Altai Mountains Cycling & Eagle Festival
14 days
Overview
Join Mongolia Biking Experts for an unforgettable cycling journey through the breathtaking Altai Mountain range. This carefully crafted trip offers a chance to witness Mongolia’s highest peaks, connect with the Kazakh and Tuvan communities, and immerse yourself in their rich nomadic traditions and modern lifestyles. Each day, you’ll cycle between 45 to 70 kilometers, navigating mountain passes that soar over 2,200 meters above sea level. Experience stunning panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, pedal through lush meadows, and enjoy peaceful nights by crystal-clear alpine lakes. Visit the home of a Golden Eagle hunter to gain insight into the fascinating lifestyle of Kazakh nomads. The adventure culminates in the renowned Golden Eagle Festival, where you’ll celebrate the region's unique culture.
Date & Price:
Departing: 07-09-2025
Finishing: 20-09-2025
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- 2 overnights at 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin+breakfast)
- 3 overnight in a local hostel in Ulgii town (twin)
- 8 tented overngihts (twins)
- Camping/kitchen tent, shower tent, toilet tent & cooking equipment
- All indicated meals + drinking water
- Extra drinks and snacks during cycling
- All visits and National park fees
- Russian 4WD van(s) equipped with bike racks as support vehicles during cycling
- English speaking cycling guide(s)
- Bike mechanic(s) (if more than 3 people in a group)
- Expedition cook
- Advanced quality mountain bikes
- Domestic flight ticket UB-Ulgii-UB
- NP, Eagle festival and border area permit fees
Exludes:
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bags and mattresses
- Meals that are not indicated
- Gratuities
- Personal biking clothes and gears
- International flights
- Excess baggage fee on local flights
Travel information:
- * Cycling in Majestic Altai mountains
- * Visit largest petroglyph gallery in Central Asia
- * Panoramic view of Mongolian highest peaks
- * Visit Khoton lake a spectacular alpine lake
- * Meet the Golden Eagle hunters and visit Eagle festival
Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a centrally located 4 star hotel. In the evening group gather at local restaurant and tour briefing.
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- Hotel
Day 2 Flight to Western Mongolia
You will be transferred to the airport for a three-hour flight to Ulgii, located in Western Mongolia. Upon your arrival, a translator and driver will be there to greet you. From Ulgii, we will head west to Tsagaan Nuur village, where we will secure the necessary border area permits. While you set up your individual tents, our support crew will be busy assembling the kitchen, toilet, and shower tents for your comfort.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 100 km
Day 3 Start cycling to Haichinsar Mount
Ride to Haichinsar Mount on this exciting cycling tour, featuring three key stops along the way. We’ll take a snack break before noon, followed by a lunch stop after approximately two hours of cycling. After lunch, we’ll continue for another 2-3 hours until we reach our camping location. A support vehicle will trail behind the group, allowing you to refill your water supply as needed. Today’s route covers a total of 60 km, with the first 40 km involving a gentle ascent to an elevation of 2,570 meters, marking the highest point at the mountain pass. The majority of the terrain consists of smooth, hard-packed roads, with some sections featuring dirt and rocky patches near the summit. Once we reach the top, we’ll enjoy a thrilling downhill ride to our tented camp nestled near the mountain.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 60 km
Day 4 Bike to Baga Oigor valley
Today marks the beginning of our challenging cycling adventure as we ride to the stunning Baga Oigor Valley. We will cover a total of 60 km, conquering three mountain passes along the way. The majority of the route features smooth, hard-packed dirt roads, although you'll encounter rocky and loose soil sections as we approach the mountain passes. Our cycling journey will culminate in the Baga Oigor Valley, home to the largest petroglyph gallery in Central Asia. Here, you'll discover over 100,000 rock carvings spanning 15 km, illustrating the lives of ancient peoples over the past 8,000 years. This remarkable site has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Cultural Heritage List.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 60 km
Day 5 Bike to gate of Altai Tavan Bogd NP
Today, we’ll bike to the entrance of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, gradually ascending along the Oigor River basin while soaking in the breathtaking views of the majestic Altai Mountains. As we pedal, we’ll encounter grazing livestock and the iconic dome-shaped white Kazakh gers, which dot the landscape. Once we reach the gate of Altai Tavan Bogd NP, the scenery transforms dramatically, revealing distant snow-capped peaks rising above the hilly steppe valleys. At the park entrance, we’ll register our permits with the rangers before setting up our tented camp near their residence. Our campsite today is situated in a summer location favored by local Kazakh nomads. You’ll have the opportunity to visit their home and gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of Mongolian nomads, whose ways of living have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 45 km
Day 6 Cycle to White River Valley
After breakfast, our cook will prepare packed lunches for the day. Each member of the group will carry their own lunch and necessary supplies. Since vehicles are not permitted within Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, our support vehicles will drop us off here and will meet us later at White River Valley. As we embark on a slow, steady ascent, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Mongolia's highest peaks, including Khuiten (4,374m), Nairamdal (4,082m), Snowchurch (4,071m), Malchin (4,050m), and Ulgii (4,113m), along with the impressive Potanin and Alexander glaciers. After enjoying our packed lunch, we’ll cycle gently downhill along the White River, where we’ll have the chance to see the Graneg Glacier and observe how its meltwater forms torrents that feed the river. Our day will conclude with the setup of our tented camp near the summer pastures of the Tuvan people, one of Mongolia's unique ethnic groups.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 32 km
Day 7 Bike to Khag lake.
