🏔️ Altai Mountains Trek, Khoton Lake, Waterfalls & Eagle Hunters 6-Day tour
📍 Western Mongolia | Altai Tavan Bogd National park | Khoton Lake | Baga Trgen Waterfall | Eagle Hunter Experience | Petroglyphs
🏔️ Ultimate Altai Trek: Khoton Lake, Petroglyphs & Eagle Hunters
Discover the wild beauty of western Mongolia on this 5-day supported trekking adventure through the heart of the Altai Mountains. This journey takes you deep into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, one of Mongolia’s most remote and spectacular regions, known for its alpine lakes, forested valleys, and rich nomadic culture.
Trek along the turquoise shores of Khoton Lake, hike through pristine wilderness, and visit the scenic Baga Turgen Waterfall. The trek is rated easy to moderate and is fully supported—your luggage, food, and camping equipment are carried by a vehicle, allowing you to hike comfortably with only a small daypack.
A highlight of the tour is an overnight stay with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter family, where you’ll experience authentic nomadic life, learn about ancient eagle hunting traditions, and enjoy traditional Kazakh cuisine. Evenings are spent camping under star-filled skies, often with a warm bonfire beside the lake.
This tour offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and cultural immersion, making it ideal for travelers seeking an unforgettable trekking experience without extreme difficulty.
⭐ Tour Highlights – Altai Trekking Tour
- 🥾 Easy–Moderate Trekking: Enjoy well-paced trekking suitable for beginners and intermediate hikers, with no technical climbing required.
- 🚙 Fully Supported Trek: A support vehicle follows the route, carrying all luggage, food, and camping equipment, so you hike with only a small daypack.
- 🏔️ Altai Tavan Bogd National Park: Explore one of Mongolia’s most spectacular protected areas, home to alpine landscapes, glaciers, rivers, and rich wildlife.
- 💎 Khoton Lake Experience: Trek along the turquoise shores of Khoton Lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and forested valleys.
- 🌊 Baga Turgen Waterfall: Visit one of the most scenic waterfalls in the Altai Mountains, hidden within a dramatic mountain gorge.
- 🦅 Eagle Hunter Family Stay: Experience authentic Kazakh nomadic life with an overnight stay at a traditional eagle hunter family.
- 🍽️ Traditional Kazakh Cuisine: Enjoy homemade meals, including the famous Beshbarmak, prepared by local families.
- 🔥 Bonfire Night in Nature: Spend an unforgettable evening around a campfire under the vast Altai night sky.
- 🌲 Nomadic & Natural Encounters: Meet local nomadic families, see grazing horses and yaks, and immerse yourself in untouched wilderness.
- 🌌 True Wilderness Experience: Remote landscapes, fresh mountain air, and star-filled skies far from modern civilization.
Detailed Itinerary:
- 🚙 Drive: Ölgii → Khoton Lake area
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Upon arrival in Ölgii city, we drive into the wild landscapes of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park toward the Khoton Lake area (Khairakh Tolgoi / Aral Tolgoi).
🌄 On the way you will see:
- Vast untouched wilderness
- Mountain rivers and valleys
- Wild animals and birds
- Traditional wooden bridges
After setting up camp, enjoy a relaxed evening and prepare for the trekking days ahead. Overnight in tents.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~15 km
- ⏱️ Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, begin trekking toward the upper side of Khoton Lake.
🪨 Highlights of the day:
- Visit ancient petroglyphs, carved into rocks thousands of years ago
- Open valleys and lakeside trails
- Scenic lunch stop along the route
Arrive at the upper Khoton Lake area in the afternoon. Relax at camp surrounded by alpine beauty.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~20 km
- ⏱️ Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Today’s trek follows the stunning shoreline of Khoton Lake toward its middle section.
🌲 Along the trail:
- Forested paths and open grasslands
- Passing local nomadic families and livestock
- Endless views of mountains reflected in the lake
🥪 Picnic lunch is served on the trail.
🔥 In the evening, enjoy a bonfire by the lake under the star-filled Altai sky.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~15 km
- ⏱️ Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
- 🏠 Accommodation: Eagle Hunter Family Homestay
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue trekking through valleys and forests to reach the spectacular Baga Turgen Waterfall, hidden within a dramatic mountain gorge.
🦅 Afternoon Cultural Experience:
- Visit a traditional Kazakh Eagle Hunter family
- Learn about golden eagle training and hunting traditions
- Experience authentic nomadic lifestyle
🍽️ Dinner features Beshbarmak, a classic Kazakh dish. Overnight with the eagle hunter family.
