Western Mongolia

Adventure & Yoga TourSacred Mountains

Duration: 16 Days July 10 - 25, 2020

Rewild yourself! Open your heart to the wild, pristine nature of Mongolia and begin a once in a lifetime journey. Explore the breath-taking, snow-capped Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia. Scale picturesque glaciers, marvel at ancient rock paintings and soak in endless grasslands, vistas and lakes on horseback. Immerse yourself in this sacred mountain and one of the world’s most fascinating nomadic cultures.

If you want a real adventure off the beaten track, this is the journey for you!

Your host.Selenge, was born in Khuder, a small town in the north-east of

Mongolia. She grew up in the countryside playing outdoors,

chasing horses and picking wild berries. In Mongolia, she

worked for 8 years as a tour guide and manager for people all

over the world. She moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2010, and

discovered the transformative qualities of yoga. Her journey

lead her to India and Bali where she learnt the life changing

yogic philosophies of asana, pranayama and meditation. In 2014

she combined her passion for yoga and Mongolian nature and

culture by creating Steppe Yoga Tours. Her intention for Steppe

Yoga Tours is to share this passion in a whole–hearted way in

this unique environment. Selenge brings a refreshing sense of

fun and ease to her practice. This allows people to explore new

dimensions of both their inner and outer world.

Why I love this tour: Western Mongolia has an unspoiled beauty that must be seen to be believed. This trip is really

special and dear to my heart. Meditating and practicing yoga by the pristine Khoton Lake,

trekking to powerful Altai mountains and the fairy tale like Turgen waterfall area are truly

exhilarating. I also love how Kazak Mongolians are so kind, caring and hospitable. Last year

we got invited to a Kazak family wedding celebration, it was truly a joy to witness this, interact

with and have fun with the locals.

Sacred Mountains 16 Day Adventure & Yoga TourJuly 10 - 25, 2020

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar City Tour

Day 2 13th Century Historical Camp + Chinggis Statue

Day 3 Arrive Ulgii Town & Naadam Festival

Day 4 Shiveet Khairkhan Sacred Mountain & White River

Day 5 Altai “Five Gods” Mountains: Horse Ride to Base Camp

Day 6 Altai Mountains: Malchin Peak Climb

Day 7 Altai Mountains: Base Camp Rest Day

Day 8 Horse Ride to Shiveet Khairhan Mountains

Day 9 Khoton & Khurgan lakes

Day 10 Khoton lake

Day 11 Turgen Waterfall

Day 12 Turgen Waterfall

Day 13 Kazak Eagle Hunter Family

Day 14 Drive Back to Ulgii

Day 15 Flight Back to Ulaanbaatar & Farewell Dinner

Day 16 Departure

Duration: 16 Days (15 nights)

Tour group: Between 10-15 people

Mongolia

Journey highlights

Body/Mind/Spirit • Daily yoga and/or meditation, for all experience levels. Learn

or expand your yoga asana and meditation, giving you the

tools to take home and create a sustainable lifelong practice

• Participate in interactive workshops on Authenticity,

discovering your true self

Adventure• Hike up the magnificent Tavan Bogd “Five Gods” Mountain,

Mongolia’s highest mountain!

• Visit the breathtaking Turgen waterfall, set in a pristine fairy-

tale landscape. A must see.

• 4 day horse riding (two of which are optional)

• Become nomadic! We will horse ride to the mountains, with

our baggage carried by camels

• Camp by powerful glorious alpine lakes and a glacier

• Gather around the bonfire and exchange stories with your

friendly fellow travellers

• Find petroglyphs (rock art) and Turkic stones

Culture• Attend Kazak-Mongolia’s traditional Naadam festival

• Meet the Eagle Hunters! Get up close and hold these eagles,

watch them soar through open plain.

• Travel back in time. Visit ”13th Century Park“, showing

important cultural aspects of life at that time in Mongolia.

• Meet the locals. Be welcomed into the home of a Kazak

Mongolian family, share dinner with them, laugh and play

games and take this rare opportunity to learn about their

culture.

• Visit Chinggis (Genghis) Khan statue

• Witness traditional Mongolian dance and song concert,

including a throat singer performance.

If you want an adventure that goes far beyond what most tourist experiences can offer, this is the tour for you!

What’s Included:• Airport pickup and transport to hotel

• All internal transportation to and from

pickup/drop off in Ulaanbaatar

• Internal domestic flights to and from

western Mongolia (Ulgii)

• All accommodation

• 3 nights in a comfortable well

facilitated hotel in central Ulaanbaatar

(twin share)

• Camping gear (private tents provided)

• Countryside ger (aka yurt), when not

camping (twin or four people share)

• Native speaking tour guide, fluent in

English, Mongolian.

• Assistant tour guide

• Tour chef

• All meals included (except the first

and last day, see detailed itinerary)

• Drinking water

• Ulaanbaatar city tour

• Daily yoga, meditation

• Yoga mats (Feel free to bring your

own)

• Interactive workshops

• 4 day horseback riding adventure

(you can hike instead, if you like)

• National Parks/ Museum/ temples

entrance fees

• Traditional song and dance ensemble

performance

• Satellite telephone (emergency use

only)

• Medical kit

What’s NOT Included:

• Airport departure transportation

• International flights/transport to

Mongolia.

• Travel insurance (compulsory). It is

a prerequisite to the tour that you

organize your own travel insurance.

• Visa costs.

• Note: we can assist with your Visa

support documentation (if needed)

• Alcoholic beverages, snacks

• Tips and gratuities

Price:

Single Person: AUD $7,400

Two Person: AUD $7,000 (per person)

Note: Prices are shown in Australian Dollars, please contact us for prices in other currencies.

Day 1 – Ulaanbaatar City TourWelcome to Mongolia! This is the official first day of the tour. We’ll

pick you up from your hotel at 10am and take you on a tour of

Ulaanbaatar city (UB).

Let’s explore UB. We will visit the National Museum of Mongolia,

and Chinggis Khan Main Square. We can also pick up essential

supplies for the trip if you need. In the evening, join our welcome

lunch at a traditional Mongolian restaurant and get to know your

host and fellow travellers.

Activities: Ulaanbaatar city sightseeing

Overnight in 3-star hotel (B/L)***We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the tour. We offer FREE transportation between the airport and your hotel.

Day 2 – 13th Century Chinggis (Genghis) Khan Historical CampToday we will explore the ancient Mongolian lifestyle. The

13th Century Chinggis Khan historical camp, this is a large

countryside “living” museum. On the way we will visit the

Chinggis khaan statue complex, the world’s largest statue of a

rider on a horse. There we will practice our yoga to absorb this

historical land and the historical man’s energy.

Activities: Drive to and from historical camp (2-3 hours each

way), 3-4 hours at the site including yoga

Overnight in 3-star hotel (B)

Day 3 – Arrive Ulgii Town & Naadam FestivalMeet in the UB hotel and fly to Ulgii, the capital of the Bayan-

Ulgii Province. On arrival our local driver will take us to our ger

(yurt) camp (12km) but before we head off we will get a chance

to see Ulgii town. In Ulgii town there are many signs written in

Arabic as well as handcrafts, architecture and mosques similar to

those in Central Asia. Depending on our schedule, we might visit

a museum where we will learn about about the Kazak Mongolian

minority. In the evening, we will have our official opening

ceremony!

Activities: Flight to Ulgii town (4 hours), museum, Evening yoga

and Opening ceremony.

Overnight in a ger camp (B/L/D)

Detailed itinerary

Did you know? Mongolia has great deal of diversity. In Mongolia today there are 19 different branches of Mongol people.

Most of the Mongol minority groups, and even many Khalkh people, Khalkha or Halh, are the dominant ethnic

group of Mongolia at roughly 82% of the total population. The other 18 Mongol ethnic groups of Mongolia are

dispersed widely across the nation like Kazak, Tuva and other distinct and minority groups in western Mongolia

Day 4 – Shiveet Khairkhan Sacred Mountain & White RiverWe start our day with Morning yoga (yoga asana, pranayama and

meditation). After our body and mind are well nourished through

yoga, we head out on our wild west drive. Once past Tsengel

village we will not see towns and villages for a few days.

The Shiveet Khairhan sacred mountain area is home for the

Tuva (one of smallest ethnic groups in Mongolia) nomadic

people as also this area you can find biggest petrolgyphs and

stone monuments from the period of the Huns (approx 200

B.C.). The Huns were the reason the Chinese emperor Qin Shi

Huangdi built the Great Wall of China. Also, if you are lucky,

you might see an ibex (a native wild sheep). After that we take

a two day horse riding trip!

Activities: Yoga practice, 200 km driving, rock painting,

Khorhog dinner made by Tuvan family

Overnight in Tuva family extra guest ger (B/L/D)

Please note: With western Mongolian road conditions 200 km can take up to five hours driving

Day 5 – Altai “Five Gods” Mountains: Horse Ride to Base CampWe start our morning with a yoga practice with magnificent

mountain views before we pack our horses for a full day of horse

trekking. Our luggage will be transferred to camels and we start

our horse trek along the Tsagaan (white) river to the Potanine

glacier. Tsagaan gol is a unique river and is named for the milky

white waters that flow from glaciers during the summer melt.

Three hours into the horse journey will bring us to the Potanine

glacier, 2900 metres above sea level in the centre of the park.

Activities: Yoga, 5-7hr 15km horse riding (or hiking if you prefer)

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Did you know? Khuiten (4374m) is the highest peak of five mountain chains while other 4 peaks are Nairamdal, Ölgii, Burged

and Machin. Here we begin the climbing of Malchin. (4037m) peak. From the top of the peak the views are

priceless, extending to neighboring mountains in the Russian Altai mountains and China and also pearl blue

mountain lakes.

Day 6 – Altai Mountains: Malchin Peak ClimbToday is the big day! Weather permitting* An exciting hike up to

Malchin Peak of the Altai Tavan Bogd “Five Gods” Sacred Mountain

range. This will be approximately an 8 hour round trip, ascending

the additional 1150m from our base camp, with horse riding on

the return (optional).

Early morning short meditation. Walking along glaciers is

stunning; you can play in snow that stays all year around and

witness some breathtaking views of the valley and the snow-

covered Tavan Bogd sacred mountains. If you don’t fancy the

climb, then you can relax at base camp.

Activities: meditation, trekking to Malchin peak (4037m), horse

riding

Overnight in camping in the magnificent mountains (B/L/D)

* Bad weather? If the weather is bad we may not climb to the top, we have the option of attempting the following day, weather permitting.

Day 7 – Altai Mountains: Base Camp Rest DayA Full day of rest and relaxation in the mountains. We will

have a nourishing meditation and possibly a little yoga

session.

Activities: yoga, relax, workshop/group circle.

Overnight in camping in the magnificent mountains (B/L/D)

Day 8 – Horse Ride to Shiveet Khairhan MountainsToday is similar to day 4 in reverse! We horse ride back through

the wonderful mountains back to the Horse ride to Shiveet

Khairhan mountains and white rivers area.

Activities: meditation, 5-7hr 15km horse riding (or hiking if you

prefer)

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Day 9 – Khoton & Khurgan Lakes A day of scenic driving. After morning yoga, our drivers will take

us to Biluut Togloi valley where we will we camp near gorgeous

Khoton lake. The lakeshore makes it perfect for camping. This

area is great place to see herds of goats and yaks peacefully

grazing. We will pass the neighbouring Khurgan Lake (20km

away), which is a dream landmark for fishermen.

Activities: yoga, drive (200km) to Khoton lake, Lake side camping

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Day 10 – Khoton Lakes A relaxing day by the lake, take the day at your own pace with

optional yoga, an interactive workshop, bonfire and dancing

under the stars.

Activities: yoga, Lake side camping, swimming

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Day 11 – Turgen Waterfall The Turgen Waterfall is one of Selenge’s favourite places in

Mongolia, the waterfall surrounded by snow caped mountains is

pristine and is truly fairy tale like. After morning yoga we will drive

to the Waterfall area. After lunch nearby, in a beautiful valley, we

will hike 3 km to the Turgen mountain range and reach gorgeous

Baga Turgen (37m) waterfall; where you can swim and enjoy the

delightful waterfalls and landscape.

Activities: 140 km drive, Yoga, swim & play

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Day 12 – Turgen Waterfall Rest day taken at your own pace. You can optionally do some

hiking through the mountains, or head back to the Turgen

waterfall. We may also visit a nomadic Kazak family.

Activities: Yoga, relax, hiking (optional)

Overnight in camping (B/L/D)

Day 13 – Kazak Eagle Hunter FamilyAfter our morning yoga and meditation, we will visit an eagle

hunter’s family and get acquainted with the rich Kazak culture,

history and lifestyle. The Kazaks are a Turkic people ethnically

tied to the Uighur people of western China and Mongolians. Their

yurts are different from Khalh Mongolian yurts as they are larger

and decorated with embroidered colourful hangings, canopies

and curtains over the beds.

Activities: yoga, 140 km drive, Eagle hunter family experience

and dinner

Overnight in a Kazak family with Eagle (B/L/D)

Day 14 – Back to Ulgii TownAfter wonderful adventure of trekking, horse riding, driving and

journeying together through this majestic part of the world,

it is time to head back to civilization via Ulgii town. On the way

we will visit a little Islamic temple in a small settlement. Once we

are in Ulgii town we may have a chance to do some souvenir

shopping.

Tonight we will celebrate the end of the western Mongolia

journey with a ceremonial dinner.

Activities: yoga, approximately 200km, closing ceremony

Overnight in a tourist camp (B/L/D)

Day 15 – Flight Back to Ulaanbaatar & Farewell DinnerThis morning we will hold a ritual giving gratitude to the land and

then transfer to the airport and fly back to Ulaanbaatar.

This is our goodbye evening together as a group with a traditional

performance followed by dinner. The Mongolian traditional song

and dance ensemble performance includes throat singing, horse

fiddle, and contortion performances (modern day yoga).

