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Mount
Kharkhiraa Trek 17 - 29 June 2008
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Following a 3
hour flight to the far western side of Mongolia,
head up into the mountains to start this remarkable
hike to the base of Mount Kharkhiraa (altitude 4037
metres). The snow capped peaks, glaciers,
dramatic cliffs, lakes and fast flowing
rivers make this one of the most spectacular treks
in Mongolia. You will walk through extremely remote
landscapes, perhaps meeting only a few nomadic
families with their large herds of camels,
yaks, horses, sheep and goats. After
crossing the high plateau the scenery becomes greener
and less wild, yet still exhilarating. Herds of
ibex, wild goats, are not an uncommon sight
on the rocky hillsides. The small coal mining village
where the trek ends is inhabited by Kazakh
people, not Mongols, and it is fascinating to compare
the two cultures. |
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Our
Tour Grading |
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This 8 day
trek in the remote Altai mountains of Western Mongolia
requires a good level of physical fitness and is
graded as moderate. The daily walking distance
is approximately 15km, and there are a couple
of high passes to cross at nearly 3000 metres
above sea level. Luggage and equipment are carried
by pack animals (camels and horses), and all nights
on trek are spent camping in Western style tents.
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Itinerary
2008
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17 June
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Arrive Ulaanbaatar.
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18 June
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Fly to Ulaangom. Jeep to
trek start.
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19 June
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Trek over Uliastai pass
to Blue Lake.
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20 June
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Hike past ancient graves
below Mount Turgen.
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21 June
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Walk along the river to
the base of Kharkhiraa pass.
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22 June
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Hike up to the pass (2930
m) and walk on the plateau.
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23 June
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From a glacial lake at the
foot of Deglee Tsagaan mountain hike over Yamaatiin pass.
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24 June
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Trek down Yamaatiin valley.
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25 June
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Hike to the Kazakh mining
town and meet driver. Jeep to Uureg Lake.
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26 June
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Jeep to Ulaangom.
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27 June
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Fly to Ulaanbaatar.
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28 June
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Free day.
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29 June
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Depart.
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The
Kazakh people have lived in Central
Asia for hundreds of years, and constitute
a considerable ethnic
minority in the western provinces
of Mongolia.Their appearance, religion,
language and culture are quite different from
the Kalkh Mongols. The Kazakh
gers are taller, wider and richly
decorated with
felt carpets
and wall hangings showing geometric, zoomorphic
and cosmogonic motifs. Even their horses saddles
are not the same.
