Tour Description
Join us on a 12-day trekking journey deep into the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains, where Mongolia meets Russia and China. Over the course of 108 km on foot, you will cross glacier-carved valleys, high mountain passes, and wide alpine meadows. One of the highlights is the climb of Malchin Peak (4,051 m), offering breathtaking views of Mount Belukha in Russia and the vast Ukok Plateau.
Each day reveals something new — ancient petroglyphs from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age, crystal-clear lakes, vast green valleys, and the warm hospitality of nomadic families. Supported by our professional team, you carry only a daypack while your gear is transported by camels. This trek offers the perfect balance of cultural discovery and high mountain adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- 108 km trekking adventure through valleys, passes, and glacier landscapes of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains
- Climb Malchin Peak (4,051 m) for breathtaking views of snowy peaks and the Potanin Glacier
- Stay with nomadic families – meet Tuvan camel drivers and Kazakh herders, share milk tea, and learn their traditions
- Experience eagle hunting culture with a Kazakh hunter and take a photo holding a golden eagle
- Discover ancient history – explore petroglyphs and burial sites dating from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age
- Unforgettable camping nights under starry skies beside alpine lakes and at the foot of sacred mountains
- 2 pax: 3,205 USD
- 3-4 pax: 2,855 USD
- 5-6 pax: 2,615 USD
- 7-8 pax: 2,500 USD
- 9-10 pax: 2,295 USD
- 11-12 pax: 2,145 USD
- Single supplement: 325 USD
Dates
What’s Included
- 1 Overnight in a hostel in Ulgii town (Twin/B)
- 2 Overnights in 4 star hotel (Twin/B)
- 8 Tented overnights (Twin)
- Flight ticket UB – Ulgy - UB
- Camping & cooking equipment
- All indicated meals
- Drinking water
- All visits and sightseeing fees
- NP and border area permit fees
- Overland transport: Russian 4*4 van(s) including gasoline
- All airport transfers
- English speaking guide
- Expedition cook
- Pack camels and camel drivers
- Satellite phone for emergencies
What's Excluded
- Sleeping bag and mat
- Travel insurance
- Excess baggage fee on local flights
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Day 1 : Arrival at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, we will take you to your 4-star hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, you will start a city tour, visiting Sukhbaatar Square and the Genghis Khan Museum. At 6:00 pm, you will enjoy a traditional folk show with throat singing (Khoomei), contortion, and Mongolian dances. After the show, you will have dinner. ( Hotel/Dinner)
Day 2 : Flight to Ulgy town, drive to Tsagaan gol valley
In the morning, we will fly to Ulgii, the only city in Mongolia with a large Muslim community. There we will meet our support team, including the cook and driver. From Ulgii, we drive to the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains and continue to the Tsagaan Gol Valley. This valley is home to the Tuvan people, a small ethnic group in Mongolia. They speak a Turkic language but follow Buddhism. The Tuvans will be our local guides and will lead the camels for the next few days. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 3 : Trek to Altai Tavan Bogd base camp (BC)
Today we trek to the base camp of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains. In the morning, camel drivers will load our luggage, and we will carry our daypacks with lunch prepared by the cook. We walk about 15 km, slowly gaining altitude. From the first hill, we see the Tsagaan Gol Valley and the snow-covered peaks. The weather can change quickly with snow, rain, or wind, so bring a rain jacket and warm clothes. Today we reach a maximum altitude of 3,100 m, and we will stay overnight at the base camp at 3,000 m, surrounded by the peaks and glaciers of Altai Tavan Bogd. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 4 : Climb to Malchin peak 4051m
Today we climb Malchin Peak (4,051 m), one of the five sacred peaks of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains. We begin early in the morning. The trail is rocky but does not require technical mountaineering gear; only trekking poles are recommended. As we climb higher, we pass alpine meadows and rocky ridges. Since we will be above 4,000 m, you should bring a raincoat, windstopper, warm down jacket, and your packed lunch. The climb takes about 6–8 hours in total. From the top of Malchin Peak, which sits on the Mongolia–Russia border, we will enjoy panoramic views of the Altai peaks, the Potanin Glacier, Mount Belukha in Russia, and the wide Ukok Valley. Today’s maximum altitude is 4,051 m, and in the evening we return to base camp at 3,000 m. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 5 : Trek to White river valley, visit Tuvan family
Today we pack our luggage and walk down the beautiful Tsagaan River Valley. Along the way, we cross small swampy areas and hear the powerful sound of the river rushing through narrow gorges and moraines. From the valley, we can see the Grane Glacier, named after a Finnish geographer, and the snow-covered Altai peaks that look like something from a fairy tale. On the way, we will visit a Tuvan family, enjoy warm conversations, and taste traditional milk tea, yak butter, curd, and yogurt. The trek covers about 19 km. Today we descend to 2,400 m. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 6: Trek to Khar Salaa valley
Today we trek about 18 km to the Khar Salaa River Valley. Our route takes us to the foot of Shiveet Khairkhan, a sacred mountain long worshiped by the Tuvan people. The area is rich in wildlife, especially ibex, and is also home to ancient rock carvings, burial sites, and human remains dating from the Paleolithic (Stone Age) to the Bronze Age. We will set up camp at 2,650 m at the foot of the snowy mountains. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 7: Trek to Bear valley
Today we face the challenge of crossing the Takhilt Pass (3,200 m), a snowy mountain pass that serves as the main migration route between the northern Altai and the southern steppes. Local herders use this pass only from July to September. The landscapes on each side of the pass are very different: the north side is rocky and open, while the south side is green with flowers, forests, and marshes. We will trek about 19 km in total and descend to 2,100 m, where we set up camp. (Tent/B,L,D)
Day 8: Trek to Tsagaan-Us valley
Today we trek 21 km along the Tsagaan-Usny River Valley. The trail leads through green valleys with larch trees and marshes. On the way, we will see a heart-shaped lake at 2,183 m. In the evening, we camp in a wide open valley at 2,116 m, where our driver will meet us. (Tent / B,L,D)
Day 9: Trek to Khoton lake
Today we say goodbye to the camel drivers and continue our journey towards Khoton & Khurgan Nuur Lake, 20 km. Along the way, we will pass ancient tombs and visit local Kazakh families, where you can see and buy their handmade crafts. By afternoon, we reach the lake shore, where you can relax and even swim. Tonight we camp at Biluut Tolgoi (2,080 m), a famous petroglyph site with rock carvings dating from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age. (Tent/ B,L,D)
Day 10: Drive to Ulgii town and visit Eagle Hunter's family
Today we travel 220 km to Ulgii. On the way, we stop at a Kazakh eagle hunter’s home to learn about the tradition of eagle hunting and take photos with a golden eagle. In Ulgii, we check into a hotel. In the evening, we visit a Kazakh family, enjoy the national dish besbarmak (“five fingers”), and experience dombra music and songs in a warm family performance. (Hotel/B.L.D)
Day 11: Flight back to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. The afternoon is free to rest or explore the city. You may visit souvenir and cashmere shops. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Hotel/B.L.D.)
