Join nomads as they move their herds
A true winter migration
- Nomadic winter migration
- Travel with eagle hunters
- Learn about eagle hunting
- Traditional herding life in winter
Why this trip
Tour Highlights
Winter landscapes
The Altai under snow
- Ski or hike across frozen lakes
- Zoost Ereg, Taldibulak & Dayan Lake
- Winter landscapes of the Altai Mountains
- Winter off-roading
Nomadic culture
Stay with Kazakh families
- Stay with nomadic Kazakh families
- Kazakh cultural performances
- Stay in warm gers
DAY1Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Fly into Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Bek’s team meets you at the airport and drives you to the Edelweiss Hotel, to settle in and rest after your journey.
Stay: Edelweiss Hotel, UlaanbaatarMeals: Dinner (depending on arrival time)
DAY2Fly to Ölgii & Meet Your Nomadic Host Family
Take a morning flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii (your flight tickets are included in this tour). After brunch in Ölgii, drive to Zoost Ereg Valley in Sagsai village to meet the Kazakh nomadic family you’ll be migrating with, and settle into their gers.
Stay: Traditional gers with the nomadic familyMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY3Begin the Winter Migration to Taldibulak Valley (approx. 23 km)
The winter migration begins. Move with the herding family and the Bek Travel support team about 23 km across snowy terrain to Taldibulak Valley: a true nomadic migration, a way of life passed down through generations. Camp overnight along the route.
Stay: Gers along the migration routeMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY4Migrate to Sagsai Station (approx. 20 km)
Continue the migration toward Sagsai Station, watching up close as the family moves and cares for their livestock in the harsh Altai winter. Settle in at the next campsite.
Stay: Gers along the migration routeMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY5Migrate to Black Lake (approx. 20 km)
Travel further with the family’s herd across white mountain valleys to Black Lake, and set up camp for the night.
Stay: Gers along the migration routeMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY6Reach Dayan Lake. End of the Migration (approx. 20 km)
Move toward Dayan Lake with the migrating families. Here the family reaches their spring shelter, the end of their winter migration. Celebrate the journey with them.
Stay: Traditional gersMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY7Ski or Hike to Khuu Uy Station (approx. 20 km)
Head out ahead of the group today, skiing or hiking across the winter landscape, or ride in our support vehicles if you prefer to take it easy. Arrive at Khuu Uy Station near Dayan Lake for the night.
Stay: Traditional gersMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY8Ski or Hike Across Frozen Dayan Lake to Shumek (approx. 20 km)
Cross the frozen Dayan Lake to Shumek, at the far end of the lake, and stay overnight in gers.
Stay: Traditional gersMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY9Continue to Tumba of Dayan Lake (approx. 22 km)
Ski, hike or drive along the lake’s edge toward Tumba, and settle in at the next winter camp.
Stay: Traditional gersMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY10Drive Back to Ölgii. Farewell Dinner & Kazakh Concert
Drive back to Ölgii for a farewell dinner celebration, with throat singing and a traditional Kazakh music concert in the evening.
Stay: Hotel in ÖlgiiMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY11Fly to Ulaanbaatar. Tumen-Ekh Ensemble Show
Fly from Ölgii to Ulaanbaatar and have lunch in the city. In the evening, see the Tumen-Ekh Ensemble, a showcase of Mongolian music, dance and throat singing. Dinner and overnight at the Edelweiss Hotel.
Stay: Edelweiss Hotel, UlaanbaatarMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY12Depart from Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Stay: HomeMeals: Breakfast
Route map
Tour Map: The Winter Migration to Dayan Lake
Leaflet map placeholder
Mount L.map('tour-map') here. Use one layer per day, with that day's points of interest as markers; picking a day in the list zooms to its layer.
Private Tours
Private Tour on Your Dates
No group tours are scheduled for this tour. Contact us with your travel dates to plan your private tour.
Tour essentials
- Priced for 2 people: the price is per person, assuming 2 people travel together
- Travelling solo or in a bigger group? Contact us for your price.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser with driver and fuel included
- Meeting point: Ulaanbaatar Airport
One price, no surprises
What's Included & Not Included
Included
Domestic flights
- Domestic flights are included in this tour
Transport
- Airport transfer in West Mongolia
- 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Driver
- Fuel
Accommodation
- All accommodation in West Mongolia
- Sleeping bag
- All camping & cooking equipment
- Other necessary items
Meals
- All meals in West Mongolia
- Vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free meals available
Support team
- English-speaking guide
- Cook
- Logistics team
Permits & activity fees
- All entertainment & event fees
- Horses and wrangler fees
- Eagle hunter fees, incl. photos holding the eagle in traditional clothing
- Border area permits
- National park taxes
- Other administrative costs
Not included
- Everything in Ulaanbaatar
- Airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar
Questions
FAQs
Tour Experiences
I've never ridden a horse. Can I ride in Mongolia?
Yes. We choose horses to suit your experience and no prior riding is needed. If you've never ridden, our wrangler will lead your horse. Many guests ride for the first time with us and love the open steppe.
Price & Dates
Are there any additional costs?
No. There are no extra costs: everything in the itinerary is covered, including meals, transport and entertainment fees.
When can I travel?
There are no fixed group departures for this tour. Contact us with your travel dates and we will plan your private tour.
Can I travel solo?
Yes. Private tours run for solo travellers too. The price shown is per person, assuming 2 people travel together, so contact us for your solo price. Contact us too for group discounts.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. All our tours are 100% customisable, and we can combine tours across Mongolia.
Meeting Point
Where does the tour start?
We meet you at Ulaanbaatar Airport on Day 1 and take you to your hotel. Your flights from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii and back are included in this tour.
Where does the tour end?
Your trip ends at Ulaanbaatar Airport. After breakfast on Day 12 we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Food
Are vegetarian meals available?
Yes. We provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals. Tell us your dietary needs and we will plan for them.
Gear
What gear is provided?
Sleeping bags, blankets, camping and cooking equipment and all activity gear are provided by Bek Travel.
What should I pack?
Pro tip: dress in layers. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton.
Pro tip: dress in layers. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton.
Pro tip: dress in layers. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton.
Pro tip: dress in layers. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton.
Pro tip: dress in layers. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton.