Activities: flight to UB, farewell dinner and traditional

performance

Overnight in Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 16 – DepartureThis is a free day, with no organised activities. Enjoy a day at

your own pace, if you’d like to discover more of UB Steppe

Yoga can advise (in advance*) about shopping visits, museum

tours, and taxi ride back to the airport.

* please discuss with us in the preceding days

Note:

Pre and post tour accommodation and tour arrangements are available. Tour itinerary is subject to change

Spectacular nature, daily yoga (on & off the mat), friendly people/culture and sooooo many amazing experiences! I can’t recommend these trips highly enough. Do it!

Melitta Pinney, 2018 Sacred Moutains Adventure

What Steppe Yogis say!

What a beautiful gift to bring back to my “normal” life back here in Germany. I am for ever grateful for this experience and I know that that everyone would benefit from this trip or any yoga session with you!

Viola Krickau, 2018 Sacred Mountains Adventure

A journey and holiday that will remain with me for the rest of my life. An eternal landscape where the culture and magic of the country is absolutely amazing!

Adam Breman Melbourne, Australia

The landscape and the generous spirit of the people is what makes Mongolia so memorable. As a host, Selenge can not be faulted

Tania Wellby, Melbourne Australia

From wild horses to the Naadam festival, spending nights in well maintained Gers out in the wilderness, experiencing and learning about the food culture, being warmed by wood stoves …. Everything is so vivid and memorable.  You made our trip the best and we all highly recommend you for an authentic trip of a lifetime.

Karen Thomas and her family, USA

SteppeYoga tour planningArrival

Plan to arrive a minimum of one whole day earlier, or more. This will protect you in case your travel to

Ulaanbaatar is delayed. We offer free airport pickup and transport to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Where will you be sleeping?

Ulaanbaatar hotel: When in UB, the accommodation is a

comfortable well facilitated hotel in central Ulaanbaatar.

Rooms provided in the tour cost are same sex twin shares, so

you may be sharing a room with a fellow adventurer. Upgrade

to a private room is available for an additional fee. Please

mention when booking.

Tourist ger camp: A traditional style of hotel in the country.

Ger camps usually consist of 10-20 comfortable Gers (aka

Yurt, traditional style home) containing 2-4 beds in each Ger.

They often have Ger restaurants and souvenir shops or some

entertainment spaces. Most camps are equipped with toilets

and showers facilities.

Guest ger: Guest ger camps are more basic than tourist

ger camps. Normally there are 2-7 gers that are operated

by nomads who are experienced in dealing with travellers.

Facilities are usually basic and may rarely have a shower and

modern toilet. Staying at a guest ger is a great way to support

local small businesses and sustainability.

Camping: This is one of the best ways to experience

Mongolia. Here, you can set up your tent anywhere you want.

You will mainly use nature toilet when camping. We provide

camping shower tents so you can wash. We will camp by the

lakes and rivers where you can swim and refresh yourself.

Food

Steppe yoga team are committed support your health as a whole

throughout our travel. We cater for vegetarian and as well meat

diets. All meals are freshly cooked our local tour chef every day

and it’s healthy nourishing food to keep up our energy! While

travelling though remote areas it’s sometimes hard to eat ultra-

healthy as we might in towns and cities, but we strive to provide

as healthy food as possible.

Transport

We use Russian van on this trip. Russian-built Purgon van, a

military vehicle adapted for civilian use and uniquely suited to

Mongolian terrain. Russian vans are one of the most popular

vehicles in Mongolia as it is designed for off road driving.

Normally it has no seatbelts or air conditioner.

Passenger: 4- 5.

For more information go to FAQ to in website.

Nature of travelling in Mongolia:

While Mongolia is an amazing, magical place, it is a developing country; so things don’t always work like they do at home, and some luxuries or creature comforts are not always available. These trips are for intrepid types who are comfortable in isolated natural areas, often with very basic amenities.

Some things to consider if this trip is right for you.

• While no yoga experience is necessary, a moderate level

of physical fitness is required.

• Please note that the weather is significantly colder in

Western Mongolia than the rest of the country, please

see packing list for clothing recommendations.

• The mountain tours are in western Mongolia, please pay

special attention to the packing list

• You be engaging in physical activities such as hiking,

horse riding and camel riding

• You will sometimes be sharing a sleeping area with your

fellow group members

• Some days will include long drives with bumpy roads

• In rural areas, squat toilets are often used and hot water

is not always reliable

• Drinking clean water and being aware of food

contamination is important

• Again, what you might be used to around OHS and

general hygiene is not always the same as home.

• Being flexible is very important. The schedule may

have to change due to weather, or other unforeseen

circumstances

• THAT SAID, travelling through this beautiful country you

will witness breathtaking sights, make new friends, meet

friendly locals and much more. This will surely be one of

the most fulfilling life changing adventures of you’ll ever

have!

More questions? Go to www.steppeyoga.com/faq

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