Mongolia Altai Trekking Adventure

Transportation: Van or bus – approx. 1.5 hrs / 55 km from the airport to the city center

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the vibrant capital of Mongolia. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the city center. 

Visit the Chinggis Khaan Museum, which holds over 10,000 original artifacts spanning Mongolian history from the Hun Empire to the 20th century, and Sukhbaatar Square, the cultural and historical heart of the city. 

After hotel check-in, enjoy an evening traditional Mongolian folklore performance featuring throat singing, contortion, and morin khuur (horse-head fiddle), followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Transportation: Flight to Ulaangom 13:05 - 15:30 (2.5 hrs), drive to trekking point

Morning transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Ulaangom, capital of Uvs Province in Mongolia's far west.

Meet your local trekking team on arrival and drive to Tenuugiin Am, the starting point of the expedition. From here, the first trek of the trip leads to the campsite at Zuun Salaan Belchir. During the expedition, pack camels will transport luggage, food, and camping equipment. The camels and handlers are provided by local nomadic families, allowing us to travel in a traditional and environmentally friendly way.

Approximate altitude: 2,160 m above sea level 

Trekking: approx. 7 hours / 17–18 km

The first full trekking day heads up toward the Uliastai mountain pass, where snow-capped peaks, red mountain ridges, and the first alpine lakes of the route come into view from the top. After a picnic lunch on the mountainside, the afternoon follows lakeside meadows down into the Turgen River valley.

Approximate altitude: 2,381 m above sea level 

Trekking: approx. 5–6 hrs / 15–16 km

A full day through the wide Delgermurun Valley, surrounded by mountain ridges on both sides and untouched scenery all around. The Delgermurun River crossing mid-route is done on horseback, one of several river crossings throughout the expedition managed this way. Picnic lunch en route.

Approximate altitude: 2,335 m above sea level Accommodation: Tent camping

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trekking: approx. 5–6 hrs / 16–17 km

The route pushes deeper into the Turgen Mountain Range, and for the first time the glaciers and permanent snowfields of the high peaks come clearly into view. This is one of the highlights of the journey, offering breathtaking views of ice, snowfields, and alpine landscapes.

After returning to camp for lunch, the afternoon is spent with local nomadic families, sharing homemade dairy products, seeing how a herding household operates at this altitude, and spending unhurried time in one of Mongolia's most remote communities.

Approximate altitude: 2,380 m above sea level

Trekking: approx. 6–7 hrs / 22–25 km

The most demanding day of the first half of the trek, and one of the most rewarding. The route climbs to the Tsagaan Saigiin Tag mountain pass at 3,050 meters, the highest point reached so far. Enjoy panoramic views across the wilderness of Mongolia’s western frontier.

Arrive at camp near Dund Khoroo in the late afternoon.

Approximate altitude: 3,050 m above sea level 

Trekking: approx. 5–6 hrs / 17–19 km

Continue trekking through scenic valleys and rolling mountain terrain. Visit a nomadic family and enjoy traditional Mongolian refreshments including aaruul (dried curds), suutei tsai (salty milk tea), and boortsog (fried pastry). Learn more about the nomadic way of life and their deep connection with nature.

River crossings will be done on horseback today.

Approximate altitude: 2,682 m above sea level

Trekking: approx. 6 hrs / 18–20 km round trip

Camp stays in place today while the group day-hikes to the Five Colors Lakes, the scenic highlight of the entire expedition. At 3,200 meters above sea level, the lakes sit in a high alpine basin ringed by glaciers and snowfields, with summer wildflowers covering the meadows below the snowline.

Picnic lunch at altitude, with time to take it all in before the return to camp.

Approximate altitude: 3,166 m above sea level

Trekking: approx. 8 hrs / 25–28 km

The longest day of the full expedition. The route climbs over a mountain pass before descending into Olon Nuuriin Belchir – a wide valley floor scattered with dozens of small lakes fed by rainwater and underground springs. In a wet year, as many as 80 lakes appear across the basin. Picnic lunch along the trail.

Approximate altitude: 2,930 m above sea level

Trekking: approx. 5–6 hrs / 17–18 km

Continue trekking across mountain landscapes and cross the Ereesen Pass before reaching Yamaat Mountain, an area known for sightings of wild ibex. Enjoy magnificent views and a peaceful wilderness atmosphere.

Approximate altitude: 2,934 m above sea level

Trekking: approx. 6 hrs / 20–22 km

The last day on the trail follows mountain valleys with several horseback crossings of the Yamaat River before arriving at Tel Mod campsite in the late afternoon. This evening, the group gathers to say goodbye to the local guides, camel handlers, and the support crew who have been part of the expedition since Day 2, a moment that tends to feel more significant than expected after ten days traveling together through this landscape.

Approximate altitude: 2,300 m above sea level

Transportation: approx.  4 hrs / 90 km

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Uureg Lake, located near the Mongolian-Russian border. On the way, visit a Kazakh family and learn about their unique culture and traditions. Continue to the ger camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon by Uureg Lake, one of the larger saltwater lakes in the region.

Accommodation: Traditional ger camp

Transportation: Drive and domestic flight

After lunch, drive to Deglii Tsagaan Airport via the scenic Ulaan Pass. The flight to Ulaanbaatar departs at 16:10, arriving at approximately 18:50. On arrival, transfer to Terelj National Park for the night, a green, granite-valley landscape.

Accommodation: Terelj Lodge Ger Camp

Transportation: Drive to Ulaanbaatar

A morning visit to the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex at Tsonjin Boldog – a 40-meter stainless steel equestrian statue, the largest of its kind in the world, built on a hillside above the Tuul River steppe. The complex includes a museum inside the base and a viewing platform at the horse's head with wide views across the surrounding plains.

Return to Ulaanbaatar for lunch, with the afternoon free for shopping – Mongolian cashmere, felt goods, and handicrafts are all well worth the time. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of your unforgettable Mongolian adventure.

Transportation: approx. 1.5 hrs / 55 km to airport

After breakfast, transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight.

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