8 Day Adventure in the Altai Mountains

3 hour flight from Ulaanbatar to Ulgii

From Ulaanbatar, take a 3 hour flight to Ulgii City in the Bayan-Ulgii province of Western Mongolia. Your English-speaking guide and driver will welcome you upon arrival and introduce you to Ulgii, with its unique Kazakh culture and language (you'll be surprised to know that little Mongolian is spoken in Ulgii).

Immerse yourself in Western Mongolian culture

You'll visit the local museum, open air market, and mosque, giving you a real flavour of the region and its people. After lunch, the journey begins!

Begin the journey to Tavan Bogd National Park

The first day of the long journey to Tavan Bogd (Five Peaks) National Park stops at The Sacred Mountain Shiveet Khairkhan. It is surrounded by archaeological monuments constructed during the Bronze Age and through to the Turkic period. Day 1 will take approximately 7 hours, before we settle in tents for the evening. (L/D/Tent)

Horse ride to Potanin Glacier

Depending on your preference (and horse availability), we either walk or ride to the impressive Potanin Glacier - seeing both the Potanin and Alexander Glaciers. The 20km long Potanin Glacier runs down from the highest mountains of Mongolia and is an excellent base for trekking and climbing the surrounding peaks. Our luggage will be transported by camels and handled by the friendly and helpful local people. The day ends at the base camp, at an elevation of 3000 metres. (B/L/D/Tent)

Climbing Malchin Peak

Enjoy a good breakfast, as today we take a one hour trek, then climb, up to Malchin Peak (4050 metres) - at the Mongolian-Russian border of Tavan Bogd. Malchin Peak is the lowest of the Holy Five Peaks (the highest being Khüiten Uul at 4374 metres). It's a 6-7 hour rocky climb. At the end of the day, we return to camp to relax. (B/L/D/Tent)

Tsagaan Gol and Tuvan Throat Singers

We trek down to Tsagaan Gol Valley, following the white glacier river and beautiful deep canyons. Near the Tuvan Gers we will cross the bridge over the Tsagaan Gol River. (Until 2011, the only way to cross the river was by horse - an exciting crossing for the horses and camels.) Down river, we set up camp in a lush green pasture at the foot of glacial bowls, then in the evening, we visit a local Tuvan family. A small population of Tuvan people live in this area, keeping their old traditions and Shamanism beliefs. A meeting with a Tuvan Khomii throat singer will be confirmed on this day. (B/L/D/Tent)

The Khoton and Khurgan lakes, and Mongolian-Chinese border

Next, a drive to one of the most beautiful parts of Western Mongolia: the southern end of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. See the mesmerising Khoton and Khurgan lakes. On the way, we stop in Mogoit Valley to see the ancient stone man, balbals. We set up camp on the shores of Khoton Lake, with a back drop of the beautiful snowcapped mountain range - outlining the Mongolian-Chinese border. In the evening, we visit a local Kazakh family, observing the local nomadic life. (B/L/D/Tent)

Free Day and Eagle Hunters

Enjoy a free morning on the shores and summer pastures of Khoton Lake. Learn more about the Kazakh culture, find great fishing spots, and/or trek to the Baga Durgin waterfall. In the afternoon, we visit an Eagle Hunting family, where you'll learn about the practice and skill of eagle hunting. Get the opportunity to take photos with an eagle perched on your arm. We camp near the Eagle Hunter's family home. (B/L/D/Tent)

Horse riding and the Sumd-Airakh River

Today, we saddle up and horse ride for 18km along the Sumd-Airakh river. Cross small and large rivers on horse back, and ride through forests, before arriving at a camp set up by the team. Enjoy our last night camping in the National Park. Take in the beautiful view of the Sumd-Airakh river and Altai's snowy mountains. Nomads pass by herding their cattle, or milking their mares. We'll celebrate the night with cold beers and a traditional Kazakh meal. OPTIONAL: Sleep in a Kazakh Yurt. (B/L/D/Tent)

Ulgii Guest house

We return to Ulgii following the Khovd River. We take a pit stop at Tsengel Soum, a small village center. After a full day of driving, we arrive in Ulgii. Rest overnight at a guest house. (B/L/D/Guest house) OPTIONAL: Stay in a Ger.

Mongolian ger in Ulaanbataar

Catch your return flight to Ulaanbataar. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your Mongolian ger. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B/L/D/Ger)