- 🚙 Drive: Altai region → Ölgii
- 🏨 Accommodation: Hotel / Guesthouse
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
After breakfast, say farewell to the Altai wilderness and drive back to Ölgii city, enjoying final views of rivers, steppe, and mountain ranges. Free time upon arrival.
- ✈️ Flight: Ölgii → Ulaanbaatar
- 🚐 Transfer: Early-morning airport transfer
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast
Early morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
🌟 End of Tour – Thank you for choosing us!
📝 Tour Notes – Altai Trekking Tour
- 🥾 Trekking Level Rated Easy to Moderate, with daily hikes of approximately 15–20 km on natural terrain. Suitable for active beginners and intermediate trekkers.
- 🚙 Fully Supported Trek A support vehicle follows the route, carrying all main luggage, food, and camping equipment. You hike with only a small daypack.
- 🏕️ Accommodation Combination of tent camping in remote natural settings and one night with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter family.
- 🚿 Camping Comfort (On Request) Portable shower and sitting toilet are available upon request during camping days.
- 🍽️ Meals & Cooking All meals are included as per itinerary and prepared by a professional cook. Picnic lunches are provided on trekking days, and traditional Kazakh meals are served at the homestay.
- 🌦️ Weather Conditions Mountain weather can change quickly. Days are usually mild, while evenings can be cool. Flexibility is important.
- 🦅 Cultural Etiquette Please respect local customs when visiting nomadic families and always ask before taking photos, especially of people and eagles.
- 🛣️ Road Conditions Travel includes off-road driving, which can be bumpy but is part of the authentic Altai experience.
- ✈️ Flights Domestic flights between Ölgii and Ulaanbaatar are subject to weather and schedule changes.
- 🏔️ Remote Area The tour operates in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where mobile network coverage is limited.
🎒 What to Bring – Altai Trekking Tour
- 🥾 Trekking shoes / hiking boots
- 👕 Layered clothing (warm layer + wind/waterproof jacket)
- 🎒 Small daypack
- 💧 Water bottle
- 🧢 Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- 🧴 Personal toiletries & medications
- 🔦 Headlamp or flashlight
- 💵 Personal cash
- 📌 Note: Main luggage, food, and camping equipment are carried by the support vehicle.
⭐ Why Choose This Tour – Altai Trekking Adventure
- 🥾 Easy–Moderate & Comfortable Trekking Designed for active travelers who want real trekking without extreme difficulty.
- 🚙 Fully Supported – Walk Light A support vehicle carries all luggage, food, and camping equipment. You trek with only a small daypack.
- 🏔️ Spectacular Altai Scenery Explore the untouched wilderness of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful mountain regions.
- 💎 Khoton Lake Route Trek through the upper and middle sections of Khoton Lake, famous for its turquoise water and alpine views.
- 🪨 Ancient Petroglyphs Discover prehistoric rock carvings that reveal the deep history of the Altai region.
- 🌊 Baga Turgen Waterfall Visit one of western Mongolia’s most scenic waterfalls hidden in a mountain gorge.
- 🦅 Eagle Hunter Family Stay Experience authentic Kazakh nomadic life with an overnight stay at a traditional eagle hunter family.
- 🍽️ Professional Cook & Quality Meals Enjoy freshly prepared meals throughout the tour, including traditional Kazakh cuisine.
- 🚿 Extra Comfort Options Portable shower and sitting toilet available upon request.
- 🌌 True Wilderness Experience Remote landscapes, star-filled nights, and deep cultural immersion away from crowds.
This tour offers the perfect balance of comfort, adventure, and cultural immersion in one of Mongolia’s most spectacular regions.
❓ FAQs Altai Trekking Tour
- Q: What is the trekking difficulty?
- A: Easy to Moderate, with daily hikes of about 15–20 km on natural trails.
- Q: Do I need to carry my luggage?
- A: No. A support vehicle carries all luggage, food, and camping gear. You hike with a small daypack only.
- Q: Where do we stay?
- A: Tent camping in nature and one night with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter family.
- Q: Are meals included?
- A: Yes. All meals are included and prepared by a professional cook, with picnic lunches on trekking days.
- Q: Is this tour suitable for beginners?
- A: Yes—ideal for active beginners and intermediate trekkers.
- Q: What about comfort while camping?
- A: A portable shower and sitting toilet are available on request.
- Q: Will we meet local people?
- A: Yes. You’ll pass nomadic families and stay with an eagle hunter family.
- Q: Is there mobile or internet coverage?
- A: Coverage is limited or unavailable in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
- Q: How do we travel at the start and end?
- A: The tour starts in Ölgii and ends with a flight to Ulaanbaatar (weather-dependent).
- Q: Is this a private or group tour?
- A: Available as private or small group tours.