Holiday in Mongolia: The Ultimate Altai Adventure

Discover the Wild Heart of Western Mongolia

11 Days / 10 Nights | Western Mongolia & Ulaanbaatar | Trekking, Nomadic Culture & Adventure

Embark on an extraordinary journey with Eternal Nomads Travel into Mongolia’s spectacular Altai Mountains, where snow-covered peaks, ancient stone monuments, turquoise lakes, and timeless nomadic traditions await.

Travel from the vibrant capital of Ulaanbaatar to the remote wilderness of Bayan-Ölgii. Trek toward the magnificent Tavan Bogd mountain massif, discover the Potanin Glacier, meet traditional Tuvan and Kazakh nomadic families, and experience the fascinating culture of golden eagle hunters.

Complete your adventure with visits to the legendary Chinggis Khan Statue Complex and the beautiful landscapes of Terelj National Park.

This is Mongolia at its most authentic: wild, welcoming, and unforgettable.

Tour Highlights

• Ulaanbaatar City Tour: Discover Mongolia’s capital, its Buddhist heritage, museums, and panoramic viewpoints.
• Altai Tavan Bogd National Park: Explore one of Mongolia’s most spectacular mountain wilderness areas.
• Potanin Glacier: Trek toward a magnificent glacier surrounded by towering mountain peaks.
• Malchin Peak: Hike to a high-altitude viewpoint overlooking the Altai Mountains and neighboring countries.
• Ancient Turkic Deer Stones: Discover historic stone monuments and learn about the region’s ancient heritage.
• Tuvan Nomadic Family: Experience traditional mountain life and local hospitality.
• Khoton & Khurgan Lakes: Explore beautiful alpine lakes and meet Kazakh nomadic families.
• Baga Turgen Waterfall: Enjoy a scenic hike through the western Mongolian landscape.
• Golden Eagle Hunter: Visit a Kazakh eagle-hunting family and learn about the traditional art of training golden eagles.
• Kazakh Folk Performance: Experience traditional music and cultural entertainment in Ölgii.
• Chinggis Khan Statue Complex: Visit the impressive monument dedicated to Mongolia’s legendary ruler.
• Terelj National Park: Discover Turtle Rock, mountain scenery, and the peaceful Aryabal Meditation Temple.

Tour Overview

• Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
• Destination: Ulaanbaatar, Ölgii, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Khoton Lake, Khurgan Lake, and Terelj National Park
• Tour style: Adventure, trekking, cultural immersion, and nature
• Recommended season: Summer, subject to mountain access and local conditions
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Transportation: Domestic flight, four-wheel-drive vehicle, and horseback riding
• Accommodation: Hotels, camping, and traditional ger camps
• Starting and ending point: Ulaanbaatar
• Price: Available upon request

Your 11-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, meet your local team and transfer to your hotel.

After settling in, begin exploring Ulaanbaatar with a guided city tour. Visit Zaisan Hill for panoramic views of the capital, discover Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and explore a local museum to learn about Mongolia’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Enjoy your first evening in Mongolia and prepare for your journey into the remote western mountains.

Highlights: Ulaanbaatar city tour, Buddhist culture, Zaisan Hill.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2 — Fly to Ölgii: Discover Western Mongolia

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver and travel into town. Explore the local open-air bazaar, where regional foods, traditional goods, and Kazakh handicrafts reflect the distinctive culture of western Mongolia.

Learn about the area’s Kazakh heritage before settling into your hotel.

Highlights: Domestic flight, Ölgii town, local market, Kazakh culture.

Accommodation: Local hotel in Ölgii.

Day 3 — Journey to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

Leave Ölgii and travel toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, passing through spectacular mountain landscapes and remote valleys.

Along the route, stop to explore ancient Turkic deer stones, historic monuments decorated with symbolic carvings. Continue through the Snake Valley toward the national park’s mountain wilderness.

Arrive in the White River valley, known locally as Akh Gol, and set up camp amid the magnificent Altai scenery.

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and prepare for the trekking adventure ahead.

Highlights: Ancient deer stones, Snake Valley, White River valley, mountain camping.

Accommodation: Camping in the Akh Gol area.

Day 4 — Horse Trek to Potanin Glacier

Begin an unforgettable journey toward the Tavan Bogd massif, home to Mongolia’s highest mountain peaks.

