Tsambagarav National Park

This 110,960-hectare park surrounds the snow-capped, 4193-m (13,737-ft) Tsambagarav Mountain, which is sacred to Mongolians. On the border between Bayan-Ölgii and Hovd provinces, the park has beautiful scenery, rich wildlife, plenty of archeological sites, and native nomadic Kazakh and Uriankhai herders living in the shadow of the holy mountain.

History

Landscape

The center of the park is Tsambagarav and the 4165-m (13,645-ft) Tsast Mountain. Both mountains and several others are permanently snow-capped. Below the peaks are many glaciers and glacial lakes. These glaciers have left deep rocky gorges that have many waterfalls including one 7 m (23 ft) one on the north side of the park. During summer, the valleys north of the mountain are very green and full of wildlife, livestock, and flowers.

Flora and fauna

The endangered species; Argali sheep, Ibex, Snow Leopard, Rock Ptarmigan and Altai Snowcock all inhabit the park. Though not all can easily be found, especially the snow leopard. The Altai subspecies of the Argali sheep that is found in the park is the largest wild sheep in the world. The rams of an adult male can weigh over 35 kg (75 lbs).

A small village of Uriankhai and Kazakhs live near the park during the summer months to support Uriankhai and Kazakh nomadic herders living inside the park. These are very welcoming and hospitable people who welcome people into their gers for a night. Though those living inside the park may expect gifts or money if they have to host many foreign guests over the summer.

Jeeps can be hired in Ölgii for the 3-hour ride to the park or you can use a twice a week shuttle provided by Blue Wolf Travel to their ger camp inside the park.

To enter the park, you need a permit from the Mongolian Park Administration (MANSPAA). The permit costs 3000 ₮ and can be picked up at either the main entrance or at the MANSPAA office in Ölgii.

While Tsambagarav Mountain is the dominate feature of the park and can be seen from miles away, the park also has many interesting things to see like glaciers, waterfalls, beautiful vistas, ancient historical sites, and nomadic families.

The National Park is in very pristine condition and offers many great activities for those that enjoy being in the outdoors. Hiking and horseback or camel riding are the best ways to get across the park. While the most popular activity is staying with one of the nomadic Kazakh or Uriankhai families that live inside the park during the summer months when everything becomes green. A visit to one of the families inside the park will take you back to a lifestyles that haven't changed much in over 1000 years. Some of the Kazakhs eagle hunt and can show you their eagles, though there is only hunting during the winter. If you go with a guide, they can show you petroglyphs and Turkic standing stones. Also, you can go fishing or bird watching if you are there at the right time.
Climb Tsambagarav Mountain and the smaller Tsast Mountain inside the park. Both will require ropes and crampons, though smaller peaks in the park can be hiked.

Cultural experiences

No trip to Mongolia would be complete without at least a meal inside a ger with a real-life nomadic family. The hospitality and tradition of even an unannounced visit will be surprising to most westerns. Though the food variety is limited and not particularly health as it consists mostly of mutton, flour, and oil, the ceremony of cooking and eating large servings of simple cuisine of the steppe is a truly unique experience. Everything is washed down with hot milky tea. The Kazakhs and Uriankhai inside the park have different customs and cooking styles that will become obvious with close observation. After eating, watch the family tend to their animals and go about their daily routine, or even lend a hand. It is recommended to bring a small gift of useful supplies in exchange for hosting you. Many families living inside the park host foreigners throughout the summer and are being very generous in feeding random tourists. So, don't be offended if they ask for 5,000 ₮ or 10,000 ₮ for a meal and a place to sleep.

Summer activities

• Trekking
• Fishing
• Archery Lessons
• Mountain Climbing

Winter activities

• Eagle Hunting
• Skiing

Tours

There is not a lot of infrastructure in Mongolia in general, and Bayan-Ölgii especially. There are no paved roads or many places to stay or eat or even buy food outside of the city. The parks are completely pristine, often without even borders fences between Russia and China. Therefore most visitors use one of the several tour groups located in Ölgii for transportation, camping equipment, food, and guides. The largest companies offer unguided tour options to the main national parks with only transportation and supplies, but no guide, cook, or other services. While other activities like mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, or going with an eagle hunter on a hunt will require a guide for most people.

