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1 – Everyone can;
10 – Everest climber.
We meet in the morning in Gorno-Altaysk and head toward Kosh-Agach, the last village before the Mongolian border. It’s a full day on the road, but far from boring—our route follows the Chuyskiy Trakt, one of Russia’s most beautiful roads.
We’ll cross two mountain passes—Seminsky and Chike-Taman—and make scenic stops: at the confluence of the Katun and Chuya Rivers, in alpine meadows, and at rocky cliffs. The scenery changes constantly: forests give way to bare hills, rivers to rocky steppes.
By evening, we reach Kosh-Agach, check into a hotel, and rest up before crossing the border tomorrow.
Early in the morning, we head to the border. After completing all the formalities, we continue to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province. Here we’ll exchange money, check into a hotel, and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through the town, visit souvenir shops, and stop by a viewpoint on the edge of the city. The view is stunning: the town lies at your feet with the Altai Mountains rising beyond — especially magical in the golden light of evening.
After breakfast, we visit the local museum to learn how people used to live in these harsh lands—what they wore, believed, and how they survived.
Next, we set out for Khovd, stopping along the way at Tolbo Lake. Its crystal-clear water reflects the sky and surrounding peaks like a mirror. On a clear day, you can see Mount Sayr, nearly 4,000 meters tall. The lake’s shallow waters attract swans, cranes, and other waterfowl.
We arrive in Khovd by evening and check into a hotel for some well-earned rest.
Today we head toward the northern edge of the Gobi Desert, where the sands of Mongol Els begin. The area is steeped in legends, and though we won’t venture deep into the desert, we’ll definitely feel its presence.
Next, we continue into the Great Lakes Depression—a region filled with both saltwater and freshwater lakes. We’ll pause at Durgun Nuur for a short photo session: the dunes and water create a picture-perfect backdrop.
In the evening, we return to our hotel in Khovd.
Khovd is a city where cultures and eras intertwine—you might see a Buddhist stupa on one street, a Soviet-era building on another, and a yurt tucked behind a high-rise.
We’ll visit the local history museum, with its collection of traditional costumes, Buddhist and Kazakh artifacts, and replicas of ancient petroglyphs and deer stones.
Later, we head to the Gandan Puntsag Choiling Monastery, surrounded by a ring of 108 white stupas. In the afternoon, we’ll walk through the city, browse the market, and once again take in views from a scenic overlook.
Today we go deep into the country by off-road vehicle, heading to Khoid Tsenkheriin Agui, one of Mongolia’s most ancient sites with UNESCO-listed petroglyphs. On its towering stone walls—up to 20 meters high—are drawings of prehistoric animals: bulls, mammoths, camels, and deer.
On the way back, we stop at Khar-Us Nuur, one of Mongolia’s largest lakes. We’ll have lunch in Khovd, then transfer to our transport and return to Ulgii, where we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening.
After crossing the border, we once again follow the Chuysky Tract — alongside rivers, over passes, and through mountain vistas.
We expect to arrive in Gorno-Altaisk late in the evening, so it’s best to book a hotel in advance and plan your onward journey for the next day.
Special prices are valid until 17.04.2025!
On Day 1, at 10:00 local time, at Gorno-Altaysk Airport and at the parking lot of Igman Hotel.
Transfer from Barnaul can be arranged by prior agreement. Contact your manager for details.
On Day 7, we return to Gorno-Altaysk late in the evening. Transfer to Barnaul is available for an extra fee.
On Day 1, at 10:00 local time, at Gorno-Altaysk Airport and at the parking lot of Igman Hotel.
Transfer from Barnaul is available by prior arrangement and at extra cost — in this case, you'll need to arrive in Barnaul the day before and be ready to depart by 05:00.
The group returns to Gorno-Altaysk late in the evening on Day 7 around 22:00–23:00.
Accommodation for the night is booked and paid separately.
Transfer to Barnaul is also available at additional cost.
Return flights should be booked for the following day after the tour ends.
Note: We kindly ask you not to purchase the tickets until the manager sends you a confirmation and guarantees that the tour will take place.
We will travel in a private Hyundai Grand Starex. In off-road areas, we’ll switch to local high-clearance vehicles. If you're prone to motion sickness, consider bringing medication.
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Tourism infrastructure in Mongolia is modest, so accommodations will be basic but cozy. We selected the best available hotels with standard double rooms with private facilities. Triple rooms may be available upon request.
Showers and toilets are in-room, but guests are asked to use hot water sparingly due to limited boiler capacity. Wi-Fi is available in all hotels, but it may be unstable.
Note: If you travel alone, we can book a single room at extra cost or try to find a roommate for you. Ask the manager for the details.
Examples of accommodation in Kosh-Agach
Examples of accommodation in Khovd
Examples of accommodation in Ulgii
Mongolian Tögrög.
Bring cash rubles to exchange small amounts for meals and souvenirs. You can also bring US dollars, but only new bills are accepted for exchange.
Daytime temperatures rise to around +15...+20 °C, while nights are cooler at about +5...+10 °C. Rain is rare and usually brief.
A dry and windy period. Daytime temperatures reach +20...+25 °C, with nighttime temperatures around +10...+15 °C. Rainfall is infrequent and short-lived. Water in lakes and rivers warms up to about +17 °C — swimming is possible.
No special physical training is required. The route is suitable for anyone without contraindications to moderate activity (up to 3 km walking per day). The main challenge is long hours in transit. People with blood pressure issues should be cautious, as the route includes frequent elevation changes.
Children are allowed to participate from the age of 7 and only if accompanied by their parents.
The checklist #72 will help you prepare for this trip.
Even in summer, bring warm clothing, as it can be chilly in the mountains.
We recommend getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis if you plan to go to Altai between May and July. But at any other time the vaccination will be useful as well.
However, even if you have not been vaccinated, this is not a reason to cancel a trip. A bite can be avoided if you follow the safety measures, wear airtight clothing and use special sprays.
Many insurance companies offer tick bite insurance. Check the terms and cost of the insurance policy with the company you have chosen.
Breakfasts at hotels and 2 lunches (on Day 2 and Day 4) are included.
We chose not to include all meals to give participants flexibility in food choices. Mongolian cuisine features a variety of meats (horse, beef, yak, mutton, poultry), often served on hot platters with sides. Portions are large — we recommend sharing between 2–3 people.
If you have strict dietary restrictions, we recommend bringing suitable food with you or buy it on the spot.
Mobile coverage and internet will be available on Days 1 and 7 within Russia.
In Mongolia, roaming is expensive, and Wi-Fi is only available (and unstable) in hotels.
If you need regular connection, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card.
In a small group, we set off to explore the rugged and scenic landscapes of western Mongolia. This journey is for those ready for long drives, unusual cuisine, and immersion in nomadic life.
We travel light, stay in simple yet comfortable hotels, and sample traditional Mongolian dishes. Over the course of a week, we’ll cover about 2,400 km. Each morning brings a new, breathtaking view — from highland steppes to sweeping sand dunes to mirror-like lakes.
In these 7 days we will: