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A landscape from Western Mongolia, the setting for the Western Mongolia · 22 days · Grand Expedition.

Western Mongolia · 22 days

Western Mongolia · 22 days · Grand Expedition

The fullest expedition: Northern Mongolia (Khuvsgul, Tsaatan), Western Mongolia (Bayan-Ölgii, Altai Tavan Bogd, eagle hunters), Tolbo and Tsambagarav, Bor Khyariin sand dunes, and a return flight from Uliastai.

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Overview.

This 22-day Western Mongolia grand expedition is the longest standard Mongolia tour we run. Days 1 to 9 are the Northern Mongolia content – Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Uran Togoo, the Darkhad Valley with three days of horseback riding to live with Tsaatan reindeer-herding families, Khuvsgul Lake, and the route west via Shine Ider. Days 10 to 18 are the Western content: Khyargas Lake, Bayan-Ölgii, three days at Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Five Sacred Peaks, Potanin Glacier viewpoint), a Kazakh eagle hunter family visit, Tolbo Lake and Tsambagarav Mountain. Days 19 to 22 are a south-Khangai return loop: Bor Khyariin sand dunes, Mukhartiin Gol, Senjit Khad and Ulaagchiin Khar Lake, with a return flight from Uliastai to Ulaanbaatar on Day 22. Travel is by Toyota Land Cruiser; group size is two to six guests.

Region
Western Mongolia
Duration
22 days
Best season
June – September
Group size
2–6 guests

Pricing is tailored to your dates and group size. Final quote in USD, sent within 24 hours.

Departures

Departures run on request through the season, tell us your dates and we hold a date for you.

Quick facts

Total distance
4,000–4,200 km
Maximum altitude
~2,800 m (Tavan Bogd lakes)
Start / end
Ulaanbaatar
Group size
2–6 guests
Languages
English (Buya); driver speaks working English

Day by day.

Day 1: Amarbayasgalant monastery

In the morning, drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful and historic monasteries. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at a ger camp. Visit the monastery and hike the nearby hills for panoramic views of the valley and the monastery.

Day 2: Uran togoo

Urantogoo Volcano is an extinct volcano in northern Mongolia. It became inactive about 800,000 years ago. The top of the volcano is reachable by a short trek, and from the summit, you can enjoy amazing panoramic views. Urantogoo is a great place for anyone who loves nature and adventure.

Day 3: Murun city

Murun is the capital of Khuvsgul province, near Khuvsgul Lake. It’s the gateway to northern Mongolia’s nature and culture. Will take permission to the Taiga region. Stay overnight in a ger camp.

Day 4: Journey to the Beautiful Blue Darkhad Valley

After staying in Murun city, we will drive to Darkhad Valley. We will visit a local horse guide family to prepare for the next few days of horse trekking and meet the equestrian guide who will accompany us throughout the trip. Overnight stay in a traditional ger.

Day 5: Ride horses through nature and visit reindeer people

We will ride through rugged mountains and boggy valleys. Upon arrival at the reindeer camp, we will spend the night in traditional Tsaatan huts. With no light pollution in the Mongolian countryside, you can enjoy stargazing under a dazzling night sky.

Day 6: Stay another day with the reindeer people

Today, we stay in the area and continue learning about the Tsaatan (Reindeer) people. Enjoy light hiking through the taiga and mountain valleys while observing local flora and fauna. This region is rich in medicinal plants used by the reindeer herders for food and healing.

Day 7: Riding back to horse herder family

It is time to say goodbye to the Reindeer People. We pack our luggage, mount our horses, and ride back along the same trails, spending the night in a ger.

Day 8: Khuvsgul lake

Khuvsgul Lake, often called the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” stretches 136 km in length and 36 km in width, lying at an elevation of 1,645 meters above sea level. The lake and its surrounding region remain remarkably pristine and unspoiled.

Day 9: Off driving. We have some activities of hiking, climbing mountains, watching birds, etc

Day 10: Shine Ider

Day 11: Khyargas lake

Day 12: Bayan-Ulgii city

Day 13-15: Altai Tavan Bogd mountain

Day 16: Eagle hunting family

Day 17: Bayan-Ulgii city

Day 18: Tolbo Lake/ Tsambagaraw mountain

Day 19: Bor khyariin sand dunes

Day 20: Mukhartiin Gol

Day 21: Senjit Khad & Ulaagchiin Khar lake

Day 22: Fly to UB from Uliastai

Why this trip.