The landscape consists of wide grassy valleys surrounded by huge dome shaped mountains, rocky ridges and icy streams. For the most part of our way we will be traveling above 2000 meters; nights can be cool although day time temperatures are most pleasant. Cycling trail: smooth & hard packed soil.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 45 km
Day 8 Cycle to Khoton Lake
Embark on a thrilling bike ride to Khoton Lake, a spectacular alpine destination perched at 2073 meters. Our campsite offers a serene setting, making it the perfect spot to unwind. This area is home to one of Mongolia's largest petroglyph galleries, featuring ancient carvings that date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. These remarkable artworks depict various hunting scenes and illustrate both wild and domestic animals, alongside several well-preserved ancient burial sites. In the evening, take a refreshing swim, explore the picturesque surroundings, or simply relax at the camp. The cycling trail is composed of smooth, hard-packed soil, ensuring a comfortable journey.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 70 km
Day 9 Loop ride up to Baga turgen waterfall
We'll spend the night at our camp and embark on a loop ride to Baga Turgen Waterfall. Nestled in Turgen Gorge, near the western shore of the stunning Khoton and Khurgan Lakes, this glacier waterfall cascades down a 36-meter cliff, splitting into two magnificent falls. The larger waterfall drops 23 meters, while the smaller one descends 13 meters. The pristine Turgen Valley is an ideal biking destination, rich in historical relics and natural beauty. Its remote location near the border, along with rugged roads, has preserved the wild charm of the surrounding landscape.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 42 km
Day 10 Drive to Ulgii town
Drive to Ulgy. We load up our bikes on to support vehicles and 7-8 hour return drive to Ulgy town. En-route we stop to visit a local Kazakh family and see their golden eagles which are kept for hunting purposes. In Ulgy we check in to the hostel by far the best accommodation in town. Dinner in a local restaurant.
- B.L.D
- Hostel
- 180 km
Day 11-12 Visit Eagle Festival
2 full-day visit the Eagle Festival which is an event organized in the westernmost province of Mongolia. Bayan-Ölgii is the country’s only Muslim and Kazakh majority province. It is not only fun and games, but a way to preserve the ancient hunting tradition and unique cultural heritage of the Kazakh minority of Mongolia. During the 1990s, a newly democratic Mongolia devoted a lot of funding and resources to support its tourism sector. One of the ways was the founding of the Golden Eagle Festival in 1999. This revived the ancient tradition of hunting with birds of prey which used to be practised more commonly by pastoral nomads of the Eurasian steppe. Participants arrive wearing their traditional clothes mounted on their well-groomed horses while holding their majestic eagles in their arms. Cultural exhibitions, folk performances, and sales of handcrafts take place in the town of Ölgii, followed by competitions a few kilometres outside of town near the base of the neighbouring mountains. Entrants compete for the awards of Best Turned-Out Eagle and Owner, Best Eagle at Hunting Prey, and Best Eagle at Locating its Owner from a Distance. Other activities include horse racing, archery, and the exciting goatskin tug of war on horseback called Bushkashi. In the evening return to Ulgii town.
- B.L.D
- Hostel
- 50
Day 13 Flight to UB
Today we catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer you to the hotel upon arrival. Free afternoon until farewell dinner.
- B.D
- Hotel
Day 14 Departure
Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
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Gallery
