The Mongolian Altai is the latter.
At the far western edge of Mongolia, where peaks rise into permanent snow and the horizon feels like the end of the earth, life continues as it has for centuries. Nomadic families move with the seasons. Kazakh eagle hunters carry forward a tradition passed down through generations. And the silence here — deep, powerful, almost timeless — is something no photograph has ever captured.
You will ride on horseback to the edge of the Potanin Glacier. You will stand on the summit of Malchin Peak, where the world unfolds below you in every direction. You will hold a golden eagle on your arm and look into eyes that have watched this landscape for a thousand years.
This is not a tour. It is an expedition — designed for those who want something real.
Available as a 7-day journey or an extended 13-day expedition.
Ride on horseback to the Potanin Glacier — Mongolia's largest, stretching over 20 km
Ascend Malchin Peak (4,051 m) on the Mongolia–Russia border — no technical climbing required
Meet a Kazakh eagle hunter in Sagsai — hold a golden eagle, witness it take flight
Camp beneath the five sacred peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd — one of the most remote landscapes on Earth
Explore Baga Oigor Valley — one of Asia's largest rock art galleries, with carvings dating back 12,000 years
Travel through remote valleys with Tuvan and Kazakh herder families
Ride along the Mongolia–China border to Khoton Lake (13-day itinerary)
Visit Turgen Waterfall — the tallest in Bayan-Ölgii Province (13-day itinerary)
Journey Option
Why This Journey
Is This Journey For You
Accommodation
Quick Facts
Region: Western Mongolia — Bayan-Ölgii
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights | 13 Days / 12 Nights
Travel Type: Expedition — horseback, 4WD, camping
Best Season: May–September. Best light: September
Access: Flight to Bayan-Ölgii + overland
Group Size: 2–12 travelers. Led personally by Baaska
The journey begins with a 3.5-hour flight from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ölgii — Mongolia's westernmost province, predominantly Kazakh and Muslim, with its own language, music, and traditions entirely distinct from the Mongolian heartland.
From Ölgii, the route moves into the Baga Oigor Valley, where thousands of petroglyphs cover the canyon walls — some dating back over 12,000 years. This is where the horses begin.
The horseback journey carries you through high-mountain terrain — crossing glacial streams, wetlands, and open valleys — toward the base of Altai Tavan Bogd, Mongolia's five highest peaks. The Potanin Glacier stretches 20 kilometers through the range. Malchin Peak, at 4,051 meters, marks the highest point of the journey and stands on the Mongolia–Russia border.
The return passes through the White River Valley, where Tuvan herder families spend their summers, before arriving at Sagsai — home to some of Mongolia's most active Kazakh eagle hunters.
The 13-day itinerary begins differently — traveling first to the remote lakes of Khoton and Khurgan near the Chinese border, then moving through the range from west to east.
7-Day Itinerary
13-Day Itinerary
Included ✅
Domestic flights (Ulaanbaatar ↔ Bayan-Ölgii)
Airport transfers
Private 4WD vehicle and experienced driver
English-speaking guide (Baaska or senior guide)
All accommodation — hotel in Ölgii + expedition tents
All meals prepared by a professional field cook
Horses, pack animals, and local Tuvan/Kazakh guides
National park and protected zone entrance fees
Border zone permits
What To Bring
Clothing
Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
Fleece mid-layer
Waterproof and windproof outer jacket
Warm hat and gloves
Sturdy hiking boots (broken in before departure)
Sunglasses and sun hat
Custom route available
Private departures for groups
Family & photographer friendly
per person ~ Based on double occupancy
Pricing depends on group size, travel dates, and customizations. Private departures and tailored experiences are available.
Frequently Asked Questions