Altai Ride

Introduction
Gobi Steppe Mongolia
This horseback journey offers close encounters with Mongolian horsemen, nomadic people who have thus far been able to withstand modern pressures and lifestyles. There is no other nation in the world that depends on horses to such an extent. Mongolian horsemanship is famous and in many ways different than anywhere else. The herders keep their horses in a semi-wild condition, allowing them to live freely in harem groups. Fences or stables are virtually unknown.

On this trip we will explore Western Mongolia’s Altai Mountains on horseback. We will start riding through mountain valleys and gradually we will come through the vast steppe. You will experience snow-capped mountains, endless steppe, mountain rivers and enjoy camping along great Altai Mountain ranges. We will undertake this horse ride with vehicle support vehicle, in wild terrain.

Accomodation
 

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so you will be staying in different locations during the trip.

Description
You will be staying in a hotel for 2 nights, camps for 8 nights, and 1 night will be at local hotel in the province center with attached toilet facilities. All accommodations are based on double occupancy. Private bathrooms are only available for nights spent in Ulaanbaatar. On all other nights, facilities are shared.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Night 2: Namarjin Camp
Night 3: Tavan Belchir Camp
Night 4: Ulaan Suhait Valley Camp
Night 5 & 6: Döröö Lake Camp
Night 7: Hökh Serkh Mountain Camp
Night 8 & 9: Ikh Yamaat Valley Camp
Night 10: Hovd Camp
Night 11: Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Ideally located in the city center, this hotel offers elegant and comfortable ensuite bedrooms. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and tea and coffee making facilities. Laundry is available for an additional cost.



Camps
You will stay in spacious tents with foldable bed-cots (bring your own sleeping bag). We take along a mobile restaurant, as well as showers and compost toilets housed in traditional Mongolian marquee style tents.

Room Occupancy
A single supplement fee applies for riders willing to have their own tent and own hotel room.



Meals
All meals are included in the trip except for lunch in Ulaanbaatar on day 11.

Our cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having excellent cooks adept at both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.
We can usually buy fresh milk and yogurt from local herdsmen.

Alcoholic drinks are not included in this package but you are welcome to bring your own.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater for vegetarians. Please make sure to advice us in advance of any dietary requirements that you may have.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

On this tour, we will have support vehicle for luggage transfers. There will be around one to two spare horse per riders on this journey.

Riding Experience
You should be a competent rider, fit and capable of riding at all paces confidently. Varying terrain, in the saddle for several hours on most days.

Tack
We will provide you Russian saddles, which are more convenient for "western bottoms" than the Mongolian equivalent. We provide a saddle bag if needed.

Staff
A Mongolian English speaking guide will accompany the group at all times. A cook will follow with the car van. In addition, the services of local herdsmen will be employed along with their animals. The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding. If the group consists of five riders or more, we will also have a Mongolian doctor come along as part of the crew.

Itinerary
 

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please note that this riding tour may be done in reverse for operational reasons.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing, followed by dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

Day 2: Tsambagarav Mountain via Ölgii
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the Chinggis Khaan airport for domestic flight to Ölgii. After arrival in Ölgii, we’ll transfer you to Tsambagarav Mountain’s Namarjin Valley. Our camp consists of guest tent-tipi plus more tents for kitchen, restaurant and staff use. The camp location is at the foot of the eternally snow-capped mountains of Tsast and Tsambagarav. You can visit the local Ööld ethnic people.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Namarjin Valley Camp

Day 3: To Tavan Belchir
On this day, we’ll start our horseback journey. We’ll ride for 20 to 25km to the Tavan Belchir area to the north of the Tsambagarav Mountain National Park through a mountain valley. Picnic lunch en route. Tsambagarav Mountain has eternally snow-capped peaks, 4025 meters above sea level. We will circle the Mountain and ride back to camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tavan Belchir Camp

Day 4: To Ulaan Suhait Valley
Today, we continue our horseback journey by riding through the Salhit Valley and reaching the Sair Mountain’s Ulaan Suhait Valley. There is a chance to see wildlife such as Siberian ibex, wild mountain goats etc. You can also visit local Kazakh ethnic nomad families.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Ulaan Suhait Valley Camp

