EXPLORING WESTERN MONGOLIA
/ per person
- 9 days
- Western Mongolia
- People
Experience the beauty and culture of western Mongolia with this unforgettable horse trek through the stunning Altai Mountains. Starting in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll explore the vibrant capital before flying to Bayan-Olgii Province, home of the famous Kazakh eagle hunters. Over the course of 9 days, you’ll ride through picturesque valleys, meet local nomadic families, and camp in remote, breathtaking locations. Along the way, you’ll learn about Mongolia’s rich traditions, from the unique way of life of the Tuvan people to the ancient art of eagle hunting. This tour offers an authentic, hands-on experience of Mongolia’s wilderness and culture, with stunning views, adventure, and unforgettable memories.
What’s included:
- Accommodation: Ger camps and tented camps
- Guiding: Expert interpretation and navigation
- Meals: Full board with local and international cuisine
- Transport: 4×4 vehicles or minivans
- Entrance Fees: To protected areas and national parks
- Horse Guide and Horses: For an authentic horse trekking experience
- Camping Equipment: Provided for a comfortable outdoor stay
What’s not included:
- International Airfare: Arrange separately
- Personal Equipment: Bring your own gear
- Optional Activities: Additional costs outlined
- Excess Baggage Charges: Check airline policies
- Single Room Supplement: Available for an extra fee
- Alcoholic Drinks: Not included
- Travel insurance
We’ll pick you up from the airport or any location in the city. Over half of Mongolia’s population lives in the capital! We’ll show you around the city, visiting key attractions like the Museum of National History and Central Square, Narantuul Black Market.
You’ll take a three-hour flight to Olgii, the center of Bayan-Olgii, in western Mongolia. This area is famous for eagle hunters and the Altai Mountains. Most people here are Kazakh and still follow their traditional lifestyle. We’ll head to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where you’ll meet local nomadic families and see their way of life.
After breakfast, we’ll start our horse trek to base camp. Your bags will be carried by camels. A local horseman and our English-speaking guide will support you throughout the trip. You’ll learn how to ride Mongolian horses safely. At base camp, you’ll enjoy a great view of the Altai Mountains, including Mt. Khuiten and Potanin Glacier. We’ll camp in tents for the night.
We’ll ride through the beautiful White River Valley, known for its stunning glacier-fed river. The river looks white because of the mineral dust. At the end of the day, we’ll camp near the park’s southern entrance. If you want, you can hike to Green Lake in the evening.
Today, we’ll meet a nomadic Tuvan family. They speak their own language and follow Shamanist traditions. The Tuvan women may offer handmade souvenirs made from animal wool. We’ll camp in Black Valley for the night.
We’ll cross the Takhilt Pass, a steep section of the trek where we’ll hike and lead our horses to stay safe. Then, we’ll enter Bear Valley, an area known for its wild animals like bears and foxes. It’s a remote place, so animals usually stay away from the trail.
Today, we’ll ride for 3-4 hours before switching to a car for a 2-hour drive. We’ll camp near Khoton Lake, where you can swim. You’ll also have the option to hike to Biluu Hill to see ancient petroglyphs from the Bronze Age.
After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Olgii. On the way, we’ll visit an eagle hunter’s family to learn about their traditions. You’ll be able to take pictures with an eagle. We’ll arrive in Olgii and check into a hotel, followed by a farewell dinner.
After breakfast, we’ll fly back to Ulaanbaatar.
