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MONGOLIA WINTER TOUR

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 · 63 reviews on TripAdvisor · 8+ years of authentic Altai expeditions

MONGOLIA WINTER TOUR

7 DAYS – 6 NIGHTS (FROM $1600 )

  1. Duration: 7 days 6 nights
  2. Price from  1600 USD
  3. Arrival on: Olgii
  4. Group size: 1- 8
  5. Destination: Altai Mountains
  6. Difficulty: Moderate, Easy
  7. Suitable age: 15-70

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Mongolia Winter Tour Highlights:

  • The Altai Mountains are cold but incredibly beautiful to see
  • Horse riding: Winter in Mongolia – Altai Mountain
  • Discover Kazakh Eagle Hunters
  • Be part of Eagle Hunting
  • Fishing on the frozen rivers

OVERVIEW

Mongolian Winter

The Mongolia Winter Tour will be one of the most remarkable experiences in your life. Mongolian Winter lasts for six months, which is long and extremely cold. (November-April).

Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital in the world, with an average temperature that is colder than Moscow. In the winter season, most of the national parks are not available to visit. It is not an easy chore to journey through Western Mongolia during the winter months, but it is truly worth it.

However, the Discover Altai team can offer you a unique experience where you can visit nomadic families and discover their way of living in the freezing cold. During the tour, we will visit the south entrance of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Mongolia Winter Tour

Low season in Mongolia winter tour offers you the experience of horse trekking and exploring the Sacred Mountain, which is declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

You will also be able to visit a nomadic eagle hunter’s family and enjoy the hospitality of the nomadic Kazakh people. Discover ancient traditions of nomads. A tour highlight includes ice fishing. The itinerary is absolutely flexible; feel free to contact us!

Trekking Tour Itinerary — Modern
7-DAY ITINERARY

Tour Itinerary

Seven days of winter in the Mongolian Altai — horse trekking in the snow, real eagle hunting with Kazakh families and ice fishing.

7
Days
Winter
Altai snow
Eagle hunting
Kazakh hosts
Ice fishing
Frozen lakes
  1. DAY1
    Day 1: Arrive in OlgiiDay 1

    Day 1: Arrive in Olgii

    Take a three-hour flight to western Mongolia. Welcome to the heart of Altai! At the local airport, you will be welcomed by our team. Including a driver, cook, and tour guide.

    We will drive to the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Here you will meet the local Tuvan Tribe. The Tuvan people have their own language and Shamanistic beliefs. Explore the nomadic way of living!

    Accommodation: Stay overnight with the family

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

    Total drive: 6 hours more/less

  2. DAY2
    DAY 2: Horse trekkingDay 2

    DAY 2: Horse trekking

    After having breakfast, we will go horse trekking up to the hill, where you can see the highest peak in Mongolia.

    The trail to the base camp is blocked by deep snow. We will visit Sacred Mountain. The Shaman people in this area pray for this mountain and do their rituals. Horse riding is the most interesting and fun on this trip.

    Explore a giant stone with ancient petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. The scientists from UNESCO researched this place and registered it as a World Heritage and named it the “Open Gallery Under Sky”. Enjoy your trekking.

    Accommodation: Stay overnight with the family

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  3. DAY3
    DAY 3: Visit the eagle hunter’s familyDay 3

    DAY 3: Visit the eagle hunter’s family

    After having lunch, we will drive to the eagle hunter’s family. Nomadic Kazakh people have kept their traditions for thousands of years. There are over 200 active eagle hunters in the province. The main reason why our nomads can keep their traditions is because of the nomadic lifestyle.

    To be an eagle hunter, you need an open space where you can train your eagle and hunt foxes. Explore more about the eagle hunter’s cultures and enjoy the hospitality.

    Accommodation: Stay overnight with the family

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  4. DAY4
    DAY 4: Winter Tours Real HuntingDay 4

    DAY 4: Winter Tours Real Hunting

    Today, you have an opportunity to be a part of real eagle hunting. First, you need to be dressed very warmly because it is always cold in the mountains and during the ride on horses. We hope you can witness how the eagle catches real animals in nature.

    Also, feel free to take pictures and videos. If you want to take pictures of the eagle hunter in special poses, that is fine. At the end of the hunt, the eagle hunter will demonstrate how he trains his eagle.

    The eagle will come from the hillside right to the eagle hunter’s arm when he calls. This will show you how good Mongolians are at Eagle Hunting. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Altai Mountains. We will return to the family

    Accommodation: Stay overnight with the family

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  5. DAY5
    DAY 5: Drive back to Olgii.Day 5

    DAY 5: Drive back to Olgii.

    In the afternoon, it is time to say goodbye to the eagle hunter’s family. Drive back to Olgii. On the way, explore the archaeological site where you can see the ancient Stone Man monuments. These belong to the Turkish empire, which lived in central Asia in the IX-XII century.

    When we return to Olgii we can try to visit the famous throat singer Batsukh’s family. We hope he will be at home because sometimes he will be working. The Discover Altai Team is always trying to show you as many highlights as possible, even if it isn’t on the itinerary.

    Upon arrival in Olgii, you will be transferred to the hotel. We will visit and do sightseeing around the town. We have dinner at a restaurant.

    Accommodation: Stay overnight in a hotel

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  6. DAY6
    DAY 6: Ice fishing.Day 6

    DAY 6: Ice fishing.

    Today, we will drive to the frozen lake or the river. We will make a hole and start our fishing. Here we have graylings and Altai’s Osman fish.

    Enjoy your ice fishing. We can also cook the fish right on the lake and have fresh fish for lunch. We will drive back to Olgii and have dinner at the restaurant.

    Accommodation: Stay overnight in a hotel

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  7. DAY7
    DAY 7: Fly Back to UlaanbaatarDay 7

    DAY 7: Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar

    After having breakfast, you will take a flight back to UB. Thank you for coming!

