Zavkhan Trekking

The Altai Expedition takes us to a remote and beautiful corner of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, amongst the snowy peaks forming the border with China. This is a closed area, requiring special permission to enter. Luckily we have a good relationship with the Mongolian border patrol (it helps that they are usually the brother, cousin or uncle of our local wranglers). You may even end up with an impromptu lesson in stripping and assembling an AK47, as we experienced in 2009!

This is a mountainous region, and the weather can change rapidly, bringing snow at any time of year. On the bright side it is more often warm and sunny. Terrain ranges from open plains to dense forests, alpine grasslands, and high snowy peaks, with crystal-clear rivers and lakes. It all makes for beautiful, but challenging, riding country. And Mongolia's increasingly rare wildlife can still be found here, when it has been driven close to extinction elsewhere. Keep an eye out for Asiatic ibex (we have seen over 60 in one herd), elk and argali mountain sheep. Elusive snow leopard, bears and wolves are here too but you will be very lucky (some may say unlucky!) to encounter them.

The local people are ethnically a mix of Mongolian and Kazakh. Their generosity and friendliness to strange foreign horse riders has to be experienced to be believed. There will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy their hospitality during our journey, including seeing their hunting eagles. Our 'fixer' in the Altai is Amangul, representative for a UNDP project in the area. She is without doubt the most hospitable person in Mongolia, and seems to know everyone in the region. Her balzak (rather like a deep-fried donut) are fabulous too.

We start off riding across open country and through valleys inhabited by nomadic herders and then begin to climb in to the mountains. After riding in to the National Park as far as the 4WD support vehicle can accompany us, we set up a base camp, with our large ger (or yurt, the traditional felt tent used by the local people) to retreat to if the evenings are cool. You will have the opportunity to help erect the ger (in fact it is culturally not the done thing to watch and not participate). From this point there are no roads and barely a game trail to follow, so we will need to load up the pack-horses (or camels), and be fully self-sufficient.

In 2010 we mounted our first Altai Expedition and ventured in to some spectacular country (photos to come), but that just made us want to go back for more. There are several options in terms of potential routes. We will have plenty of time to try different trails if the terrain proves too difficult. Each evening we will pore over maps and discuss possible routes. Your input is welcomed.

This is most definitely an exploratory trip, so you need to be prepared for some longer days and hard riding. The rewards will be great - to ride where few people, even locals, have ever travelled. We will travel fast and light, much like the local people, stopping when we reach a suitable camp site, and cooking simple meals over an open fire. And then sit around the camp fire and be amazed at the brilliance of the night sky!

For experienced riders there are some great spots for a gallop (and these horses can really move!). The area is also famous for it's khun chuluu (literally 'man stones'), ancient pre-Mongolian stone statues of Turkic origin. It's not all about going hard every day, so there will be the odd rest day - read a book,  enjoy a hike, or just take it easy.

As a way of saying thank you to the village where our Altai trips are based, we have started a community garden using our 5% donation from your trip fee. If you have any skills in growing vegetables, particularly where the growing season is extremely limited, your input will be welcomed. Read more about the project here: Community Garden Project.

This is a remote and mountainous region, with demanding terrain. Therefore it is essential that you are fit and active and willing to take on a challenge. If you are not familiar with the outdoors, or are unsure whether it is the right trip for you, we are happy to discuss it.

Trip Outline

 *That's just what we like to call it, because it's so steep!

Highlights

• Great riding country - open plains, alpine meadows, and forest, with a backdrop of dramatic snow-capped mountains.

• Wonderful horses - these are the ideal mountain horses, sure footed on the steepest trails, but able to take you for a gallop that will leave your legs shaking. You will want to take them home with you!

• Fascinating culture - meet the local people and experience their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Not as part of a contrived tourist experience, but a genuine meeting of cultures.

• Archaeological sites - keep an eye out for 'man-stones' ancient stone figures from the pre-Mongolian past.

• True remoteness - as with our Zavkhan trips, this area has no tourism development, with it's often unfortunate consequences.
• Pack horsing - the only way to get in to this area is to use pack horses.
  

• Rare wildlife - the chance to see Mongolia's wildlife in the best way possible, on horse-back.

• Community project - contribute to the development of a sustainable village vegetable garden.

• Build a ger - learn how to erect a ger, as we set up our mountain basecamp.

If you would like to find out more about this ride, please contact us.