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Monday, 13th July
Arival into Ulaanbatar
Arrival and Optional Walking Tour | We’ll begin our adventure in downtown Ulaanbaatar as the group meets at the designated rendezvous point for our optional walking tour of central Ulaanbaatar.
Sukhbaatar Square | We’ll begin at the heart of the city, Sukhbaatar Square, home to grand statues of Khans and Communist revolutionaries, and surrounded by key national institutions.
Peace Avenue & State Department Store | From there, we’ll walk along Peace Avenue, taking in the hustle and bustle of local city life. We’ll make our way to the grand State Department Store, where you can buy everything from quirky souvenirs to washing machines. Most importantly, this will also be our chance to exchange money before heading further into the countryside.
Beatles Statue & Return Walk | Finally, we’ll head south to the Beatles Statue, a quirky monument in downtown Ulaanbaatar. From there, we’ll walk back to the hotel along Seoul Street, allowing time for a rest and to prepare for our pre-tour briefing and first group meal.
Accommodation: Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Dinner
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Tuesday, 14th July
Journey to the West
Flight to Bayan-Olgii | Today we’ll take a two-hour flight to Bayan-Olgii and pile into our UAZ 452s, the rugged Soviet-era vans perfect for navigating Mongolia’s wild west.
Drive to Khar Us Lake | We’ll begin our drive as soon as we arrive, heading out into the Altai Mountains toward Khar Us Lake. Bayan-Olgii (or Ulgii) Province, known locally as the ‘Roof of Mongolia’, is a remote land of glaciers and mountain peaks, where travellers can go for days without seeing a soul.
Kazakh Culture in the Altai | This area is home to the Kazakh people, practising Muslims and Mongolia’s largest ethnic minority. Here, we’ll learn how nomadic life in the mountains differs from that on the steppe. We’ll stop by mud-brick winter houses that Kazakhs use when temperatures drop below -30°C, when even the famed Kazakh yurts can’t keep out the cold.
Scenic Journey Through the Altai | As we journey, we will cross high mountain passes and trundle through beautiful summer valleys, made all the more stunning as herds of yak frolic in the sunshine.
Arrival at Eagle Hunter Camp | We will arrive at our host eagle hunting family in the late afternoon, in time to pitch our tents before learning more about the Kazakh way of life. Most families keep their golden eagles for hunting rabbits, hares, and even small deer. It is even said that many eagle hunters treat their birds as well as their children.
Accommodation: Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Wednesday, 15th July
Chocolate Box Lakes
Through the Wildlands | Today’s journey takes us through the western Mongolian wildlands, over moraines (glacial debris) and ancient burial sites, with Stone Age rock carvings of animals and hunting scenes covering the mountainside.
Khurgan & Khoton Lakes | The spectacular Khurgan and Khoton Lakes lie at an altitude of 2,073 metres, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. These remote alpine lakes are among the most beautiful in the country.
Camp at Khoton Lake | We’ll set up camp not far from the shore of Khoton Lake, nestled amongst the trees of the high alpine forest and alongside a local family. Once the tents are up and we’ve been welcomed by our hosts, it’s time to relax.
Afternoon Activities | Spend the afternoon as you wish—relaxing, exploring, or swimming in the crystalline waters of the nearby lakes.
Evening with Hosts | After dinner, should you wish, we will spend more time with our Kazakh hosts, enjoying their hospitality around an evening bonfire, all while the mighty snow-capped Altai Mountains cast a striking silhouette over our camp.
The Altai Mountains | These mountains form a rocky natural border dividing the untamed nomadic lands of Mongolia from its vast southern neighbour, China.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Thursday, 16th July
enjoying camp
A Day of Leisure or Adventure | For some, today may be a day of leisure and further relaxation, whilst for others, a day of exploration, adventure, and excitement in this beautiful yet secluded part of the world.
Morning with the Herd | For those who wish, it’s an early wake-up to help our host family round up the herd to complete the morning milking—a truly hands-on cultural experience.
Morning Activities | After breakfast, you’ll have the chance to enjoy some independent hiking in the surrounding hills, take a dip in one of the glacial streams near the family’s yurt, or head to the lakes with one of the drivers and try your hand at fishing. (If you don’t catch anything, don’t worry, neither do they!)
Optional Horse Ride to Turgen Falls | This afternoon offers the opportunity to ride the Mongolian horse, the most iconic of all Mongolian animals. We’ll set off on a three-hour round trip ride into the foothills of the Altai Mountains, passing nomadic encampments, brooks, and rivers. Our destination is Turgen Falls, one of Mongolia’s largest waterfalls.
Turgen Falls | The falls are nestled in a picturesque setting surrounded by alpine forests, lush green meadows, and snow-capped Altai peaks. If the weather is good, you may feel like you’ve stepped into a chocolate bar commercial.
Evening Preparation | After returning to camp, we’ll have a chance to repack and prepare for tomorrow’s long drive to Tavan Bogd National Park.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Friday, 17th July
Tavan Bogd
Farewell and Departure | After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to our host family and begin working our way through the mountains to reach the mouth of Tsagaan Gol (White River)—a mighty water source with enough limestone deposits to give the milky river its name.
Approaching Tavan Bogd | As we draw nearer to the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park entrance, we’ll begin to catch glimpses of Tavan Bogd (Five Saints), a mountain massif on the border of Mongolia, China, and Russia—our dramatic and awe-inspiring destination.
Entering the National Park | Once we’ve passed through the park entrance and completed any formalities, we’ll build our camp for the night. The area is truly breathtaking, surrounded by some of the region’s most spectacular peaks and accompanied by the roaring sound of the White River.
Tuvan Family Visit | After settling in and doing a bit of exploring, we’ll visit a local Tuvan family. The Tuvan people are one of the minority ethnic groups in western Mongolia, living a traditional nomadic lifestyle in these high mountain valleys. They’ll warmly host us before our adventure continues tomorrow.
Evening in Camp | We’ll end the day with a fine meal, served in the warmth of our very own Ger, ready to rest up before exploring the Potanin Glacier tomorrow.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Saturday, 18th July
Adventure to the glacier
Morning Departure to Potanin Glacier | This morning we’ll board our vehicles and make our way up to the mighty Potanin Glacier, which overlooks the entire region and is one of the most iconic sights in western Mongolia.
Arrival and Lunch | After we arrive, we’ll enjoy lunch and a good old cup of tea, taking in the surrounding mountain views before our hike begins.
Hike to the Glacier | We’ll then follow our local guide for a hike up and over the moraines to reach the glacier. From a distance, the moraines may look small, but the journey will take over an hour of steady walking to reach the frozen face of Potanin Glacier.
On the Glacier | Once there, those who wish can step onto the glacier’s surface—but we strongly recommend doing so only with the assistance of our local guide, due to the hazards of walking on ice.
Scenic Surroundings | All around the glacier, a ring of mountains creates a dramatic and humbling natural amphitheatre, making this a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Return to Camp | Once we have finished our exploration, we’ll return to camp for a well-deserved meal and some rest, settling in early and making the most of our warm sleeping bags before the evening chill sets in.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Sunday, 19th July
drive to lower climes
Descent from the Glacier | Today we’ll make the journey back down the valley to the Tsagaan Gol ranger station, where we’ll set out once again into the unknown. As we walk down through these mountain valleys, it is truly amazing to see the small rivers and streams from the glacier forming into the mighty White River. Once repacked and refreshed, we’ll continue the adventure and board our UAZs, retracing some of our journey down the long valley, passing small, sparsely populated villages—some of which appear barely inhabited at all.
Village Visit and Tea Stop | At one of these habitations, we’ll stop to visit a caretaker family, enjoying a cup of tea and visiting the local school, known as his central ward. It's a rare glimpse into isolated life in western Mongolia.
Camp in Tsengle Valley | We’ll drive on to make camp in the beautiful Tsengle Valley, close to the Khovd River, where we’ll stay near another local family we’ve known for several years.
Evening with Wrestlers | Tonight’s host family are locally known wrestlers, so if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at Mongolian wrestling (Bökh), this is your moment. Our host will be happy to offer tips and pointers.
Relaxation and Refreshments | Before dinner, there’s a chance to wash and freshen up in one of the small tributaries nearby, and perhaps enjoy a few drinks or snacks sourced from the nearby village.
Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Monday, 20th July
Return to Olgii
Farewell to the Nomads | We bid farewell to our Nomadic friends and take a scenic drive back to Olgii, where we’ll spend the night in a Kazakh Tourist Camp, stopping for pictures and greetings with nomad families along the way.
Exploring Olgii City | This afternoon, we’ll have time to explore Bayan-Ulgii’s capital, Olgii city. Olgii is an exciting place, with a mix of Soviet-era architecture and newer modern builds.
Olgii Market | Olgii Market is a great place to pick up bargains and souvenirs. If shopping isn’t your thing, it’s also ideal for people-watching and photography, soaking in the daily life of the city.
Visit to the Central Mosque | From the market, we’ll visit the Central Mosque, a brightly coloured and welcoming newer building that offers insight into Islam in western Mongolia—a reflection of the region’s deep Kazakh roots.
City Centre Exploration | The city centre holds more to discover, from an ageing but intriguing Soviet-era history museum to newer coffee shops offering a pleasant contrast and a place to unwind.
Mountain Viewpoint | After exploring the town, we’ll make one final stop at an impressive mountain viewpoint, offering panoramic views over Olgii city and the surrounding countryside.
Comfort at the Tourist Camp | Our ger camp tonight is a real treat after the past few days under canvas—with hot and cold running water, showers, and proper beds to relax and refresh.
Kazakh Music Performance | This evening, after enjoying an authentic regional Kazakh meal, we’ll have the chance to listen to traditional Kazakh music. A local group of musicians working to preserve their cultural heritage will serenade us with the Dombra and Jetigen—a perfect cultural finale to our time in the far west.
Accommodation: Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Tuesday, 21st July
A flight to Ulaanbataar
Return to Ulaanbaatar | Today we’ll say goodbye to the western region of this amazing country as we board our internal flight back to the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Arrival and Free Afternoon | Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport, we’ll transfer back to our group hotel in the city centre, agree a time for our final group meal, and then enjoy a free afternoon. Whether you want to take a nap, explore the city, or shop for souvenirs, you’ll have the time to unwind and enjoy your last moments in Mongolia at your own pace.
Farewell Dinner | Finally, we’ll regroup for our farewell dinner—a warm and reflective evening together to discuss our experiences, share stories, and celebrate the unforgettable adventure we’ve just completed.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Wednesday, 22nd July
Flight to Home
Pack your souvenirs, dirty clothes, and have a safe trip home; we hope you’ll be leaving us with a phone filled with photos and a head full of memories!
This trip is a magnificent standalone adventure, but also the final part of our Mongolia Mega Tour; when we arrive in the far west we’ll meet up with travellers from our Beyond the Steppe: Naadam Festival Tour. You’d be more than welcome to combine this trip with our Naadam tour, and our earlier Gobi Desert Explorer Tour for a full taste of life in the Mongolian countryside.
Included Meals: Breakfast
END OF TOUR