Mongolia is everything you imagine it to be - empty plains, big skies and an ancient people still riding horses as part of their everyday lives.
The peaks and associated glaciers are part of a national park that borders Mongolia, China and Russia. A wild, remote, beautiful wilderness made up of spectacular flowering fields and vast open mountain tundra, inhabited only by traditional herding families and abundant wildlife. Such a place exists!
Mount Khuiten is part of a mountain chain called Tavan Bogd, meaning 'Five Kings' with each of the peak names representing simple meanings; Nairamdal – friendship; Malchin – herder; Burgd – eagle; Ölgii – cradle and Khuiten – cold.
This expedition is an opportunity to experience remote mountaineering in a true wilderness landscape. You will have the opportunity to meet the traditional people who lead a seasonal lifestyle, adapted to the harsh environment. In addition, you will take in the more modern aspects of Mongolia including the Naadam Festival in Ölgii.
The expedition is also ideal for those who don't want to climb as the itinerary and group size allows trekkers to be part of the group.
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.
We employ strong and specialised Expedition Leaders and Sherpa staff who are recognised as some of the most pre-eminent mountaineers in the industry.
Many operators make statements about their services that are intentionally designed to mislead or avoid addressing important issues. The reality on the mountain is that unless you have a strong and experienced leader with sufficient Sherpa staff in support, the chances of summiting are dramatically reduced. Expeditions that are operated by local staff, with no qualified and experienced western guides, are generally not able to offer you a legitimate level of safety or success. These expeditions have the highest ratio of accident and frostbite injury on trips which may seem cheap at the time when booking but the long term effects make the price difference irrelevant.
The AC approach to making expeditions work for you is reflected in the quality and safety of the expeditions we run along with our consistently high success rate.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
Exclusions
The price of your trip does not include:
Account Information
All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:
Bank of New Zealand
Offshore Branch
42 Willis Street
Spark Central
Wellington
New Zealand
for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited
Account # 1000-594771-0000
Account Type: US Dollars
Swift Address: BKNZNZ22
Note: All bank transfer charges are for the remitter's account.
We can also accept your deposit and balance payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) plus a 3% credit card fee.
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of US$500 is payable to secure a place on the expedition.
Balance
The balance is payable 90 days prior to trip start date
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 90 days prior to your trip commencement date. An expedition member may then cancel their participation on the following basis:
We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent if you wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons.
The Expedition Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for Adventure Consultants' Mount Khuiten Expedition.
You can view the trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the following link:
Team Membership
We will take a minimum of 4 people with 1 guide and a maximum of 8 people with 2 guides, hence spaces are limited.
Our Guides
The expedition leader will be scheduled approximately six months out from the trip start. All of our trip leaders to Himalayan peaks have extensive experience at high altitude and a proven record of safety, success and compatibility.
Lydia Bradey
Expedition Leader
After years of personal climbing expeditions in New Zealand and the Himalaya (including being the first woman to ascend Mount Everest without oxygen in 1988), Lydia is now guiding with Adventure Consultants. Her strong personal skills and breadth of experience are a real asset on any trip into the mountains. As well as being a qualified NZMGA Climbing Guide she is also a qualified physiotherapist.
Lydia has guided several expeditions to Mount Khuiten and the surrounding region.
Head Office Support Team
Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.
Katie Topham
Katie has been with Adventure Consultants since 2019 in the role of Client Liaison. Having spent many years working in the outdoor industry, Katie brings a wealth of experience to her role.
Difficulty Rating
Each of our trips is individually rated according to its physical and technical difficulty, displayed in the icons towards the top of each trip page. You can click on the accompanying question mark for additional descriptions and the full run-down of our grading system is available on our Difficulty Ratings page.
Food
Food will be of the highest standard possible, given the remoteness of the situation. Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements. In Ölgii and during the approach trek we will be camping and have a mobile kitchen staffed by the expedition cook. At Mount Khuiten Base Camp we will be eating in a traditional ger. Our Base Camp equipment and ample, nutritious meals are always the best quality with nothing being overlooked.
