Western Mongolia Horse Trek & Eagle Hunters
About this tour
Experience Mongolia and Kazakhstan on horseback, far beyond the usual tourist routes. Ride through wild mountains, forests, valleys, and open steppe while staying with local nomadic families and meeting traditional Kazakh eagle hunters.
Our horse treks combine adventure, nature, and authentic nomadic life. You’ll ride with experienced local horsemen, camp in remote landscapes, enjoy meals around the campfire, and experience daily life and traditions that are difficult to discover on a standard tour.
Whether you choose the mountains of West Mongolia or the spectacular landscapes of East Kazakhstan, the focus is on small-group, authentic experiences and exploring the wilderness on horseback.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Our team will pick you up from the airport and welcome you to Mongolia. Spend the day discovering Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Explore the city, visit local sights, enjoy Mongolian food, and prepare for your journey to western Mongolia.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ölgii, Mongolia
In the morning, take a flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours. After arriving in Ölgii, enjoy breakfast before continuing by SUV toward our horse trekking base camp. The drive is approximately 120 km and usually takes around 2–3 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. After reaching the base camp, meet a local Kazakh nomadic family and spend time talking about their traditional lifestyle, culture, livestock, and life in the Altai mountains. You will also meet your horses and prepare for the trek. Overnight in a traditional Kazakh ger.
Day 3: Ölgii, Mongolia
Meet your experienced local wranglers and get to know your horse before starting the trek. Our first riding day takes us through relatively open and flat landscapes, giving riders excellent opportunities to experience different riding styles, including trotting and long gallops where conditions allow.
Day 4: Ölgii, Mongolia
Spend the day with a traditional Kazakh eagle master and learn about the ancient relationship between the eagle hunter, his horse, and his golden eagle. You will have a strong opportunity to witness eagle hunting or a traditional hunting demonstration, depending on weather, season, and local conditions. In the evening, enjoy a special traditional dinner(Besbarmak) at the eagle master's home, accompanied by Kazakh traditional songs, music, and dancing.
Day 5: Ölgii, Mongolia
Today we combine horseback riding with another full day of cultural experience. Ride together through the surrounding mountains and open landscapes while learning more about the traditions of eagle hunting and Kazakh horsemanship. During the day, stop for lunch with a local family and experience traditional hospitality and homemade food.
Day 6: Ölgii, Mongolia
Enjoy one last full day with your horse, wranglers, and local families. In the evening, gather together for a farewell dinner. Finish the adventure around a large campfire, sharing stories, traditional food, and memories with the family and wranglers before saying goodbye.
Day 7: Ölgii, Mongolia
After breakfast, we leave the horse trekking area Altai village and drive back toward Ölgii. Along the way, stop at beautiful viewpoints and interesting landscapes for photographs and short breaks. After reaching Ölgii, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening after several days in the mountains.
Day 8: Ölgii, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After arriving in the capital, enjoy some free time before gathering together for a farewell dinner. Celebrate the end of your journey with your fellow travelers and our team. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.
Day 9: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
This day our team drop off you on airport.
What's included
We want you to experience local life as naturally as possible. During the trip, you may have opportunities to visit local places and communities depending on availability and your interests, including nomadic families, local schools, hospitals, and other community places. Included for Your Comfort Sleeping bags Mattresses and bedding Camping and trekking equipment Traditional ger accommodation All necessary basic equipment for the horse trek Meals and drinking water during the trekking days Local transportation according to the itinerary
Gifts and contributions for the local families we visit Applicable local taxes and service charges
Languages spoken
What to know
Bring Warm Clothing The most important thing is to bring warm clothing. The horse trekking area is located in the Altai Mountains, where the altitude is high and temperatures can drop significantly, especially at night and during windy or rainy weather. We strongly recommend bringing: Warm jacket Thermal/base layers Warm sweater or fleece Waterproof jacket and trousers Warm hat and gloves Warm socks Comfortable, waterproof shoes or riding boots Sunglasses and sunscreen Even during summer, mountain weather can change quickly. Please be prepared for cold nights, strong wind, rain, and changing temperatures
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia