Why Go?Raw, rugged and remote, this off-the-beaten-track region has for centuries been isolated – both geographically and culturally – from the Mongol heartland. With its glacier-wrapped mountains, shimmering salt lakes and the hardy culture of nomads, falconry and cattle rustling, western Mongolia is, in many ways, a timeless slice of Central Asia.

Squeezed between Russia, Kazakhstan, China and the rest of Mongolia, this region has long been a patchwork of peoples including ethnic Kazakhs, Dörvöds, Khotons, Myan-gads and Khalkh Mongols. Traditional arts such as khöömii throat singing and eagle hunting are still practised here, as they have been for thousands of years.

The wild landscape creates fabulous opportunities for trekkers and climbers on peaks that rise to over 4000m. If that sounds too extreme for you, then just pick a lake, pitch a tent and have yourself a camping trip you’ll never forget.

PoP 307,200 / AreA 191,000 sq km

Western Mongolia

When to Go

Mar Kazakh families celebrate Navrus (spring festival) with traditional games and feasting.

Jun–Sep Peak tourist season, but trekkers may still need sub-zero sleeping bags.

Oct–Feb The eagle-hunting season kicks off with Ölgii’s Eagle Festival.

F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Ölgii°C/°F Temp

-30/-22

-20/-4

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20/68

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3.2/80

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Rainfall inches/mm

Best for Camping¨¨ khoton Nuur (p215)

¨¨ Uureg Nuur (p226)

¨¨ Chigistei Gol (p230)

¨¨ Around Tarialan (p226)

¨¨ Buyant Gol (p218)

Best for Trekking¨¨ Altai Tavan Bogd National

Park (p214)

¨¨ kharkhiraa Uul & Türgen Uul (p226)

¨¨ otgon Tenger Uul strictly Protected Area (p231)

¨¨ Tsambagarav Uul National Park (p217)

Bayan-Ölgii ................208Ölgii ...........................208Altai Tavan Bogd National Park .............214Tolbo Nuur .................217Khovd .........................217Tsenkheriin Agui ........221Uvs ............................ 223Ulaangom ................. 223Üüreg Nuur ............... 226Zavkhan .................... 228Uliastai ...................... 228

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Urumqi(85km)

1 Hike to the base camp of snow-capped Khuiten Uul (p214), Mongolia’s highest mountain, for stunning views of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

2 Walk around Tavan Bogd’s Khoton Nuur (p215), a beautiful alpine lake dotted

with Kazakh settlements around its shore.

3 Horse trek or hike around the lakes and valleys beneath the sacred mountain of Otgon Tenger Uul (p231).

4 Camp by the shores of Üüreg Nuur (p226), a lovely, accessible freshwater lake

filled with fish (and devoid of mosquitoes).

5 Rub shoulders with Kazakh eagle hunters during Ölgii’s Eagle Festival (p210).

6 Camp and trek in the mountains around Tarialan (p226), a rugged landscape of glaciers, green meadows and boulder fields.

Western Mongolia Highlights