Altai Mountains

The mountain range that defines western Mongolia — glaciers, alpine lakes, and some of the country’s highest peaks.

The Altai Mountains stretch across western Mongolia and form the country’s highest and most glaciated terrain, culminating in the Tavan Bogd massif on the border with Russia and China. They shape everything about life in this region — the nomadic herding routes, the Kazakh eagle-hunting tradition, and the short, intense summer travel season.

Why visit Altai Mountains

For travelers who want real mountains — glaciers, scree ridges, and alpine lakes — rather than Mongolia’s more familiar rolling steppe, the Altai is the range that delivers it, combined with a still-living nomadic culture in its valleys.

Landscapes and experiences

Glaciated peaks including Khüiten Peak, Mongolia’s highest point
Turquoise alpine lakes such as Khoton and Khurgan
High summer pastures used by Kazakh and Mongolian herding families
Petroglyph sites recording thousands of years of use of these valleys

Things to do

Trek among the Altai’s glaciers and high passes
Horseback ride across the valleys with local herding families
Photograph the range’s light and weather, which changes quickly at altitude
Combine a mountain trek with a stay with a Kazakh eagle hunter family

Best time to visit

June through September is the main trekking season. Winter (roughly February–April) draws a smaller number of travelers for the eagle hunters’ migration, but conditions are severe and travel is more demanding.