Mongolia Nomad Explorerwith Tim Cope

Join the trip in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel before an orientation tour of the city. The day includes visits to the National Museum and a traditional Mongolian concert. Ulaanbaatar serves as Mongolia’s capital and cultural centre, providing context for the journey ahead. The day concludes with a group dinner and briefing. Included in the tour price is a $100 donation for Autism Mongolia. We will be joined at dinner by a representative of this organisation. Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Fly to Western Mongolia and continue by road towards Lake Tolboo where camp is established. The journey introduces remote landscapes and the ethnically diverse communities of the region. Time allowing, we aim to visit a Kazakh family in the nearby village to learn from them about the unique history and culture of their people who form a majority in Bayan Olgiy. Kazakh families have lived here since the 19th century, maintaining strong cultural traditions. The day ends at a tented camp near the lake. Accommodation: Tented camp Note the destination today is dependent on the domestic airline schedule which varies from year to year. It is possible we will fly to Khovd and if this is the case, some amendments to travel timing will be necessary.

Meals: B,L,D

Travel by vehicle through mountain terrain and steppe towards the Baatarin Nuruu range. The route passes Khar Us Lake, a Ramsar-listed wetland rich in birdlife and fed by glacial systems. Along the way we visit ancient petroglyph sites dating back several thousand years. The day ends at camp where nomads are met and preparations begin for trekking. Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Begin trekking into the Baatarin Nuruu mountains guided by local nomads and supported by pack camels. The route follows traditional migration paths and crosses a high pass before descending into a mountain basin. These mountains are central to the cultural identity and traditions of the Zakhchin people. Return to camp in a natural amphitheatre for the night. Our setting this evening is spectacular. Towering over camp are the cliffs of ‘Red Stupa’ mountain (3235m), and the terminal moraine of a glacier (that has long since retreated). Beyond this we can glimpse some of the higher ridges and peaks of the range. The local people (known as the Zakhchin, a subgroup of the ‘Oirat Mongol’ people) are immensely proud of the nature here that has formed the core of not only their way of life, but their song, stories, and beliefs. Camped in this natural mountain ampitheatre it is not hard to understand why. We will be based at this campsite for two nights. Camp is at 2734m. Total ascent: 858 metres / 2,815 feet Overnight: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

A day hike leads towards a high mountain pass with views across surrounding ranges and valleys. The terrain includes glacial moraine and alpine features shaped by past ice movement. The landscape reflects the geological history of the Altai region. Camp is re-established at the same site for the evening. Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

The day begins with a gradual climb from camp to Shilin Davaa (2841 m / 9318 ft), where an ovoo marks a traditional place of mountain veneration. From the pass, the route descends along the Shilin River, following a spring-fed valley that cuts deeply through the Baatarin Nuruu range and supports seasonal nomadic grazing. After lunch beside the stream, the valley narrows into a gorge with cascades, requiring a climb to Nuurst Khotol where nomads guide camels across steep traverses. The route then descends back to the Kharzin River valley, with camp set at a lower elevation depending on conditions. Camp is at 2256m / 7,400ft or similar depending on conditions Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

In the morning for those who would like to have a chance at viewing Ibex, it is best to be up at dawn/sunrise. Usually ibex can be viewed from camp through binoculars. Our route today continues to follow the Kharzin along the ‘Canyon Valley,’ until it empties into an elevated lake known as Khavtslin Lake (canyon lake). This lake was actually formed behind an ancient terminal moraine and prevents the river from spilling beyond the mountains. From the lake there is a steep descent down the ancient terminal moraine that prevents any mechanized transport from entering the mountains. This is where we trek down and exit the mountains. This is locally known as the ‘Threshold Gorge.’ Here we meet the drivers and farewell our local nomads and their animals. We will continue our journey by car and to overnight accommodation in Zereg Soum. Overnight: Regional hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Travel by vehicle continues across valleys towards Chandmani village. The route passes mountain ranges and open steppe landscapes. Chandmani is recognised for its strong tradition of throat singing. Camp is established near the village. Accommodation: Tented camp Drive: 200km, 5hrs Overnight: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Chandmani village, perched at the intersection of Jargalant Mountain, the sprawling Mongol Els desert, and the Great Lakes depression is renowned as having a rich and ancient tradition of throat singing – also known in Mongolian as Khöömei. This morning we will visit Tseren Davaa – a nomad who, inspired by the natural world and his life as a nomad, became a world renowned throat singer. We will spend time with Tseren Davaa in his home and learn about his life journey, and the art of throat singing, as well as the traditional instruments he uses. You will have the chance to learn some of the basics yourself. To summarise Khöömei, the performer imitates sounds of nature, simultaneously emitting two distinct vocal sounds along with a continuous drone, the singer produces a melody of harmonics. This singing style is believed to have been learned from birds, whose spirits are central to shamanic practices. Khöömei is performed by Mongolian nomads in a variety of social occasions, from grand state ceremonies to festive household events. It is also sung during herding, and inside the yurt to lull babies to sleep. Traditionally, the art is transmitted orally from bearer to learner, or via master-to-apprentice. After lunch we aim to begin our drive across the steppe towards the Mongol Els dunes. Along the way, we will pass through some particularly open steppe land that is home to Mongolia’s last population of Saiga Antelope (Saiga Tatarica). These fascinating antelope once roamed the Eurasian steppe from as far as Romania to China. Nowadays there scattered populations in Kazakhstan (they can migrate south for winter to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan), and Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast in Russia. Mongolia’s Saiga are actually a subspecies known as S. t. Mongolica and are only found in this region. By early evening we aim to reach the edge of the Mongol Els dune system and make camp at Gun Nuur – a spring fed lake nestled into the side of the dunes. Camp elevation: 1303 m / 4275 ft Overnight: Tented tent

