Enjoy Total Solar Eclipse from Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

According to NASA, the Total Solar Eclipse path pass through
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park of Mongolia.

This is a unique chance enjoying Total Solar Eclipse with Kazakh Eagle Hunters of Mongolia from Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

For this event we have two kinds of tour programs.

1. Total Solar Eclipse Tour for 8 days
2. Total Solar Eclipse Tour for 10 days.

To learn more about Total Solar Eclipse path of Mongolia please click here or download the presentation file about Total Solar Eclipse in Mongolia.

Total Solar eclipse in Mongolia, Aug-01-2008

Total Solar eclipse will be in Aug-01-2008. The path of the Moon’s umbral shadow begins in Canada and extends across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China. In Mongolia, the main central path of solar eclipse passes through Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd aimag, but from other regions of Mongolia it can be seen approximitly 80%.

Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd are western aimags(provinces) of Mongolia.

 

This is unique chance for those who wants to enjoy both Total Solar Eclipse and nomadic life style. Western Mongol Tour Co, Ltd and Snow peak camp will operate in the main path of Total Solar Eclipse in Mongolia.

 

In Fig. 1 shows the total solar Eclipse Path Passing through Mongolia. The Mogolian pathway of Total Solar Eclipse pass righ top of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

 

On the region of Altai Tavan Bog National Park, SnowPeak camp provides services to our clients.

 

 

 

Fig.1 Total Solar Eclipse Path Passing Mongolia.

SnowPeak Camp Pictures

Here I am going to introduce some of the pictures of SnowPeak CAMP

SnowPeak camp in Ulgii.

Kitchen of SnowPeak Camp.

Inside of our ger Camps in SnowPeak.

SnowPeak Camp in Ulgii.

Traditional shop in SnowPeak Camp.

FACTS ABOUT ULGII

Called “the Roof of the World”, Bayan-Ulgii is a far-off land of high mountains (the Mongol Altai - Tavan Bogd mountains with 4,373 m peak) torrents and glaciers, inhabited by Kazakh, a minority who has a different culture from the Mongols, herding yaks and goats and hunting with trained eagles.
 Bayan-Ulgii aimag is situated in the extreme West of Mongolia, on the West and North it borders with the Russian Federation and on the South-West with the People’s Republic of China. The Nairamdal peak 14,350 feet (4374 m) of the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain is the highest point, Khovd, the biggest river (321 miles /516 km in length) in the country flows through the territory of the aimag. There are many fresh water lakes in Bayan-Ulgii. Tolbo and Dayan lakes are the largest. This aimag is well-known for Ak-su, Chigertei and other springs. Every part of Bayan-Ulgii aimag is suitable for pasture. Rich flora of Bayan-Ulgii includes kobresia, sedge in the mountain plateau, gooseberry and ribes altissimum, also wild cherry, and sea bucks can be found along the banks of streams and rivers. 10 percent of the area is forest, consisting mainly of larches. Geological surveys have proved that this territory contains fossils, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil and building material resources. There are wild sheep, ibex, and snow leopards in the Altai high mountain range and marmots, foxes inhabit the lower slopes of mountains. There are bears, lynxes, and squirrels in the forests. 80 percent of the population is Kazakh and 17 percent is Uriankhai. In 1998, Bayan-Ulgii aimag harvested over 3.000 tons of grain, 600 tons of forage, and 21.452 tons of potatoes and vegetables. The coal mine of Bayan-Ulgii aimag produces 404.000 tons of coal and it’s trade turnover is over 166.7 million tugriks.

