Five Kings of the Altai

Enjoy the tranquility of riding on horseback and walking at a leisurely pace through the lakes, rivers, valleys and snow-capped peaks of the Altai Mountain range. Observe the traditions of the eagle hunter Kazakhs. Camp under the endless blue Mongolian skies by the crystal-clear waters of mountain lakes.

The great expanse of Central Asia can be seen most clearly from the height of the Altai Mountains. The clear blue sky stretches on forever, and the land seems empty of any sign of life. Silence surrounds you. Yet within this vast space are fertile, green lands, and a wide diversity of ethnic minority groups.

This journey traverses the Altai Mountains from the foothills of the mighty Tsambagarav to the base of the five glorious peaks of Tavan Bogd, the highest in Mongolia. You will pass through green pastures and lush meadows, camping next to crystal-clear mountain lakes and amongst valleys filled with wild flowers. The journey will be on foot and by horseback, but always at a leisurely pace. On the way we will meet nomadic people who maintain one of the world’s most ancient and sustainable ways of life. This journey will give you a fresh perspective on life and a renewed sense of well-being.

Day 1

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. After lunch enjoy sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar including visits to the Bogd Khaan’s Winter Palace, and the Fine Arts Museum. There will be time for shopping. Dinner will be at local restaurants. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a 12.00am flight to Ulgii, the center of Bayan Ulgii Province, situated in the far west of the country. This province is populated by the Kazakh minority of Mongolia and the people are Muslims. The flight takes about 4 hours, including a stopover for refueling. Your guide will accompany you on the flight. On arrival at the local airport staff will meet you and drive you out of town for a late lunch. Then we will drive 35km to the west, across Sagsai River, where your tented camp awaits you.

Day 3

Today you will drive to Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, at the foot of the majestic 5 Kings Mountains, your destination for the day. From here you can view the peaks of the Altai Mountains and Potanin’s glacier. Horsemen with horses and camels will come to meet us in the evening. Set up base camp here.

Day 4-5

As the mountainous terrain doesn’t allow vehicles to drive any further the food and equipment will be packed on to camels and then ride to Tavan Bogd, or the ‘5 Kings Mountains.’ These consist of five snow-capped peaks and a long glacier – Potanin - glistening in front of them. Take a short ride in the morning to acustomise yourself with the horse, tack and terrain. On arrival at Tavan Bogd set up camp at the edge of Potanin’s glacier about 2900m above sea level. This afternoon and the following morning you will spend a glorious time hiking in the mountains exploring the glacier and foothills of the 5 Kings Mountains. In the afternoon of the fifth day return to the base camp at Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain.

Day 6

Today have a well-earned rest at the camp. The Kazakh minority people populate this area, and are the only Muslim people in Mongolia. Their gers are a little larger than those of Mongols and are decorated with traditional hand-stitched, colourful rugs. Their traditional dress is also slightly different to that of the Mongols as the men wear large, black dels and small, bright hats. You will visit a Kazakh family and experience their way of life.

Day 7-10

Today you start your linear horse ride to Lake Khoton & Lake Khurgan, which are connected by a river. Many rivers and streams originating in the Altai Mountains feed the lakes with icy, crystal-clear water. The ride will take 4 days, covering an average daily distance of about 20-25kms. While riding you will pass landscapes of snow-capped mountains, open valleys, lakes and rivers, and cross terrain varying from wide-open grassy valleys to rocky outcrops amongst the lower peaks. The local horsemen and translator/guide will accompany you throughout the ride. The vehicles will drive ahead and move the camp every evening until youreach a place called Tsookhor Khargai on the shore of Lake Khoton.

Day 11

Today you will drive along the edge of Lake Khoton , where you will camp for the night. The rest of the day you can swim, hike, or just relax sitting on the shore.

Day 12

A day of rest. Dinner is today’s highlight - you will be served a special Mongolian meal of ‘khorhog’ as a farewell. The meal is mutton cooked slowly in a huge, metal urn with vegetables, water and hot rocks from a flaming fire. The meat becomes soft and tasty and the water turns into a thick meaty broth.

Day 13

Drive from Sagsai village towards Ulgii, which is separated by the Khargantiin River. Your destination for the day is the Shar Lake ger camp. 146km driving

Day 14

Drive into the township of Ulgii and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 15 Ulaanbaatar

Today will be a full day of guided sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar, including Gandan Monastery, the National History Museum, and the Toy Museum. There will be some time for shopping before the evening program of a performance of traditional Mongolian folk song and dance. Lunch will be at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 Departure
Transfer to the airport for international departures.

2012 dates: 23rd August - September 7th

2012 prices: from £2500 per person. Price is dependant on your group size.

Single supplement: £100 for hotel & £140 for tent

Not Included: Flights and Travel Insurance

Accommodation: 3* hotel then tented accommodation on trek, all meals

Meeting Point: Ulaanbaatar

Indicative flight price: London to Ulaanbaatar £750pp return 

Transfer: Airport transfer & internal flights Included

Hours In Saddle: 4/8 per day

Max Weight: 90kg

Group Size: 2-12

Suitable for non-riders: No

Call us on +44 (0)1225 424413 or email contact@redlandsequestrian.com to check the ride availability and dates, once we have confirmed availability you can download and fill in a booking form:

• UK Rides Booking Form
• Worldwide Rides Booking Form

Each rider in the party must also complete a riding ability questionnaire before we can complete the final confirmation of your holiday booking.