Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia, located in the highly elevated part of the country, is known for its stunning Alpine mountains, capturing the hearts of travelers. Among these impressive mountains lies Tavan Bogd, Mongolia’s tallest mountain, a towering masterpiece that sets the stage for Western Mongolia’s awe-inspiring landscapes. The region is also home to the famous Mongolian Altai mountains that stretch into the Gobi. Western Mongolia consists of five provinces. They are Bayan-Olgii, Khovd, Uvs, Zavkhan, and Govi-Altai. Each has its unique attractions, both in terms of its people and nature.

Bayan-Olgii, one of the provinces, draws the attention of travelers with its beautiful Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, golden eagle festivals, and legendary golden eagle hunters. The majority of the population in this province is Kazakhs, a Muslim ethnic group. Khovd province stands out for its diverse ethnic groups, such as Khalkha, Zakhchin, Kazakh, Torgud, Durvud, and Myangad. Another province, Uvs, is proud to be home to the largest freshwater lakes in the region (Lake Uvs and Lake Khyargas), which are perfect for birdwatching.

Western Mongolia, characterized by its mountain steppe zone, has a colder climate overall. With its unpredictable weather, the Altai mountains can make visitors experience four seasons at a time in summertime.

How to get to Western Mongolia

Located 1700km from the capital, Ulgii town in Western Mongolia is the farthest but worth it a destination in Mongolia. The lack of an international airport in the region will leave you with no choice but to take another flight after landing in Ulaanbaatar, the capital. Not every day, but two or three times a week, one can find the opportunity to catch a flight to Ulgii, which is the gateway to the most stunning Alpine region of Mongolia. Mongolia has three airlines that serve both internationally and domestically. Currently, the most reliable and convenient airline in terms of price is the Mongolian national airline, MIAT. MIAT’s one-way fare to Ulgii starts from around 130 US dollars. The second most preferable airline is Aero Mongolia. However, it charges a bit more than MIAT. The last airline, Hunnu Air, stopped its internal flights for the last couple of years. They are serving flights to Ulgii town only during Golden Eagle Festival time.

Shuttle buses are another option for getting to Ulgii town in Western Mongolia if one is willing to spend 36 hours. It is for sure that you will waste time but save some bucks instead. The bus fare to Ulgii is around 45 US dollars.

MIAT summer flight schedule for 2024

This flight schedule is for Ulgii-Ulaanbaatar flights and is valid from March 31 to October 26. One thing to note is that MIAT serves flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the dates above. There will be one additional flight on Mondays from July 1 till August 26.

Where to buy my domestic flights in Mongolia

Visiting Mongolian airline websites won’t allow you to book domestic flights easily due to no online booking service or poor interface. Luckily, there is a local booking platform called TapaTrip from where you can book your domestic flights. We like to remind you that we are always here to assist you with your flight bookings. If you encounter any issues during your purchase, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Top things to do & see in Bayan-Olgii, Western Mongolia

Explore the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park:
This park offers stunning landscapes, including mountains, glaciers, lakes, and unique wildlife. You can go hiking and trekking, or even climb the highest peak in Mongolia, Mt. Khuiten.

Attend the Golden Eagle Festival:
If you visit Olgii town, western Mongolia in mid Septeber or early October, you can witness this unique festival celebrating the ancient art of eagle hunting. Spectacular eagle displays, traditional games, and cultural performances are highlights of the event.

Experience nomadic lifestyle and hospitality:
Stay with local nomadic families in traditional gers (yurts), immerse yourself in their customs, taste traditional dishes, and learn about their herding practices. Experience firsthand the welcoming hospitality of the Mongolian nomads.

Go horseback trekking in Yolt protected sancturay:
Explore and enjoy the breathtaking wilderness of Altai Tavan bogd National Park by escaping the crowd in the off the beaten path.

Discover ancient petroglyphs and archaeological sites:
This area is home to various archaeological sites and ancient monuments, such as Stone Man, Deer Stones, image rock carvings, and burial mounds.

Visit the Kazakh Eagle Hunters:
Experience the ancient tradition of eagle hunting with the Kazakh nomads. Learn about their customs, witness majestic golden eagles in action, and get a glimpse into their nomadic lifestyle.

Go fishing at the idlyc Twin lakes:
Souther part of Altai Tavan Bogd National Parks is home to many freshwater lakes including Khoton and Khurgan lakes that offer amazing fishing holiday.

Explore the Olgii Museum:
Learn about the history, culture, flora and fauna of the region at this informative museum.

Climb Mount Khuiten:
The Cold peak, the highest peak in Mongolia and one of the “Five Holy Peaks” is next challenge for mountain climbers. Non-technical Malchin peak is another good opportunity for viewing the Potanin glaicer and around.