MONGOLIA NOMAD TREK
THE ITINERARY
Tusker's founding guide, Eddie Frank leads you on this extraordinary trek through the ALTAI MOUNTAINS that lie on Mongolia's western border with China. This hidden paradise is truly one of the most magnificent mountain habitats on our planet. You can hike the trails, ride a horse with our nomadic horsemen, or accomplish both - as we traverse broad river valleys, mountain passes, lush tundra and open steppe.
On this remarkable trek, you Immerse yourself in the ancient nomadic culture of central Asia that still thrives on 1,000-year old traditions; nomads still hunt with Golden Eagles. On our journey encounter centuries-old hospitality and attend exciting local ceremonies and traditional games on horseback.
And if you've always wanted to ride but don't know how, Eddie will put you in the "rider's seat" with his regular riding clinics.
TREK STATS
- Trekking Distance: 68 miles or 110 km
- Duration of Trek: 15 Days
- Daily trekking time: 5 to 8 hours - Depending on distance
- Trek Season: Summer
Mongolia Nomad Trek Video Series. Part 3 of 3. Narrated by National Geographic’s Will Lyman.
DAILY ITINERARY
4,429-ft/1,350-m
Your Mongolia adventure begins when you land in the nation’s capital, Ulaan Bataar – often referred to simply as UB – and meet your Mongolian guide. Your guide takes you to the Tuushin hotel, where you spend the next two nights.Eddie Frank has already gone out west to set up camp for your arrival in a couple days.Ulaan Bataar is a bustling city of old and new. Once at the hotel, you are free to relax and wander around the city on your own, or with some fellow trek members, exploring everything the capital has to offer.
Lodging: Tuushin Hotel
4,429-ft/1,350-m
Today is UB discovery day. Your Mongolian guide shows you the sights and sounds of the city, which include museums and shops, famous for local cashmere clothing. In the evening before dinner your guide accompanies you to the national theater for a captivating cultural show, featuring colorful costumes and enthralling music steeped in ancient Mongolian history.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tuushin Hotel
3-hour flight • 5,610-ft/1,710-m
A 3-hour flight west takes us to the town of Bayan Ulgii. We drop our gear at our Ger Camp, similar to a traditional nomadic camp, then explore Ulgii's lively outdoor market. We'll try and locate one of the local Kazakh eagle hunters to get an up-close encounter with his magnificent bird of prey.At the end of the day you shift all of your gear and clothing into the waterproof Tusker duffels, which are more easily packed onto our camels for the expedition.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ger Camp
7-8 hours • 6,820-ft/2,079-m
A full day's drive to the southwest takes us through the small town of Tsengel on our way to Khoton Nuur. After crossing the Khovd River, we set up camp for two days on the magnificent lakeshore. This is where our trek begins and where you meet the nomad trekking crew. We settle in for a fantastic camp dinner.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
strong>Lodging: Tusker Camp
6,820-ft/2,079-m
After a great breakfast on the shores of Khoton Nuur Lake, Eddie gives you some basics on how to ride a Mongolian horse, using our Australian saddles, and we take a slow ride in the forested area above the lake.We visit the local Kazakh nomads in their Gers (tents), learn about their age-old traditions and attend exciting nomadic horse games, which has become a Tusker tradition, called the "Tusker Nadaam." After the games, the local women bring out some of their beautiful handmade crafts which make great gifts back at home.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
5-6 Hours • 13-mi/22-km • 6,845-ft/2,086-m
Our crew loads up the camels, and we start trekking through the alpine forest, heading north.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 south from the Tavn Bogd glaciers through the heart of the Altai Mountains.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
4-5 Hours • 9-mi/15-km • 7,050ft/2,149-m
We cross over to the east side of the Tsagaan Gol River, and continue up through the river valley, setting up camp on Cheben Hill overlooking the beautiful river-fed grassy plains below, populated by a few Ger camps and their goats.It is very cool and tranquil up here on the hill.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
7-8 Hours • 12-mi/20-km • 7,190-ft/2,192-m
Descending Cheben Hill toward the mouth of the river gorge, we trek up the gorge on the eastern bank of the Tsagaan Gol River, surrounded by the towering canyon walls. Hikers go high, as the river floods in places, and riders continue along the banks of the river.Spectacularly located in a wide valley, shouldered by high snow-capped mountains, the white Tsagaan River flows right in front of our camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
