Budget Altai Trekking tour

Raw, rugged and remote, this region has for centuries been isolated – both geographically and culturally – from the Mongolian heartland. With its glacier-wrapped mountains, shimmering salt lakes and hardy culture of nomads, falconry and horsemanship, western Mongolia is a timeless slice of Central Asia.  Spectacular Budget Altai Trekking tour tour takes place on Altai Mountains, in Western Mongolia.

You would trek through vast land, pristine lakes, through high snowy mountain passes and on most remote areas of Mongolia where Russia, China and Mongolian border meets.

It is a 9 days of tour, 8 days of trekking including MALCHIN peak, and 1 and half days transfers in between destinations.

Kazakh Tour organizes the basics of this tour, such as transport, local guide and required permits as well pack horse.

No meals are included on this tour to downsize the price of tour.

According to the military rule, if someone travels within 100kms to the border line, then they should get military permit from local base through a tour agent and must have a local guide with them. Without a local guide it is not allowed to travel in the park.

However if you would like to trek without a guide then you can contact Kazakh Tour or Traveler's Guest  house (nazkanaa@gmail.com)  to get organized self trek.

Here is a sample Budget Altai Trekking tour itinerary for you - however you can customize as you wish!

Day 0:  Arrive to Ulgii - Show up at Kazakh Tour office - We would explain all the details of the tour on the map - you would get all information you might need - prepare for the tour such as shopping at grocery- arranging camping tent - cooking tools etc. Kazakh tour team can arrange some part of the equipment you might need. Also you can buy everything you might need in Ulgii, such as small gas stove, gas bottle/can. cooking tools, sleeping bag, tent etc. But for sleeping bags and tent, we would recommend you to bring good quality ones.

Day 1: get picked up from your accommodation and drive 7 hours to get to beautiful Khoton Lake.  Never mind, there would be stops for photos on the way as well time for looking for your horse. ("I will look for my horse" - that is a polite traditional way for a Mongolian to indicate to have toilet. LOL - Fun)  There would be a military border control post in between the Khoton and Khurgan lakes.  You would asked for your passports to control - Drive little further and either you can stay with a nomad kazakh ger to experience the nomad way of life or just camp by lake shore of Khoton.  Its just incredible here at this point where you are away from civilization - (Since 2023 there is cell phone coverage and internet connection around Khoton khurgan lakes. Unitel (GSM  operator) has better range)

Day 2: you would meet a local horseman who is arranged by Kazakh tour office in the morning before you leave for the next camp.  He would have a pack horse or a CAMEL to carry your gear. (Number of horses or camel/camels depends on your group size )  You would follow the local guide or he would follow you to the next camp. These local guides have experience working with tourists however they speak tiny little English. He would have his own food with him - but you should expect to share meals on the way.  Average hiking distance of days would be 17km - 10 miles which is gonna take 6 - 7 hours depending on terrain and trekking speed.  As we explained you are away from civilization so do not expect any shopping mall or even tiny grocery store on the way. However you can stay with some families and enjoy the local meal on this tour (Ask Kazakh tour office)

Day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7:  Each day offers a distinctly different experience as the terrain and landscapes of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park constantly evolve—even within the same day. You will traverse a variety of alpine environments, from wide glacial valleys to rugged mountain passes, fully immersing yourself in the pristine and largely untouched wilderness of this remote region.

Day 8 – Malchin Peak Ascent:

This day begins with an early alpine start. We strongly recommend departing base camp at approximately 6:00 a.m. for the ascent of Malchin Peak, one of the five highest summits of the Altai Tavan Bogd massif. The peak sits directly on the Mongolia–Russia border, rewarding climbers with expansive panoramic views across both countries.

The round-trip ascent takes approximately 9 hours, with an expected return to base camp at around 3:00 p.m. While this is not a technical climb, it should not be underestimated. The route involves sustained uphill sections, steep slopes, rough rocky terrain, and a short upper section that may include snow-covered ground depending on conditions.

Crampons are generally not required, but trekking poles are highly recommended for stability. Carrying sufficient water to stay well hydrated throughout the climb is essential.  Please note that local support staff  will remain at base camp and do not accompany climbers on the ascent of Malchin Peak. The climb is undertaken independently by participants.

Day 9:  You would trek 4 hours from base camp to Northern ranger station and meet our driver at 13:00. It is gonna take 5 hours for you to drive back to Ulgii.

There are some more important details of the tour that are not explained here - You would get those information when you are at Kazakh tour office or after online booking. U r welcome to Whatsapp + 97699422006 for faster connection. 

Please watch following video Budget Altai Trekking tour.