• Western Altai Tours

  phone: +976 95773443
  Provides full service trekking, jeep tours, drivers, camping, cooking, et al., with either prepared packages or custom-designed experiences. The owner, Taskhyn Khalamkhan, has worked as a guide for 7 years and speaks English, Kazakh, and Mongolian.

• Altai Expeditions

  phone: +976 9942 7003
  They provides fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, jeep, hiking, whitewater rafting, and mountain climbing. The owner, Bekbolat, is a expert mountain climber and whitewater rafting guide. They operate a ger camp, guesthouse, and restaurant in Ölgii.

• Bear Valley Adventures

  phone: +976 9942 6311, +976 9966 2324
  Bear Valley has tour packages that offer cultural experiences, trekking, hiking, horseback-riding, fishing, cycling, kayaking, and mountain climbing. The owner, Akhmaral, has been a guide for many years. They have a ger camp and restaurant in Ölgii.

• Blue Wolf Travel

  phone: +976 9493 4994
  They are a large tour operator in Bayan-Ölgii, with ger camps in Sagsai and Ölgii, scheduled shuttle services to Tavan Bogd and Tsambagarav National Parks, tours in Russia, China, and Kazakhstan Altai regions, a wide selection of tours including unguided tours, and the only snow skiing trips in Western Mongolia.

• Kazakh Tours

  phone: +976 9942 2006
  They offers a broad selection of tour packages and services, including scheduled shuttle services to Tavan Bogd and unguided tours. Their tours have many exciting activities such as fishing, bird watching, eagle hunting, mountain climbing, and whitewater rafting.

• Jolaush Travel

  phone: +976 9942 9910, +976 9305 7710
  Jolaush Travel is a family-owned and operated travel company that has extensive experience with foreigners and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers. Jolaush Travel has packaged trips to Tavan Bogd National Park, fishing trips, and other custom packages.

• Western Mongolia Tour

  phone: +976 99924866
  address: 12th micro district Jasyl Bak, Street No 06, Door No 18
  Local tour agency that can organize any outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, mixed tours and even hunting with eagles. Gives out all local travel information for free.

• Horse Trails Mongolia

  phone: +976 99003445
  address: Zuun-Mod, Tov province
  We do organize costomized horse treks in Kharkhiraa and Turgen Mountains, as well as Tsambagarav and Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

The nearest store to the park is in the summer location of the small village of Altantsogts, 30 km to the south of the park. The small shops only carry a limited assortment of hard candy, oil, flour, and maybe beer, vodka, soda, and juice. So, it is probably a good idea to stock up on anything you need for the trip in Ölgii. You can get most of your food and drinks there. Between the bazaar and supermarkets, many fruits, vegetable, and other staples are available. However, any camping or hiking gear should be brought from Ulaanbaatar or from home, or rented from one of the tour guides in Ölgii.

You should bring all your food from Ölgii if you can. However, you can stop by a nomadic family living inside the park during summer and eat traditional Kazakh or Mongolian food with them. This mostly consists of mutton, flour, and oil. Kazakh sometimes eat horse-meat, which is delicious. Though they are very hospitable people, gifts are greatly appreciated and recommended.

Lodging

There is one small ger camp inside the park during summer. You could also stay with one of the nomadic families living inside the park during the summer months.

Camping

There are not really any designated campsites inside the park, so you can camp anywhere if you bring a tent. However, if you camp near a herder family, it's customary to ask for permission to camp near their ger. They will almost always say yes, and may even invite you inside for milky tea and a meal, or even to sleep inside.
If traveling with a tour company they will (or should) have everything you need for a comfortable camping experience. Take pains to make sure they are reputable and do have what you need. Ask the park information office about good camping areas in the park.
The same rules for camping apply here as anywhere else in the world. If you pack it in, pack it out! This is especially important in and around mountain, where serious high alpine climbing can be had. It is a very fragile area and easily impacted by human use.
As for camping toilet needs. There are no toilets. If you don't know how to "shit in the woods", you'll want to practice a bit before undertaking a Mongolian adventure. Also, there most likely won't be any woods. Don't worry; Mongolians aren't prudes.

A small temporary village is located just west of the park. The village of Altantsogts (government, schools, clinic, shops, etc.) relocates 30 km south during summer to follow the nomadic herders.