Active Adventures in Mongolia: Mountains, Glaciers & Altai Tavan Bogd National Park - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Guided City Tour 

Welcome to Mongolia! Your flight lands in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's largest city and capital. Originally a nomadic Buddhist center, it became a permanent site in the 18th century, serving as a trade hub between China and Russia until Outer Mongolia declared itself independent. In 1924, the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar, which means "Red Hero." Modern Ulaanbaatar is known for its interesting architecture, museums, and historic sites.

Your driver will collect you from the airport and transport you to your hotel for check-in. Once you've had a chance to regroup, head out and see some of the city with a guided tour. Meet your guide and start at the National Museum of Mongolia, which has exhibitions of artifacts from ancient times and traditional nomadic life. Take a stroll around the bustling Main Square as your expert guide explains more about the city and its history, then end with a visit to the Choijin Lama Temple Museum and see the collection of Buddhist art and artifacts, including intricate thangka paintings and ornate sculptures.

Day 2: Fly to Ölgii, Transfer to Ger Camp

This morning, you'll head to the airport for your flight to the city of Ölgii (Ulgi), located in western Mongolia and the capital of the Bayan-Ölgii Aimag province. After your three-hour flight, you'll be met by your private driver and together with a support team of cooks, guides, and other drivers, you'll make a five-hour drive across the mountainous desert ranges. This region is home to the Kazakhs, a Turkic ethnic group who originate from Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Traditionally, Kazakhs are seminomadic and raise sheep, horses, and other livestock, and keep and train eagles for hunting. 

Enjoy your scenic drive across the desert, then arrive at your campsite in a river valley, where you'll make camp and relax with a delicious dinner prepared by the camp cooks. Take in the expansive desert sky and the quiet, peaceful evening before heading to bed and resting up for tomorrow's adventures. 

Day 3: Trek to Tavan Bogd Peak Base Camp

The day starts early as you hike to your base camp at Tavan Bogd Peak. This mountain massif sits near the Russian border, a gorgeous craggy range with its highest peaks reaching more than 14,000 feet (4,374 m) above sea level. Together with your guides, you'll make a gradual but continuous ascent across the high mountain terrain, trekking through marshes and crossing streams. Along the way, you'll see your camp's camel drivers pass by, traveling with fast-moving camels in order to arrive at camp earlier and set up. You'll dine by the campfire and sleep tonight at base camp.

Day 4: Climbing Excursion up Malchin Peak

After a hearty breakfast prepared by the camp cooks this morning, start the climb to Malchin Peak, one of the five peaks that make up the Tavan Bogd. The peak towers at an elevation of more than 13,000 feet (4,050 m) and is the only peak of the five that can be climbed without special equipment. The distance to the top is approximately 3.5 miles (5.8 km) and takes about six hours. 

Start with an hour-long hike along the Potanin Glacier, which takes you to the base of Malchin Peak. Named after explorer Grigory Potanin, the glacier stretches over 8 miles (14 km) through the Tavan Bogd and into the Altai Mountains. Along the way, you'll take in the incredible scenery of this remote area, passing by clear rivers fed by the glacier ice, wildflower-filled meadows, and mountain peaks. 

Upon your arrival at the base of the mountain, you'll begin your ascent, following the instructions of your guides as you make your way up. At the top, you'll be rewarded with spectacular bird's-eye views of glaciers and nearby Russian territory, as the ridge overlaps with the country's border. Relax at the top for a bit, then head back down and make your way back to camp, where you'll enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring for the evening. 

Day 5: Return to Ölgii, Visit a Local Kazakh Family

Break camp this morning and begin the roughly 98-mile (158 km) drive back to Ölgii, stopping along the way to visit a local Kazakh family and see their golden eagles. For centuries, the Kazakh people have incorporated eagles into their hunting practices, raising and training them from a young age to aid in hunting animals such as rabbits, marmots, and foxes. Meet a local family and learn more about the history and traditions of their culture, and see the golden eagles in action.

Upon your arrival in Ölgii, your driver will drop you off at your hotel for check-in, after which you're free to rest up or have dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 6: Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar, Sightseeing Fun Around the City

Check out of your hotel this morning and head to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After settling in at your accommodations here, make the most of your last full day in Mongolia with a guided city tour. Visit the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the palace where Mongolia's eighth living Buddha lived for two decades and a wonderful place to see traditional Buddhist paintings and sculptures.

You'll also have the opportunity to visit the newly opened Chinggis Khaan Museum and marvel at its collection of archaeological artifacts from the Mongolian Great Empire, led by the legendary Chinggis Khaan (Ghengis Khan). Visit local shops for some last-minute souvenir shopping, then end the day with modern Mongolian cuisine at one of the city's many excellent restaurants.

Day 7: Depart Ulaanbaatar 

It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Mongolia today. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!