Trekking (hiking) is not as traditional as horsetrekking, but there are plenty of places to participate in multiple day treks. We organize treks especially in the mountain areas of Khangai and Altai. You walk through valleys with friendly nomads; pass through high mountain passes with spectacular views of snow clad mountains, and pass by clear blue sky reflected in mountain lakes. Similar to the horsetrekking programme, we provide an experienced local guide together with a guide/cook/translator. The local guide will bring pack animals so you don’t need to carry your own luggage. All tours are your own personalised tours but we have listed below one of the more popular treks to give you an example.

TREKKING - MONKH KHAIRKHAN

Day 1. Transfer to UB airport to board morning flight to Hovd. Transfer to camping place near Buyant Gol, walking distance from the city centre of Hovd, passing the ruins of an old Chinese fort.

Day 2. Leaving at 09 00 in the jeep to the starting point of our trek. Passing the southern shore of the shallow Khar Us Lake, the largest lake in the province, stopping at Tenkheriin Agui caves with 15 000 year old paintings. The river crossing leads towards a steep mountain range, which we approach through a deep canyon. The landscape opens again as we drive over a 3000m pass, from here we can see the 4362m high Monk Khairkhan, the second highest mountain in Mongolia. We follow the Bortiin Gol river upstream making our camp on the grassy banks of the river.

Day 3. The first day of walking.  Following the banks of the Bortiin Gol upstream. The landscape is rugged with huge rocks and bare mountain ranges with magical colours. It seems impossible for people to live in such surroundings and suddenly the valley widens with green pastures and we will see the gers, herdsmen and their animals. We will pass the lake shore and make camp at a nearby river at 2750m.

Day 4. Walking upstream along the Bortiin Gol reaching a small glacial lake and the toe of a large glacier which stems from the Monk Khairkhan. Another option is to walk around the half circle of mountains at 3600m. The flat top of the mountains is free from snow. On the cold northern side of the mountains are steep glaciers with the lakes below.

Day 5-17. We will make a 13-day trek through the mountains with camel and horse pack animals and 1 or 2 local herders as guides. Like all the mountains in the west of Mongolia this area belongs to the Altai mountain range. The highest mountain here is the Monk Khairkhan. The landscape is rough, barren and wild, but there are also wide valleys with small forests, waterfalls and lakes. Highest point on the trek is a pass on the border of the provinces Hovd and Altai with an altitude of 3400m. In Bayan Olgii we go as low as 1700m. In this area it is warm and we can swim and wash in the river. Near Bulgan we will camp and enjoy a day of rest.

From Bulgan route goes back into the high mountains crossing over an impressive pass we return back to Hovd province. We will pass a few small lakes and loop back to the camping spot from day 5 completing a tour around Monk Khairkhan. The trekking is technically not difficult. There will be 12 walking days and 1 day of rest. Distance per day is 20-25km on the first two days and about 15km on the others. There will be plenty of resting with opportunities for taking photos, visiting gers, swimming in the river. Real walking time will be average 5-6 hours.

Day 18-19. We turn towards the province Gobi Altai. On the border of the provinces Hovd and Gobi Altai we will pass the snowcapped mountain Sustai Uul 4090m. Later the road descends into a very dry area called Shargyn Gobi 1100m.
The next day we climb to 2400m in a green and lush landscape and soon after that we arrive in the provincial capital Altai. Altai is Mongolia’s highest city at 2190m and has a population of about 18000.Flight Altai-UB (about 2 hrs) in the afternoon.

Transfer to hotel in Ulaanbaatar.