🏔️ Summit the Malchin Peak, Eagle Hunter Expedition 9-day
📍 Western Mongolia | Altai Mountains | Khoton Lake | Eagle Hunter Family | Malchin peak summit
⛰️ Altai Mountains Odyssey: Summit Malchin Peak & Live the Nomadic Legend
An epic high-mountain journey across Mongolia’s wildest frontier. From glacier-fed valleys and camel-supported treks to summiting Malchin Peak and staying with Kazakh eagle hunters, this expedition blends serious adventure with deep cultural immersion in the legendary Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
⭐ Tour Highlights – Altai Mountains & Malchin Peak summit
🏔️ Summit Malchin Peak (4,050 m)
Reach the top of Malchin Peak, one of Mongolia’s iconic 4,000-meter mountains, offering breathtaking panoramic views over four countries—Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. This non-technical but rewarding ascent is ideal for adventurous trekkers seeking a true high-altitude achievement.
🧊 Witness Potanin Glacier & Khuiten Peak
Trek deep into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and stand face-to-face with Potanin Glacier, the largest glacier in Mongolia, while gazing up at Khuiten Peak (4,374 m), the highest point in the country. Few travelers ever reach this remote alpine heartland.
🐫 Camel-Supported High-Altitude Trekking
Experience a traditional Altai expedition where camels carry all camping equipment, food, and luggage, guided by local herders. This allows you to hike light while witnessing an ancient nomadic logistics system still used today.
🏕️ Remote Base Camp at 3,000 m
Spend nights camping at a high-altitude base camp, surrounded by glaciers, peaks, and silence. Enjoy professionally cooked meals in one of Mongolia’s most remote wilderness settings, far from roads and modern infrastructure.
🌊 Khoton Lake – Alpine Serenity
Relax beside the crystal-clear waters of Khoton Lake, framed by snow-capped Altai mountains. This pristine alpine lake is perfect for photography, short walks, and quiet reflection after intense trekking days.
💧 Baga Turgen Waterfall Hike
Hike through a dramatic mountain gorge to the beautiful Baga Turgen Waterfall, one of the hidden natural gems of Western Mongolia. The trail passes forests, streams, and rocky cliffs rich in wildlife.
🪨 Ancient Petroglyphs & Turkic Stone Monuments
Discover UNESCO-listed petroglyphs, ancient stone statues, and burial sites dating back thousands of years, revealing the deep spiritual and cultural history of the Altai as a crossroads of early nomadic civilizations.
🦅 Authentic Eagle Hunter Family Stay
Visit and stay with a real Kazakh eagle hunter family, learning firsthand about the centuries-old tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Enjoy close interaction, photography sessions, and stories passed down through generations.
🏇 Nomadic Kazakh Culture Immersion
Share meals with Kazakh nomadic families, experience their hospitality, learn about herding life, traditional food, and seasonal migration, and gain insight into a living culture rarely seen by outsiders.
🍲 Fully Supported Expedition with Professional Cook
Throughout the journey, a dedicated cook prepares fresh, hearty meals—even in remote base camps—ensuring comfort, nutrition, and safety in high-altitude environments.
🌌 Untouched Wilderness & Wildlife Encounters
Travel through vast landscapes where you may spot golden eagles, marmots, ibex, wild horses, and possibly even snow leopard tracks. Nights are spent under star-filled skies with no light pollution.
🧭 Balanced Adventure & Culture Experience
This tour uniquely combines serious mountain trekking with cultural immersion, making it perfect for travelers who want both physical challenge and deep cultural connection in one journey.
📅 Detailed Itinerary
- 🚗 Distance: ~200 km
- ⏱️ Driving time: ~5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Ger camp / Yurt / Tent
- 🍽️ Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival in Ulgii City, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii Province, you will meet your local Altai expedition team. After a short break and luggage preparation, begin your overland journey toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Mongolia’s most spectacular alpine region.
The drive takes you deep into the Altai mountain landscapes, passing wide valleys, snow-dusted peaks, rivers, and grazing herds of yaks and horses. This region is home to nomadic Kazakh herders who still follow traditional seasonal migrations.
Arrive at the park gate area in the late afternoon. Settle into a traditional ger camp or tent, enjoy a freshly prepared dinner, and rest under a sky filled with stars.
- 🥾 Trekking distance: ~16 km
- ⏱️ Hiking time: ~5 hours
- 🏔️ Altitude: 3,000 m
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping (Base Camp)
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, begin your trek into the core of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. The trail follows ancient nomadic routes used for centuries by herders and traders.
All camping equipment, food supplies, and luggage are transported by camels, guided by experienced local herders, allowing you to hike with a light daypack.
As you move deeper into the mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic:
- Expansive glacial valleys
- Views of Potanin Glacier, the largest glacier in Mongolia
- Distant sightlines of Khuiten Peak (4,374 m), Mongolia’s highest mountain
Arrive at Base Camp (3,000 m) in the afternoon. Tents are set up in a sheltered alpine valley. Spend the evening acclimatizing, enjoying hot meals, and resting for the summit day ahead.
- 🥾 Hiking time: 6–7 hours (round trip)
- 📈 Elevation gain: ~1,050 m
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping (Base Camp)
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Today is the highlight of the expedition. After an early breakfast, begin the ascent of Malchin Peak, one of Mongolia’s most accessible 4,000-meter summits and an ideal high-altitude challenge for adventurous hikers.
The trail consists of:
- Rocky alpine terrain
- Gentle snowfields (seasonal)
- Steady but non-technical climbing
From the summit, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the Altai:
- Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and China visible on clear days
- Endless glaciers, peaks, and high mountain plateaus
After celebrating your summit achievement, descend carefully back to base camp in the afternoon. Enjoy a warm dinner and a well-earned rest.