    Meals: Breakfast

READY FOR THE ALTAI?

Reserve your spot

7-day Mongolia winter tour · small group

Everything You Need To Know

Tour information

During the trip, you will be supported by a local experienced team which is consisted of a local English-speaking tour guide, an experienced driver and vehicle, and an expedition cook. We take excellent care of our guests.

Backpack, headlight, winter boots, warm clothes, hat, gloves, towel, personal medicine, cream, power bank.

Mongolian winter will be cold and windy. So, during the winter tour, we recommend you pack extra clothes to be ready for all types of conditions.

We are equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. During the tour, you will stay in a nomadic family’s wooden houses.

During the trip, we will be out of phone signal and electricity. Please let your family know about it, just to be sure they won’t be worried. We will have a signal in the province center.

Tour Price includes  

  • All accommodation: nomadic homestay and hotel
  • Domestic flights, round trip
  • All transportation /+Fuel/
  • Local driver
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Expedition cook Eat & Drink (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Bottled water and snacks)
  • All Camping & Cooking equipment
  • Stay at eagle hunter’s family
  • Invitation Letter for Visa
  • Pick-up and drop-off services
  • National Park permits and all fees during the trip.

 Tour price excludes

  • International airfare
  • Personal needs
  • Alcohol drinks
  • Excess baggage fee (15 kg domestic flights )
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratitude

Please Come & Enjoy the Best-planned Mongolian Adventure

Tour Price & Scheduled dates:

Tour Price

1 PAX – 2300 USD p/p
2 PAX – 1800 USD  p/p
+3 PAX – 1600 USD p/p

Cancellation Policy:

·        Cancellation more than two months fee would be 400 USD
·        Cancellation more than 45 days fee would be 500 USD
·        Cancellation less than a month before departure will 600 USD
·        And rest of the payments will be return back.


How to BOOK?

  1. Confirm with our tour itinerary
  2. Agree to the terms and conditions
  3. Set the tour departure date
  4. Deposit 600 USD per person
  5. Send us a copy of your passports

More Mongolia Tours

The Mongolia Winter Tour is our 7-day winter immersion in Bayan-Ölgii. If you want a different winter focus:

So, Ladies and Gentlemen! The Discover Altai team is looking forward to meeting you and providing unforgettable expeditions to this remote corner of the world!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!

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FAQ

When does the Mongolia Winter Tour run?

The 7-day Mongolia Winter Tour runs December through early March when winter eagle hunting is at its peak and ice formations across Bayan-Ölgii are stable for ice fishing. Custom departures available throughout the winter window — minimum 1 traveler to launch a group. Outside this window, the tour switches to other seasonal programs (autumn festivals, summer trekking).

How cold is winter in Mongolia’s Altai region?

Bayan-Ölgii in winter sees daytime temperatures of −10°C to −20°C and overnight temperatures dropping to −25°C to −35°C. This is the coldest inhabited region of Mongolia. We provide warm accommodation in heated Kazakh family homes, and you can rent extreme-cold-weather gear locally if needed. The cold is the reason eagles hunt visibly — they descend from high cliffs in pursuit of foxes against the snow.

Will I see eagle hunting in winter?

Yes — winter (October to March) is the active hunting season for Kazakh berkutchi. Foxes and corsac foxes are visible against the snow, eagles are at fighting weight, and traditional fox-fur hat production is at its peak. Most of our winter tour days include time with an active eagle hunter family — you observe the morning hunt preparation, ride out with the hunter on horseback, and watch the eagle work.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included: domestic flight Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii roundtrip, all ground transport (4×4 with driver), English-speaking lead guide, all meals, accommodation (mix of heated Kazakh family homes + 2 nights Ulaanbaatar hotel), Altai Tavan Bogd National Park permits. Excluded: international flights to Mongolia, alcohol, travel insurance, optional extreme-cold-weather gear rental ($30-50/day), personal photography gear, optional tips for guide and host families.

What winter gear do I need to bring?

Essentials: insulated parka rated to −30°C, thermal base layers (merino wool best), insulated waterproof boots (Sorel, Baffin, or similar) rated to −30°C, balaclava + neck gaiter, warm hat, insulated waterproof gloves + thin liner gloves, ski goggles (for windy days), hand warmers + foot warmers (lots), SPF50 sunscreen + lip balm (snow reflects UV intensely). Camera batteries die fast in cold — bring 3+ spares and keep them inside your jacket. We can arrange gear rental in Ölgii if you prefer not to fly with bulky gear.

Are solo travelers welcome on this tour?

Yes. The Mongolia Winter Tour accepts 1-8 travelers per group — we run departures for solo travelers, couples, and small groups. Solo travelers either join a scheduled small-group departure (if dates align) or book a private departure (custom pricing). Either way you’re paired with an English-speaking guide, eagle hunter host family, and the local Kazakh community. Single supplement may apply for hotel nights only.

How difficult is the tour?

Difficulty is moderate-to-easy. Daily activities include 2-4 hours on horseback (gentle pace), 4×4 transport between activities, and time with eagle hunter families in heated homes. Suitable for travelers age 15-70 with reasonable mobility. The biggest physical challenge is cold tolerance — if you’re comfortable spending 4-5 hours outdoors at −20°C, you’ll be fine. Riding experience helpful but not required; our local Kazakh herders provide instruction.

How much does the Mongolia Winter Tour cost?

From $1,600 per person for the 7-day tour. Per-person pricing varies with group size — solo private departures are higher, larger groups bring the per-person rate down. Deposit: $400 per person, balance due 60 days before departure. Cancellation: $300 fee 60+ days before, $400 if 45+ days, $500 if less than a month.