Detailed itinerary

Day 1. Fly from Moscow to Abakan. Arrive in Abakan at about midnight. Hotel in Abakan. 

Day 2. Drive (the entire day) via Ak-Dovurak and Teeli to the start point of the trek in Tuva. 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 colourful 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 hour walk up to the top of 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. We walk by opened highlands of Kamenisty Ridge around the Kurgag Kholash Valley. The day is long about: 7-8 hours walking. Camp by Syr-Buziun River. Horses take a shorter but less picturesque route to the campsite.

Day 6. Walk 30 min. down the valley with a possible visit to a local yurt. Walk about 3 hours up to the Tarbagannyg-Oy Ridge by a good horse path through a larch forest. From the top of the ridge we can look back on the route taken so far. Descend towards the Khemchik Valley, 2h.30mins. Camp in a grove by the Khemchik tributary.

Day 7. Cross the Khemchik by a bridge. This is the second biggest river in Tuva after the Yenisei. Walk up by the Khemchik Valley to where the Chohon-Khem river flows into it. Camp by the river.

Day 8. Walk up by the Chohon-Khem River. Camp in its upper reaches. Note: Day 7 and day 8 can be combined in which case day side trip can be arranged to a picturesque valley below a 3,087m summit.

Day 9. Walk over the Shivitig Pass, 2,918m. Down along the Chinge-Khem river to the foot of Perevalny Pass, camp.

Day 10. Walk to the top of Perevalny Pass, 2740m. 3-4 hours uphill. Now along the top of Dagyr Dag Ridge with excellent panoramas. Camp in an open area by Chalamalyg Pass.

Day 11. Continue walking by Dagyr Dag Ridge down to camp in the upper reaches of Chek-Oi River.

Day 12. 2 hours walk down to the Khemchik Valley. Meet vehicle and drive to Kyzyl (circa 8 hours). Hotel in Kyzyl.

Day 13. Day in Kyzyl. We will visit the National Museum, Shaman Clinic and attend a concert of throat singing. Night in hotel.

Day 14. Drive to Abakan for flight to Moscow. Arrive in Moscow at about 14:00. Drive to hotel with a tour of the city on the way. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 15. Breakfast. Trip ends.