surrounding of this majestic mountain. You will never run out of families to visit, including the ethnic Uriankhai and Kazakhs and few others.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of hike
Day 12: Tsast Uul
Today we will escalade to the beautiful Tsast peak. (4193 m) whose slopes are easy to climb.*
Night: in tent, 6-8 h of hike
Day 13: Tsambaragav – Ulgii
Return to Ulgii, where we will visit the local museum, in order to deepen our knowledge about Kazakh people and their culture.
Day 14: Ulgii – Ulanbator
We make our final journey to reach Ulaanbaatar, where we arrive in the afternoon.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free activities in the afternoon. Possibility to visit cashmere outlets.
Night: in hotel, dinner at restaurant
Day 15 : Return
After breakfast at the hotel a driver will wait for transfer to the airport.
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