Malchin Ascent and Nomad Games, Western Mongolia
Description
This trip takes in the glorious nature and beautifully preserved Kazakh culture of the Altai and the amazing Alma Kuk Eagle Festival, in the far west of Mongolia. Culturally distinct, and home to an embarrassment of natural beauty, rare species such as ibex and even snow leopard, and a peace, scale and open-ness that belies its positioning on four international borders; Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Bayan-Olgii province is the home of stunning Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where the highest peak in Mongolia, Khuiten peak, rises to 4,374m (14,350 feet). It's also home to the Kazakhs, eagle hunters who train their eagles for hunting wild game. You will be able to experience the unique lifestyle of these fascinating people. Dine with and learn from the last of the eagle hunters; ride sturdy little horses through dense larch forests; tread gently past ancient burial sites marked by mighty stones; and be soothed by fast flowing waters of the aptly named Tsaagan Gol, or White River. Feel yourself at the end of the earth, and the roof of the world, in the highest mountain range of Mongolia, the Tavan Bogd.
You’ll be in the company of Avgaan, one of Mongolia’s most talented and well-known climbers and an enthusiastic guide to his home region. You’ll make many more friends along the way, staying with a series of local families, Mongol, Kazakh and Tuva. In the end of the trip you will get to see the Nomad game. This trip combines an exhilarating ascent of Malchin Peak in the Altai Tavan Bogd, along the stunning Potatnin Glacier, both of which are accessible to healthy and fit non-climbers, with a final weekend at a traditional and intimate Nomad Games, a wonderful hybrid of exertion and contemplation, local culture and personal endeavour.
Fly from UB to Olgii. The embarked baggage allowance for this flight is 15kg including carry-on and checked luggage. If you have more than this you’ll need to cover your excess baggage charges; these are not too expensive however, factor in round US$30, and can be paid in cash or card at the counter. Your guide, plus driver, plus interpreter, will meet you at Olgii airport. From Olgii airport you have a long drive to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. It’s 200km on rough, almost Martian, roads, and will take around 6-7 hours. We’ll stop around half way for lunch. By evening we will arrive at the Altai Tavan Bogd National park. You’ll be staying with a local family just on the outskirts of the park (no families actually live in the park). You’ll sleep in the family ger, not a tourist camp.
Day 2 - September 15th:We will trek for 18km to the Base Camp area at the edge of the 20km long Potanina Glacier, that runs down from the highest mountain range in Mongolia. We will pitch our camp right here. Tavan Bogd means “The Holy Five” referring to the five peaks of Khuiten (4374m above the sea and the highest point), Malchin, Nairamdal, Naran and Burged. It is a stunning setting with the awe inspiring cluster of high snow capped peaks. (2900m above sea level). All our luggage, camping equipment, and food provisions will be carried by pack animals (horses and camels) that we will hire from local herders. We will have no vehicle support for the next three nights, until August 24th. Camping.
Day 3 - September 16th:Climb to Malchin (4025m). Malchin is the only peak among the Holy Five which can be scaled without specialist climbing equipment. Nonetheless it is a challenging and rewarding hike. We will remain in the same camp and make a day hike up the non-technical heights of Malchin Peak, where we are likely to trek up through snow. There is also a smaller hill nearby allowing for excellent and stunning views of the mountains, mainly into Russian Altai, but in the distance also China. This could be a ride, if folks preferred horsepower to on foot; we will organize riding. Camping.
Day 4 - September 17th:What goes up, must come down! Today you will spend most of the day descending from the peak and crossing to the other side of the park, and the gorgeous Tsagaan River. Horse riding for any who would rather ride than hike. Visit a Tuva family, the local ethnic minority, and sleep in the family ger. The Tuva are said to be the finest throat singers in the world, and there are 1500 Tuvans in Tsengel soum, where they speak their own language and have Mongol and their third, even fourth tongue.
Day 5 - September 18th:Continue trekking for 18kms along the Tsagaan River through stunning valley to Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain. The Shiveet Mountain is sacred to the Tuvan people and boasts many ibex. Each year the Tuvans climb to the mountain summit to make offering ceremony. We will accompany a Tuvan elder on the climb and make an offering at the ovoo. Overnight stay in the family ger.
Day 6 - September 19th:We will see the Turgen waterfall, some 40 metre drop of glacial snowmelt, and deer stone and burial sites. Some of the world’s best petroglyphs are found in the Altai and with your experienced team you will find several balbal, or burial stones. In the evening you will be visiting a Kazakh family and seeing the traditions and cultures of Kazakh people followed by a traditional Kazakh national dinner. Sleep in the family ger with your hosts (after weeping like a baby throughout the recital…).
Day 7 - September 20th:You will be arriving at Alma Kuk Eagle Festival. We'll be working on the exact line-up over the coming months, but suffice to say that the action will be thrilling, the competitors will be charismatic and the backdrop so spectacular you will not know where to look and what to photograph first. Dance, music, traditional Kazakh games including the Whipping Contest, Tug of War, trick riding, plus horse and camel races and the ultimate demonstration of eagle hunting prowess, the call of the eagle from the cliff above the festival site, to it's owner in the arena. You'll be tired from having perpetual goosebumps and your hands will get sore from clapping. Or possibly from wielding a whip at the gallop in pursuit of your eagle hunting team-mate in a bout of your own. We have a gold and a silver medal in the Whipping Contest to defend...
A sundown we will ride home to with 'our' family and share stories and a feast with them once again.
Day 8 - September 21st:We'll return to Olgii at a leisurely pace. If there is an afternoon flight we will endeavour to catch this one, but the flight schedules tend to be released in April or May and we expect Olgii-UB is early morning. So, today should serve as a contingency day. We'll stay at a nice ger camp within easy range of the airport, climb up the wonderful viewpoint in the city of Olgii and toast our good fortune at such a beautiful journey together. If you are interested in the local handcraft, musical traditions or just want to have another chance to handle an eagle, we can arrange the day to meet your desires.
Day 9 - September 22nd:We'll return to Olgii at a leisurely pace. If there is an afternoon flight we will endeavour to catch this one, but the flight schedules tend to be released in April or May and we expect Olgii-UB is early morning. So, today should serve as a contingency day. We'll stay at a nice ger camp within easy range of the airport, climb up the wonderful viewpoint in the city of Olgii and toast our good fortune at such a beautiful journey together. If you are interested in the local handcraft, musical traditions or just want to have another chance to handle an eagle, we can arrange the day to meet your desires.
Day 10 - September 23rd:Transfer to airport for your journey home. If you want to stay on, we can organize any number of additional experiences, or just help you ace your souvenir shopping at the black market.