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your international flight. ( B.)
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Altai Mountain Trekking Tour -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trek -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trekking Tour Mongolia -
Altai Mountain Trek
Jenny B
2 treks. 1 in each of the Kharkiraa Turgen NP and Altai Tavan Bogd NP
We all agreed these were the best walks we have ever done. From the organisation of Mongolian Expeditions, the professionalism of the guides, fantastic cooks and camel drivers, the remoteness and beauty of Mongolia and cultural highlights of visiting herdsmen and their families in their gers, this was a special trip. A highlight of being the first group for the season to cross the Most Pass and the effort of our guides and camel men in preparing the pass the day before to ensure the camels could safely navigate it demonstrates their enthusiasm and professionalism in making this such a great trip. Importantly Mongolian Expeditions is Mongolian owned and run which shows in their local knowledge and ability to problem shoot and as tourists our responsibility to add to the local economy.
Ian T
First-rate trekking experience in western Mongolia with Mongolia Expeditions
I organised a group comprised of friends and members of my local hiking club to trek in Mongolia using Mongolia Expeditions, based on recommendations from participants in a 2019 trip. Mongolia Expeditions did not disappoint. We spent three weeks in Mongolia, focused on two treks in western Mongolia (Kharkhiraa-Turgen area and Altai Tavan Bogd, including Malchin Peak) and had a very positive and enjoyable experience. The landscape was impressive and varied and we appreciated the cultural interactions we experienced. Mongolia Expeditions provided a very professional level of service, both in dealing with their Ulaanbaatar office and on the treks. The treks were well-planned and managed. There was positive, friendly interaction with the staff during the treks and we appreciated the good line of communication we had through our chief guide, who spoke fluent English. Meals were good and fairly varied. The cook even managed to bake fresh bread on a couple of occasions! I will be recommending Mongolia Expeditions to other people I know who are interested in exploring Mongolia.
QuietlyRetired
Well-organised, safe trekking in wonderful scenery
I used Mongolia Expeditions for two treks for my bushwalking club and was very happy with their service. The guides were friendly and professional. They set a patient pace and got all of us up Malchin Peak. The food was great - dinners usually consisted of a starter salad with an interesting dressing, then meat, vegetables and rice or pasta, followed by a small but elegant dessert. There were vegetarian options. We were impressed by the hygiene of the cooking team - not easy to achieve in a tent. Our sleeping tents were roomy and had only a few non-working zips and some minor leaks - which is pretty standard for most trekking tents. Mongolia is an excellent place for Australians to walk - no jet lag. The scenery varies from spectacular to pretty, and being mostly in the 1700 to 3000 metre range, has little risk of altitude sickness. Most of the time you are walking in areas with quite a bit of animal dung about, but you get used to it. I have recommended Mongolia Expeditions with a lot of enthusiasm and as a result 2 groups of my friends are using their services this coming year (2020).
gilesw386
Mongolia Expeditions, excellent organisaion, proffessional climbing leaders and trekking guides
Mongolia Expeditions provided an excellently organised and professionally guided trek and climb in Western Mongolia in September. The support team including the drivers, guides and cooks were great and being able to use their Gur at base camp made all the difference to our comfort. The trip ended with the Eagle Festival and a night of Mongoilan traditional entertainment.
Thank you Mongoila Expeditions
Regards Giles and Elspeth
dsiewkt
Altai Tevan Bogd Mountains-Mount Khuiten trek
Very scenic trek to the Altai Tevan Mountains and to climb Mount Khuiten.Our group went in August 2018. Good organisation and arrangements by Mongolia Expeditions. Food was good with hot meals prepared by dedicated kitchen staff despite the remote locations.The drivers showed good skills in getting the Russian 4X4 vans over rough terrain to reach the national park.. The guides were supportive and helped in promoting a friendly camp atmosphere amongst fellow trekkers.
Will strongly recommend Mongolia Expeditions for any trekking adventure in Mongolia.
Trevor C
Mongolia Expeditions provided for our group a great trekking tour comprising two eight day treks in western Mongolia. A number of participants said it was the best trekking trip they had done. New experiences happened every day. Everyone was very happy with how ME managed the trek.
Chiara ssp
A wonderful and beautiful trip! Guides, driver are excellent and professional! Will definitely come back for Mount Khuiten next time with the same company!
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