- A Spiritual Hiking in the Land of Kazakh
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Type: Ulaanbaatar and Bayan Ulgii province Destination: Altai Mountain, Dayan and Khurgan Lake, Highlights: Kazakh ethnic group, Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain and Buyant River, Lengths: 14 nights/15 days Adventure level: Extreme Total driving km: 200 km Transportation: drive-fly-hike Season: June 1 – September 1
Mongolia's largest ethnic minority is the Kazakh people of the Altai. These ethnics are pastoral, Turkic speaking and traditional Muslim people who live in the far western part of the country. Kazakhs live peacefully keeping their distinct customs and strict traditions. Most importantly they speak in their own language. Kazakhs hunt on the horseback with trained golden eagles on their wrists and greyhounds slung across the saddle. Eagle hunting games and pictures of eagle bearing Kazakhs are common scenery in the west. The hunters catch young female eagles and train them for special hunting. Kazakhs are famous for its hospitality and friendliness like the Mongols.
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Day 1. Nation's Capital - Ulaanbaatar. A professional Gucci World Tours team will greet you at the “Chinggis Khan” international airport. Transfer to the one of the best quality hotels in the downtown. We will start our first day tour around Ulaanbaatar, starting from Sukhbaatar square. This square is spirit of the capital and famous for its surroundings including Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace and House of City Council. Our next attraction is Zaisan Hill. This small hill provides panoramic view of the Ulaanbaatar. We will visit the Natural History Museum which is well-known for its precious findings such as dinosaur eggs and bones. In the evening, we will witness fascinating performance of traditional folk songs, throat singing, and beautiful melody of horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances and artistic contortion. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. Bayan Ulgii province. An early morning flight will take us to the remotest corner of Mongolia in the west; Bayan Ulgii province. The province is the last frontier and dominated geographically by the majestic Mongol Altai Mountain range. We will ride about 120km to the Altai soum area. Altai soum is a village settled between the rocky mountain. Population is consisted nearly equal of Kazakhs and Mongols. We will set our camp on the bank of crystal Sagsai river. Orientation meeting about the trekking routes and procedures. Overnight in the tent camp near the river.
Day 3. Altai Mountains/Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. We will start our trekking toward Altai Mountains in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, extends over 632.2 ha, including Tsengel, Altai, Ulaan Khus and Sagsai soum. The Tavan Bogd or Five Holy Peak chain includes the highest peak in Mongolia, Khuiten Uul (4353m), which borders China and Russia. Today's approximate distance of the trekking is 15-20km. Either horses or yaks will be used for transporting our luggage. On the way to Altai Mountain, we will experience wild alpine landscape with beautiful scenery. We will reach the foot of the Altai Mountain by afternoon. Overnight in the tent camp.
Day 4. Altai Mountains. We will start our day walking to the Yolt Mountain. On the way, we will observe the spectacular beauty of the snow-capped Altai Mountain range and glaciers surrounding the mountains. The lush meadows between the mountains are carpeted with wild and sweet smelling flowers. Average elevation today is 10 000ft to 10 500ft equal to 3000-3200m. We will reach in the Valley of Yolt Mountain and overnight in the tent camp.
Day 5. Dayan Lake. We will start our trek to Dayan Lake, a moraine lake 18kms long and fed by small rivers and snow waters. Near the lake shore, there stands a very popular stone statue known as “Dayan the Pious”. We will visit Kazakh village and go into the one of the homes of Kazakhs, local residents who domesticates golden eagles for hunting. We will have an opportunity to experience Kazakh music and melody of Doombor, traditional musical instrument and practice everyday life of Kazakhs. Overnight in the tent camp near the lake.
