Western Mongolian Hiking Adventure

Highlights

Local Nomadic Families – Meet herder families and ranger Erdenebaatar, who works on wildlife conservation — especially snow leopard protection.

See Ibex – With some luck, you may spot them up close or at least through binoculars as they move along the rocky slopes.

Uureg Lake – A deep, cold, mountain lake known for its mirror-calm surface, dramatic ridgelines, and quiet shores, a perfect final descent points after days in the high mountains.

Alpine Lakes of Mountain Turgen – Small, crystal-clear mountain lakes hidden in high basins, reached by a quiet circular hike on the rest day.

Kharkhiraa Pass – A high plateau surrounded by glaciers, offering wide open views of both Kharkhiraa and Turgen peaks — one of the most memorable moments of the entire trek.

Camel and horse support for carrying gear, with optional short horseback riding experiences along the route.

Tour summary

This isn’t just a trek — it’s a full immersion into Mongolia’s wild west, where nature, culture, and adventure come together in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
Set between the snowcapped Kharkhiraa and Turgen Mountains, this journey takes you into a way of life that has barely changed for centuries. After landing in Ulaangom, the center of Uvs Province, you head straight into true wilderness with our crew, support camels, and horses guiding the way through remote valleys and high mountain passes.
Days are filled with steady hiking along crystal-clear rivers, crossing rugged alpine passes, and exploring glacial lakes. Wildlife is part of daily life here — ibex, marmots, foxes, golden eagles, and, with some luck, traces of the elusive snow leopard.
Life in Altai is shaped by extremes: long winters, harsh landscapes, and a deep bond with nature. The region is home to Durvud, Torguud, Zakhchin, Kazakh, and other ethnic groups, creating a rare mix of cultures, music, craftsmanship, and herding traditions found nowhere else in Mongolia.
Along the way you’ll meet nomadic families and Ranger Erdenebaatar, who works on wildlife conservation — especially snow leopard protection. Step inside local homes, share tea, listen to stories, and watch daily tasks like cow-milking and cheese-making for an authentic glimpse of mountain life.
Round-trip domestic flights keep the logistics simple: fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ulaangom and head directly into the mountains.

Customizable Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival & City Tour
Arrive at Ulaanbaatar Airport and transfer to the Bayangol Hotel. Visit Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum of Mongolian History, and finish the evening with the Tumen Ekh traditional performance.

DAY 2

Statues & Terelj National Park
Check out from the Bayangol Hotel. Visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue and Museum, then continue to Gorkhi–Terelj National Park. Explore Turtle Rock, Aryabal Meditation Temple, and the dinosaur sculptures. Overnight in a ger camp.

DAY 3

Fly West to Ulaangom
Transfer back to Ulaanbaatar Airport and fly to Ulaangom. Drive 22 km to the base campsite of Turgen Mountain.

DAY 4

River Valleys of Kharkhiraa & Turgen
Hike to the Kharkhiraa River valley, follow the riverside to the confluence, then continue upstream toward the base of the main ridge and camp there.
Distance: 20 km

DAY 5

Headwaters of the Kharkhiraa River
Continue hiking uphill along the Kharkhiraa River to the headwaters and camp.
Distance: 20 km

DAY 6

Alpine Lakes Loop
A circular hike to several alpine lakes on the southern foothills of the Turgen massif.
Distance: 19 km

DAY 7

Kharkhiraa Pass → Olon Nuur Valley
Ascend Kharkhiraa Pass (3,016 m), a small plateau surrounded by glaciers. Descend into the Ereesen Valley in Olon Nuur and camp at 2,627 m.
Distance: 19 km

DAY 8

Olon Nuur → Black Goat River Valley
Cross the Olon Nuur Valley, climb over Black Goat Pass, and descend into Black Goat River Valley before continuing to camp.
Distance: 14 km

DAY 9

Black Goat River Valley
Descend the Black Goat River Valley and visit Ranger Erdenebaatar’s family before continuing to camp.
Distance: 17 km

DAY 10

Drive over Bairam Pass (26 km) and hike down to the shore of Lake Uureg.
Distance: 15 km

DAY 11

Return to Ulaangom & Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Drive to Ulaangom, visit the Chandmani Uul tombs, and if time allows, the Aimag Museum. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the Bayangol Hotel.

DAY 12

Departure
Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport for your flight home.

Dates & Prices

DATES

DURATION

TOTAL COST

TOTAL COST INCLUDES THE DEPOSIT

2025.01.20

2025.01.30

10 Days

$2000

Book now

2025.01.20

2025.01.30

10 Days

$2000

Book now

2025.01.20

2025.01.30

10 Days

$2000

Book now

Included

All accommodations

All internal transportation

All food in Mongolia

All kitchen equipment

Tent

All sightseeing cost

All entry permissions

Not Included

Alcoholic drinks

Sleeping bag and mat