Here is the itinerary breakdown:
Altai Wonders: Eagles, Lakes & Nomads
Day 1 — Fly to Ölgii City
Your adventure begins with a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province and the cultural center of Mongolia's Kazakh community.
After meeting your local driver, you will have time to explore Ölgii depending on your flight schedule. Visit the local market and museum, browse traditional Kazakh handicrafts, and hike up to the hilltop memorial monument for panoramic views over the city.
Overnight: Hotel or guesthouse in Ölgii
Activities: City exploration, market and museum visit, short hike
Day 2 — Drive to Khurgan & Khoton Lakes
After breakfast, leave Ölgii and drive toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
The journey takes you through vast open steppe, rugged mountain valleys and spectacular landscapes of the Mongolian Altai. By afternoon, arrive at Khurgan Lake, one of the famous twin alpine lakes near the Chinese border.
Continue to Khoton Lake, surrounded by dramatic mountains and pristine wilderness.
In the evening, enjoy traditional Kazakh hospitality and dinner before settling into your lakeside camp.
Overnight: Lakeside ger or tent camp
Activities: Scenic drive, hiking, sightseeing
Day 3 — Explore Khurgan & Khoton Lakes
Spend the day exploring the beautiful Khurgan and Khoton Lake area.
Walk along the shores of the crystal-clear lakes, enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery and discover ancient petroglyphs and Turkic stone monuments scattered throughout the region.
There is also an opportunity for fishing or an optional horseback ride along the lakes.
Overnight: Lakeside ger or tent camp
Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, petroglyphs, cultural exploration, optional horseback riding
Day 4 — Stay with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter Family
Today you will experience one of the most distinctive traditions of Bayan-Ölgii: Kazakh eagle hunting.
Visit a local Berkutchi, a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter, and see a live demonstration of hunting with a trained golden eagle.
You will spend time with the eagle hunter's family, learning about their traditional lifestyle, customs and daily activities.
Enjoy authentic Kazakh food and experience the family's hospitality before spending the night in or near their ger.
Overnight: Eagle hunter's family ger
Activities: Eagle hunter visit, golden eagle demonstration, cultural experience, nomadic lifestyle
Day 5 — Return to Ölgii
After breakfast, begin your scenic drive back toward Ölgii through the mountain valleys and steppe landscapes of western Mongolia.
Once back in the city, enjoy some free time to explore local shops and markets or purchase traditional Kazakh handicrafts and souvenirs.
In the evening, you may have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Kazakh dinner accompanied by local music and dancing.
Overnight: Hotel or guesthouse in Ölgii
Activities: Scenic drive, shopping, cultural activities
Day 6 — Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, transfer to Ölgii Airport for your domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
Your Altai adventure comes to an end after experiencing the spectacular lakes, mountains, Kazakh culture and traditional eagle-hunting heritage of western Mongolia.
Activities: Airport transfer, domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar
