Mongolia's Nomadic West
• Ulaanbaatar • Chigertei Valley National Park • Hokh Serkhiin Nuruu National Park • Khar Us Nuur National Park
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$20,070
|
Days
11
|
Nights
10
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$20,070
|
Days
11
|
Nights
10
|
Introduction
An incomparable opportunity to immerse yourself in the real Mongolia.
Experience the truly nomadic life of Mongolia’s wild west by exploring remote national parks, connecting with the communities, learning about their lifestyle, preparing local food and sighting unusual wildlife.
Your Private Ger Camp:
Designed to be mobile, these are five-star pop-up camps, able to deploy anywhere in Mongolia at carefully chosen camp sites with 360° landscape views. Each traditional Mongolian ger is simply but stylishly decorated with colourful Mongolian crafts, furnished with proper beds and full bedding. Enjoy dining in a separate dining ger or traditional Mongolian marquee style tent. Compost style toilets and a safari style shower are also set up in traditional Mongolian tents. The camp entourage always includes a skilled cook and a camp master. On relocation days the entire camp can be dismantled, packed onto a support vehicle, or loaded on to a caravan of yak or camel carts, transported and set up again in a stunning new location.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 : Ulaanbaatar > Hovd/Olgii > Deluun
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Hovd or Olgii. On arrival, drive approximately 4 hours to Deluun, located on the western side of Hokh Serkhiin Nuruu National Park. Admire the beautiful scenery at Dooroo Lake with the snow-capped Sair and Tsambagarav Mountains as a back-drop. Your private ger camp will be set up in the best location depending on the season.
Day 3 : Deluun > Hokh Serkhiin Nuruu National Park > Deluun
Take a morning excursion on foot up the Ikh Yamaat (Big Goat) Valley, where with luck you can see hundreds of Siberian ibex. Argali sheep are less numerous, but are the largest wild sheep in the world, and are prey to animals such as the snow leopard. The Altai Research Institute, and Dr Barry Rosenbaum, has conducted holistic wildlife research here for a decade. Today you will have the first chance to meet one of the many famous eagle hunters of the area.
Day 4 : Deluun > Chigertei National Park > Deluun
Chigertei Valley is contiguous with the Koktogai (KekeTuoHai) National Park, across the border in Xinjiang, China. With border permits in hand, drive the short way across to visit the summer pastures of native Kazakh nomads. The Kazakh herding culture is more traditional in the west of Mongolia than it is in Kazakhstan proper, and includes hunting foxes from horseback using domesticated female Golden Eagles. Hunting takes place in winter, but you will make contact with the native eagle hunters in the Chigertei Valley. Along the way you will also have a chance to look at the village of Deluun.
Day 5 : Deluun > Hovd
Today the mobile ger camp is packed up and you make your way out of Altai proper, driving the 4 to 5 hours to Hovd Province. As Hovd is a small multi-ethnic town of Halkh Mongols, Myangad Mongols and Kazakhs, it has both Buddhist temples and a mosque as well as an interesting local museum and markets to explore. Hovd also has the only university in west Mongolia. Overnight in a hotel in Hovd.
Day 6 : Hovd > Khar Us Nuur National Park
After breakfast, continue to drive eastwards to the far side of Khar Us Nuur National Park. This is the Great Lakes basin – the lakes being the catchment for all rivers coming from the Altai Mountains carrying the snow and ice melt from the glaciers. There are both salt water and fresh water lakes in the West Gobi landscape. Head to Dorgon Lake and Mongol Sands, the longest sand dunes in Mongolia. Usually small herds of the rare Saiga Antelope are seen in the distance on the Dorgon Plains. Before reaching your camp, stop briefly at a large and unique lakeside ovoo (sacred cairn) called Janjin Ovoo and perhaps take a refreshing swim in the lake. Your private ger camp will be set up in the best location depending on the season.
Day 7 : Khar Us Nuur National Park
The day starts with a spectacular camel ride across the sand beaches of Dorgon Lake. The Mongol Sands stretch along the Zavkhan River and end on the beaches of Dorgon Lake. In the distance across the blue surface of the lake you can see the Jargalant Hairkhan Mountain, often snow-capped into July. The lakes also have fish such as Altai Osman – up to two thirds of the fish species here are endemic. Amongst the Mongolian Gulls, the rare Relict Gull may also make an appearance. Large congregations of Pallas’s Sandgrouse, sometimes descend here to drink and enjoy the water, as well as large numbers of Ruddy Shelduck. The setting is also spectacular for non-birders.
Day 8 : Khar Us Nuur > Hovd
After two lakeside overnights, return across the northern part of the Dorgon plains, again with the opportunity to spot small herds of Saiga Antelopes on the prairie. Pass Chandmani village, where locals claim throat singing originates. Continue around Jargalant Hairkhan to see the lake shore of Khar Us Lake, where the largest reedbeds of Central Asia are located. Water birds are plentiful here, and local herders will have their livestock and yurts on either side of the mountain. Overnight in a hotel in Hovd.
Day 9 : Hovd > Ulaanbaatar
Today transfer to the nearby airport and fly east to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your time is at leisure.
Day 10 : Ulaanbaatar
Explore the capital city today, starting with the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum and Zaisan Hill. After lunch at a centrally located local restaurant, visit the Chinggis Khan National Museum, located just off Sukhbaatar Square. This evening enjoy the Tumen Ekh Ensemble folk concert followed by dinner.
Day 11 : Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), NZD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 |
|||
1 May – 30 Sep |
|||
Based on 2 guests, per person |
NZ$28,865 |
– |
|
Based on 4 guests, per person |
NZ$23,295 |
– |
|
Based on 6 guests, per person |
NZ$20,070 |
– |
|
Single supplement | – |
NZ$6,795 |
|
2025
1 May – 30 Sep
Based on 2 guests, per person
Twin: from $28865
Extra: from $ –
Based on 4 guests, per person
Twin: from $23295
Extra: from $ –
Based on 6 guests, per person
Twin: from $20070
Extra: from $ –
Single supplement
Twin: from $–
Extra: from $ 6795
Departs
Daily, May to mid-October |
Included
- Tailor-made journey
- 5-nights’ hotel accommodation
- 5-nights’ private mobile ger (yurt) camp
- 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 8 dinners
- Meet & Greet at Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- Private transfers as per the itinerary
- English-speaking local guide throughout
- Private sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Economy class flights Ulaanbaatar > Hovd/Olgii and Hovd > Ulaanbaatar
Not Included
Gratuities
Important Notes
- Surcharges apply during the Naadam Games mid-July
- Surcharges also apply during the Eagle Festivals in September and early-October
- Surcharges may also apply during other festivals and National/religious holidays
- Please enquire about pricing in October
- Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar are 5-star and best available in Hovd
- The price of the included flights are subject to change
- Mosquitos can be an issue near the lakes from mid-June to mid-August
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions