Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope
Mongolia
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Join Tim Cope for an unforgettable trek through western Mongolia
Availability
From 26/07/2024 to 12/08/2025
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
Travel with Tim Cope for a culturally enriching experience of western Mongolia.
Trek through the Kharkhiraa and Turgen Uul mountains with the support of a camel caravan and a team of local nomads.
Choose to ride a horse instead of trekking, or combine hiking with horse riding (this option is available as an add on).
Follow the migratory routes of the Khoton and Durvud nomadic families and come to know the nomadic way of life.
Camp in the Mongolian steppe and experience a diverse range of landscapes from glacier capped peaks to semi arid country.
Explore the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
17 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 17 dinners3 nights in comfortable hotel accommodation on a twinshare basis1 night in regional hotel or ger accommodation and 13 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare basisInternal flights within MongoliaAirport transfers on day 1 & day 18Accompanied by Tim Cope and an expert local guidePack animal support during trek with 20kg allowanceSouvenir World Expeditions 50l kit bagMedical kit and satellite phone for emergency usePrivate vehiclesSightseeing and entry fees as listed in itineraryAUD100 donation to Autism MongoliaDomestic airline baggage allowance of 20kg per person (for check-in and carry-on in total) for each internal flight.
Note - any excess baggage charges above 20kgs are to the client's account.
Optional (additional cost applies) - You can choose to hire a horse for the treks should you wish.
A horse must be hired for the full length of the trek and for them to get to you and return to their homes.
For example, 8 days ride equals 10 days hire.
Please notify your travel consultant in advance to make arrangements - additional cost applies.
Riding experience preferred but not necessary - in this case you will be led by a horseman or guide until you are competent enough.
World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone.
We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge.
If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room.
Please refer to our website for the additional cost.
Tented Camps
During the trek we use lightweight, four season tents purpose made by Wilderness Equipment (note they officially sleep three, but we will only ever sleep maximum of two).
You will be sharing a tent with another person of the same gender unless you have paid a single supplement.
Felt sleeping mats are provided although you also need to bring your own mat (preferably ‘Thermarest’ style mat for extra comfort and warmth).
Or arrange to hire an inflatable matress direct from Tim Cope.
Enquire early.
Toileting facilities will be very basic.
A hole will be dug at each camp site with a toilet tent over it, and a seat inside.
Sleeping Bags: You must provide your own sleeping bag rated to minimum of -5 degrees Celsius OR hire a sleeping bag (-15) in advance through your leader, Tim Cope – sleeping bag hire is limited so please enquire through your agent early.
Our group hotel in the capital has been established for many years.
It has the reputation as being one of Mongolia’s best hotels although please be aware that standards might be different to what you expect in your home country.
The hotel is clean, comfortable and ideally situated in the centre of town with staff being trained in service skills.
All hotel accommodation in Mongolia is based on a twin-share basis although single supplements are available.
Please ask us for details.
Group Size: 12 - 16.
Adventure Touring.
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Itinerary
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Join Australian adventurer and writer Tim Cope for a unique moderate-challenging trek among remote Khoton and Durvud nomads in the Kharkhiraa and Turgen mountains of Western Mongolia. The focus of this trip is spending less time crossing the vast landscape of Mongolia by jeep, and more time trekking off the beaten track immersed in the landscape and culture of the legendary horsemen and women of the steppes. Tim, who rode a horse for three and a half years from Mongolia to Hungary across the steppes of Eurasia is passionate about the nomadic way of life and the history of the Mongolian people whose ancestors were among the first in history to tame the horse. The itinerary takes us from Ulaanbaatar by plane to Ulaangom in the west where we begin the trek in the Kharkhiraa mountains - part of the greater Altai range. In this region lives a small and intriguing ethnic group of Mongolians called the 'Khoton.' Unlike many nomads of Mongolia who have adopted the motorbike and truck as part of their nomadic existence, the Khoton still make their annual journey up into the high passes of the Kharkhiraa with just camels, yaks, and horses. Our trek follows the migratory routes of these Khoton families along the Kharkhiraa river and eventually up to the spectacular high pass at 3000m between Kharkhiraa and Turgen peaks. Along the way we will pass evidence of ancient nomadic people in the form of Turkic gravestone markers, and hear from Tim about the many legends and stories that tell much about the Mongolian connection to their animals and the land. Travelling with us will be a small caravan of local horsemen and their horses and camels that will be taking our luggage and equipment. There will be an opportunity to encounter the nomadic people most days, and from the high pass, weather permitting, there will be an optional return walk up to a high ridge at about 3600 metres. The second half of the Kharkhiraa trek takes us into the catchment of the Khovd River, and the lands of the Durvud - another ethnic minority of Western Mongolia who have their own fascinating history. From the high pass, we will at first descend to a landscape pitted by lakes, and further to a river gorge. There are many nomad families who come to graze here for the summer. For our last chapter of the journey we again head uphill to explore three remote ridges and valleys - a feature known locally as 'the three brothers.' This is an area known for its population of ibex and argali mountain sheep. There will be another opportunity here to trek high to around 3600m. From our camp in this three brothers region we will trek down towards the Khovd River valley where we will be met by vehicle support. The landscape of the Kharkhiraa is dominated by open slopes dotted with nomad tents, deep river gorges, alpine lakes, and the inspiring, glacier capped peaks of Kharkhiraa and Turgen. Although it is very rare and unlikely to spot one, it is worth noting that these mountains are renowned as one of the refuges for the endangered snow leopard. Trekking days involve 6-8 hours of walking, and although there are no technical parts to the trek, a medium to high level of fitness is required. Integral to this tour, is also supporting a local Mongolian charity, Autism Mongolia. $100 of your tour price will be donated to this charity in Ulaanbaatar at a special presentation when we arrive. There will be the opportunity to meet with representatives from the charity and make additional donations if desired.
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 01 May 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
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