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Location and Direction of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Keep your ears open, dear adventurers! If you are looking for a great place to challenge yourself, you have found it! Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is an amazing place to explore the wild side of nature.
Believe me or not, you can feel four seasons at a one time from this place! It’s located in the Bayan-Olgii Province, 1840 km away from Ulaanbaatar. The park covers a total area of 6,362 square kilometers and there are so many things to see and admire during the trip, such as the three of Mongolia’s largest glaciers: the Potanin Glacier, the Alexander Glacier, and the Grane Glacier.
You can explore the park on foot, by horseback, or by car. But I would highly recommend a horse! And of course there are also a number of tour operators who offer guided tours of the park. This place is named after the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain – which is the tallest mountain in Mongolia! The highest point is called Khuiten peak, rising 4374 meters above sea level.
“Altai Tavan Bogd” means “ Five mountains”, so there are four other peaks except Khuiten peak. They are called Nairamdal peak \4082m\, Ulgii peak \4050m\, Malchin peak\4037m\, and Burged peak\4068m\. And this place is home to many different animals, including the argali sheep, ibex, wild goat, red deer, lynx, wildcat, fox, weasel, ermine sable, squirrels and many more.
There are also more than 200 bird species in the park including the golden eagle. It’s the perfect place for you to challenge yourself and experience all that wild nature!
Attractions in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Milky river, the Potanin Glacier
Potanin Glacier is one of the coolest thing located in Altai Tavan Bogd. Because when I saw the milky color of this glacier, my jaw was on the ground! The reason of milky white color is due to the large amount of sediment that is carried by the water.
This glacier was named after Russian explorer Potanin who discovered it in 1876-1880. It’s amazing to think that this glacier has been around for more than a hundred years, isn’t it? The Potanin is 10.4 km long and one of the largest glaciers in Mongolia. Trust me, seeing this natural wonder will be an interesting experience for you!
The Yolt Basin
During my travel around the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, I was amazed by the natural beauty of the Yolt Basin. This place is home to a variety of endangered animals and plants, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular attraction.
This place is located on the border with China and most of the place is mountainous and forested, making it a cooler and more maintaining than other parts of the park. Rich in medicinal plants and edible plants, the Yolt basin has preserved its original appearance. As I reached the top of the one mountain and saw the aspect below me, I felt like I had met nature mother herself.
Baga Oigar petroglyphs
From this place you can see the fascinating glimpse into the lives of early people. There are so many petroglyphs date back 8,000 years, from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. These petroglyphs depict a wide range of subjects, from animals to hunting scenes to everyday life. And there are 10,000 individual pictorial letters in total.
It’s so fascinating to see how people lived so many years ago, and to imagine about all of the history that lies behind them. The petroglyphs at Baga Oigar spread over 500 meters of land and extend for 15 kilometers. In other words, it is a whole art gallery of early ages. This place was recognized by UNESCO in 2006 and protected as a World Heritage Site.
Baga Turgen waterfall
If you are visiting to the Altai Tavanbogd National Park don’t miss your chance to enjoy the beauty of the Baga Turgen waterfall. This waterfall is the highest in the park, with a height of 15 meters. It is fed by the Turgen River, which flows down from the Tavan Bogd mountains.
Visitors can see the waterfall from a viewing platform. The aspect from the viewing platform was truly stunning! I could see the river flowing over the edge of the cliff and could hear running water from all around me. It was an amazing experience to be there in person. You can also walk to the bottom of the waterfall, and take some pictures if you want!
Related: 17 Best places to Visit in Mongolia
Things to do in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Eagle festival
Every year, they host a eagle festival in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. During the festival, eagle hunters demonstrate their skills and compete in traditional games. And you can also watch performances by traditional musicians and dancers, enjoy traditional foods and drinks. The Eagle festival is a great opportunity to learn about the part of Mongolian unique culture. But the highlight for me was getting to see these magnificent birds up close. Scary but cool at the same time!
Buy some handmade crafts from the locals
If you’re ever in Bayan-Olgii province, be sure to pick up some handmade crafts as souvenirs. The local people are so talented and known for their beautiful handmade purses, bags, jewelry, wall clocks, bedspreads, upholstery, hats, dresses, vests, and children’s toys. Each of them is unique and made with love.
You’ll be supporting the local economy and bringing home a piece of beautiful cultural exchange with you. It is a win-win situation! So don’t forget to pick up some handmade treasures before you leave!
Visit the random locals home
The people of this place is increadebly hospitable and friendly. You will be an honored guest in any home even though they don’t know you. When I first arrived in this place, I was welcomed with open arms by the people here. They even prepared a table full of food for me, and we had a warm conversation. It was such a great experience, and I felt right at home here.
Hiking
Just imagine hiking in the highest mountain of Mongolia! The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is a hikers paradise. But this place is a must-see for everyone, not just a hikers And with so much natural beauty to take in, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. When you first see the mountain, you wonder how a person can climb it. But when I come down and think that I have succeeded, I felt so proud.
Important essentials of Altai tavan Bogd national park
After all, if you’ve decided to a visit the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, there are a few essential items you’ll need to pack.
- Hiking boots are a must – the park is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Mongolia, and you’ll want to be prepared.
- Camera – the views are truly incredible, and you’ll want to capture them forever!
- Snowboard – If you’re visiting during the winter months, this park is one of the top destinations for snowboarding in Mongolia!
- Cash – It is always good to have cash on hand when traveling, in case you need to buy something unexpectedly.
- Warm clothes – Altai tavan bogd national park is located in a very cold region of Mongolia, so it can be quite cold even in the summer months.
