Discover the Altai
Essential guides and stories
Essential guides and stories
Preparing for your expedition to Western Mongolia is crucial. Here is what you need to know before you take off.
All major international flights arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UBN). From Ulaanbaatar, you'll take a domestic flight to Ulgii (ULG) — the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province, which is the gateway to the Altai mountains. The domestic flight takes approximately 3 hours.
Our team will meet you at Ulgii airport and handle all ground transportation from there. We typically use 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers to navigate the rugged terrain.
Western Mongolia has extreme temperatures and conditions. Even in summer, nights can be cold. Here are the essentials:
💡 Tip: We send a detailed, tour-specific packing list once your booking is confirmed.
The Altai region is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. Here are some things you might not know:
Kazakh Eagle Hunters (Berkutchi) have been hunting with Golden Eagles for over 6,000 years. The tradition is passed from father to son, and the bond between hunter and eagle is one of the most remarkable human-animal relationships on the planet. Each eagle is trained for 7-10 years before being released back into the wild.
Mongolia is known as the "Land of the Eternal Blue Sky." The country averages 257 sunny days per year — more than most Mediterranean countries. Even in winter, the skies are often crystal clear, making it ideal for photography.
With just 2.1 people per square kilometer, Mongolia is the least densely populated sovereign nation in the world (after Greenland). In the Altai region, this number drops even further. You can ride for hours without seeing another soul.
🏔️ Tsambagarav Mountain (4,208m) is the highest peak in the region and a sacred mountain for the local Kazakh community.
Every BREATHE ALTAI expedition is designed to immerse you in the culture, wildlife, and landscapes of the Altai. Here's what makes our approach unique:
We keep groups small (4-8 people maximum) to minimize our impact and maximize the personal experience. This allows us to adapt the itinerary to the group's interests and pace.
All our guides are locals from Bayan-Ulgii. They know the mountains, the wildlife, and the communities intimately. Many have been guiding for over a decade.
We work directly with nomadic families, local musicians, and artisans. Revenue from our tours goes directly back into the local community — from supporting schools to funding conservation efforts.