Day 6. Khurgan Lake. Today's trek will across the wildest territory of the region through the green pastures and empty wide spaces. Our trekking route reaches the extreme western edge of the country along the Russian and Kazakh border. We will explore the neighborhood areas including hordes of cattle and horses. We will reach Khurgan Lake. Khurgan Lake is alpine lake dotted with islands, is 22 km long and 28m deep in places. Six rivers feed it, and the Khovd River flows from its eastern end. Overnight in the tent camp.
Day 7. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. Today's trek will be an exceptional experience where you begin following the route to Tsengel Khairkhan. On the way to the snowcapped Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain, we will stop to visit Uriankhai family, a small ethnic group of Mongolia, which speaks different dialect from Khalkha Mongols. We will reach at the foothills of the dramatic Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain in the afternoon. Overnight in the tent camp.
Day 8. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. We will start our roaming day around blessed Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. Only a few local herdsmen know this beautiful and blessed mountain. We will receive warm welcome by local nomads over a cup of milk or yoghurt. If you wish you may sample local foods. Today, our trek route will take us to the most spectacular mountain passes. Overnight in the tent near the grandeur looking mountain.
Day 9. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. We will have a full day to explore rest of the area and opportunity to have a photography session. Average altitude of our trekking route is 92 000-10 000ft or 2800-3000m. We will explore surrounding area of Tsengel Khairkhan, beautiful landscape and abundant wild life. Overnight in the tent camp near the mountain.
Day 10. Bayangyn Pass. We will continue to hike to the Bayangyn Pass. This pass is located on the range of Khangai mountain with a breathtaking view. We will observe unique wildlife and wonderful alpine flowers. Overnight in tent near the Shurankhai Rock.
Day 11. Sagsai River. We will trek along the Sagsai river. On the way, we will see herds of yaks, cattle, horses and sheep and observe the Kazakhs tradition of taming golden eagles and their hospitality. Kazakhs are famous for their unique way to host their guests including salty tea and “kazi”- specially prepared horse meat dish and “bishmarmak” mutton with noodles. We overnight near the Sagsai river in the tent camp.
Day 12. Sagsai village. Today is our last day of trekking. We will trek along the Sagsai River up to the village of Sagsai. Sagsai village is located on the bank of Khovd River. The population is mostly Kazakh with Mongolian minority. Many of the residents involve in herding and farming. Many of the fresh vegetables sold in the province were grown in Sagsai. In the evening, we will have farewell dinner with Mongolian specialties. Overnight in the tent camp on the bank of Sagsai river.
Day 13. Ulgii/Ulaanbaatar. After peaceful breakfast on the bank of river, we start our ride to Ulgii city; a province capital. It is located on the Khovd River. We will visit the local museum which is in the heart of the city. The museum is rich with flora and fauna exhibits, historical artifacts and Kazakh clothing and cultural items. We will transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 14. Ulaanbaatar.We will start our day from the Gandan Monastery, the heart of Mongolian yellow head Buddhism. We will see the sense of Buddhism in Mongolia and see the outstanding and impressive 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. Then we will visit the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 dedicated to the 8th Bogd Gegeen, the head of lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Amazing bronze castings, silk paintings, paper icons, mineral paintings, god statues made by Zanabazar and his students is the main attraction of this Palace. After lunch, the rest of day is for you with last minute shopping and scanning the city. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 15. Departure. We will conclude our unforgettable journeys by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with Gucci World Tours Team.
Tour includes. 3 nights in 4 star hotel, 11 nights in ger camps, 3 meals per day, English, French, Italian, German, Japanese speaking guides, Domestic transportation, Local entry fees Tour excludes. Personal use, International travel, Travel insurance, Alcoholic drinks
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www.gucci.gy / www.gucci.re / www.gucci.gd / www.gucci.mu / www.gucci.ru
www.gucci.sx / www.gucci.cx / www.gucci.io / www.gucci.tl / www.gucci.mn
www.gucci.lc / www.gucci.gg / www.gucci.gl
www.gucci.com.cm / www.gucci.com.gl / www.gucci.com.ms / www.gucci.com.so
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