The Far West
The Far West
In Bayan-Ölgii the language, food and music shift: this is Kazakh country, ringed by the Altai's ice. Families still train golden eagles here, and on a clear morning a hunter's bird can lift off into air so sharp it rings, out over valleys that funnel towards Khüiten's summit.
Mongolia's highest mountains and Kazakh heartland, where glaciers feed turquoise lakes and eagle hunters ride out in autumn.
Places to know
Highlights
- 01Trekking towards the Potanin Glacier
- 02Time with Kazakh eagle hunters
- 03The Golden Eagle Festival in early October
- 04Turquoise lakes of Altai Tavan Bogd
- 05Kazakh hospitality, music and embroidered felt
Best months
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June, recommended
- July, recommended
- August, recommended
- September, recommended
- October, recommended
- November
- December
Getting there
Flights from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii take around three to four hours; driving takes four or more long days. Base camp below the Potanin Glacier is a further day's drive from Ölgii.
Adventures in the Far West
Things to do here
Staying with Nomad Families
Sleep in a family ger, help with the herds and share the rhythm of a working nomadic camp.
Horse Riding
Ride sturdy Mongolian horses across open steppe, river valleys and forested hills with local horsemen.
Eagle Hunting Traditions
Meet the Kazakh burkitshi of Bayan-Ölgii, who raise and train golden eagles to hunt in winter.
Throat Singing and the Morin Khuur
Hear khöömei, the overtone singing of the steppe, and the morin khuur horsehead fiddle, both UNESCO-listed traditions.
Stargazing
Some of the darkest skies in Asia, with the Milky Way rising over the Gobi and the steppe.
4x4 Overland Journeys
Cross the country by UAZ furgon or Land Cruiser on tracks that link valleys, deserts and mountains.
Cooking with Herders
Make buuz and khuushuur, taste airag and learn the dairy traditions of the steppe with herding families.
The Far West, your way
Tell us your dates and dreams. One specialist plans everything and replies within two working days.