Leave your vehicle at the designated trailhead and travel toward the mountain region by horseback, accompanied by local guides. Camels may be used to transport camping equipment and luggage, depending on the final arrangements.

Reach the spectacular Potanin Glacier area and admire the immense ice formations surrounded by towering mountains. Depending on weather, glacier conditions, and professional safety assessments, a guided walk on suitable glacier terrain may be possible.

Spend the night camping in this extraordinary alpine environment.

Highlights: Horse trekking, Tavan Bogd mountain massif, Potanin Glacier, high-altitude scenery.

Accommodation: Camping near the glacier.

Important: Glacier access is weather-dependent and should only take place with appropriate equipment and qualified guidance.

Day 5 — Hike to Malchin Peak

After breakfast, set out on a challenging mountain hike toward Malchin Peak, one of the accessible summits in the Tavan Bogd massif.

Climb through dramatic alpine terrain and enjoy breathtaking views across the Altai Mountains. From suitable viewpoints, you may see mountain landscapes extending toward Russia and the wider Altai region.

Take time to appreciate the immense scale of the wilderness before returning to the same campsite.

This is one of the most rewarding days of the journey for trekking enthusiasts and landscape photographers.

Highlights: Mountain trekking, panoramic views, alpine scenery, photography.

Accommodation: Camping in the Tavan Bogd region.

Activity level: Challenging, with altitude and weather conditions influencing the hike.

Day 6 — Return Trek & Visit a Tuvan Nomadic Family

Begin your return journey toward the national park entrance, retracing the mountain trails with your local horse guides.

Along the way, experience the hospitality of a Tuvan nomadic family and learn about their traditional lifestyle in the Altai region. Discover how local families adapt to the mountain environment and maintain their cultural traditions.

Subject to local arrangements, you may have the opportunity to learn about traditional homemade beverages and local customs.

Continue to your overnight location and enjoy a relaxing evening after several days in the mountains.

Highlights: Return horseback trek, Tuvan culture, nomadic hospitality.

Accommodation: Countryside camp or local accommodation, as confirmed.

Day 7 — Khoton Lake & Khurgan Lake: Meet Kazakh Nomads

After breakfast, travel toward the beautiful Khoton and Khurgan lake region.

The landscape changes as you approach these pristine alpine lakes, surrounded by mountains, meadows, and remote settlements. Visit a local Kazakh nomadic family and experience their traditional way of life.

Discover the colorful decorations inside a traditional ger, learn about family customs, and enjoy the opportunity to connect with local hosts.

Spend the evening in the beautiful lake region, surrounded by the quiet wilderness of western Mongolia.

Highlights: Khoton Lake, Khurgan Lake, Kazakh culture, traditional ger visit.

Accommodation: Camping or local accommodation, subject to confirmation.

Day 8 — Baga Turgen Waterfall & Golden Eagle Hunters

Start the morning with a scenic hike toward Baga Turgen Waterfall. Enjoy the surrounding mountain landscapes and the refreshing atmosphere of the waterfall area.

Return to the campsite for lunch before beginning the drive back toward Ölgii.

Along the way, visit a traditional Kazakh eagle-hunting family. Meet the eagle hunter, learn about the centuries-old relationship between hunters and golden eagles, and discover how the birds are trained and cared for.

Summer visits generally focus on cultural encounters, photography, and training demonstrations rather than active hunting.

Arrive in Ölgii and enjoy a hot shower and time to relax. In the evening, experience a traditional Kazakh folk performance accompanied by regional music and cultural entertainment.

Highlights: Baga Turgen Waterfall, golden eagle hunter, Kazakh hospitality, folk performance.

Accommodation: Local hotel in Ölgii.

Day 9 — Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, visit a local museum in Ölgii to discover more about the history and cultural traditions of Bayan-Ölgii Province.

Explore the local bazaar and observe the region’s distinctive trading culture before transferring to the airport for your domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Upon arrival, meet your local team and transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in the capital after your western Mongolia adventure.

Highlights: Ölgii museum, local bazaar, domestic flight, return to the capital.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 10 — Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park

After breakfast, leave Ulaanbaatar and travel toward the impressive Chinggis Khan Statue Complex at Tsonjin Boldog.

