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Walking the Ancient Field Galleries of the Altai Mountains | Mongolian Outdoor Travel
Snow-capped peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd above a green valley and glacial river in Bayan-Olgii
14 days · Western Mongolia

Walking the Ancient Field Galleries of the Altai Mountains

  • 14 daysUlaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar
  • Bayan-OlgiiWestern Mongolia
  • 2 to 8Small group
  • $2,551Per person, from

Overview

Deep in the westernmost tip of Mongolia lies the Altai Mountain range—a dramatic, high-alpine sanctuary holding thousands of years of human history. This specialized overland expedition takes you far beyond the crowded tourist paths into Bayan-Olgii province, just a scenic three-hour flight from Ulaanbaatar.

Here, you will explore ancient burial mounds, marvel at legendary Turkic stone monuments, and stand before the world's most expansive open-air galleries of prehistoric rock art.

This is not a passive sightseeing tour. We elevate your journey by pairing rugged backcountry exploration with exclusive comfort and elite academic insight:

On-Site Academic Guidance

Travel alongside a resident archaeologist from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, providing exclusive, expert-led lectures and on-site interpretations of ancient mysteries.

Private Mobile Ger Lounge

Skip the crowded, static tourist camps. Relax in our private, mobile gers set up specifically for your group's dining, evening lectures, and deep cultural discussions right at the archaeological sites.

Highlights

  • UNESCO World Heritage Art

    In-depth walking tours through the massive Tsagaan Salaa and Biluut rock art complexes, featuring thousands of beautifully preserved ancient carvings.

  • Indigenous Cultural Meetings

    Genuine, respectful encounters with both the legendary Kazakh Eagle Hunters and traditional Tuvan Shamans.

  • Landscape & Views

    Pristine vistas of Mongolia's highest peaks, including Altai Tavan Bogd and Tsengel Khairkhan, reflecting over the alpine waters of Khoton and Khurgan Lakes.

  • Trekking Pace & Difficulty

    Daily walks lasting 3 to 6 hours at a comfortable, unhurried pace. The terrain features gentle slopes with no challenging, steep climbs.

  • Altitude Comfort

    Carefully designed routes that ensure no altitude sickness or acclimatization issues, making the high Altai accessible to all active travelers.

Moderate Hiking in Altai Mountains

Detailed itinerary, day by day.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia, center of emerging economy and melting pot of nomadic civilization and metropolitan style. Welcomed by Mongolian Outdoor Travel guide and transferred to you hotel in down town (30 minutes), welcome dinner in Mongolian style restaurant. (Hotel; D,)

Start this morning visiting to National History Museum guided by curator and researchers of National History Museum of Mongolia. After hearty lunch we transfer back to your hotel, in the evening you will discover Fine Arts Museum of Mongolia with private guide tour associated with dinner at private hall of museum. (B, L, D Hotel )

Early morning transfer to airport, fly to Bayan Ulgii province (3 hours), upon arrive we welcomed by our crew then transfer to outskirt, after 1.5 hours of ride we camp in valley of Yamaat (3 hours). In the evening explore a surrounding areas by foot, overnight in tents. (Tented Camp; B, L,D)

Morning we start driving towards Tsagaan Salaa petroglyph site for further exploration, After 2, 5 hours we arrive in Tsagaan Salaa site, settle up into our temporary camp we explore this enormous site with local scientist, return to your base for dinner and overnight. Overnight in tents. (Tented camp; B, L, D)

Spend all day hiking through this ancient gallery on your own, pack lunch will be provided, afternoon we gather in base camp for lecture by scientist of Mongolian Academy of Science and discuss about this site. Fresco dinner amidst ancient drawig site and Altai Mountains. Overnight in gers. (Hiking time 3-4 hours) (Tented camp; B, L, D)

This morning we hike towards to south and after 3 hours of walk we picked by our fleet then to drive Shveet Khairkhan Mountain, afternoon we arrive nearby Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, we camp next to White River only one water outflow from largest glacier of country, overnight in tents. (Hiking time 3-4 hours) (Tented camp; B, L, D)

Spend this day exploring large quantity of petroglyphs of Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain,

After 4-5 hours of comfortable pace of walking in foothills of 3000 meters mountains we return to base camp for dinner, lecture and overnight. Overnight in tents. (Hiking time 4-5 hours) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

In the morning meeting local Tuvans and find out their animistic belief then we start to hike along White River Valley, we spend good 4 hours of hike in flat trails some, river crossings, after pack lunch we starting to walk in some steep trails and arrive in valley of Tsagaan Airag River Valley, overnight in tents. (Hiking time 5-6 hours, some river crossing, mostly flat, a few minor steep hikes ) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

Star walking towards valley of South Khuiten Pass via Baga Khag Lake's murrain boulders, pack lunch on the way, then we will cross over 3000m South Khuiten Pass, afternoon arrive in your camp that locates in nearby Khar Airag river. Overnight in tents. (Hiking time is 6-7 hours, mostly flat, gradual hike up in the afternoon) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

Morning we will leave Mogoit River Valley, while we hiking we explore ancient burial mounds, Bal-Bal stone man, we walk through in gradual up hills walks with flat ground, this day you will see a first time some larch tree forests, after 5-6 hours of camp we camp in Mogoit River Valley, overnight in tents. (Hiking time is 5-6 hours, mostly flat, gradual hike up in the afternoon) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

This is a our last day of trekking, morning after 2 hours of hike we leave valley of Mogoit then we enter into valley of Hoton & Hurgan Lake, stunning Alpine lake surrounded with snow capped mountains, afternoon we arrive at base camp nearby lake, overnight in tents. (Hiking time is 5-6 hours, mostly flat, gradual hike up in the afternoon) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

Spend all day walking and exploring amazing art works of Biluut Mountain, afternoon return to base for dinner and overnight. In the evening enjoy lecture by Mongolian Scientist, overnight in tents. (Hiking time is 5-6 hours, mostly flat, gradual hike up in the afternoon) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

We spend all day driving back to Ulgii via Tsengel sum and Hovd River, later in the evening arrive in hotel in Ulgii, overnight in local hotel. (Hiking time is 5-6 hours, mostly flat, gradual hike up in the afternoon) (Tented Camp; B, L, D)

Morning transfer to Ulgii town for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar, fly to Ulaanbaatar (3 hours), upon arrive transfer to hotel. Once arrive at the hotel, you'll have time to relax and enjoy some wine before farewell dinner. (Hotel; B, L, D)

Depart in the morning for airport t and connect to international flights home. (B; )

Prices

$3,954 2 to 4 members Per person based on double occupancy
$2,551 5 to 8 members Per person based on double occupancy

Departures

FILL: which months this trip runs. Ask the office, then add each as a span inside mot-when-list above.

What is included

Included

  • Private guide throughout
  • All ground transport
  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
  • Meals as marked in the itinerary
  • National park and entrance fees

Not included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights within Mongolia
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Drinks, tips and anything personal

FILL: these two lists are a starting point, not the client’s own wording. Replace both with the real inclusions before this page goes live.