Discover the beauty of Mongolia's wilderness on this weeklong trek through Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. You'll make the journey with an expert team that includes a mountain guide, a cook, support staff, and camels to transport your gear. Camp along the trail each night and enjoy hiking past icy glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and rushing rivers. Finish up the trip with a day of sightseeing in the city of Ulaanbaatar.

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 bustling Ulaanbaatar and enjoy one last day in civilization before we head out to the plains!
Apartment buildings 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

A traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) camp

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

Snow-capped mountains in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

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.

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Day 4: Climb to Malchin Peak

Camels in the snow in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

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

Mongolian women cooking in front of their home

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

Ulaanbaatar Government Palace

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 

It's time to say goodbye to Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar
A morning scene in Ulaanbaatar

Squeeze in some more sightseeing or souvenir shopping before heading to the airport. The trip has come to an end! Safe travels!

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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. 

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