Asia Travel To Mongolia To See A Total Eclipse Of The Sun

Total Solar Eclipse & Mt Kharkhiraa Trek 2008

24th July - 05th August (Limited Places Available)

Offering on the altar in a Buddhist temple ©OTMT

On 1st August 2008 there will be a total eclipse of the sun. One of the best places in the world to view this unusual phenomenon is western Mongolia, not far from the end of our Mount Kharkhiraa trek in Uvs province. We have timed the trek to coincide with the eclipse.

Uvs is a spectacular region encompassing permanently snow-capped mountains, glaciers, torrential rivers, salt-water and freshwater lakes, sand dunes and a variety of rare animals and plants. The local people use camels and horses as working animals, and our guides will bring their camels to carry all the luggage and equipment as we hike from one camp to the next.

Total Solar Eclipse & Mt Kharkhiraa Trek Route ©OTMT

A moderate level of fitness is required for this 7 day trek in remote wilderness and the highest pass we climb reaches 2930 meters. There are several deep river crossings, for which we get a lift on horseback. At the end of the trek we meet our driver who will take us by jeep a few hours westwards into Bayan Ulgii province so that we should be exactly in line for a complete view of a total eclipse of the sun.

	24 July	Arrive Ulaanbaatar.
	25 July	Free day in Ulaanbaatar.
	26 July	Take the 3 hour flight to Ulaangom in Uvs. Jeep to Tarlian village. Start trekking and camp near to some ancient (7th and 8th century) graves.
	27 July	Trek along the valley of the Kharkhiraa river to reach camp opposite a wall of red cliffs.
	28 July	Hike up to Kharkhiraa pass and set up camp in a dramatic place surrounded by snow covered mountains and glaciers.
	29 July	Climb to the top of Kharkhiraa pass and across a wild open plateau. Pass beside a beautiful lake at the foot of Diglee Tsagaan mountain, then continue hiking.
	30 July	Hike across the area called “Many Lakes” and towards “Camel Rock”.
	31 July	Trek to Khotgor, a small coal mining village where the people speak Kazakh and the gers are decorated with fine carpets made by the ladies.
	01 Aug	Meet our driver and take the jeep towards Achit Lake and beyond to the place where we set up camp and view the total eclipse of the sun.
	02 Aug	Jeep to Gobi Altai. Overnight camping.
	03 Aug	Jeep to Bayankhongor. Overnight camping.
	04 Aug	Jeep to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight camping..
	05 Aug	Depart.
		Price: Euro €2195

Package Includes:
	• All meals (except UB) • Hotels • Domestic flight • Special permit	• Pack camels • All transportation • Local guides • Tour leader
Not Included:
	• International Flight • Visa cost • Meals in UB • Excess baggage