Uvs, one of Mongolia's 21 provinces, is located over 1,000 km from the capital with relatively difficult access by land, as there are few or no roads leading there, apart from the numerous tracks that crisscross the region. In recent years, Uvs has been served by a regular domestic flight to its capital, Ulaanbaatar/Ulaangom.
The Uvs province is one of the coldest regions in the country, but also among the hottest, with a temperature range of 80°C between summer and winter.
After the 1921 revolution, the entire western part of the country was designated as "the jewel with mountains" (in Mongolian Chandman), referring to a particularly beautiful area. It is populated in the north by the Dörvöd ethnic group, which is the majority in this area, and bears the name of Mongolia's largest lake, Uvs.
The salinity of Lake Uvs varies between 3 and 35 g/l. It is fed by several freshwater rivers originating from melting snow and glaciers. This ecosystem provides a unique nesting site for many bird species and serves as a favored area for migratory birds. Over 200 species have been identified, including some quite rare ones such as the white-headed duck and the black pelican.
The region offers a wide diversity of ecosystems and landscapes, ranging from the snow-capped peaks of Turgen and Kharkhira (4,000 m), including Deglii Tsagaan Uul, to the sand dunes of Boorog Deliyn Els and Altan Els, which stretch 180 km long and 40 km wide, covering an area of 7,000 km².
A significant wildlife population thrives in this region between deserts and mountains, including rare animals such as the Mongolian gerbil, the snow leopard, the wild sheep (Argali), and the Asiatic ibex.
Since 1997, the Uvs Nuur Basin has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its biodiversity and richness of fauna and flora.
This entire desert region was once highly significant due to the presence of large salt lakes from which precious salt was extracted. Today, the Uvs province is well-known among Mongolians for the sea buckthorn, a shrub with orange berries widely used in traditional medicine and now famously referred to as the "yellow doctor" (or "shar doctor" in Mongolian).
Due to its remoteness from the capital and lack of infrastructure, Uvs is one of the least touristy regions in Mongolia, despite offering incredibly varied, unique, and exceptional landscapes. It is here that the large salt lakes are found, where the wild peaks of Kharkhira and Turgen dominate the steppes, and where the longest sand dune belt in Mongolia, Boorog Deliyn Els and Altan Els, stretches out.
It is within this pristine and untamed natural setting, between towering peaks, abundant steppes, arid zones, and sand dune belts, that we have designed for you this camel trek, following the ancient "Salt Route."
Salt, Spices, Silk…
As far back as civilizations extend, salt, spices, and silk have captivated human interest, driven by necessity or pleasure, fostering an inexhaustible long-distance trade.
Thus, the legendary Silk Road has woven its history over the centuries… However, since the 15th century, another, less-known route emerged, traced by Kazakh, Russian, and Mongolian traders. This route, still known today as the "Salt Route," was one of the main trade axes connecting their three countries. The route passed through Mongolia, between the Altai and Tannu Mountains, now part of Russian territory.
This east-west trade route traversed the broad passage between the mountain ranges, also taking advantage of the presence of large salt lakes in northwestern Mongolia to transport valuable cargoes to Russia, Kazakhstan, or central Mongolia.
This route thrived for centuries, traversed by camel caravans, better suited than horses for carrying heavy loads over very long distances, until Soviet dominance brought an end to this epic, as with many others; motorized vehicles erased the slow march of the caravans.
We invite you to trace the path of these caravans, briefly reliving the era of the great "Salt Route."
For your utmost pleasure, we offer this camel trek that winds through the heart of the "Salt Route," in a region that was once a gateway to the West, starting from Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia during the reign of Chinggis Khaan and his descendants. Your enjoyment will be shared by our Kazakh camel drivers, whose oral tradition has preserved the history of these caravans in the remote west of Mongolia, at the foot of the Altai Mountains.
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