This 22-day grand expedition is the only standard tour we run that combines Northern Mongolia (with the Tsaatan reindeer herders) and Western Mongolia (with the Altai and the Kazakh eagle hunters) in a single trip. It is also the only expedition where the return is by domestic flight from Uliastai rather than driving the same route back – this saves around 5 days of repeat driving and lets the route loop south through the Khangai for new content (Bor Khyariin sand dunes, Mukhartiin Gol, Ulaagchiin Khar Lake) instead of retracing the Northern drive. The result is the most varied Mongolia trip we offer – the Tsaatan trek, the Altai mountains, the alpine lakes, the eagle hunters, the southern desert dunes – in one continuous expedition.

For travelers comparing options: the 14-day Western round trip drives to Bayan-Ölgii and back along a similar route, without the Northern leg. The 12-day Northern Tsaatan tour covers the Tsaatan content without the Western leg. The 20-day Northern grand tour combines Northern with Central and the Gobi (rather than Western). The 22-day is the right choice when you want both the Tsaatan AND the Altai – the two most distinctive cultural experiences in Mongolia – and have three weeks. We do not recommend trying to compress this into 18 or 20 days – the Tsaatan trek and the Western drives are not compressible without losing the experience.

What's included.

Included

  • Private Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent vehicle for all road transfers
  • Domestic flight from Uliastai to Ulaanbaatar on Day 22
  • Experienced local driver, English-speaking guide (Buya), and a horse-trek guide for the Tsaatan trek
  • All accommodation: ger camps, two or three nomadic family overnights, two nights at a Tsaatan camp, hotel nights in Ulgii
  • All meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Horses and tack for the six days of horse trekking (Tsaatan)
  • All entrance fees: Amarbayasgalant, Uran Togoo, Tengis-Shishged National Park, Khuvsgul, Altai Tavan Bogd, Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, and others as required
  • Bottled drinking water on driving days; treated water on the Tsaatan trek
  • Eagle hunter family visit with translation support

Not included

  • International flights to and from Ulaanbaatar
  • Pre and post-tour Ulaanbaatar hotel nights (we can recommend or arrange)
  • Mandatory travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
  • Optional activities not in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, laundry
  • Gratuities for guide and driver (appreciated but not required)
  • Museum camera fees where applicable
  • Personal sleeping bag (recommended; rentals available in Ulaanbaatar)

Travel insurance is required. We recommend SafetyWing or World Nomads, see the Before-you-go guide.

Where you stay.

Most road-day nights are at established ger camps with private bedding, communal dining, and shared bathing facilities. Two to three nights are with nomadic families. Two nights are at a working Tsaatan reindeer-herding camp staying in or beside one of the family's urts (the conical tipi-style tents the Tsaatan use). Two nights are at hotels in Ulgii (modest 2 to 3 star, private bath, hot water, heating). Bedding is provided everywhere; we recommend bringing your own sleeping bag for the Tsaatan trek nights or renting one in Ulaanbaatar. The first and last nights of the trip are at your Ulaanbaatar hotel.

What to bring.

The 22-day grand expedition spans two regions and two climates (the Northern taiga and the Western Altai mountains). Pack for variety. Layered clothing important: warm fleece and gloves for the Tsaatan trek (East Taiga can drop near freezing at night even in July), a full rain shell, sturdy waterproof boots for the trek, riding pants or thick trousers, thick socks, a warm hat and a sun hat, sunglasses, broad-spectrum SPF, a small daypack, a headlamp with spare batteries, a reusable water bottle, hand sanitiser, and any personal medications. For the Tsaatan trek: a sleeping bag rated to 0°C or below (rentable in Ulaanbaatar). Riding helmets are provided. A small dry bag for valuables and a power bank are useful – there is no electricity at the Tsaatan camp.

See packing notes in our Before-you-go guide →

Common questions.

What does the 22-day grand expedition cover?

Two regions in their full depth. Days 1 to 9 are Northern: Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Uran Togoo, three days of horse trek to a working Tsaatan reindeer-herding camp (two nights at the camp), Khuvsgul Lake (two days). Days 10 to 18 are Western: Khyargas Lake, Bayan-Ölgii, three days at Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, a Kazakh eagle hunter family visit, Tolbo Lake and Tsambagarav Mountain. Days 19 to 21 are a south-Khangai return: Bor Khyariin sand dunes, Mukhartiin Gol, Senjit Khad, Ulaagchiin Khar Lake. Day 22 flies from Uliastai back to Ulaanbaatar.

