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2011/05/17

Crown of the Mongolia's Altai Mountain Majesty

Crown of the Mongolia's Altai Mountain Majesty

photo by Jaga. Hovd river valley 2009
The Crown of the Mongolia-spanning corners of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia.The region includes two United Nations World Heritage Sites. One, Uvs Nuur Basin. The second, Golden mountains of Altai. As stated in the UNESCO description of the site, "the region represents the most complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones in central Siberia, from steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forest, subalpine vegetation to alpine vegetation". UNESCO also cited n Altai's importance for preservation of the globally endangered mammals, such as snowleopard and the Altai argali, Siberian Ibex also live in these mountains. 
 No long ago, visitors to remote mountain valleys were likely to be horse-mounted hunters seeking hides and heads as trophies. 
Bear Valley, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. 
Today's backcountry trekkers are most often birders, fly casters, photographers, writers, researchers or snowshoers.  Many of today's year-round residents first came as tourists who, smitten by mountain vistas, returned with their professions or savings-and their urban tastes and expectations. 
While global warming and drying continue to define some small communities, demographics are changing rapidly as builders cater to migrants and weekenders who may not be aware of how their choices impact the traditions of local community and ecosystems they came to enjoy. 
Along natural coloured valleys and across open foothills, herders, conservationists, and many of the newcomers themselve, are joining to sustain working ranchlands, clear streams, and free ranging wildlife. Increasingly, those fortunate enough to visit in the Crown of the Mongolia are seeking less o dominate the landscape than to find a personal harmony with it.  

Quotation: David Thomas, writer, Fernie, BC

2 comments:

  1. How feasible is it to run out for an overnight camping adventure from the capital of Mongolia? I am accompanying my wife on business, but I fear that I may only have three days in-country... Alec

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  2. It is possible. Short tours of Mongolia includes the most exciting highlights around capital of Mongolia(UlaanBaatar or UB). These short or day tours in Mongolia give you great opportunities to experience Mongolian nomadic way of the life and relaxing and traveling in pristine beautiful national parks, such as Hustai National park(Reintroduction of the last species of wild horse – the Takhi - and building-up of a sustainable wild population), Terelj National Park, Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve and Manzshir Buddhist monastery ruin etc. Also we offer you day custom tours. With helps of our Mongolia day tour programs let's discover true nomads's culture and wonderful nature beauty.

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