Highlights
- Explore the Mongolian wilderness with an expert guide
- Camp in the mountains of the national park
- Visit a local family and see their golden eagles
- Sightsee in the city of Ulaanbaatar
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Ulaanbaatar | Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 2 | Fly to Ulgy | Ger camp |
| Day 3 | Trek to Tavan Bogd Peaks Base Camp | Altai Tavan Bogd |
| Day 4 | Climb to Malchin Peak | Malchin Peak |
| Day 5 | Drive Back to Ulgy | Ulgy |
| Day 6 | Sightsee in Ulaanbaatar | Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 7 | Depart Mongolia |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Mongolia! Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city. You will be met by an English-speaking guide who will accompany you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. You'll go on a guided city tour at the end of the itinerary, but in the meantime, you could head out to see a few sights this afternoon if you're up to it.
Consider stopping into the National Museum of Mongolia for an overview of the country's history and culture, or wander around the colorful temples in the Choijin Lama Temple Museum complex. Then have dinner in a local restaurant before getting some rest.
Day 2: Fly to Ulgy
Early this morning, take a 3-hour flight to Ulgy in western Mongolia. The Kazakhs living in the area are the largest national minority and practice Sunni Islam, but a number of other ethnic groups also reside in the region. Upon arrival, you'll meet with a support team of drivers, cooks, and a guide. As a group, you'll travel across the mountainous desert and camp in a river valley.
Day 3: Trek to Tavan Bogd Peaks Base Camp
Trek today to base camp. It's a gradual but continuous ascent across high mountain terrain with some marshes and a couple of streams to cross. Camel drivers load up the camels and start the trip later, but soon overtake hikers, arriving at camp earlier to allow the cook time to set up operations. You'll dine by the campfire and sleep tonight at base camp.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Climb to Malchin Peak
After a hearty breakfast, start the climb to Malchin Peak. You will hike along the Potanin Glacier for an hour before arriving at the mountain. Once you reach the top, you'll enjoy spectacular bird's-eye views of glaciers and of Russian territory, as the ridge overlaps with the country's border. You'll camp out again tonight after a meal provided by the group's cook.
Day 5: Return to Ulgy
After breakfast, you'll start the long drive back to Ulgy. Along the way, you'll stop to visit a local Kazakh family and see their golden eagles, which they keep for hunting purposes. You'll sleep at a hotel in Ulgy and have dinner in a local restaurant before the last full day of the trip begins.
Day 6: Enjoy a City Tour in Ulaanbaatar
Today you will board a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After settling in at your hotel in the city, you'll go on a guided city tour. Take some time to explore the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the palace where Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha lived for two decades. It's a wonderful place to see traditional Buddhist paintings and sculptures. After the tour is over, you'll sample modern Mongolian cuisine in one of several excellent restaurants.
Day 7: Depart Ulaanbaatar
Squeeze in some more sightseeing or souvenir shopping before heading to the airport. The trip has come to an end! Safe travels!
More Mongolia Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mongolia? Check out these other Mongolia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.