Is 22 days really necessary?

Yes if you want both the Tsaatan and the Altai in one trip. The Tsaatan trek alone is six days of horse trekking (three each way). The drive to Bayan-Ölgii and back through the Altai takes another 8 to 9 days. The flight return from Uliastai saves 5 days of repeat driving. Compressing this into 18 to 20 days requires either dropping the Tsaatan or shortening the Western leg substantially. If you have less than 22 days, the 12-day Tsaatan or the 14-day Western round trip are better choices than a compressed expedition.

Why does this tour fly back from Uliastai instead of driving?

Two reasons. First, driving back the same route adds 5 to 6 days of repeat content. Second, the south-Khangai return loop (Bor Khyariin sand dunes, Mukhartiin Gol, Ulaagchiin Khar Lake) is genuinely worth seeing and only fits if the trip ends at Uliastai (the closest airfield). The flight is around 90 minutes; the drive would be 4 to 5 days through territory you would have already crossed. Domestic Mongolian flights are weather-dependent; we confirm at booking.

Who is the 22-day grand expedition for?

Travelers with three weeks available, comfortable on horseback for multi-day trekking (six total days for the Tsaatan), comfortable with basic camping at the Tsaatan camp, and willing to manage variety across the two regions and many accommodation types. Most guests are second or third Mongolia visits, or first-time visits with a strong pre-existing interest in seeing both the Tsaatan and the Kazakh eagle hunters. Moderate fitness and patience for long driving days are important.

What is the best time of year for the 22-day tour?

June through August is the reliable window – the only window the Tsaatan trek runs. June is the start of the season (cooler at the lake, fewer travelers); July and August are peak. September is technically possible for the Western leg but the Darkhad road becomes unreliable for the Tsaatan portion. We do not run the 22-day from October through May.

What is included in the 22-day tour?

Specific inclusions confirmed at booking; typically: private vehicle and English-speaking driver, horse trek guide and horses for the Tsaatan trek, return flight Uliastai-Ulaanbaatar on Day 22, all accommodation (ger camps, two to three family stays, two nights at a Tsaatan camp, two hotel nights in Ulgii), all meals on tour, all entrance fees across the two regions and the south-Khangai loop, bottled drinking water, eagle hunter family visit. Excluded: international flights, Ulaanbaatar hotel nights, sleeping bag (rentable), travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, gratuities. Final inclusions are confirmed in writing before any payment.

How much driving on the 22-day tour?

Total driving is roughly 4,000 to 4,200 kilometers across the road days, plus 60 to 80 kilometers of horseback riding for the Tsaatan trek and the 90-minute return flight from Uliastai. Long, but distributed over 21 days, so daily averages are manageable. The longest single days are the regional transfers (Northern to Western, Western to south-Khangai).

Can the 22-day be shortened?

Some shortening is possible, with sharp trade-offs. Dropping the Tsaatan trek saves 6 to 7 days but removes one of the two distinctive experiences. Dropping the Western leg saves 8 to 9 days but turns the trip into a regular Northern tour. Shortening the south-Khangai return loop and flying directly from Bayan-Ölgii saves 3 to 4 days but loses the dunes and Ulaagchiin Khar Lake. Custom 16 to 18 day variants are possible if you tell us which region or experience is the priority.

What kind of accommodation across the regions?

Most nights are ger camps with private bedding, communal dining, and shared bathing facilities. Two to three nights are with nomadic families. Two nights are at a Tsaatan camp in an urts. Two nights are hotels in Ulgii (modest 2 to 3 star, private bath, hot water, heating). The first and last nights are at your Ulaanbaatar hotel. Standards vary across the regions – the Tsaatan camp is the most basic, the Ulgii hotels are the most conventional.

What are the Bor Khyariin sand dunes?

A small dune system in southern Khangai, on the route between Uliastai and the Khangai mountains. Smaller than the Khongor Dunes in the Gobi but with the same wind-singing sand and Bactrian camels grazing nearby. The dunes are part of the Day 19 stop on the south-Khangai return loop. Typically 30 to 40 minutes of walking on the dune ridges.

Book this trip.

Baska replies personally, in your language, within 24 hours. We can adjust dates, routing, and pacing.

Chat on WhatsApp Baska replies within 24 hours, Mon–Sat (UB time). Or email us

Not sure which tour fits your dates? See the planning guide.

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