Tour Overview

Located in the landlocked plateau of Central Asia between China and Russia, Mongolia covers a territory larger than that of Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy combined. As the 19th largest country in the world, Mongolia’s considerable size includes a fabulous array of pristine landscapes and a nomadic people whose lives are in many ways unaffected from the days of Genghis Khan and his mighty Mongol Empire. You’ll trek in the majestic highest Altai region by taking this exciting adventure trip. This trekking tour takes you all the way to the stunning Altai mountain range in the remote western Mongolia. The Mongol Altai range has some of the most exceptional mountain scenery that one could ever see without any doubts. Trekking through the snowy mountains amongst the majestic peaks, you will be walking on Mongolia's longest glacier. The trip is yet cultural, taking you to the different ethnic groups like the Kazakhs- people with very different culture and religion, Khoton and Tuva people of Mongolia. You will admire the amazing nature and unique traditions during this wonderful trekking.

Tour map

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Tour of the City
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Bayan- Olgii Province (Olgii Town)
Day 3: Trekking to Khoton & Khurgan lake
Day 4 – 6: Trekking in the Tavan Bogd National Park
Day 7: Arrive in Base Camp
Day 8: Potanin Glacier exploration day.
Day 9: Climbing to Mt. Malchin Peak of Five Holy Peak
Day 10: Trekking to Oigor river from the base camp.
Day 11: Back To Olgii
Day 12: Olgii – Ulaanbaatar
Day 13: Free Day in Ulaanbaatar
Day 14: Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

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Reviews

Aug 10, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum Explorer tour Our recent "The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer" tour with ...

Rafaella, Benedetta, Lidia

Sending you some of our nicer pictures. Some are chosen for their beautiful scenery while the rest a...

Margaret Suganda

Tour images

Full Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Tour of the City

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meet at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You visit the Gandan Monastery, Genghis Khan monument on the Sukhbaatar square and the Museum of National History. Centrally located excellent hotel 3* L

Day 2:

Ulaanbaatar – Bayan- Olgii Province (Olgii Town)

In the morning, after breakfast, check out hotel and catch flight to Bayan Olgii, local arrangements, drive out of the town toward the Tavan Bogd National Park, enjoy western Mongolia and arrive near to the place that we begin trekking and we’ll stop along the way for ancient rock carvings of Turkic Empire 1500 – 2000 years old and arrive near to the place that we begin trekking and overnight at tent. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 3:

Trekking to Khoton & Khurgan lake

Enjoy morning fresh air, smell green grass, have your first breakfast in the wilderness. We’ll start trekking today along to Khoton Hurgan lake to Tavan Bogd National park. Khoton & Hurgan lakes with vehicle support. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 4 – 6:

Trekking in the Tavan Bogd National Park

Trekking in Khoton Lake, Hot springs, Highest pass, Mt. Shiveet. Meet the Tuvan and other ethnic groups. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 7:

Arrive in Base Camp

Arrive in the base camp with camel support, 6 - 7 hours of walking, easy to moderate. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 8:

Potanin Glacier exploration day.

Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 9:

Climbing to Mt. Malchin Peak of Five Holy Peak

Conquering trek Malchin Peak (4050m), 4-5 hour. This peak provides a long climb, mostly on screen and requiring no technical equipment, yet affords tremendous views over Russia to the north and across to the glaciated peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd to the south. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 10:

Trekking to Oigor river from the base camp.

Today, we’ll head back to Olgii town, return trekking to the Oigor river where we’ll meet our drivers, overnight at tent in the wilderness. Tent Camping B+L+D

Day 11:

Back To Olgii

In the morning, we drive back to Olgii town with visit to Eagle hunter family. Arrive in Olgii and do 2 hr of city sightseeing tour including black market, local museum and mosque. Overnight at local hotel. Ger Camp B+L+D

Day 12:

Olgii – Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day that we stay in Olgii town, leisure morning and fly back to Ulaanbaatar, land at Chinggis Khaan Airport and will be transferred to your hotel, check in and rest at the hotel. Centrally located excellent hotel 3* B+L

Day 13:

Free Day in Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, we visit the Bogd Khaan’s Palace Museum – the residence of the last king of Mongolia and the Buddha Park. Enjoy traditional folklore concert by the magical Tumen Ekh ensemble. Farewell dinner. Centrally located excellent hotel 3* B+L+D

Day 14:

Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

You are transferred to the airport/train station after breakfast. End of service. B

Date & Price

Single supplement charge

US$400

Included services

Full-time services of your English speaking local guide throughout the tour
Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
Renting transport + driver with petrol, lubricants, maintenance
Accommodation in double/triple occupancy /hotel - H, ger camps-Gc, local hotel-Lc, tent-T/
Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
Air flights to/from Bayan Ulgii + 15 kg luggage free of charge, government taxes
Cook for the camping days
Camel support with camel guide
Border and relates permissions
0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day
Visa support invitation letter where applicable
Exclusive Altai Trekking tour souvenir!

Not Included in the Price

International Airfare/train ticket
Travel insurance.
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
Optional activities such as camel riding, archery, fishing etc
Sleeping bags and mat, and trekking gears

DISCOUNT CONDITIONS:

Children under 3 years old are allowed to stay in their parents room for free (not including an extra bed).
Children aged 4 to 11 years old receive a 40% discount on accommodation per night, inclusive of bed and breakfast.
Children 12 and above will be charged as adults.

Tour Background

Accommodation on Selena Travel tours

Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia has many hotels ranging from basic 1* to high-end 5*. Some international hotel chains have opened such as Kempinski, Ramada, and Best Western to name a few. Some of Selena Travel Mongolia tours do not include hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, where clients are advised to take care of their own accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Please refer to your tour program (Included services and Exclusions section) for more details.
Your Selena Travel advisor is happy to assist you with hotel booking on your request. Below you will find some suggested hotels in Ulaanbaatar:

Best Western Gobi Kelso ***
Springs hotel ***
Ramada hotel ****
Kempinski Khan Palace ****
Best Western Premier *****

Outside Ulaanbaatar: Please take in mind that traveling in the countryside of Mongolia is often tough, a trip is conducted in remote areas where there’s no hotel and paved roads exist.

Outside of Ulaanbaatar, tourist Ger camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongols have lived in Gers since the time immemorial. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-4 beds with good bedding, and also have western style showers and WCs (mostly shared). A few Ger camps offer en-suite Gers at additional charge (please ask your Selena Travel advisor for this). Due to remoteness some tourist Ger camps may not excel in service, so travelers may not always expect high pressure showers, bubble baths or gourmet food etc.

Food on Selena Travel tours

During your tour in Mongolia you will be eating in good restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, we have a great variety in restaurants in the capital city. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps and local cafes in the small towns and villages will be the places where you will be eating. Ger restaurants often have set menu, but their food is usually very good (Ger camps provide mostly continental breakfast, lunches consist of salad, soup, main course and dessert, whilst, dinners are usually salad, main course and dessert).

During your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps (often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a chocolate bar etc). Vegetarians are well taken care of both in Ulaanbaatar restaurants and tourist Ger camps.

Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours

When you travelling overland in a vehicle (minivan & jeep), it would be suitable if you have 20kg luggage per person (max). However, please kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 for the carry on luggage). For 1kg extra luggage you pay US$2 - 5.

DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO

The majestic Mongolian Altai Mountain range dominates the western part of Mongolia. The name Tavan Bogd (Five Saints - Five Holy Peaks) was given to a cluster of 5 dramatic peaks that tower the extensive Mongol Altai mountain range. The mountainous area climate is extreme with very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. The stunning mountains of Altai are home to wild animals such as the globally endangered Snow Leopard, Argali and Ibex, as well as wolves and many bird species.

Ethnic groups: Altai area is a place where many ethnic groups inhabit. You will meet the Kazak, Tuva, Torguud and many other small groups and enjoy their distinctive traditions and lives. The Kazakh is a small ethnic group of Turkic origin that was one of Genghis Khaan's tribes. They are Muslims and now live peacefully keeping their completely different customs, strict traditions, religion and inhabit the Altai Mountains. Not like their relatives in Kazakhstan, they speak in their own Kazakh language as Mongolian government gave them the rights to keep and conserve their native language and religion. The traditional Kazak gers are generally larger and more decorated than their Mongolian counterparts. Their traditions surrounding food are also quite different to those in Mongolia. Though, they are very friendly like the Mongols. Hunting by trained Golden eagles are tradition that dates back about 2000 years. The hunters catch young female eagles around two-years old and train them for their special hunting. Although hunting usually takes place in November and December the hunters are always proud to show their birds and to demonstrate their hunting methods.

Mongolia Altai Trekking - Some useful info about mountain trekking: The sport of trekking is not a modern fad but as old any other exploratory instincts known to mankind. The mountain folk have been doing it forever. There are no boundaries to trekking and age is no barrier, you are never too young and as old as you believe yourself to be. Trekking in the wilderness is apart from showing you some of the most amazing scenery that nature has bestowed upon us gives you the luxury of introspection and a sense of achievement at the end of the day. Welcome to the lands of infinite Mystique and unparalleled charm - Mongolia.

Trekking is one of the fundamental outdoor activities on which many others are based. Many beautiful places can only be reached overland by trekking. Mongolia hashed a lure for the traveler from time immemorial from those seeking salvation to the plain adventurous. Enthusiasts regard trekking as the best way to see nature. Trekking over long distances or over difficult terrain does require some degree of physical ability and knowledge. Trek along narrow winding trails with an abandon that comes only from knowing that the destination you seek will be beyond your expectations. Mongolia trekking is an unforgettable experience as Mongolia is a great place for hiking and trekking.

Adventure trekking and hiking in the Altai Mountains, Malchin Peak, Khangai Mountains, Terelj National Park, Gun-Galuut is wonderful. Trekking in Mongolia is unique as it gives you the chance to explore the country's nomadic culture and meet the friendly nomads while enjoying the nature beauty. No description of this trek would do justice to the scenery that unfolds in front of your eyes. Selena Travel organizes soft adventure short hikes and moderate treks to the hard adventure mountain climbing, mountain trekking and real challenging long treks.

Tour Map

Tour Reviews

Dec 21, 2024. The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer

Aug 10, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum Explorer tour Our recent "The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer" tour with you was excellent, everything exceeded our expectations! It was a super trip in our lives and we loved our Mongolia holiday so much. Our guide Joe was kind, well organised, accurate and informative, polite and caring and always provided us with timely information. And our driver Jack is super, very friendly, professional and always on time. We are wild travelers, having been to many places in the world - but Mongolia is still truly unspoiled and uncontaminated. Selena Travel's services were perfect right from the very first email. We would like to thank Selena Travel, our guide and our driver for having made this Mongolia experience a truly beautiful one with so many wonderful memories.

by Rafaella, Benedetta, Lidia

Aug 08, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum customized 11 days tour

Sending you some of our nicer pictures. Some are chosen for their beautiful scenery while the rest are just us happily playing and goofing around. There are a couple of shots of us doing some Mongolian wrestling, as suggested by Oyuna since we missed out on the mini-Naadam festival. She said since we missed it, we might as well organise our own festival by playing some Mongolian games. Haha... We had so much fun playing those games!!! :)OK, I hope you like the pictures we send you. Best regards to everyone at Selena Travel and thank you once again for all your assistance.

by Margaret Suganda

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Trekking in the Altai mountains tour