🏔️ Trekking Altai & Eagle Hunter Expedition 9-Days tour
📍 Western Mongolia | Altai Tavan Bogd National park | Altai Tavan Bogd mountain view point | Khoton Lake | Baga Trgen Waterfall | Eagle Hunter Experience
🏔️ Ultimate Altai Trek Khoton Lake to Dayan Lake with Eagle Hunters 9-Day tour
This 9-day Altai trekking expedition is a deep journey into the wildest and most dramatic landscapes of western Mongolia, combining high mountain scenery, long-distance trekking, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and rare cultural encounters with Kazakh nomads and eagle hunters.
The trek is Easy to Moderate, fully supported by a backup vehicle carrying luggage, food, and camping equipment, allowing you to hike comfortably with only a daypack. This itinerary is ideal for adventurous travelers seeking true wilderness, long trekking days, and authentic cultural immersion.
⭐ Tour Highlights – Altai Trekking Tour
- 🏔️ Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Explore one of Mongolia’s most remote and spectacular regions inside Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, known for glaciers, high peaks, and untouched wilderness.
- 🧊 Potanin Glacier Panorama Hike to breathtaking viewpoints overlooking Potanin Glacier, the largest glacier in Mongolia.
- ⛰️ Khüiten Peak (4,374 m) Witness Khüiten Peak, Mongolia’s highest mountain, rising above the Altai range.
- 💎 Khoton Lake Trekking (Upper & Middle Sections) Long, scenic trekking days along the turquoise shores of Khoton Lake, surrounded by forests, meadows, and snow-capped peaks.
- 🌊 Baga Turgen Waterfall Visit one of western Mongolia’s most beautiful waterfalls hidden in a dramatic mountain gorge.
- 🥾 Easy to Moderate, Fully Supported Trekking Trek 15–20 km per day while a support vehicle carries luggage, food, and camping equipment—walk with only a daypack.
- 🏕️ Remote Wilderness Camping Experience true isolation with nights camping deep in the Altai Mountains, far from roads and settlements.
- 🐎 Nomadic Life Encounters Meet local Kazakh nomadic families, observe traditional herding life, and experience warm countryside hospitality.
- 🦅 Eagle Hunter Family Experience (Dayan Lake) Overnight stay with a traditional Kazakh Eagle Hunter family, learn about golden eagle hunting, and enjoy optional photo sessions.
- 🍽️ Authentic Kazakh Cuisine Enjoy homemade traditional meals, including Beshbarmak, shared with nomadic and eagle hunter families.
- 🔥 Bonfire Nights Under the Stars Evenings around the campfire with vast skies, silence, and unforgettable mountain atmospheres.
- 🌌 True Altai Expedition Feel A rare combination of long-distance trekking, cultural immersion, and pristine nature—ideal for adventurous travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Detailed Itinerary:
- 🚙 Driving Distance: ~200 km
- ⏱️ Driving Time: ~5 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Nomadic Ger Camp / Yurt / Tent
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Upon arrival in Ölgii city, the cultural heart of Mongolia’s Kazakh region, meet your trekking team and begin a scenic drive toward the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains gate.
As the city fades behind you, the landscape opens into vast steppe, river valleys, and rugged mountain terrain. Along the way, enjoy your first encounters with the raw wilderness of the Altai Mountains—home to wildlife, nomadic herders, and endless open space.
Arrive at camp in the late afternoon. After settling in, enjoy dinner and your first night surrounded by silence, stars, and towering mountain silhouettes.
- 🥾 Hiking Distance: ~12 km (one way)
- ⏱️ Hiking Time: ~3 hours (one way)
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Ger Camp / Yurt / Tent
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, begin a rewarding hike along a traditional horse trail that climbs gradually into the high Altai. The trail offers ever-changing views of alpine valleys and rugged peaks.
From the panoramic viewpoint, witness breathtaking scenery:
- The vast Potanin Glacier, Mongolia’s largest glacier
- The majestic Khüiten Peak (4,374 m), Mongolia’s highest mountain
Enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the most dramatic mountain settings in the country. In the afternoon, hike back to camp at a relaxed pace, with time to rest, photograph, and absorb the grandeur of the Altai.
- 🚙 Drive: Scenic off-road route
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, we drive deeper into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park toward the upper Khoton Lake area.
🌄 On the way:
- Wild mountain landscapes
- Rivers and valleys
- Wildlife sightings
- Traditional wooden bridges
Arrive at the lakeside campsite and prepare for trekking days ahead. Overnight in tents.
- 🚙 Driving: Remote off-road tracks
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent Camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you travel deeper into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, heading toward the remote upper Khoton Lake region.
The route crosses wild mountain terrain, rivers, and valleys, including several traditional wooden bridges used by nomads for generations. Wildlife sightings are possible, and the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as alpine lakes come into view.
Arrive at your lakeside campsite in the afternoon. Settle into camp and prepare for the trekking days ahead, surrounded by pure mountain air and silence.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~20 km
- ⏱️ Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
- 🏕️ Accommodation: Tent Camping
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Begin a full trekking day along the stunning shoreline of Khoton Lake. The trail alternates between forest paths, open meadows, and lakeside sections with crystal-clear reflections of surrounding peaks.
You will pass local nomadic families, grazing horses, yaks, and sheep, offering insight into traditional Altai life. Picnic lunch is enjoyed along the lakeshore.
In the evening, arrive at camp and enjoy a bonfire under the stars, sharing stories and soaking in the remote wilderness atmosphere.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~15 km
- ⏱️ Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
- 🏠 Accommodation: Local Nomadic Family
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue trekking toward the beautiful Baga Turgen Waterfall, hidden inside a dramatic mountain gorge. The sound of cascading water contrasts with the silence of the surrounding wilderness.
In the afternoon, arrive at a local Kazakh nomadic family’s home. Spend time learning about daily nomadic life, livestock herding, and traditional customs.
Dinner features Beshbarmak, the iconic Kazakh dish, shared with the family. Overnight stay offers a warm, authentic cultural experience.
- 🥾 Trekking Distance: ~20 km
- 🏠 Accommodation: Eagle Hunter Family Homestay
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Finally reach the Eagle Hunter family near Dayan Lake. Spend the day immersed in their traditional lifestyle.
🦅 Activities include:
- Learning about golden eagle training and hunting
- Observing daily nomadic routines
- Optional photo session with eagles and hunters
Share dinner with the family and spend the night in their home, gaining rare insight into one of Mongolia’s most iconic traditions.
- 🚙 Driving: Altai region → Ölgii
- 🏨 Accommodation: Hotel / Guesthouse
- 🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
After breakfast, begin the long but scenic drive back to Ölgii city. Enjoy final views of the Altai Mountains, rivers, and endless steppe.
Arrive in the afternoon with time to relax, shower, and explore local markets or museums.
- ✈️ 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 Easy to Moderate, with daily hikes of approximately 12–20 km on natural mountain terrain. Suitable for active beginners and intermediate trekkers.
- 🚙 Fully Supported Trek A support vehicle follows the route, carrying all luggage, food, and camping equipment. You trek with only a small daypack.
- 🏕️ Accommodation Combination of ger/yurt camps or tent camping in remote areas and one night with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter family.
- 🍽️ Meals & Cooking All meals are included as per itinerary and prepared by a professional cook. Picnic lunches are provided on trekking days; traditional Kazakh meals are served at the homestay.
- 🚿 Camping Comfort (On Request) Portable shower and sitting toilet can be arranged upon request during camping days.
- 🌦️ Weather Conditions Mountain weather can change quickly. Expect mild days and cool evenings; flexibility is essential.
