The Two Faces of Altai Mountains Tour
Explore the rich cultural heritage of both Mongolia and Russia during our fully curated Altai Mountains tour. A journey of discovery and exceptional natural beauty awaits.
Book Your Tour- 11 daysTwo countries, one range
- 4,506 mMount Belukha
- Russian visaNeeded in advance
- $1,952Per person, from
About This Tour of the Altai Mountains — Explore with People Who Live and Breathe the Region
Our Two Faces of Altai Mountains tour explores the two very different sides of this stunning mountain range from the points of view of culture, history, and nature. With our experienced and highly knowledgeable guides in the driving seat, you’ll be treated to some of the world’s most stunning views. Our tour takes you through lush riverine forests, glacial valleys, and along some of the most challenging off-road routes in the region. There’s something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to natural beauty.
If you want to discover this region’s rich history, you won’t be left disappointed. Our route takes in some of the most significant historical sites in Mongolia and Russia. You’ll spend time on the magnificent Lake Teletskoye, the perfect place for a scenic motorboat ride that offers great views of various waterfalls. And there’ll always be a comfortably authentic place to rest your head at night, as we lay on a series of stops at some truly exceptional camping grounds.
Touring the Altai Mountains starts with a drive through the world-renowned Steppes. While you’re in Mongolia, you’ll visit Kazakh Eagle Hunters. Then, you’ll head into Russia, where you’ll get to see the traces of ancient Turkic culture during a private jeep ride along the Chuisky Tract. And all the while, every point of interest will be explained by one of our passionate and knowledgeable tour guides.
What to Expect During Your Altai Mountains Tour
We want your trip to be littered with surprises. However, to ensure you’re prepared for what lies ahead, here are a few highlights, facts, and figures about the region you’re about to call home for eleven days.
This tour takes you across both sides of the Altai Mountains, a range shared by Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia. Its highest peak, Mount Belukha, rises 4,506 metres and is the tallest in Siberia. You’ll travel along stretches of the Chuisky Tract, which National Geographic named one of the ten most beautiful roads in the world. You’ll also cross Lake Teletskoye, the Golden Lake, by motorboat, with water clear enough to see six to fourteen metres down.
Along the way, you’ll ride with Kazakh eagle hunters in Bayan-Ulgii, home to an estimated 80 percent of the world’s eagle hunters. You’ll also meet Telengits, Altai people, Tuvans, and other communities who call the mountains home. Ancient treasures wait too, from the tattooed Ukok princess, preserved in ice for roughly 2,500 years, to the Pazyryk burial mounds, built more than 2,200 years ago.
Terrain
This stunning part of the world is characterized by its extremes, something that also applies to its topography. Mount Belukha rises 4,506 metres and is the tallest peak in Siberia. On the Katu-Yaryk Pass, a winding road with nine curves overlooks the Chulyshman Valley, home to the famous Stone Mushrooms. You’ll also cross the Seminsky Pass at 1,894 metres.
Climate
Some people call it changeable. However, there are distinct seasons in this part of the world. And the nights can get chilly all year round. At Kosh-Agach, the average summer temperature is about 11.5 degrees Celsius, while winters average roughly minus 22 degrees.
Wildlife
The Altai is home to the endangered snow leopard, which preys on Siberian ibex and argali. Argali, the largest wild sheep in the world, carry massive, curved horns. Brown bears and grey wolves also roam the mountains, and Pallas’s cats live on the Chuya steppe. Watch for golden eagles soaring above the peaks, and bearded vultures sometimes joining them.
Culture
You’ll be treated to a selection of ancient cultural landmarks and customs during your Altai Mountains tour. In western Mongolia, UNESCO protects rock carvings that record around 12,000 years of human history. In Russia, you’ll see Turkic runic inscriptions at Kalbak-Tash and the Pazyryk burial mounds, which date back more than 2,200 years.
Travel in Style
Explore this rugged part of Russia and Mongolia in comfort, with a private guide and 4x4 jeep transfers. You’ll also be taken across the resplendent Lake Teletskoye by motorboat.
Your Altai Mountains Tour Accommodation
You’ll sleep three nights in a private ger camp in Bayan-Ulgii, with a folk concert just for your group. In Russian Altai, you’ll stay four nights in lodges and camps, including one beside the Stone Mushroom rock formations.
Altai Mountains Tour Itinerary
Eleven days, days five to nine in Russia. Open any day for the full detail.
In full
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,)
In full
After breakfast visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Mongolian Buddhism, after exploring a site we drive to west of Ulaanbaatar for discovering an wild horse reservation area, explore the park by foot, optional horseback ride, overnight in gers.
(Ger camp; B, L, D)
In full
After breakfast transfer to airport, fly to Bayan-Ulgii province (3 hours), arrive in Ulgii town, transfer to your private camp that locates nearby Khatuu River, spend this afternoon relaxing in your camp, drive to nearby petroglyph site to discover ancient arts on rocks, stop on the way to visit to local Kazakh families, in the evening enjoy dinner in your private ger camp, overnight in gers. (Private ger camp; B, L, D)
In full
Morning we meet your horseman, Kazakh Eagle Hunters, spend all morning ride with Eagle Hunters and witness how they train their Golden Eagles, afternoon ride back to camp for dinner and overnight. Enjoy an private folk concert in the evening, overnight in your private ger camp. (Private ger camp; B, L, D)
In full
Drive to north to Russian Altai, arrive in welcomed by Mongolian Outdoor Travel's guide at the "Tashanta" crossing point in Russia, then driving to Kosh-Agach settlement in the Altai Republic (100 km). Accommodation in the hotel "Kosh-Agach". Visiting the museum of Kazakh-Telengit culture. (Local Hotel; B, L, D)
In full
After breakfast we transfer to Chagan-Uzun spring, discover this sacred place, then transfer to Chui-Oozy national park including visiting Kalbak-Tash tract and seeing petroglyphs that are a part of the Turkic cultural layer; familiarization with rock inscriptions of the Turkic runic texts written in Orkhon-Enisey alphabet symbols. Then a photo session with the symbol of Altai – the sacred Belukha Mountain. Altai style lunch will be served at the café in Chui-Oozy park followed by a visit to ail – the park's museum. Transfer to Tuekta village, visiting the sacred junction of the two magnificent rivers – Katun and Chuia; seeing stone idols, the remains of Turkic settlement, sand pillars, royal mound, as well as the legendary Chike-Taman mountain pass and the ancient wheel road that preceded the modern Chuiskiy Trakt. Transfer to Manzherok village, visiting the monument of the integration of Altai nation in Russia, Seminskiy mountain pass, familiarization with the history of Chuiskiy Trakt. Later in the afternoon transfer to Gorno-Altaysk. Accommodation and dinner in the hotel "Igman". (Igman Hotel; B, L,D)
In full
After breakfast transfer to Lake Teletskoe ( 210 km by tarmac). Travel by motorboat from the Northern to the Southern end of the lake (2 hours. 170 km ), visit the Korbu waterfall. Pack lunch will be providedduring boat ride, transfer to Chulyshman valley. Accommodation in the camp "Kamennye griby" or Stone Mushroom, dine in local café. In the afternoon explore nearby natural stone compound called stone mushroom. (Local Hotel; B,L, D)
In full
Transfer across Katuyaryk mountain pass to Pazyryk mounds dated back to Turkic period. Time for observation and photograps. Transfer to Aktash village (170 km by tarmac), accommodation in the camp "Kochevnik". (Local Hotel; B, L, D)
In full
Transfer to Kosh-Agach. Visiting the museum of Kazakh-Telengit (150 km by tarmac) culture and meeting a shaman. Crossing the state and customs border through "Tashanta" crossing point in Russia. Arrival to Mongolian "Ulaan Baishin" crossing point, then transfer to ger camp next to Ulgii town. Overnight in gers. (Ger camp; B, L,D)
In full
Transfer to local airport, fly to Ulaanbaatar (3 hours), upon arrive transfer to hotel. Dinner and followed by folk concert, overnight in hotel. (Hotel; B, L,D)
In full
After breakfast transfer to airport for departure to your home: (B;)
Tour Costs
Prices are per person and based on double occupancy for groups of two or more.
A single supplement of $230 per person applies if you’d like a room to yourself.
Domestic flights and photo fees are not included, and you’ll need to apply for a Russian visa in advance.
Your tour price covers
- A private tour guide
- All meals
- Snacks and bottled water
- A motorboat ride across Lake Teletskoye
- Ground transfers in a 4x4 vehicle
- Road tolls
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Three nights in a private ger camp in Bayan-Ulgii
- Four nights in standard lodges in Russian Altai
- One night in a ger camp in Hustain Nuruu National Park
- Two nights at Hotel Nine in Ulaanbaatar
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Book a Tour of the Altai Mountains Today
Exploring this stunning part of Asia should be on everyone’s bucket list. But to stay safe and enjoy the best possible experience, it’s best to do so with the help of experienced and highly knowledgeable tour guides. Book your Altai Mountains tour today!
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