Mongolian Altai — A Journey into the Ancient, Mystical Heart of Asia
Traveling to Mongolia is a dream for anyone fascinated by Central Asia, ancient history, and nomadic cultures. The Mongolian Altai offers a world of extraordinary diversity, with vast valleys, expansive lake basins, sandy landscapes, and majestic mountain peaks.
Remote, wild, and still largely untouched, the Mongolian Altai preserves traces of the ancient nomadic civilizations of Central Asia. Across its rugged landscapes, you can discover remarkable rock paintings and petroglyphs, ancient stone statues, and burial mounds that tell stories of the people who once lived here.
A journey to Mongolia is much more than a holiday — it is an opportunity to discover the living heritage of nomadic people. You will experience their customs and traditions, traditional celebrations and games, beautiful music and songs, and authentic local cuisine.
One of the most extraordinary highlights of this journey is discovering the unique art of Kazakh golden eagle hunting. You will visit a traditional eagle hunter’s family, learn about this remarkable cultural heritage, and have the opportunity to witness a real golden eagle hunting experience in the magnificent Altai Mountains.
This adventure will also take you deep into the pristine wilderness of the Mongolian Altai, where you can experience the winter migration of Kazakh nomadic herders as they move with their livestock from their winter camps to their spring pastures near Dayan Lake.
Join us on this unforgettable journey to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Altai Mountains, the enduring traditions of the Kazakh people, and the authentic spirit of nomadic life in Western Mongolia.
Discover the wild beauty of the Mongolian Altai. Experience the traditions of its people. Become part of a living nomadic story.
After arriving in Ulgii city at the airport you will be met by our team (driver, guide and cook). Have breakfast in one coffee shop in the city of Ulgii. Go to the family of a hunter located 35 km from the Ulgii. Takes about 1 hour drive. Get to know the everyday life of a simple nomadic family. Every nomadic herders have busy time for welcoming newborn baby animals in spring between February to April. You will be helping the family with this hard work. Overnight in the hunter's family. There is no electricity, no internet, no shower. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Today you will be participating in a real hunt. After breakfast, you and the hunter on horseback go to the hunting site. The eagle hunters will ride up to high peak overlooking a wild valley. Out in the Altai Mountains, you really can see for many ,many miles from these peaks. All day you will see how the process of hunting with golden eagles takes place. Horse riding. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D (No shower, internet, electricity.)
Today you are visiting the family of another hunter who lives 50 km away in the village Sagsay (2 hours drive). Sagsay is the birthplace of famous hunters. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D. (No shower)
Hunting day. Today you will once again go hunting with a new hunter to a new hunting place. You will see a different view. Horse riding. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D ( No shower)
After breakfast you will drive to our nomadic families winter place in the Tsengel village. (80km, 4-5 hours drive). Every season these nomadic shepherds move their livestock to different pastures. Crossing frozen lakes moutain passes the Kazakh nomads herd their horses, camels yaks, sheep and goats from their winter pastures to the spring grasslands. Overnight in the family. B.L.D ( No electricity, internet, shower)
The first day of migration. Most of the families and possessions move to their spring camp on a truck, but the cattle must cross the mountains on a foot to find fresh pastures. You help the family pack and load things on the truck. Together with the herders you will follow the cattle.Horse riding about 20- 25 km 5- 6 hours. Overnight in a temporary small yurt. B.L.D.(No electricity, internet, shower)
The second day of migration. Their spring home in Sirgali valley in Altai Tavan Bogd national park of Western Mongolia. Horse riding about 5- 6 hours, 20- 25 km. Overnight in a temporary yurt. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower )
Today we leave the cattle and go to the family. Explore the Sirgali valley, to see Baga Turgen Waterfall, stone mans, petroglyphs, Khoton and Khurgan lakes.Hiking and walking about 5 km. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower)
Today, after a long drive (180 km, 5-6 hours) you will go to Tsagaan gol valley and visit to Tuvan family and get to know their life and traditions. On the way, you can see stone mans of the Turkic age and large burial grounds, Khirgisuurs and modern graves of the Kazakh people of various types. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower)
Today, after breakfast, you, together with a horse guide, on horseback go to Mount Shivet Khairkhan and see a beautiful view of the snow covered peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain. Shivet Khairkhan is a sacred mountain of the Tuvan people. Mountain is famous for its rich wildlife, specifically Siberian ibex. Explore the area, see the Petroglyphs. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D (No electricity, internet, shower)
Today drive back to Ulgii city. Relaxing day. Take hot shower. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D
Today, in the central square of the city, you will see the Kazakh national holiday Nauryz. Enjoy a parade of peoples on traditional costumes and traditional music of Kazakh people. After you can visit families and see how ordinary families in the city celebrate Nauryz and taste the traditional food “Besbarmak”, “Khazy or smoked horse meat",“Nauryz koje" Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D
Nauryz Eagle Hunter festival. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D.
Rest day in Ulgii. Visit to the local museum. Shopping. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D.
• English speaking guide, • driver ; • cook; • 3 meals per day; • 14 nights accommodation; • 4×4 transport +petrol • Kazakh Eagle Hunter; Real, eagle hunting, horse riding, migration; • Festival fee; • Drinking water; • Toilet paper and antibacterical hand cleancer; • Camping equipments: sleeping bag, folding bed, matters, chair, kitchen equipments, tent for toilet, generator etc.
• International and domestic flights; • Travel insurance; • Visa, extra hotel charges; • Excess baggage costs; • Tips and gratuities for the service team ( guide, cook, driver); • Alcohol drinks; • Personal needs.
What to bring: • Waterproof hiking boots; • Waterproof clothing; • Warm clothes,(fleece, long pants, woolen hat, gloves ); • Walking clothes; • Personal medicat ion; • Solar powered light; • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat; • Ziplock bags; Meals: Our tours will include both Western and Mongolian meals. We know how to serve vegetarians. The climate: Mongolia has a high elevation, with a cold and dry climate. It has a extreme continental climate. Spring in Mongolia is windy and begins in March until the end of May. The average day temperature of Mongolian Altai spring is -3 to +12 degrees during day time and -16 to +2 degrees at night. During the tour we can use a generator to charge your cameras and batteries.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia