Trekking Mongolia's Altai Mountains

This fantastic trekking adventure takes place in Mongolia’s “Wild West” among the snow-capped peaks of the High Altai Mountains, one of the longest mountain chains in Central Asia. In this remote corner where Mongolia, China, and Russia meet, we discover a beautiful swath of untouched wilderness, topped by the 14,000-foot peaks of Tavan Bogd National Park. With Bactrian camels and horses to carry our gear, we camp at alpine lakes, hike to a glacier, explore ancient burial mounds and petroglyphs that are haunting testaments to Mongolia’s shamanic traditions, and experience a pristine mountain world where Kazakh nomads still hunt with golden eagles. Join us for a true expedition across trackless terrain—a singular experience for adventurous trekkers.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Ulaanbaatar

We visit Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia, with its temples, courtyards, and maroon-robed monks, and view artifacts from the days of Genghis Khan at the National History Museum.

Days 3-4
Ulgii / Tavan Bogd National Park / Syrgal Camp

After flying to Ulgii in Mongolia’s far west, we make a rugged journey across high desert steppe to Tavan Bogd National Park. From our campsite in a pristine setting of lakes, rivers, and the snow-capped Syrgal Mountains, we explore the 5th century BC stone monuments of the Pazyryk culture, an ancient people of the steppe, and visit local Kazakh families to experience their warm hospitality and pastoral lifestyle. Kazakh men traditionally hunt from horseback with trained golden eagles, pursuing foxes and rabbits across the mountains, and we meet them at their lakeside camps and learn about this ancient skill.

Days 5-12
The High Altai / Potanin Glacier / Ulgii

Hiking past several alpine lakes formed after the last glaciation, we enjoy the sweeping beauty of the stark landscape with its backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Along the way we marvel at the Biluut petroglyphs, a recently uncovered site in remote terrain featuring more than 1,600 images of hunting and combat scenes, mythological figures, and symbolic sacred art. Crossing a 10,000-foot pass used by nomadic herders as they move their flocks with the seasons, we head into an alpine world of dramatic mountains topping 14,000 feet and wildlife including ibex and Argali sheep. We hike along the edge of the Potanin Glacier to a spectacular camp at 9,800 feet with a backdrop of the snowy flanks of Mt. Huiten (14,350'), Mongolia’s highest peak. Returning to Ulgii, we stop to explore the Neolithic petroglyphs at Tsagaan Salaa, a World Heritage Site with more than 10,000 ancient carvings.

Days 13-14
Ulaanbaatar

Return to Ulaanbaatar and depart on Day 14.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

• Gobi Desert Extension (5 days)
• Lake Hovsgol Extension (5 days)

What the Trip is Like

This trip is graded 4, or moderate to strenuous, according to our trip grading system. It is designed for those who are experienced in mountain hiking and enjoy camping. On trek, we typically hike a total of 5-8 hours a day (8-10 miles), with a stop for a trailside lunch, at altitudes ranging between 6,000 and a maximum of 10,000 feet. In general, the hiking is over relatively flat or rolling terrain, but we do cover a number of miles each day and the trip is expeditionary in nature, even though most of the hikes are not that difficult. Make sure you have properly fitted, broken-in shoes and a good blister kit. Sturdy waterproof boots and gaiters are essential for potential snowy conditions atop Must Pass (Day 7). For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking, jogging, or staircase walking is an excellent preparatory exercise. We provide mountain dome tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags rated to 15ºF. Camp conditions are comfortable but more basic than they are in other, more established, trekking destinations. Our staff cooks and serves the meals, and there is a shared toilet tent at camp, and on some nights, a field shower. Treated drinking water is distributed each day on trek.

On Days 5-11, our trek gear is transported between camps by camel and pack horses, and on other days by truck. We will have a few local horses with us on this hike, primarily to be used for river crossings. There is one major river crossing that requires us to ride horses, as the water is cold and the current swift. Most people find the crossing exciting, but it does involve inherent risk that is beyond the control of Wilderness Travel. For those interested, an occasional short ride to take a break from hiking may be possible, but not guaranteed. There are many portions of the trek that are not suitable for horse riding.

Our overland travel is by 4WD Russian vehicles across rough roads, bumpy tracks, and open country. These older vehicles, while basic, are heavily preferred for traversing the rugged country of western Mongolia, as they can seemingly go anywhere and are relatively easy for drivers to repair without assistance or special-order parts. It is not uncommon to stop periodically to avoid overheating and allow the air-cooled engines to cool down.

Mountain weather is always unpredictable. Come prepared for at least some rain, wind, and some very cold nights and mornings. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 30ºF! A dusting of snow is not uncommon here at this northern latitude, even in the summer, and atop Must Pass, we do expect to hike through snowy terrain. That said, there are also many beautifully clear and sunny days with bright blue skies.

Explanation of Trip Levels