Altai Mountains & West Gobi

MONGOLIA | THE ALTAI MOUNTAINS

Western Mongolia is a timeless landscape that shelters Mongolia’s most fascinating and diverse ethnic groups: the Kazakhs with their hunting eagles, the surviving fragments of the Oirat Mongol tribes, and the shamanist Tuvans.

The Great Lakes Depression, also known as the Great Lakes’ Hollow, have more magnificent sand dunes than those of the Gobi Desert—the dunes border giant saltwater and freshwater lakes amid a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The Altai Mountains are habitat to snow leopards while Takhi wild horses have been reintroduced to the Khomyn Tal. Saiga antelopes, a trunk-like nosed species of antelopes that have survived the ice-age, still roam the dry steppes.

With the largest reed-beds in Central Asia, and its diversity of landscapes, the Great Lakes’ Hollow and its neighboring mountains offer remarkable birding opportunities.

You journey the region by Landcruiser and sleep in private camps within a panorama of vast and unspoilt terrain where you will be warmly welcomed by our local community partners.

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

Snow-capped mountains, saphire lakes and wild horses, the landscape of the Altai Mountains is timeless and otherworldly. The range itself stretches cross Mongolia, Russia and China. The high valleys and jagged mountain ranges have long been a testament to the country's natural beauty, and trekking through them is the perfect way to experience its splendour. We trek across glacial waters and alpine forests. In the summer, the flowers bloom, creating an aestival backdrop to your expedition.

An estimated 80% of the world's eagle hunters are found here, carrying on a tradition that has been a symbol of the country for centuries. These eagles are trained rigourously, and eventually they respond diligently to the commands of the hunter. At times, they can be sent to seize an escaping fox, swooping swiftly down to pursue the target. Generally, eagle-hunting is done during the winter months when the whiteness of the snow allows for the easy spotting of prey. We meet with a local eagle hunting family and have them share their stories with us.

Beautiful, majestic and elusive, the snow leopards are an endagered species found in the Altai mountains. The population of these cats is slowly declining, making the tracking of these animals all the more thrilling. In the summertime, they retreat into the tree lines of mountainous regions. Following our naturalist, we trace their steps, alongside those of the ibex.

Living within the strikingly beautiful landscape are the nomadic herder/hunters. Till today, they live a very traditional way of life that has endured centuries. Nomads are primarily animal farmers. Because of the country's harsh climactic conditions, they move from site to site throughout the year, tearing down then setting up their homes where it is most suitable for them and their livestock. Sit, drink some araig and discover a lifestyle that pre-dates Genghis Khan.

Mongol Sands: the biggest and longest sand dunes in Mongolia. Reaching heights of over a hundred metres, the sand dunes of the Gobi are known for their beauty, mysticism and their song-the Singing Dunes create a whistling as the wind blows, and we venture through them on foot or camelback.

ACCOMMODATION

These are a selection of lodges that we feel combine well for this journey. However we do also have a range of options to consider in each region, and can tailor them to you preference.