Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope

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4.8 Based on 6 Reviews
See Itinerary
  • duration 18 days
  • tour type Small group
  • age requirement 18-99 yrs
  • max group size 16
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-16314
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • Travel with Tim Cope for a culturally enriching experience of western Mongolia
  • Trek through the Kharkhiraa and Tsaast Uul mountains
  • Explore the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar
  • Follow the migratory routes of the Khotont nomadic families
  • Camp in the Mongolian steppe
  • Spend time with nomadic Kazakh peoples and learn of their way of life
  • Show more
The Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope tour starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope is a trekking and hiking tour that takes 18 days taking you through Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and other destinations in Mongolia.

Join Tim Cope for an unforgettable trek through western Mongolia. Join Australian adventurer and writer Tim Cope for a unique moderate-challenging trek among remote Khoton and Kazakh nomads in the Kharkhiraa and Tsaast Uul 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 gorge 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 on a descent towards the Khovd river 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. The second, less demanding part of the journey takes us to Olgiy, capital of the Kazakh province of Western Mongolia, and the spectacular mountain of ‘Tsaast Uul.’ Here we will experience Kazakh people, another of Mongolia’s ethnic peoples. Two more days of trekking will give us a rich insight into the diversity of the people who living on the vast and fenceless land of Mongolia. After an afternoon reflecting on the shores of Tolboo Nuur lake, we return to Olgiy and fly to Ulaanbaatar. 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.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1 : Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 2 : Fly to Western Mongolia
  • Day 3 : Rest / Contingency day
  • Day 4 : Trek the Kharkhiraa Valley
  • Day 5 : Trek the Kharkhiraa Valley
  • Day 6 : Trek to the base of the Kharkhiraa Pass
  • Day 7 : Full day trek with optional climb
  • Day 8 : Full day trek via alpine lake on the Kharkhiraa mountain
  • Day 9 : Full day descent from pass
  • Day 10 : Full day trek down to the river gorge
  • Day 11 : Full day trek to Khovd Brigad via waterfall
  • Day 12 : Drive to Olgiy, sightseeing in afternoon
  • Day 13 : Drive to Tsaast Uul, stay with Kazakh Nomads
  • Day 14 : Full day trek in Tsaast Uul. Stay with Uriankhai minority (4 hrs)
  • Day 15 : Trek in Tsaast Uul, to Tolboo Nuur (lake) camp with Kazakh nomads (4 hrs)
  • Day 16 : Drive to Olgiy, visit Olgiy market
  • Day 17 : Fly to Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 18 : Trip concludes in Ulaanbaatar
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • 2 nights in comfortable hotel accommodation on a twinshare basis
  • 1 night in ger accommodation on a multi share basis and 14 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare basis
Meals
  • 17 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 17 dinners
Transport
  • Internal flights within Mongolia
  • Airport transfers on day 1 & day 18
  • Private vehicles
Guide
  • Accompanied by Tim Cope and an expert local guide
Others
  • Pack animal support during trek with 20kg allowance
  • Medical kit and satellite phone for emergency use
  • Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
  • AUD100 donation to Autism Mongolia
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Tips and gratuities
  • International airfares & departure taxes
  • Visa costs
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 6 reviews
  • Edward Singh
  • From England
  • On Aug 18 2023
4 - Very Good
Very Good
Very Good
  • Anonymous
  • On Aug 24 2018
5 - Excellent
Excellent
The trek through Mongolia in the steps of the Nomad was spectacular enough but to have Tim Cope as our Tour leader was an absolute bonus. His insights and knowledge of the Mongolian nomads made the trip so much better.
  • Anonymous
  • On Sep 18 2017
5 - Excellent
Excellent
The whole trek was very well organised and run and Tim's knowledge and experience was just amazing.
  • Anonymous
  • On Sep 03 2017
5 - Excellent
Excellent
l can not speak more highly of Tim cope and his Mongolian team. The knowledge and passion that they have for the people and history made this trip something special, the trip I will never forget. Thankyou Tim and Mongolia.
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What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope tour. You can cancel the tour up to 72 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 71 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 08 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 08 June 2024, a deposit of 316 USD is required to confirm the tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 71 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.

Visa

For this Mongolia In the Footsteps of the Nomad with Tim Cope tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

For Solo Travelers

A twin share room may not always be available for solo travelers as it depends on the final number of people on the tour. If you have picked twin share room while booking, and that option is not available, we will get back to you after booking. A single room might then be available against an additional fee.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
  • Smaller group sizes have been implemented on this tour to protect against COVID-19 and to ensure that the tour complies with local authorities’ guidelines.
  • Rigorous hygiene safety measures will be followed in transportation, accommodation and meal venues.
  • Guides are trained in our COVID-19 response plan that has been developed in line with state government medical provisions.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated atleast 14 days prior to departure.
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