PLACES TO VISITED IN ULGII

Ulgii (Olgii). Elevation 1710m. Olgii, the capital of the aimag, is an ethnically Kazakh city that happens to be in Mongolia. You can certainly feel that you are in a Muslim-influenced Central Asian region, rather than in Mongolia: many places have squat toilets; in the city, there are signs in Arabic and Kazakh Cyrillic; the market, which is called a bazar rather than the Mongolian zakh, sells the odd kebab (shashlyk) and is stocked with goods from Kazakhstan. Olgii is 1645km from Ulaanbaator but only 225km from Russia.
Olgii is suffering from the outflow of Kazakhs to Kazakhstan following the break up of the Soviet Union. Olgii is the only aimag capital to have a serious decline in population: about 9000 Kazakhs left the city in 1992 and 1993. Many have since returned, disillusioned with life in the exSoviet republic and the population is rising once again.
The aimag museum gives an excellent of overview of Kazakh culture and of the geography of Bayan-Olgii. The 2nd floor is devoted to history, and the 3rd floor has some interesting displays; entry costs T 1000.
Olgii’s mosque and madrasah (Islamic place of learning) is worth a quick look, especially on Friday at lunch time when weekly prayers are held, though you may not be allowed inside. The mosque holds the offices of the Islamic Centre of Mongolia. Its unusual angle is due to its orientation to Mecca.
 

Tsagaannuur. Yet another place called Tsagaanuur (White Lake); the town is less famous for its lake (there are several bigger and nicer ones nearby) than as the starting point for travel by road into Russia.
 

Tsast Uul. The two sums (districts) of Altantsogts and Bayannuur are about 50km south-east of Olgii, on the border with Khovd aimag. They are full of lush valleys with friendly Kazakh and Mongol nomads in summer, dozens of tiny unmapped lakes and soaring, permanently snowcapped peaks, such as Tsast Uul (4193m).
 

Altay Tavanbogd Natural Park. This stunningly beautiful park stretches south from Tavanbogd Uul and includes the three stunning lakes of Khoton Nuur, Khurgan Nuur and Dayan Nuur. It’s a remote area, divided from China by the high wall of snowcapped peaks, and known to local Kazakhs as the Syrgali region.
All three lakes are the source of the Khovd Gol, which eventually flows into Khar Us Nuur in Khovd aimag. It’s possible to make rafting trips down river from Dayan Nuur, though no agencies offer this at present.
There are many archeological sites in the region. As the main road through the region swings towards the southern shore of Khurgan Nuur you can see a stupa-like construction and several burial sites. Nearby is a balbal (Turkic stone statue) and the remains of a processional pathway. Further along the road is a wooden Kazakh mosque, with a ger-shaped roof.
Further north-west, along the south-western shore of Khoton Nuur, the road deteriorates and there are several rivers to cross as they flow into the lake. North-west of Khoton Nuur the mountains close in and there’s some fine trekking possibilities.
 
Tavanbogd (Five Saints) mountain rises 4374m above the borders of three nations, and for this reason it is also known as Nairamdal (Friendship) Peak. If you sit on the summit, you can simultaneously be in Mongolia, China and Russia (though you won’t need a visa for all three).
Tavanbogd is one of Mongolia’s most spectacular peaks, of interest to professional climbers, and the only one in Bavan-Olgii to be permanently covered with large glaciers (including the 19km long Potanii Glacier, the longest in Mongolia). It’s fairly dangerous, and to climb it you need to be with an experienced group properly equipped with ice axes, crampons and ropes. Don’t even consider attempting it solo. The best time to climb is August and September, after the worst of the summer rains.The massif is made up of five peaks (the five saints) - Khuiten, Naran, Olgii, Buraed and Nairamdal - the highest of which is Khuiten (meaning ‘cold’) at 4374m.
 

Tolbo Nuur. Tolbo Nuur (Frog Lake) is about 50km south of Olgii, on the main road between Olgii and Khovd city, so it’s an easy day trip or stopover. The saltwater lake is high (2080m), expansive and eerie, but a bit disappointing because the shoreline is treeless. There are a few gers around the lake, and the water is clean enough for swimming if you don’t mind icy temperatures. If you want to see, and camp at, some better lakes, keep travelling on to Uvs aimag.

PROTECTED AREAS IN BAYAN - ULGII AIMAG

Most of the parks come under the jurisdiction of the Mongol Altai Nuruu Special Protected Area. Environmentalists hope that further sections of Bayan-Olgii will become national parks to preserve the argali sheep, ibex and snow leopard, as well as the important sources of lakes and rivers in the Great Lakes depression in the Uvs and Khovd aimags.
 

