Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Mongolia

 
 

In July 2009 I visited Altai Tavan Bogd National Park in the far west of Mongolia.  The area is extremely inaccessible, as it is situated right at the border of Mongolia with Russia, Kazakhstan and China.  Therefore, I needed to obtain special permits from local officials to enter the area, which could only be reached by 4WD vehicle.  In my case, the 4WD was a UAZ-425 (pronounced “Wuzz”), a relic of 1960s Soviet engineering but which could go absolutely anywhere provided its engine was not overheating.  Because of its shape, it is colloquially known as the “bukhanka”, which means “loaf”.  My journey began in Ulgii, a town in Mongolia’s far west.  Click on any image to enlarge it.