Botanical tours
35-Day Altai Five Peaks to Nomrog Botanical Expedition
A west-to-east botanical expedition across alpine, wetland, desert, steppe and riverine ecosystems.
Overview
This botanical expedition traverses Mongolia from west to east, exploring the country's most diverse ecosystems and plant communities. From the glacier-fed valleys of the Altai Mountains to the rich riverine forests of Nomrog Strictly Protected Area, the journey covers alpine tundra, wetlands, deserts, semi-deserts, mountain forests, steppes, river valleys, and eastern grasslands. It is designed for botanists, naturalists, photographers, researchers, and nature enthusiasts interested in Mongolia's remarkable floral diversity. Mongolia is home to an exceptionally diverse flora, with more than 3,200 recorded vascular plant species adapted to habitats ranging from alpine tundra and taiga forests to vast steppes, wetlands, semi-deserts, and the Gobi Desert....
Photo gallery
Field images
8 photos
Itinerary
Day by day
Exact roads can change with weather and local conditions. Drive times shown here come from the itinerary notes.
01
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Drive: Airport – Hotel (52 km, 1–1.5 hrs)
Airport pickup Expedition briefing Preparation and equipment check Overnight in Ulaanbaatar
02
Flight to Ulgii → Altay Five Peaks
Flight: Ulaanbaatar → Ulgii (3 hrs) · Drive: 160 km (5–6 hrs)
Fly to Ölgii and travel to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, home to Mongolia's highest mountains and a rich diversity of alpine flora. The journey offers excellent opportunities to observe unique mountain plants, wildflowers, and spectacular high-altitude landscapes of the Mongolian Altai. Highlights Scenic flight across Mongolia Visit Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Spectacular mountain landscapes
03-32
Botanical Expedition Across Mongolia
Altai Mountains (Bayan-Ölgii) Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Alpine meadows and glacier ecosystems Endemic Altai flora High mountain botanical surveys Khar Us Lake, Hovd Mongolia's largest wetland ecosystems Aquatic and riparian vegetation Reed beds and wetland plant communities Gobi-Altai Mountains Mountain-desert transition zone Rare desert and rocky-slope flora Endemic dryland species Gobi Desert Saxaul forests Desert shrubs and medicinal plants Dune and gravel plain vegetation Khangai Mountains Forest-steppe ec...
33
Nomrog Strictly Protected Area → Choibalsan
Drive: 340 km (7–8 hrs)
Drive back to the Choibalsan before flight to Ulaanbaatar. Highlights Final views of eastern steppe Farewell to local hosts Return to Choibalsan
34
Flight to Ulaanbaatar
Flight: Choibalsan → Ulaanbaatar (2 hrs) · Drive: Airport Transfer
Highlights Return flight to Ulaanbaatar Farewell dinner
35
Departure
Drive: Hotel → Airport (52 km, 1–1.5 hrs)
Highlights Airport transfer End of expedition
What’s included
Airport pickup and airport transfer in Ulaanbaatar
All ground transportation during the tour (4WD vehicle with driver)
English-speaking tour guide
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Ger camps in the countryside
All meals during the countryside tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Entrance fees to national parks and sightseeing areas
Bottled drinking water during the trip
Fuel and road fees
Not included
International and domestic airfare
Travel insurance
Mongolian visa fee (if required)
Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, minibar, etc.)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Tips for the guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Additional hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar outside the program
Packing notes
Warm layered clothing (temperature swings are big)
Windproof jacket (very important)
Waterproof boots
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Personal medications
Power bank / spare batteries
Field notes
Roads are rough → expect long, bumpy drives
No paved roads in many areas
Remote regions → limited shops & facilities
Nights can be cold even in summer
Can change quickly: sun, wind, cold in one day
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