• Altai Tavanbogd National Park (636,161 hectares). Takes in Tavanbogd Uul, Mongolia’s highest mountain, and the stunning lakes of Khoton, Khurgan and Dayan. Fauna includes argali sheep, ibex, maral (Asiatic red deer), stone marten, deer, elk, Altai snowcock and eagles.
   
• Khokh Serkh Strictly Pro tected Area (65,920 hectare). A mountainous area on the border with Khovd, which protects argali sheep and ibex.
   
• Siylkhem Nuruu National Park (14,080 hectares). This new park, created in 2000, has two sections, one around Ikh Turgen Uul, the other further east.
   
• Develiin Aral Natural Reserve (10,300 hectares). A remarkable habitat around Develiin Island in the L’san Khooloi and Khovd rivers. Established in 2000, it is home to pheasants, boars and beavers.
   
• Tsambagarav L’ul National Park (110,960 hectares). Established in 2000 to protect glaciers and the snow leopard habitat borders on Khovd.

About Bayan-Ulgii

Bayan-Okjii Aimag is situated in the extreme west of Mongolia. It is very remote and isolated, with Mongolia’s highest summit, Khuiten Uul (4,353m above sea level) overlooking the borders with China and Russia. This spectacular peak is covered in giant glaciers, and is the place one is most likely to see the country’s rarest and most beautiful animal, the snow leopard. The mountain was not scaled until 1956, as it is not only the highest peak to climb but the hardest even to get near. It takes a 120km rough and potholed drive from Okjii and a 40km approach route. Climbing in the Altai range is in many ways more remote and lonely than in the Himalayas, needing the best equipment, lots of experience and a good guide.

Total Solar eclipse in Mongolia, Aug-01-2008

Total Solar eclipse will be in Aug-01-2008. The path of the Moon’s umbral shadow begins in Canada and extends across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China. In Mongolia, the main central path of solar eclipse passes through Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd aimag, but from other regions of Mongolia it can be seen approximitly 80%.  Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd are western aimags(provinces) of Mongolia.

This is unique chance for those who wants to enjoy both Total Solar Eclipse and nomadic life style. Western Mongol Tour Co, Ltd and Snow peak camp will operate in the main path of Total Solar Eclipse in Mongolia.

In the following table, Total Solar eclipse’s occuring time in Bayan-Ulgii provience and Khovd provience are shown.

Bayan-Ulgii aimag region sums(villages) where solar eclipse passes in Aug-01,2008
Bayan-Ulgii aimag
№	Sums(Villages)	Total Solar Eclipse occuring time (Ulaanbaatar Time)	Distance to the main path of Total Solar Sclipse (км)
1	Tsagaannuur	18:57 pm	54,0
2	Ulaankhus	18 :58	32,1
3	Tsengel	18 :58 м	27,0
4	Sagsai	18 :58 м	32,6
5	Bugat	18:58 м	44,8
6	Buyant	18:59 м	25,1
7	Altai	18 :59 м	15,3
8	Tolbo	18:59 м	37,3
9	Deluun	19:01 м	32,1
10	Bulgan	19:02 м	11,5
Khovd Aimag
1	Khovd	19:00м	58,5
2	Duut	19:01м	48,3
3	Mönkhkhairkhan	19:02м	45,7
4	Most	19:03м	54,5
5	Bulgan	19:04м	16,3
6	Üyench	19:04м	13,9
7	Altai	19: 04м	19,5

if you like to enjoy the pure nature, nomadic life, eagle hunting, and eclipse 2008 Uglii is the right choice. For more information, please contact contact@westernmongoltour.com.

For local time in Ulaanbaatar click here.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2008 August 01

On Friday, 2008 August 01, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half the Earth. The path of the Moon’s umbral shadow begins in Canada and extends across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbral shadow, which includes northeastern North America, most of Europe and Asia.

 For more information please visit http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008.html

Eagle Festival 2007 pictures

Dear all,

Today, I am going to share with some pictures from Eagle Festival 2007 in Ulgii, Mongolia.

Eagle festival is an annual festival held in Bayan-Ulgii aimag of Mongolia. In eagle festival, eagle hunters(in Kazakh BURKITSHI) will make an show catching small animals such as fox, rabbbit by their trained eagles.