You will fly on a domestic flight to Hovd, one of three ancient towns in Mongolia, along with Ulaanbaatarr and Uliastai. Hovd is the provincial capital of the province (aimag) with the same name. You will be hosted by a community of herders of Chandman soum. They operate at least two satellite gers not far from their own gers. A local guide will meet you when landing in Hovd. You will stay in a ger at Jargalant Hairhan Mountain area and do excursions from there.
Please note, if the flight is scheduled to arrive early, you will proceed directly to Jargalant Hairhan Mtn and spend the last night in the ger camp instead.
Day 2: To Jargalant Hairhan Mtn
Drive to Elsen Shanaa Beach and visit the bird tower overlooking the reed beds of Tsagaan Gol, at the south side of the lake. Continue drive south of the lake about four hours you reach its eastern side. Meet the locals, who are nomads, which is why they alternate locations; camping on the mountainside (July and August) or at the lakeside (early and late in the season). They are local partners with both WWF and The International Snow Leopard Trust and have formed a cooperative to make and sell felt handicrafts, which you will have a chance to purchase.
Day 3: Jargalant Hairhan Mtn
Today we will hike or ride camels up into one of the valleys of the Jargalant Hairhan Mountain. It is a unique valley which has mountains on its sides and a sacred spring famous for its healing powers, so Mongolians come here for eight types of traditional treatments, placing haadags at the ovoo. Poplars grow directly out of the rocks. With luck we will see Siberian ibex, lammergeier, chukar and wallcreepers. It is also the habitat of the elusive snow leopard and is covered by ice and snow for most parts of the summer. We will hike up to the end of the valley, where there is a 24m waterfall.
Day 4: Jargalant Hairhan Mtn
Today is dedicated to visiting the local nomads. If it is July or August the lakeside has too many mosquitoes, so the nomads take their animals to the higher altitudes. Their spring and fall pastures are at the lakeside. It may be possible – in season – to visit the Mandal Islands of the lake, if the little boat with a small outboard engine is working and there is someone on hand to drive it.
Day 5: To Ulaanbaatar
A.m. Drive back to Hovd. Lunch at a local restaurant in town or at Möngön Uul Ger Camp near the airport. P.m. Fly to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel.
Practicalities
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PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar: USD 980 per person (min 2 members) Flight ticket one way to/from Hovd: USD 384 per person Single room/ ger supplement: USD 30 per night. Additional night at the ger camp: USD 100 per person. |
Includes: All meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights Ger Camp. Park entry fee. Local cook and local guide from Hovd.
Excludes: Imported drinks. Laundry. Hotels and transfers in UB. Air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee.
Pls note the domestic flight is also added to the price at face value of the air ticket. It is currently (2011) USD 384 each way. The luggage allowance (incl. hand luggage) is 20 kg, and above that overweight must be paid.
Hazard: If returning to Ulaanbaatar by flight it is recommended to plan for at least 2 nights after the return from Hovd. Flights from the interior may cancel due to poor visibility (rain/fog), which is why you need to allow some “rubber” time built in to your itinerary, in order to accommodate such changes.
DATES ex Ulaanbaatar: Daily April to October
Subject to confirmation of domestic flight.