Meals: B,L,D

Today we will spend most of the day on a day walk into the Mongol Els dune system – the largest dune system in Mongolia that stretches some 300km long. The route will take us up and over some of the larger dunes near Gun Nuur lake, before circling back to camp. Gun Nuur is a watering point for herds of horses and other animals in the region and from camp we may witness the daily pilgrimage for water. This evening our camelers for our desert camel trek will reach camp and we will have the opportunity to meet with them. Nomads in this region winter over in the dunes, and then move out to the flats nearby when the snow has melted in late spring. The swings of temperature in this region are extreme with summers reaching over 40 degrees, yet winters sometimes dropping to -50 degrees Celsius and below. Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Today we begin our camel trek along the Mongol Els Dunes. Our aim is travel north west along the dunes towards Durgan Lake (which is connected to Khar Us in the Great Lakes Depression). Riding Bactrian camels can be challenging at first, but offer a unique vantage point for viewing the land. In this region camels are still used widely by nomads who live in the sands for most of the year. Our vehicles will go ahead each day and set up camp for us. Our first day will take us out of the dunes and across a salt flat before climbing up a spectacular desert escarpment known as Nisdeg Ereg (the ‘flying coast.’) Lunch will be had at the top by a waymarker known as an Ovoo. The afternoon takes us across a vast sandy plain, and into a small rocky mountain system laden with sand. Our camp will be at Bayan Khuduk – ‘Rich Spring.’ Accommodation: Tented camp

Meals: B,L,D

Travel continues by camel through dunes and rocky ranges known as the Shelustei Range. Elevated viewpoints from a sandy saddle where we will be able to have a spectacular vantage point of the greater Mongol Els dune system to the north west, and also to Durgan lake and the tall snow capped peaks of Jargalant beyond.Camp is set within the dunes. Accommodation: Tented camp Camp elevation: 1266 m / 4154 ft

Meals: B,L,D

Today we will make our way along the thin green line that is the edge of the dune system and the beginning of flats that are important grazing lands for nomads. This will eventually lead us to Tsokhoo Nuur – a small brackish lake with reed beds that is known for its birdlife. The water here abuts tall dunes in a spectacular intersection of ecological systems. Our camp will be made in a grassy valley between dunes. This night we will say farewell to our nomad camel guides and their animals. Camp elevation: 1131 m / 3711 ft Accommodation: Tented camp Day 15 is a contingency day to allow for uncontrollable changes in the itinerary due to local flight schedules, weather conditions and other unforeseeable changes that may be required. If possible we may use this to extend the length of our trek in the Baatarin Nuruu by one day.

Meals: B,L,D

Today we will drive to Khovd or Olgiy depending on the flight schedules. There will be time for some sightseeing in the town before gathering for a farewell dinner for local staff at the hotel. Accommodation: Local hotel

Meals: B,L,D

A return flight brings the group back to Ulaanbaatar. Time is available to explore the city independently or visit additional sites. The capital reflects both modern development and traditional culture. The day concludes with a group dinner. Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Trip concludes after breakfast. Transfers will be organised to take you to the airport.

Meals: B