In the spectacular Altai Mountains you explore the great expanse of Central Asia - the heart of our trek. The clear blue sky stretches to eternity and the land seems empty of any sign of life. Yet within this vast space, towering glaciers and fertile green valleys are alive with scattered nomadic settlements and wildlife.

After arriving in Ulaan Bataar, we transfer you from the airport to our hotel in Ulaan Bataar.

We board a domestic flight to Bayan-Ulgii, situated in the extreme West of Mongolia. On arrival, we visit the Kazakh Culture Museum. Afterwards, we will drive to our Ger Camp for dinner and overnight. (Ger is the Mongolian word for "Nomad Tent".)

We climb aboard our 4-wheel drives and head west. A full day drive takes us through the small town of Tsengel, on our way to Khoton Nuur. Nuur means lake in Mongolian. After crossing the Khovd river, we set up camp for two days on the magnificent lake shore.

Glaciers have played a major role in the Altai Tavn Bogd. In the last ice age they left behind a landscape of broad U-shaped valleys, pothole lakes, giant moraines, and polished outcrops. Lakes Khoton and nearby Khurgan occupy a smoothly sculpted glacial depression which is visible from space.

This is where our trek begins. If you are riding a horse, this is your first chance to saddle up, and get used to your Mongolian pony. If you're hiking, you explore the surrounding forest and hills, with spectacular views of the glacier formed valley. We also visit the local Kazakh nomads and attend some traditional horse games.

Our camel crew loads up our camels, and we start our trek north. With the forest on over our left shoulder, and the lake on our right we start our trek through the Alpine forest.. We cross a few rivers, and encounter remote Kazakh Mongolian nomad camps, as we follow the lakeshore to upper Khoton Nuur.

Our campsite is located on a rise, overlooking the lake, with a royal view of the beautiful Altai mountains on the other side.

The glacial depression that contains Khoton lake is marked by horizontal benches that reveal ancient lake levels, probably the result of glacial dams that periodically built up and broke away. The Tsagaan Us River is one of three tributaries to Khoton Lake, flowing through the heart of the Altai Mountains.

We cross over to the east side of the Tsagaan Gol river, and continue up through the river valley and set up camp on Cheben Hill, not far from the mouth of the first U-shaped valley. This is the junction of the Arshaanii and Tsagaan rivers.

We descend Cheben Hill down toward the river junction, and follow the eastern bank of the Tsagaan Gol river. Today we have to negotiate the swamps and the river, depending on how much snow melt there has been. It's a full day, as we trek through the valley, alongside the rushing milk-white Tsagaan Gol River. Our campsite on the river bank is a spectacular site in a wide valley, shouldered by high snowcapped mountains; the white Tsagaan river and tributaries nearby. We have scheduled a swing day here, in the event we have to clear snow on the mountain pass on the day out.

Heading downhill, we stop in to visit some of the local Tuvan people, who follow traditional Shamanistic beliefs. On route, we'll stop to reconnoiter the area for ancient rock etchings, dating back 7,000 years.

We set up camp in the Sheveed Uul Gorge at 9,500 ft, at the foot of the pass.

Heading downhill, we stop in to visit some of the local Tuvan people, who follow traditional Shamanistic beliefs. On route, we'll stop to reconnoiter the area for ancient rock etchings, dating back 7,000 years.

Then we continue on and descend down into the Tsagaan river valley. This is an exciting river crossing with our horses and camels. We then head upriver and set up camp at the foot of massive Altai glacial bowls.

We trek for 10 miles today to the National Park Base camp at the foot of the magnificent Altai Tavn Bogd Glaciers. The glacier is at the foot of Khuiten Peak (14,350 ft.) the highest point in Mongolia.

Nearby, Nairamdal Peak (13,392 ft.) marks the triple border point common to Mongolia, Russia and China. The climate in this high mountain area can be extreme and since it is above the tree line there is very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. The area is characterized by tundra, lichen-covered rocks, alpine meadows and high mountain swamps.

Our last day takes us north and east, away from the Tavn Bogd Peaks and glaciers, to the Ranger station and national park exit.

We unload the camels, and meet our vehicles, heading back to Bayan Ulgii and an overnight at the Ger Camp.

We get up early, have some breakfast, and head to the nearby Ulgii airport for our flight to Ulaan Bataar. Once we arrive at Ulaan Bataar we drive to our hotel in the center of town. There are many great restaurants to try out, as well as museums and traditional shows to experience.

Overnight at our Hotel.

Transfer from our Ulaan Bataar hotel to airport.