Discover the enormous equestrian statue and explore the complex, which offers insight into the legacy of the founder of the Mongol Empire. Depending on opening arrangements, visit the exhibition area and enjoy panoramic views from the complex.

Continue toward Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, famous for its dramatic rock formations, mountain scenery, and open grasslands.

Stop at Turtle Rock, a remarkable granite formation shaped like a turtle, before visiting Aryabal Meditation Temple, set among the surrounding hills.

Enjoy the peaceful natural setting and settle into a traditional ger camp. Optional horseback riding or camel riding may be arranged, depending on availability.

Highlights: Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, Turtle Rock, Aryabal Meditation Temple, Terelj National Park.

Accommodation: Traditional ger camp.

Day 11 — Departure from Mongolia

Enjoy breakfast and take in your final moments in Mongolia before transferring to Chinggis Khaan International Airport.

Depart with unforgettable memories of the Altai Mountains, remote nomadic communities, golden eagle hunters, and the vast landscapes of Mongolia.

Meals: Breakfast, subject to the final arrangement.

Accommodation: Not included.

What’s Included

The following services can be arranged as part of your package and should be confirmed in the final quotation:

• Airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii
• Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii
• Ground transportation in a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle
• English-speaking tour guide
• Experienced local drivers and mountain guides
• Horse support for the Altai trekking section
• Camel support for luggage transport, where arranged
• Accommodation as specified in the final itinerary
• Camping equipment for planned camping nights
• Meals during the tour, according to the confirmed meal plan
• Entrance fees for included attractions
• Visits to nomadic families and an eagle hunter
• Planned sightseeing and cultural activities
• National park access arrangements and required permits, where applicable

What’s Not Included

Unless specifically stated in your confirmed quotation, the following are excluded:

• International flights to and from Mongolia
• Travel insurance and emergency medical evacuation
• Visa fees, where applicable
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Alcoholic beverages and additional drinks
• Tips for the guide, driver, horse handlers, and local hosts
• Optional activities not specified in the itinerary
• Extra hotel nights before or after the tour
• Excess baggage fees on domestic flights
• Personal trekking equipment
• Specialized glacier safety equipment, unless explicitly included
• Additional services resulting from weather or itinerary changes

Accommodation Experience

Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii

Enjoy comfortable hotel accommodation at the beginning and end of your journey and during your stay in Ölgii. Room categories and facilities depend on the confirmed properties.

Mountain Camping

Experience Mongolia’s wilderness with overnight camping in the Altai Mountains. The camping section offers extraordinary scenery and a close connection with nature, but facilities are basic.

Expect limited access to showers, toilets, electricity, and mobile coverage.

Countryside Accommodation

Depending on the final arrangements, nights in the Khoton and Khurgan lake region and after the return trek may involve camping or local accommodation.

Traditional Ger Camp in Terelj

Spend your final night in a traditional Mongolian ger camp surrounded by mountain landscapes. Facilities vary by camp and room category.

Food & Dining

Experience Mongolian and western Mongolian cuisine throughout your journey.

Meals may include traditional meat dishes, noodles, rice, vegetables, bread, dairy products, and milk tea. During visits to Kazakh and Tuvan families, you may have opportunities to learn about regional food traditions.

In remote mountain areas, meals are generally simple and prepared according to available supplies.

Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements should be requested in advance. Options may be limited in the wilderness.

The exact meal plan will be confirmed with your quotation.

Trekking & Physical Requirements

This adventure combines road travel, horseback riding, hiking, and camping in remote mountain terrain.

• Fitness: A good level of fitness is recommended.
• Altitude: Parts of the itinerary involve high-altitude terrain, including a summit hike above 4,000 meters.
• Horse riding: Horseback riding is an important part of reaching the Tavan Bogd region. Previous riding experience is helpful.
• Glacier access: Any glacier walk requires a safety assessment, appropriate equipment, and qualified local guidance.
• Weather: Conditions can change quickly, and snow or ice may remain at higher elevations during summer.

The Malchin Peak hike and glacier excursion may be adjusted or canceled if conditions are unsafe.

Best Time to Visit

Summer is the recommended season, subject to park access and local conditions.

The warmer months bring greener valleys, alpine wildflowers, and more favorable opportunities for trekking and cultural visits. However, mountain weather remains unpredictable, and high-altitude nights can be cold.

