Mongolia's Realm of the Five Kings

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 across wildflower-dotted meadows and along the edge of glaciers, and experience a pristine mountain world where Kazakh nomads still hunt with golden eagles. At trek's end, we head to the capital to witness the annual Nadaam Festival,  complete with archery, wrestling, and wild horseback races—a truly Mongolian spectacle!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Ulaanbaatar / Ulgii / Tavan Bogd National Park / Syrgal Camp

After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, we fly to Ulgii in Mongolia’s far west and make a rugged overland journey across the starkly beautiful high desert steppe to Tavan Bogd National Park. Our campsite is in a pristine setting of snow-capped mountains, rivers, and lakes whose shores are ringed by Kazakh settlements.

Days 3-11
The High Altai / Potanin Glacier / Ulgii

We begin our trek with a visit to 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. With camels and horses carrying our gear, we trek northward through classic open-steppe country and wide river valleys. 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 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. Khuiten (14,350'), Mongolia’s highest peak. Returning to Ulgii, we explore the fantastic Neolithic petroglyph site at Tsagaan Salaa, a World Heritage Site.

Days 12-14
Ulaanbaatar / Gandan Monastery

Heading back to Ulaanbaatar, we visit Gandan Monastery and enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance including hoomi throat singers. Depart on Day 14.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 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 at altitudes ranging between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. We hike 4 to 10 miles each day. Most of the hikes are moderate with a couple of days of challenging hikes. Sturdy waterproof boots and gaiters are essential for potential snowy conditions atop Must Pass (Day 6). 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.

On Days 4-10, our trek gear is transported between camps by camel and pack horses, and on other days by truck. We will have a few horses with us on this hike, primarily to be used for river crossings. 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. There are two major river crossings that require 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 horseback 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 be very cold! A dusting of snow is not uncommon here at this northern latitude, even in the summer, and atop Must Pass (10,000’), we do expect to hike through snowy terrain. There are also many beautifully clear and sunny days with bright blue skies.

Explanation of Trip Levels