Mount Khuiten Climbing tour

Overview

Join us as we climb to Mongolia's highest point, Mount Khuiten, which is one of the snow-capped “Five Holy” peaks of the Altai Mountains located in western Mongolia. Mount Khuiten stands at 4,374 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest peaks of the entire Altai Mountain range where four countries of Mongolia, Kazakhstan, China, and Russia converge.

Our company is one of few companies in Mongolia that organise professional mountain-climbing tours. Since we are based in western Mongolia, our experienced native guides are able to provide essential local knowledge about this remote region and tales about its curious history. Due to growing up on these frontiers, our mountain guides are excellent at assessing weather conditions and then choosing when is best to take travellers up to the mountaintop.

We aim to provide quality tents and professional equipment for our clients. Some of our partner companies have been working with us for more than 10 years. These lasting relationships confirm that our services have been reliable and satisfactory!

Tour Gallery

Itinerary

• 2 overnights in 4 star hotel in UB 
• 1 overnight in local hotel or ger camp in Bayan-Ulgii 
• 9 tented overnights

• Hotel
  Day 1

  Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

  Upon your arrival in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, you will be met by our representative and transferred to a centrally located hotel. After checking into your hotel, we will take you on a city sightseeing tour. Ulaanbaatar reveals traces of its historical periods through its blend of modern glass buildings, Soviet-era architecture, TIbetan Buddhist monasteries, and the ger (yurt) districts spread out on the outskirts.

• L/DCamping
  Day 2

  Fly to Ulgii

  Take a flight to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province in westernmost Mongolia. This is the country’s most elevated province. Bayan-Ulgii is Mongolia’s only Muslim and Kazakh-majority province. Kazakhs are the country’s largest ethnic minority group; their mother-tongue is the Kazakh language and they have maintained their unique culture. At the airport, you will be greeted by your English-speaking guide, along with your driver, and expedition cook. Today we will head to the Tavan Bogd (Five Holy) National Park, named after the five peaks of the Mongolian Altai Mountains. We will drive for about 90 km to arrive at tonight’s campsite.

• B/L/DCamping
  Day 3

  Drive to the White River Valley

  Today we will drive for about 4-5 hours through foothills of rugged mountains to finally reach the Tsagaan Gol (White River) Valley during the early afternoon. This is a common summertime camping ground for Tuvan people, who are livestock-herding nomads with a heritage of practicing shamanism. Like the Mongols, Tuvans are famous for their throat-singing tradition. Here we will meet our camel guide and prepare for the next day’s hike.

• B/L/DCamping
  Day 4

  Hike to the Tavan Bogd basecamp

  Today, the total hiking distance is about 18 km to the Tavan Bogd basecamp. Our luggage will be transported by camels, handled by the local Tuvan people - who are friendly and helpful. On the way, you can see the massive Potanin and Alexander Glaciers. The Potanin Glacier is the longest glacier in Mongolia, stretching for about 14 km. The basecamp is at an elevation of around 3,000 m ASL. Total hiking time is about 6 to 8 hours. 

• B/L/DCamping
  Day 5

  Acclimatization Day

  After breakfast we will start gently walking for about an hour and then start climbing to Malchin Peak (4050 m), which is on the Mongolian side of the Mongolian-Russian border. Malchin Peak is the lowest of the Holy Five Peaks. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to climb to the top of Malchin. This climb is non-technical and mostly on rocky ground. From the top, you get a great view of the Potanin Glacier and the surrounding landscape. Afterwards, we can make our way back to basecamp and relax.

• B/L/DCamping
  Day 6-9

  Mount Khuiten Ascent

  When it comes to climbing a high mountain, the weather conditions of the climbing days are crucial. For this reason, we plan our climbing days with an additional day. From basecamp, we will ascend to our upper-camp located at around 3,500 m ASL. The next morning, weather permitting, we will set about summiting. If the weather is unstable, as in strong winds and heavy snow or rain, we will wait it out in our tents until the next day.

  We will cross the Potanin Glacier on our way to Khuiten Peak. Straddling the Mongolian-Chinese border, Khuiten Peak is Mongolia’s highest point. Blanketed in snow all year-round, Khuiten, meaning “cold”, surely lives up to its name. There are multiple big crevasse crossings before reaching the summit. On a clear day from the summit, you can see into Russia and China.

• B/L/DCamping
  Day 7

  Hike to the Oigor River Valley

  Today, our Tuvan friends will accompany us with their camels carrying our luggage as we hike to the Oigor River Valley. There are two gates of the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. One of them is located at the Oigor River, where we will camp tonight. Our drivers will rendezvous with us here. Only Kazakhs live on this side. We can visit a Kazakh family this evening and get a glimpse into their way of life.

• B/L/DHotel/Ger camp
  Day 11

  Return to Ulgii

  We will say goodbye to our Tuvan friends and take about a 7 hour drive back to Ulgii. On the way, we will visit a Kazakh family who are Eagle Hunters. Bayan-Ulgii province has the world’s most number of eagle hunters - the Kazakh people have preserved this ancient tradition up to this day. Back in Ulgii, is our chance to sleep in a Kazakh ger (yurt), and we will celebrate the end of our adventure with cold beers and a tasty Kazakh meal. Alternatively, you can spend the night in our own hotel, the Eagle's Nest, with all the modern comforts.

• B/L/DHotel
  Day 12

  Return flight to Ulaanbaatar

  Take a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon until farewell dinner.

• B
  Day 13

  Departure day

  Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. 

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