Tour Description
Ride into the Heart of the Altai
Join a truly unique 10-day horseback expedition through Mongolia’s remote Altai Mountains — the homeland of Kazakh and Uriankhai nomads.
This 6-day fully supported riding adventure blends stunning wilderness, rich nomadic traditions, and the ancient art of eagle hunting, set amid the majestic peaks of western Mongolia.
Ride across open steppe and alpine valleys, beside turquoise lakes and snow-capped peaks. Each night, relax in our comfortable tented camps, where our experienced crew prepares fresh meals and takes care of every detail.
Meet Kazakh eagle hunters who carry on centuries-old traditions, visit a hidden Buddhist monastery tucked inside a Muslim valley, and ride beneath the sacred Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain (4,000 m) — a place of spiritual power and natural majesty.
This journey offers everything adventure travelers seek: pure landscapes, cultural depth, and the unforgettable freedom of riding across the wild heart of Western Mongolia.
Tour Highlights:
- Epic horseback expedition in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia
- Fully supported tented tour with crew, cook, and pack horses
- Meet Kazakh eagle hunters & hold a golden eagle
- Experience daily life of Kazakh and Uriankhai nomads
- Visit a remote Buddhist monastery in a Muslim region
- Camp below the sacred Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain (4,000 m)
- Enjoy a Kazakh family dinner with traditional music & dance in Ölgii
Why Travelers Love This Tour
- Expertly organized — everything from horses to meals handled by our crew
- Deep cultural immersion with nomadic families and eagle hunters
- Remote, authentic route far from tourist trails
- Comfortable tented camps, hot meals, and full support team
- Perfect mix of adventure, culture, and wilderness
- 2 pax: 3,200 USD per person
- 3-4 pax: 3,025 USD per person
- 5-6 pax: 2,490 USD per person
- 7-8 pax: 2,250USD per person
- 9-10 pax: 2,090 USD per person
- 11-12 pax: 1,990 USD per person
- Single supp: 280 USD
Dates
What’s Included
What's Excluded
Day 1: Arrival at Ulaanbaatar.
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore Sukhbaatar Square and visit the Chinggis Khan Museum, home to rich exhibits on Mongolia’s imperial past. In the evening, enjoy a traditional folklore concert featuring throat singing, long song, and horse-head fiddle performances. (hotel/D)
Day 2: Flight to Ulgii. Drive to Tolbo Lake and Camp by the Shore
After an early morning flight to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province, we begin our journey into Mongolia’s westernmost frontier — a region known for its dramatic mountain scenery and rich Kazakh culture. Nestled among snow-capped peaks and alpine rivers, Ulgii is home to the famous Kazakh eagle hunters and a unique blend of Islamic and nomadic traditions. From here, we drive to the striking Tolbo Lake, a crystal-clear alpine lake located at 2,080 meters above sea level. Surrounded by rugged hills and endless skies, we set up our first campsite on the lake-shore and enjoy the peaceful wilderness of the Altai. (Tent/B,L,D).
Day 3: Horseback Ride to Khar Lake
Today, we ride on horseback toward Khar Lake, crossing the scenic Shar Davaanii Nuruu range. The highest pass on our route reaches 2,736 meters. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Tolbo Lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains — a truly majestic and awe-inspiring sight. We set up our campsite on the peaceful shore of Khar Lake at an altitude of 2,520 meters, surrounded by pristine nature and mountain serenity. (Tent/B,L,D).
Day 4: Horseback Journey through Tsagaan Salaa Valley
We ride our horses downstream along the Tsagaan Salaa River, continuing to the confluence with the Tsagaan Salaa & Mandakh Rivers. Our route follows a broad alpine valley nestled between towering mountains. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, we travel through this wide and scenic landscape until we reach a small green lake, where we set up camp near its peaceful shores. (Tent/B,L,D).
Day 5: Ride to the Sagsai River
Today, we saddle up and ride across a wide open valley, where we can test the full strength and spirit of our horses on the open steppe. We’ll gallop through the vast terrain and eventually reach the banks of the Sagsai River to set up camp. Along the way, we’ll visit a Mongolian herder family in their summer pasture and experience traditional nomadic hospitality. (Tent/B,L,D).
Day 6: Ride to Buyant and Visit to a Buddhist Monastery
We continue our horseback journey through the town center of Buyant soum and visit a small, remote Buddhist monastery. Uniquely located in a predominantly Muslim region, this monastery is one of the few Buddhist temples in the area. It is known for housing the preserved body of a revered lama who entered samadhi meditation after death — a rare and sacred phenomenon in Mongolian Buddhism. After visiting the monastery, we ride further into the summer pastures of local herder families, heading westward toward the base of Tsengel Khairkhan, a majestic snow-capped mountain rising over 4,000 meters. We camp in the open steppe under its shadow, surrounded by peaceful grasslands and distant peaks.(Tent/B,L,D).
Day 7: Ride to the Northern Slopes of Tsengel Khairkhan
Today, we ride on horseback to the northern foothills of the towering Tsenkher Khairkhan Mountain. Along the way, we pass through summer camps of both Kazakh and Mongolian herder families. Standing at 4,000 meters, Tsengel Khairkhan is a sacred mountain deeply revered by the local Uriankhai and Tuvan people — a place of spiritual significance and natural majesty. (Tent/B,L,D).
Day 8: Last riding day - visit Eagle hunter's family.
Our final riding day takes us across the vast Sagsai River Valley — the longest stretch of our journey. As the snow-capped Tsengel Khairkhan fades behind, we ride through ancient landscapes rich in Uyghur history, reaching the serene Sagsai Valley by lunchtime. Afterward, we drive to visit a Kazakh eagle hunter’s family, stopping to see mysterious 7th–8th century stone balbals along the way. The day ends with an unforgettable cultural encounter — holding a golden eagle, sharing a traditional Kazakh dinner of besbarmak, and enjoying music and dance at a local home in Ulgii. (Hotel/B,L,D).
Day 9: Flight to Ulaanbaatar.
Take the morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner — a perfect time to share memories of your Altai adventure. (Tent/B,D)
Day 10: Departure
Departure. Transfer to the airport for your international flight. (B.)
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Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles -
Horse Riding With Golden Eagles
TNETNE
Riding to the Land of the Horseman with Mongolia Expeditions
Mongolia Expeditions was a delight to travel with. They responded promptly to email queries before the trip, were waiting to meet us when we arrived, and saw to every aspect of our horseback riding adventure, so we didn't need to worry about a thing. The horseback riding portion of the trip was exceptional, with great scenery, high quality tents, and delicious food. We had never really ridden horses before, but by the second day we were galloping and had learned to control our horses quite well. This is NOT like a U.S. horseback riding trip where you're stuck in a line, with each horse sniffing the butt of the horse in front of it. There's a lot of freedom to gallop, canter, trot or walk, as you please. The only downside to this trip was that we found the promised hiking day a little disappointing, so if this is important for you, be sure to specify the kind of hiking you are looking for in advance. Still, all in all a great trip with a reliable company.
W3182PYrichards
This company is the most organized friendly travel company I have experienced. From landing in Ulaanbaatar to departure from Mongolia, the service was wonderful.
hsungchee
I joined a couple for a 11-day horseback riding tour in Orkhon Valley. I am totally impressed and well taken care of by the team of five friends from Mongolia Expeditions.
Our main guide, Tsenggel, explained Mongolian culture and practices to us and always communicated our wishes to the other members. Our horse guide, Nima, was very experienced in horse handling and ensured our safety at all times. We were pampered with wonderful meals prepared by chef Suki who was at times aided by Amkra, the handy man who would readily fix the vans. Our driver, An-na, took care of our tent/camp preparations and was always around as a safety vehicle driver while we rode the horses on different terrains.
Even though we were exposed to different elements -- hot sunny days, cold (and even rainy) nights, I felt something uplifting as I look forward to a new day exploring the valley with the team. If you like to experience outdoor adventures, then please give Mongolia Expedition a try.
Chiara ssp
Beautiful experience!
Oct 2024 • Friends
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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