- 🦅 Cultural Etiquette Please respect local customs when visiting nomadic families. Always ask before taking photos, especially of people and eagles.
- 🛣️ Road Conditions Travel includes long off-road sections. Roads can be rough, but this is part of the authentic Altai experience.
- 📶 Connectivity Mobile signal is limited or unavailable in most parts of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
- ✈️ Flights The tour starts in Ölgii and ends with a domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar. Flight schedules may change due to weather.
🎒 What to Bring – Altai Trekking Tour
🥾 Trekking & Clothing
- Comfortable trekking shoes / hiking boots (well broken-in)
- Layered clothing (base layer, warm layer, wind/waterproof jacket)
- Extra socks & underwear
- Hat or cap (sun & cold protection)
🎒 Daypack Essentials
- Small daypack (20–30L)
- Water bottle
- Snacks (optional)
🌞 Personal & Health
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- Personal toiletries
- Personal medications
🌙 Camp & Other
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Power bank (limited electricity)
- Personal cash (small bills)
📌 Note: All main luggage, food, and camping equipment are carried by the support vehicle. You trek with only your daypack.
⭐ Why Choose This Tour – Altai Trekking Adventure
- 🥾 Easy–Moderate, Walk-Light Trekking Enjoy real mountain trekking without carrying heavy backpacks. A support vehicle transports all luggage, food, and camping equipment.
- 🏔️ Mongolia’s Most Spectacular Mountains Explore Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, home to glaciers, alpine lakes, and Mongolia’s highest peaks.
- 🧊 Potanin Glacier & Khüiten Peak Views Hike to viewpoints overlooking Potanin Glacier and Khüiten Peak, the highest point in Mongolia.
- 💎 Khoton Lake Upper & Middle Sections Trek along the pristine shores of Khoton Lake, famous for its turquoise water and forested landscapes.
- 🌊 Baga Turgen Waterfall Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in western Mongolia, hidden in a dramatic mountain gorge.
- 🦅 Authentic Eagle Hunter Experience Stay with a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter family and learn about their ancient hunting culture.
- 🍽️ Professional Cook & Quality Meals Enjoy freshly prepared meals throughout the journey, including traditional Kazakh dishes.
- 🚿 Extra Comfort Options Portable shower and sitting toilet available upon request during camping days.
- 🌌 True Wilderness & Cultural Immersion Remote landscapes, nomadic encounters, star-filled nights, and deep cultural experiences far from crowds.
This tour offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and cultural discovery in Mongolia’s wild Altai region.
❓ FAQs Altai Trekking Tour
- Q: What is the trekking difficulty?
- A: Easy to Moderate. Daily hikes are about 15–20 km on natural mountain terrain with regular breaks.
- Q: Do I need to carry my luggage?
- A: No. A support vehicle carries all main luggage, food, and camping equipment. You hike with a small daypack only.
- Q: Where will we stay?
- A: A mix of ger/yurt camps, tent camping, a local nomadic family stay, and an eagle hunter family homestay.
- Q: Are meals included?
- A: Yes. All meals are included and prepared by a professional cook. Picnic lunches are provided on trekking days.
- Q: Is this tour suitable for beginners?
- A: Yes, for active beginners in good health who enjoy walking and outdoor travel.
- Q: What comfort facilities are available while camping?
- A: A portable shower and sitting toilet are available on request.
- Q: What weather should I expect?
- A: Mountain weather can change quickly. Expect mild days and cool evenings; occasional wind or rain is possible.
- Q: Will we meet local people?
- A: Yes. You’ll meet Kazakh nomadic families and spend time with a traditional eagle hunter family near Dayan Lake.
- Q: Is there mobile or internet coverage?
- A: Coverage is limited or unavailable in most areas of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
- Q: How does the tour start and end?
- A: The tour starts in Ölgii and ends with a domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar (weather-dependent).
- Q: Is this a private or group tour?
- A: Available as private or small-group departures.