The itinerary is best planned around local conditions, domestic flight schedules, and any permit requirements for the national park.

What to Pack

For this adventure, we recommend bringing:

• Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
• Thermal base layers and warm mid-layers
• Insulated jacket and waterproof outer shell
• Warm hat, gloves, and wool socks
• Comfortable riding trousers
• Daypack of approximately 20–30 liters
• Trekking poles
• Sunglasses with strong UV protection
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Reusable water bottle or hydration system
• Headlamp and spare batteries
• Personal medication and basic toiletries
• Power bank and camera equipment
• Passport and any required travel permits
• Sleeping bag suitable for cold mountain nights, unless supplied by the operator

Confirm which camping and glacier safety equipment will be provided before departure.

Responsible Cultural Travel

Western Mongolia is home to diverse communities, including Kazakh and Tuvan families whose traditions are closely connected to the surrounding landscape.

During visits, respect local customs and privacy. Ask permission before taking photographs, follow your hosts’ guidance when interacting with animals, and be mindful of the environment.

Eagle-hunting demonstrations and other cultural activities depend on seasonal conditions and the availability of local hosts. Summer visits generally offer opportunities to meet eagle hunters and learn about their traditions, but active hunting is not guaranteed.

Important Travel Information

Domestic flights: Flights to and from Ölgii are subject to schedules, weather, and availability. Leave flexibility for international connections.

Remote travel: Road journeys can be long and may involve rough terrain. Travel times are estimates and can change.

Camping: Mountain camping involves basic facilities and limited access to showers, toilets, electricity, and communications.

Permits: Altai Tavan Bogd is a remote border region. Access permits and identification documents may be required, and arrangements should be confirmed before departure.

Weather and safety: The itinerary may be modified due to mountain weather, snow, glacier conditions, road access, or local circumstances.

Accommodation: The exact number of camping nights and the arrangements for Day 6 and Day 7 should be confirmed in the final itinerary.

Tour Price

Price available upon request.

The final tour price can be discussed based on:

• Your preferred travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Accommodation preferences
• Domestic flight availability
• Camping equipment and support arrangements
• Guide and horse support requirements
• Optional activities and additional services

Contact Eternal Nomads Travel for a personalized quotation and a detailed breakdown of the services included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Mongolia?

Yes, for active travelers who want a combination of cultural sightseeing and wilderness adventure. The high-altitude trekking section requires good fitness and preparation.

Do I need previous trekking experience?

Previous trekking experience is recommended, particularly for the Malchin Peak hike. The route may be adjusted according to fitness, weather, and local guidance.

Will I walk on the Potanin Glacier?

A glacier walk may be possible if conditions allow and the necessary safety equipment and qualified guidance are available. It is not guaranteed.

Can beginners ride horses?

Horseback travel is part of the mountain itinerary. Let us know your experience in advance so the local team can assess suitable arrangements.

Will I meet a golden eagle hunter?

The itinerary includes a planned visit to a Kazakh eagle-hunting family. The exact activities depend on the host’s availability and seasonal conditions.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. Travel dates, trekking difficulty, accommodation, and additional sightseeing can be discussed with Eternal Nomads Travel.

Is there internet access in the mountains?

Mobile coverage and internet access are limited or unavailable in many remote areas. Prepare for several days without reliable connectivity.

Why Choose Eternal Nomads Travel?

At Eternal Nomads Travel, we create meaningful journeys that connect travelers with Mongolia’s spectacular landscapes and living cultural traditions.

Our adventures combine local knowledge, thoughtfully planned logistics, and authentic encounters with nomadic communities. From the rugged Altai Mountains to the peaceful valleys of Terelj, we help you discover Mongolia beyond the ordinary.

We believe every journey should be memorable, respectful, and tailored to the traveler.

Begin Your Mongolian Adventure

Trek through the magnificent Altai Mountains, discover ancient monuments, meet welcoming nomadic families, and experience the legendary traditions of Mongolia’s golden eagle hunters.

From the wilderness of Tavan Bogd to the open steppe of Terelj, this 11-day adventure reveals the extraordinary diversity of Mongolia.

Eternal Nomads Travel — Discover Mongolia. Experience the Extraordinary.

Request a Custom Quote | Plan Your Altai Adventure