Altai Traverse

Gorno-Altaisk, Karakol Valley and Inegen

After your arrival at Gorno-Altaisk airport, you’ll enjoy a guided afternoon visit to the famous Anokhina Museum, wherein lies the mummified Ice Maiden of Ukok, alongside impressive archaeological and historical exhibits of the region. The next day drive across the Seminskiy Pass adorned with beautiful Siberian pines and making for the intermontane Karakol Valley. Rich in archaeological remains revealing the historical layers of the Altai since the Bronze Age. Origins dating back to the Scythians and the Huns. There are three traditional villages in the valley, with Altaian indigenous populations. Here you will enjoy a local home lunch.

Argut River Valley, Kosh-Agach and Mt Belukha

We explore the Argut River valley, which originates on the distant Ukok plateau bordering Mongolia. Russia’s prime habitat for rare snow leopards. Optional: From your lodge, subject to availability, you may opt for a half-day flight in a Robinson R-66 helicopter to the eternally snow-capped Mt Belukha, the highest mountain in southern Siberia at 4506 meters. View its dramatic rock faces and glaciers before touching down in remote alpine meadows beside waterfalls. There are worthwhile stops on route such as the amazing Geizernoye (Geyser) Lake just beyond Aktash. Eventually, we will arrive at the Kurai Steppe, a highland intermontane plain resembling the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia.

To Mongolia

In the morning we will load into Mongolian vehicles for the one-hour drive to the Tashanta border. We will continue on a partial gravel road to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii province, for a late lunch in a local restaurant. Then we will drive downstream along the Hovd River for one hour to the Altantsögts community, where your camp will be pitched adjacent to a family of Kazakh nomads with eagle hunters, on the north side of the eternally snow-capped twin peaks of Tsambagarav and Tsast.

Altantsögts & Tsambagarav Mountain

Enjoying the landscape of Altantsögts and getting to know your ger neighbours, you will experience first-hand the culture and livelihoods of nomadic people. Famous eagle hunters reside here; we will meet them and their families and witness their work as pastoralists. Bayan-Ölgii province is largely populated by ethnic Kazakhs. Mongolia is likely the largest nomadic society left on Earth. If you wish to explore further, one of the days, we will drive up the mountain to Tavanbelchir (‘Five Pastures’) for high-elevation hikes beside the eternally snow-capped peaks of Tsast and Tsambagarav.

To Hovd & Ulan Bator

Enjoying the landscape of Altantsögts and getting to know your ger neighbours, you will experience first-hand the culture and livelihoods of nomadic people. Famous eagle hunters reside here; we will meet them and their families and witness their work as pastoralists. Bayan-Ölgii province is largely populated by ethnic Kazakhs. Mongolia is likely the largest nomadic society left on Earth. If you wish to explore further, one of the days, we will drive up the mountain to Tavanbelchir (‘Five Pastures’) for high-elevation hikes beside the eternally snow-capped peaks of Tsast and Tsambagarav.

Ulan Bator

We suggest a morning visit to the Gandan Monastery, the busiest Buddhist site in Mongolia. Mongols share a strong religious affinity with Tibet, mostly adhering to the Yellow Hat lineage of Lamaism with the Dalai Lama as its supreme leader. Another recommendation is the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. Bogd Khan (Bogd means ‘sacred’) was the theocratic leader of Mongolia, and the eighth of his line. The next day you will be transferred to the airport or station in time for your international flight or train to your onward destination.