8-9 Hours • 7-mi/11-km • 8,643-ft/2,634-m
Ready for the mountain pass ahead, we trek out of the river gorge, and ascend up to the 10,350 ft. mountain pass, with spectacular views of the Sheveet Uul gorge on the other side.If there has been any precipitation, we might be hiking part of the day through snow, and will have to dig a path through. We set up camp at Sheveed Uul Gorge after descending a steep incline on foot.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
6-7 Hours • 7-mi/12-km • 7,870-ft/2,399-m
Heading downhill, we stop at a small Ger community to visit some of the local Tuvan people, who follow traditional shamanistic beliefs. At our lunchspot we make a fascinating discovery - ancient petroglyphs. The Petroglyphs of the Mongolian Altai are some of the largest, oldest and most pristine concentrations of rock art in North Asia. The earliest images date from 11,000 years ago, extending into the 9th century. The petroglyphs are highly evocative and represent ancient cultural landscapes.After a steep descent into the Tsagaan Gol river valley, we spend two nights camping here with an extraordinary view of the magnificent glaciers and peaks in the distance.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
7,870-ft/2,399-m
Today's a rest day. We take a scenic hike to a beautiful azure lake hidden up on a plateau, a few miles from our camp. There’s also time to do a little laundry and relax.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
6-7 Hours • 9-mi/15-km • 10,100-ft/3,078-m
Today's a challenging trek over the frost-heave, uphill to the magnificent Potanin Glacier of the Altai Tavn Bogd. The glacier lies at the foot of Khuiten Peak (14,350 ft.), the highest point in Mongolia.Nairamdal Peak (13,392 ft.) marks the triple border point common to Mongolia, Russia and China. Very few animal species have adapted to the harsh conditions in this area above the treeline. The area is characterized by tundra, lichen-covered rocks, alpine meadows and high mountain swamps.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tusker Camp
Drive 6-7 hours • 5,610-ft/1,710-m
Leaving the Tavn Bogd peaks behind us, our last day on the trail takes us north and east to the Ranger station gate to the national park. This is our final day trekking, and your last chance to give your horse its head and have a nice run.We unload the camels, and meet our vehicles, heading back to Bayan Ulgii, overnighting at the Ger camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Ger Camp
3-hour flight • 4,429-ft/1,350-m
A short drive takes us to the nearby Ulgii airport for our flight to Ulaan Bataar. We overnight at the Tuushin Hotel, enjoying a night out on the town.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tuushin Hotel
Onward plans.
A transfer to the airport, and a sad goodbye to your Mongolian guide. MONGOLIAN NOMAD TREK • DATES AND PRICES
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"A wonderful trip. Well organized, good food, an opportunity to meet and begin to understand the nomadic people of Western Mongolia. Loved the horse riding, would go back in a heartbeat. e whole trip was very special, but trying to describe it to family and friends is a challenge. The photographs help, but it is difficult to explain just how remote the area is." - 5-Star Review by "Linda G."
GUIDES • EDDIE and AMY FRANK
The Mongolia trek started when Eddie and Amy learned about a total Solar Eclipse that was to occur in Mongolia in 2008. They each dreamed of exploring Mongolia for years. In fact, Eddie’s family had a legend about how they descended from an ancient Mongolian tribe. Amy, who has been guiding for most of her life, also had a burning desire to explore Mongolia. So, in 2006 Amy and Eddie set out on an exploratory expedition to scout a route for the Eclipse trip. Once there, they discovered an area so breathtaking, that they partnered with a local guide to build what is now one of Tusker Trail’s most exciting and award winning treks.
CREW ON THE TREK
Your guides and nomad crew are the heart and soul of your successful journey through Mongolia. Eddie Frank and his team of nomads, cooks, horses and camels take you on this extraordinary journey on a once in a lifetime experience.
Tusker’s founding guides, Eddie and Amy Frank have a deep love for Mongolia. They pioneered this incredible trekking experience together with the local nomads back in 2006.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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- Professional guides & dedicated crew
- Lodging as per daily itinerary
- 4-season tents
- All-weather dining tent
- Dining tables & fold-up chairs
- Waterproof duffel bags
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- Purified drinking water
- A horse for every trip member
- Free riding lessons
- Australian saddles
- Private toilet with the world's best view