- 🥾 Trekking distance: ~16 km
- ⏱️ Hiking time: ~5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Ger camp / Tent
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, pack up base camp. All equipment and supplies are again loaded onto camels. Begin trekking back toward the Altai Tavan Bogd park gate, following the same scenic valley routes.
This day is more relaxed, allowing you to enjoy:
- Wide-open alpine landscapes
- Wildlife sightings (marmots, eagles, ibex)
- Final glacier views
Arrive at the gate area by late afternoon and settle into a ger camp or tent for a comfortable night after the high-altitude trek.
- 🥾 Hiking time: ~1.5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Ger camp / Tent
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the trailhead and hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall, cascading through a narrow mountain gorge.
Lunch is hosted by a local Kazakh nomadic family, offering a rare insight into daily life in the Altai:
- Livestock herding traditions
- Traditional food preparation
- Cultural exchange and photography
In the afternoon, explore the ancient petroglyphs around the Khoton Lake area, featuring rock carvings of hunters, animals, and early nomadic life.
- 🥾 Hiking time: ~1.5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Ger camp / Tent
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the trailhead and hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall, cascading through a narrow mountain gorge.
Lunch is hosted by a local Kazakh nomadic family, offering a rare insight into daily life in the Altai:
- Livestock herding traditions
- Traditional food preparation
- Cultural exchange and photography
In the afternoon, explore the ancient petroglyphs around the Khoton Lake area, featuring rock carvings of hunters, animals, and early nomadic life.
- 🚗 Distance: ~60 km
- ⏱️ Driving time: ~2 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Eagle hunter family home
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter family, where the ancient art of golden eagle hunting is still practiced.
Activities include:
- Learning about eagle training and care
- Close-up photography with eagles
- Stories of hunting traditions passed down through generations
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and overnight stay with the family, experiencing authentic nomadic hospitality.
- 🚗 Distance: ~160 km
- ⏱️ Driving time: ~4 hours
- 🏨 Accommodation: Hotel
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Return to Ulgii City. Optional activities include:
- Visiting the local museum
- Exploring the bazaar and souvenir shops
- Relaxing at a café after days in the wilderness
Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast
- ✈️ Flight: Ulgii → Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to Ulgii Airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Depart with memories of high peaks, glacial lakes, and Kazakh nomadic culture.
ℹ️ Important Expedition Notes
- No hotels or restaurants inside Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
- Professional cook prepares all meals throughout the journey
- Camels carry all heavy equipment and supplies
- Portable shower & sitting toilet available upon request
- September–October: Malchin Peak summit is more difficult due to snow
❤️ Why Choose This Tour?
🏔️ A True Altai Mountain Expedition
This is not a sightseeing trip—it’s a real high-mountain adventure into the heart of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, including a guided ascent of Malchin Peak (4,050 m). Few tours offer this level of access, altitude, and authenticity.
🐫 Fully Supported Camel-Assisted Trek
All luggage, food, and camping equipment are carried by camels, led by experienced local herders. You hike light while enjoying a traditional Altai expedition style that has been used for centuries.
🦅 Deep Cultural Immersion with Kazakh Nomads
Stay with Kazakh nomadic families and eagle hunters, not staged performers. Share meals, learn daily routines, and witness living traditions in their natural environment.
🧊 See Mongolia’s Highest Peak & Largest Glacier
Stand before Khuiten Peak (4,374 m) and Potanin Glacier, landmarks that most travelers never reach. These are among the most spectacular alpine landscapes in Central Asia.
🍲 Comfort in Extreme Remoteness
Even in the wilderness, you are well cared for:
- Professional cook throughout the tour
- Freshly prepared meals daily
- Portable shower and toilet provided on request This level of support is rare in such remote terrain.
🌍 Perfect Balance of Adventure & Culture
Combine challenging hikes, spectacular landscapes, ancient history, and authentic nomadic life in one carefully designed itinerary.
📸 Ideal for Adventure Travelers & Photographers
From glacier views and 4,000-meter peaks to eagle hunters and petroglyphs, this tour offers exceptional photography opportunities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- ❓ How difficult is the Malchin Peak hike?
Moderate to challenging. No technical climbing is required, but you should be in good physical condition. Hiking is done at a steady pace with guides and acclimatization time.- ❓ Do I need mountaineering experience?
No. Malchin Peak is a non-technical trek, suitable for fit hikers. Trekking poles are recommended, but ropes or climbing gear are not required.- ❓ What is the altitude of the base camp?
The base camp is located at approximately 3,000 meters above sea level, with Malchin Peak rising to 4,050 meters.- ❓ Is altitude sickness a concern?
Altitude can affect some travelers. The itinerary allows for gradual acclimatization, and guides monitor guests closely. Drinking water and pacing are important.- ❓ When is the best time to join this tour?
Best season: June to August
⚠️ September to October is more difficult to hike Malchin Peak due to snow and colder conditions, though still possible for experienced trekkers.- ❓ What accommodation is used?
Nomadic ger camps
Camping in the national park and base camp
Eagle hunter family homestay
Hotel in Ulgii city- ❓ What meals are included?
All meals are included during the tour:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Picnic lunches during hikes
Fresh meals prepared by a professional cook- ❓ Are showers and toilets available?
There are no permanent facilities in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
✔️ Portable shower and portable toilet are provided upon request.- ❓ How is luggage transported during trekking?
All luggage, food, and camping gear are transported by camels, assisted by local herders.- ❓ Is this tour suitable for children?
Due to altitude and long hiking days, this tour is recommended for adults and teenagers (14+) in good health.- ❓ Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. The tour can be customized for private groups, fitness levels, or added cultural experiences.