Clothing & Equipment
Expedition trek members will be sent a list detailing all necessary clothing and equipment to be individually provided. On the approach to Base Camp all gear and equipment is carried by camels. There is only limited porter support on this expedition so the team and individual equipment will have to be carried to the high camp by the expedition team members, thus it is important that only the correct amount of gear is taken along.
| Day | |
| 1 | Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meet at airport, transfer to hotel, gear checks |
| 2 | Flight to Bayan-Ölgii in Western Mongolia, transfer to Ger camp, outside Ölgii |
| 3 | Tour Ölgii sights and Naadam Festival Horse racing |
| 4 | Drive to Tsagaan Gol Valley, camping |
| 5 | Trek to Base Camp, stay in ger camp |
| 6 - 12 | Acclimatisation treks. Climb Mount Khuiten (4,375m/14,354ft) |
| 13 | Trek to Tsagaan Gol Valley, camp |
| 14 | Drive to Ölgii, camp outside town, stay in ger camp |
| 15 | Fly to Ulaanbaatar, overnight hotel |
| 16 | Trip Ends - Depart for home |
| Day | |
| 1 |
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar: Meet at airport, transfer to hotel and gear checks. Ulaanbaatar is the capital city of Mongolia, a mix of Asian faces and Soviet-bloc architecture. You will be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel, where your guide will check your equipment and undertake a briefing for the expedition ahead. Depending upon the time of your arrival, we can visit the Dinosaur Museum, attend a cultural concert, which is a mix of contemporary theatre and traditional throat singing, or eat shashlik kebabs at one of the local restaurants. |
| 2 |
Fly West to Ölgii town: Flight out to the far west of Mongolia and Ölgii in the state or aimag of Bayan-Ölgii. The town is a mix of small concrete Soviet apartment blocks, gers (yurts), horses and motorbikes with sidecars. It lies on a high alpine plateau at 1,700m/5,600ft, surrounded by brown and red hills which look amazing in the evening light. In Ölgii, we will meet our drivers and transfer to a ger camp. From there we will go out to see the first day of the annual Naadam Festival, involving throat singing, dancing, traditional Mongolian wrestling and archery competitions. |
| 3 |
Tour Ölgii sights and Nadaam Festival Horse racing: The second day of Naadam Festival is the famous Mongolian horse racing, with the 25km/15.5mi overland race for horses over 2 years being the most important race of the whole day. In a country where children can learn to ride before they walk, the Naadam race carries the ultimate status. In Bayan-Ölgii, it is children who ride the horses in the race, many bareback, in the effort to reduce weight. The horses are small and tough, galloping over rocks for much of the race. It is an amazing day to experience in this wild desert landscape. |
| 4 |
Drive to Tsagaan Gol Valley, camping: We start our journey to the mountains in Russian 4WD vehicles, driving over rolling hill terrain and through valleys, passing ger camps where people live in summer grazing their animals. We do not drive on roads but routes and tracks through grasslands and seemingly desert terrain. The Bayan-Ölgii countryside is inhabited mostly by Kazak people and the families out grazing their herds run fat-bottomed sheep, goats, yaks and horses. You can watch as the half-wild horses gallop to the crest of a hill, manes flowing and following the stallion, sweeping across the valley floor with their foals within the bunch. Towards the road end we begin to see stunning geological formations called “rock glaciers”. In areas of permafrost with low precipitation, glaciers can form composed of more rock than ice. Here in the Tsagaan Valley, we see these unusual formations covered in red rocks, striking against the green and brown landscape. Once we reach the road end, we will pitch camp for the night by a stream and enjoy the hospitality of a neighbouring ger for some tea before dinner. |
| 5 |
Trek to Base Camp, stay in ger camp: Today is a long day trekking to Base Camp and after approximately 5–7 hours of walking, we arrive at the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Our loads will be carried either by horses or Bactrian (two-humped) camels. We walk past rock glaciers, across broad grasslands, through wild flowers and alongside a river carved into red rock. We stop briefly to examine and photograph ancient petroglyphs—remarkable rock art drawings that date back some 12,000 years and illustrate the development of culture in Mongolia over time. Eventually, we climb a small hill and gaze across to the five Kings of the Altai, the five highest peaks in Mongolia, including the beautiful Mount Khuiten 4,375m/14,354ft, which we have come to climb. Our Base Camp is on grass amongst the wildflowers, right next to the Potani Glacier at 3,100m/10,170ft. We will have a traditional Mongolian ger as our Base Camp tent, inside which the cook will prepare our meals and we can sit and eat. |
| 6-12 |
Acclimatisation treks and climb Mount Khuiten 4,375m/14,354ft (7 days): Over the following days, we will rest and acclimatise, plus trek/climb Malchin Peak 4,051m/13,290ft from Base Camp, returning along the Russian border and down through a tiny valley full of flowers. After some rest, we will pack up one or two nights of food and move to an advance camp on the glacier beneath Khuiten Peak. From there, we will climb the highest mountain in Mongolia and stand on the borders of China, Russia and Mongolia, a dramatic vista. If the weather is favourable and the conditions good we may be able to climb another King of the Altai on our last day, or we may prefer to rest, sunbathe, take photos or go for some gentle walks. |
| 13 |
Trek to Tsagaan Gol Valley, camp: The trek out is relaxed. With a little advance warning, we can arrange for you to hire a horse and ride out to the waiting 4WD vehicles. This can be loads of fun and if you haven’t had any experience with horses, we can ask for a “good or quiet horse”. Beware of the horses with a bundle of owl feathers tied to their tail—this means good luck and good speed, and shows that they have been racing at Naadam! At the camp, you will find it is common for Mongolians to sit around, play a two-string guitar and sing, and they will be keen for you to join in! |
| 14 |
Drive to Ölgii, stay in ger camp: During the return journey, we are happy to sit and take in the stunning scenery. We will stop in a “sum” or village used by people living remotely as winter lodgings. These settlements look very like a Western town in a cowboy movie, with desert, dust, horses and huts. Cast your eyes up and far in the distance, you may see the white cap of a glaciated 4,000m/13,000ft peak, enticing you to go on another adventure! We can visit Ölgii in the evening and check out the nightlife, or relax by the side of the river near town. |
| 15 |
Fly to Ulaanbaatar, hotel: The flight from Ölgii to Ulaanbaatar departs around lunchtime and we have a little time to go in search of Kazak ger wall hangings (which are very collectable) and other mementoes of our journey into the Wild West. We will arrive into Ulaanbaatar and be transferred to our hotel. That evening we can eat out at one of the many good restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, and celebrate our adventure and climb. |
| 16 |
Depart for home: If your plane departs later in the afternoon or evening, it will be possible to go shopping in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is famous for its cashmere clothing and blankets and has recently begun to make some amazing felt products, diversifying into some wonderful fashion. It is possible to buy evocative paintings depicting wild horses and Mongolian riders on the great plains of this country, by which to remember your visit. Or you may simply choose to visit a café and reflect upon our Mongolian journey. |
Finding the right travel and rescue insurance for your mountaineering adventure can be tricky! Rest assured when you book with the expedition specialists here at Adventure Consultants we'll help by sending through advice on what you'll need, including:
For further information check out our Travel and Rescue Insurance page or contact us.
The following is to serve as a helpful guideline on our Mount Khuiten Expedition. Please note you will be emailed a set of Team Reference Notes upon registration. This extensive booklet includes detailed information to assist in the planning of your trip, from travel and medical advice to equipment lists and photography tips.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
info@adventure.co.nz
US: +1 866 757 8722 (Freephone from North America)
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read the full AC History here.
A few outfitters claim to have the same level of experience and prestige as Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you the first choice for your climbers?
