Detailed itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Moscow. Overnight flight to Abakan.

Day 2. Arrive in Abakan. Drive to beginning of the trek, ca. 400 km. Camp not far from the Shivilig medicinal Spring.

Day 3. We walk through alpine meadows then by a good horse trail over a small forested pass to an open high-altitude steppe surrounded by colorful mountains. We ford a 70cm deep river with a help of horses. Camp by the edge of the steppe zone near the entrance to a narrow river canyon in a fir-tree grove. Around one may see ancient rock paintings, Scythian burial mounds, Turkic stellas (stone poles). 15km walking.

Day 4. 4-5 hour walk up Mount Chailag-Mongulek 2677m to see several ancient burial mounds yet to be excavated. Tuvans say the God of the Salchak's clan is hidden here. We gain about 650 m altitude and have good views of Khemchik Valley. 2 hour descent to camp by the Suglug-Kholash river.

Day 5. A good path lies over a gentle col covered by dwarf birch and juniper. Down to the Kurgag Kholash (Dry Kholash) River. It's called Dry because in a few kilometres it disappears under the ground. We walk across the river by boulders in its bottom. Then there is a gentle walk along the forest edge. Cedar forest, beautiful scenery. The forest ends with a short ascent to a pass where we can see a yak-breeders hut. Gentle grassy slopes lead down to our camp by the Sir-Buzun River.

Day 6. Walk up to the Tarbagannyg-Oy Ridge by a good horse path in the larch forest. It is possible to visit a Tuvan yurt and try the local food. From the top of the ridge we can look back on the route taken so far. Walk down to the Khemchik Valley. Khemchik is the second biggest river in Tuva after Yenisei. Cross Khemchik by a bridge and camp by the river.

Day 7. Walk 10 km up by the narrow Chinge-Khem River in the forest. We ford the river 5 times in sandals (not difficult). Camp near the start of the ascent to Perevalny Pass. 5 hours.

Day 8. Comparatively steep walk in the forest, then long gentle walk by high altitude tundra up to cross the Perevalny Pass, 2740m. The pass is marked by "ovaa" - a holy place - rocky pyramid with rags etc on wooden poles. To the right we can see the white massif of Ak-Oyuk, 3604m, the second highest mountain of Tuva after Mongun-Taiga. From the pass we gently descend to our camp by Poshtug-Khem (Cedar River). Ca. 7-8 hours.

Day 9. 1? hours down by the Poshtug-Khem River to reach Shui River Valley, cross the Shui River on horseback. Then a short walk up by Shui and about 10 km walk up by Uzun-Khem (Long River). We pass through a picturesque gorge between 1 km high walls. Camp by the forest boundary. 5-6 hours.

Day 10. Climb Bely Klyk (White Fang), 3333m, by a technically easy route. No special equipment required. A very good view of Uzun-Khem mountain group.

Day 11. Walk 7 km up by open high altitude zone in Uzun-Khem canyon. The path zigzags steeply past many green lakes. Over Uzun-Khem Pass, 3100m. From the pass there is a good view of the white massif of Mongun-Taiga. Walk down to the Karga River Valley where we meet a vehicle to drive ca. 30 km to the foot of Mongun-Taiga to set up a base camp by the forest boundary.

Day 12. About 3 hours walk up to a beautiful campsite in a moraine pocket near the NE glacier of Mongun-Taiga.

Day 13. Ascent Mongun-Taiga, 3970m. This is walking in crampons. An ice-axe is not required. We'll take a safe route without crevasses - by a rocky ridge above the glacier, then gentle walk up by the glacier dome to the top. Excellent view of the Mongolian vastness and numerous big lakes, the Altai Mountains and the mountains of South-Western Tuva. The way up to the top from "In Moraine Pocket" camp takes 3-4 hours. Down to the camp for a cup of tea and continue to the base camp where we arrive at about 4 pm. Drive about 1? hours to Mugur-Aksy village. Stay in a local house. Siberian banya (bath).

Day 14. Drive to Kyzyl, ca. 400 km. Hotel.

Day 15. Day in Kyzyl. Visit the National Museum, Shaman clinic and Buddhist Temple. Night in hotel.

Day 16. Fly from Kyzyl - to Krasnoyarsk then on to Moscow. Transfer to hotel Rossia.

Day 17. Fly back home.