Day 5: To Döröö Lake
We continue our ride through the Sair Mountain and on to the Döröö Lake located near the Deluun soum of Bayan-Ölgii province. We will ride on a big mountain and may encounter some nomadic families along the way. At the lake, there’s chance for you to see some of the rare species of birds.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Döröö Lake Camp

Day 6: Ride Around Döröö Lake
We ride the horses and circle the Döröö Lake and explore the area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Döröö Lake Camp

Day 7: To Hökh Serkh Mountain
After breakfast, we’ll continue our ride near the Teregt Valley in the Hökh Serkh Mountain National Park area. Picnic lunch en route. We’ll ride out of the Mountain valley and into the great steppe of the Western Mongolia. There’s a chance to see wildlife such as the Argali Sheep and Corsac Foxes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hökh Serkh Mountain Camp

Day 8: To Ikh Yamaat Valley
Today, we’ll ride through the Teregt Valley and on to the Hökh Serkh National Park’s Ikh Yamaat Valley to the South. This area is rich of Siberian Ibex and other wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Ikh Yamaat Valley Camp

Day 9: Ikh Yamaat Valley
After breakfast, we’ll explore the Ikh Yamaat Valley. This area is rich with wildlife such as Siberian Ibex and Golden eagles. There are also a few snow leopards. After lunch at the mobile camp we’ll ride to the Deluun soum and visit a local Eagle Hunter family.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Ikh Yamaat Valley Camp

Day 10: To Hovd
After breakfast, we’ll depart to the province center of Hovd. After lunch at Hovd, we’ll explore the center of province and visit the local Museum of Multi-Ethnic Culture.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hovd Camp

Day 11: To Ulaanbaatar
After early breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the local domestic airport for flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel for a check-in. Free time in the city.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

Day 11: Departure
Transfer out to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast



Naadam Games Extension

July 10th: Ulaanbaatar
Conclusion of horseback riding trip after breakfast. Today, one day before the National Naadam officially begins, we will drive out of the city and attend smaller, more intimate "country-style" Naadam festivals, usually held in three communities some 50-60km away. This failing, the big horse races also start on the Hui Doloon Hudag plains today. In the countryside you have the chance to get up close to the horse races, and also to the wrestling matches. Local people usually wear their finest traditional dresses, adding to the colorful, festive atmosphere. We have a picnic lunch nearby and head back to Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon.

July 11th: Ulaanbaatar
Today Naadam is officially opened by the President of Mongolia. Soldiers on horseback, dressed in warrior regalia, ceremonially bring Genghis Khan's nine white horsetail banners from the parliament, where they are normally displayed, to the stadium. We will attend the impressive opening ceremony, after which the first round of wrestling will immediately follow. In most years 512 wrestlers from all over Mongolia compete, but in some years there are 1024! There are no judges, no time limits and no weight limits. We may try and attend the archery competitions (if not done the previous day) and later make our way out to the steppe area on the fringes of the city, where the horse races take place. We visit the nomadic tented camps that have sprung up, and experience a concentrated version of nomadic Mongolia. Herdsmen have come with their horses and all provisions for the festivities, which of course include airag (koumiss; fermented mares milk) for the merry making. Stroll around the area and you are likely to be invited in somewhere. You may also try your luck at the finals of the horse races, but prior instructions are necessary, since the finishing line of a full horse race of several hundred, is a potentially hazardous environment.

July 12th: Ulaanbaatar
Our services end after breakfast (and transfer to the airport if applicable), as we have covered all aspects and the highlights of Naadam by now. You may of course remain in the city to attend the final rounds of wrestling and the awards, or continue for one of our trips further into the great Mongolian void. You need to be attentive with hotel reservations and advise us early if intending to stay beyond mid-day.

Rates and Dates for Altai Ride

Dates Note: Custom tour dates possible anytime between June to August with minimum of 2 riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Ulaanbaatar
Airport: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN)
Transfer: Ulaanbaatar

Climate:
                                                    Ölgii area