We are renowned for the quality of service and strategy applied to our expeditions. Our reputation is attributed to the meticulous planning and logistics coordination done by our head office. Once on the ground, you can expect to be well looked after by our guides so that you can relax and enjoy trekking and climbing in this amazing country.
What showers and laundry facilities will be available on the expedition?
Due to the short length of this expedition, there are no shower and laundry facilities available while on the trek/climb. A bowl of hot water can be provided on occasion and we also advise people to bring wet-wipes for an impromptu wash at the end of the trekking day.
What food will be available?
You’ll get breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, as well as ample hot and cold drinks. We can cater for vegetarians as well as many other special diets as long as we are informed of this prior to the trip. All of our expeditions provide excellent local and Western food! If you have any special treat you like, we encourage you to bring some along.
What is the food like?
Expect Mongolian and Kazakh dishes such as shashlik (kebabs) and sizzling plates of meat and vegetables. Once on the mountain, we typically focus on MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) which are real food, freeze-dried and vacuum sealed. Please indicate any specific dietary requirements you may have on your application form. We are happy to accommodate those with specific diets.
What is the accommodation like?
In Ulaanbaatar, we use a 5-star hotel and when in Ölgii we stay in a ger camp. The rest of the trip is camping based.
What is the best way to get to Mongolia?
Regular flights operate into Ulaanbaatar’s Chinggis Khaan International Airport from Beijing, Hong Kong, Berlin and Moscow. Korean Airlines have daily flights from Seoul and as does Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.
Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts? And when should I book my flight to leave?
No, our trip programmes all have an arrival day and a departure day built into them. You are welcome, and encouraged, to arrive a bit earlier to explore Ulaanbaatar if you have the time.
When should I book my ticket?
Generally, we ask you to wait until 90 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights then ensure you can make changes to your tickets or you run the risk of losing your ticket if we do have to cancel the trip. In such situations, we are usually able to help you book on to an alternate departure, either with us or another operator.
Can I get a cheap ticket online?
The problem with these tickets is that you usually end up having to pay quite a lot more if you have to make any changes to your ticket. Some of the places we go to aren't straightforward, and we highly recommend using a travel agent for such travel as there are many intricacies that they can help you with. In the long run they save you money! We use professional travel agents for all our staff and guides' travel bookings to our expedition and trek destinations.
Where do we meet? Will I be picked up?
Our Mount Khuiten expedition flies into Ulaanbaatar’s Chinggis Khaan International Airport and an Adventure Consultants guide or representative will be there to pick you up off your flight. If you are arriving before the scheduled trip start date, we can also often make arrangements for a pick-up.
What if I am arriving early or departing late?
Adventure Consultants can make reservations for you and can often make recommendations for attractions you can enjoy while waiting for your trip to begin.
Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?
Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit.
Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?
Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared. Please bring everything on the list!
How warm do we need our sleeping bags to be? Will there be extra blankets available if required?
This will be clearly stated in your recommended gear list. It will depend on where you are going, but in general you will need a sleeping bag warm enough for you in conditions that can be as cold as -15˚C. Blankets are generally not available so pay careful attention to the sleeping bags we recommend. We suggest buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear some clothes in if it is especially cold. Sleeping in a warm hat can greatly improve a bag's warmth.
How much weight will we carry on the expedition?
You will carry your day pack with warm clothes, water, snacks, sun block, camera and whatever else you need for the day. Generally, it will be light, 5–10kg/10–20lb. On summit day(s) you will add your down jacket, technical climbing gear (which you will be wearing most of the time) and heavier gloves.
How many guides will be assigned to our group?
For the Mount Khuiten climb we will take a minimum of 4 people with 1 guide and a maximum of 8 people with 2 guides.
Who goes on your trips?
Our climbers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, countries and skill levels, ranging from those seeking skill development to those seeking assistance with the world's highest mountains, or purely adventure. We provide courses, expeditions, treks and guided ascents for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.
I would like to arrange a private trip, is this possible?
We are happy to arrange a private group trip to the destination of your choice and we have run many successful private trips and expeditions including summits of 8,000m peaks such as Manaslu and Kanchenjunga, all Seven Summits and remote destinations such as Antarctica. There is no specific group size, but obviously larger groups are more cost-effective. Please contact the office for more information or visit our Private Customised Expeditions page.
What kind of physical condition should I be in for the expedition?
We cannot recommend enough in regards to being fit prior to the expedition as this will make all the difference to your enjoyment and success. Focus on pack carrying on steep and varied terrain, aiming to carry 5-10% more than the maximum pack weight of approximately 10-15kg/20-30lb.
Endurance training is also important as you will have to be able to trek, carrying a light pack for 4-6 hours on most days. Summit day can be 6-8 hours long, so do fit some longer days into your training also.
Do also check out the training programs on our Fitness Training page.
How do I know this is the right trip for me?
We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.
Will there be any access to a satellite phone? If yes then what would be the charges for usage?
Yes, most of our expedition guides take satellite phones and you are welcome to use these at US$3 per minute. Most often, your guide will post daily dispatches on the AC website in which your friends and family can follow your progress.
I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them?
Many of our treks and climbs send daily internet dispatches, and we receive updates from our guides while they are in the field. The best place to reach a loved one is through our office.
What insurance do we need to get?
On all of our international expeditions, there is a requirement for each expedition member to have insurance to cover any personal or medical mishaps that may occur before or during the expedition. Click here for more information on expedition insurance.
Do I need evacuation insurance?
Yes, it is very important. Many of our expeditions are in remote places with no roads and developing medical services. In the unlikely event you get sick, you want to get to good medical care ASAP.
Who do you recommend for insurance?
Coverage varies based on your nationality and the trip that you are taking with us. When you have booked on for a trip with us we will send you comprehensive information on various insurance options which will serve as a good starting point for obtaining the best coverage available for yourself.
What is Trip Cancellation Insurance?
We recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to all our expedition and trek members. You should purchase the insurance upon sign up for your expedition or at the very least when you pay for your flights and balance payment. It is very important to buy trip cancellation insurance (in addition to your evacuation and comprehensive travel insurance) as it is not unknown for people to have unforeseen circumstances that force them to cancel their trips for reasons such as family illness, injury to one’s self, etc.
Can I pay by credit card?
We can accept both the trip deposit and balance payment on credit card. Please note that there is a 3% fee for all card transactions. Please contact our office or visit our online payment system.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Please see the 'Payment Conditions' section above for the inclusions and exclusions for this particular trip. There is also a downloadable pdf document in the 'Trip Notes' section above. International airfares are not included in the trip price. We can however recommend excellent travel agents with whom we have worked should you require help with arranging your international airfare.
Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators?
Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline!! Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified western guides, proven dependable local operators, small group sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things. You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Many clients come to us after failing on one of our competitors ‘cheaper’ trips.
How do I sign up for a trip?
The best way to reserve your space on the trip is to contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.
info@adventure.co.nz
US: +1 866 757 8722 (Freephone from North America)
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
I love the photographs in your brochure and on your website, are they for sale?
Yes, our images are available for licensing or purchase. Please contact our office for more information.
What is the best equipment for photography in alpine environments?
There is an extensive section in our reference notes, which are sent out on receipt of your trip registration form and deposit, explaining about photography in the mountains.
Remember photos are wonderful records of your expedition but keep camera gear simple and light to best enjoy the trip you are on. Disposable and digital cameras are the lightest weight, but all cameras have maintenance issues that need to be carefully considered before bringing them to high elevations.
I want to become a mountain guide, where do I start?
Those with limited experience generally start by taking an alpine climbing course and then go out and climb for a few years. You generally should have at least 5 years of climbing and/or teaching/guiding experience. You need avalanche and medical training and then you can apply to do an NZ Mountain Guides Course or the equivalent in your country, aligned with the IFMGA.
Please see Adventure Consultants Mountain Guide Scholarships on our Career Opportunities page and check the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association for more information.
