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Khüiten Peak Expedition: climb Mongolia’s highest summit at 4,374 m
Eight days to the roof of Mongolia. Camp beside the Potanin Glacier, learn glacier skills with a mountain guide and climb Khüiten Peak, where Mongolia, China and Russia meet.
8 Days / 7 Nights
Max 8 travellers
Mountain guide & camels
Flights UB ⇄ Ölgii included
DURATION
8 days / 7 nights
DIFFICULTY
Challenging, glacier climb
HIGHEST POINT
4,374 m
GROUP SIZE
Max 8
SEASON
July – August
PRICE FROM
$1,965 pp
OVERVIEW
A short, focused climb to Mongolia’s highest point
Khüiten Peak is the highest summit of the Altai Tavan Bogd massif and of Mongolia. You climb it with a certified mountain guide, a Kazakh local guide, a cook and camels that carry the group gear to base camp. No hard climbing, but a real glacier: you learn crampons, ice axe and rope travel before summit day.
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Summit of Khüiten Peak (4,374 m), the highest point in Mongolia
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Two nights at Altai Tavan Bogd base camp beside the Potanin Glacier
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Glacier skills day: crampons, ice axe and rope travel
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High camp on the glacier below the Five Saint Peaks
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A reserve day in the plan for summit weather
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Camels carry the group gear to base camp
THE ROUTE
Ölgii to the roof of Mongolia and back
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Ölgii
Ranger station
Base Camp
Potanin Glacier
High Camp
Khüiten Peak
Ranger station
Ölgii
Ulaanbaatar
Fly in from UB
Drive 5–6 h
Trek 3–4 h
Skills day
~3,700 m
4,374 m
Trek out
Drive 5–6 h
Fly back
ITINERARY
Day by day
Open all days
DAY 1
Fly to Bayan-Ölgii
Fly from Ulaanbaatar, meet your guides, sort permits and check your climbing gear.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day details +
Morning domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar (about 2 hours)
Airport pickup by your driver and Kazakh guide
Border zone permit, gear check and expedition briefing
Bayan-Ölgii Museum and local bazaar
Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh food
DAY 2
Drive to Tavan Bogd and trek to base camp
A long drive to the national park, then walk in with the camels to base camp beside the Potanin Glacier.
Drive 5–6 h · Trek 3–4 h
Tent at base camp
Day details +
Early start; drive through Tsagaan Gol valley to the ranger station
Picnic lunch and meet the camel handlers
Trek about 14 km to base camp (~3,100 m)
First view of the Potanin Glacier and Khüiten Peak
DAY 3
Glacier skills and acclimatisation
Learn to move safely on the glacier with your mountain guide and give your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Training day
Tent at base camp
Day details +
Guided training on the Potanin Glacier: crampons, ice axe and roped travel
Crevasse awareness and safety briefing
Acclimatisation hike to about 3,500 m and back
Evening summit briefing and gear check
DAY 4
Climb to high camp
Rope up and climb the Potanin Glacier to high camp below the summit ridge.
⛰ ~3,700 m
Climb 5–6 h
Tent at high camp
Day details +
Ascend the Potanin Glacier roped together, 5–6 hours
Set up high camp below the summit ridge (~3,700 m)
Early dinner and rest before the alpine start
DAY 5
Summit day: Khüiten Peak (4,374 m)
Alpine start for the summit, with views into Mongolia, China and Russia, then back down to base camp.
⛰ 4,374 m · 10–12 h
Tent at base camp
Day details +
Alpine start around 3:00–4:00
Climb the glacier and snow ridge to the summit (4–6 hours)
Summit views across three countries
Descend to high camp, pack up and continue to base camp
DAY 6
Reserve day / trek out
Kept free for the summit if the weather blocks Day 5. Otherwise, trek out with the camels.
Trek 3–4 h
Ger or tent
Day details +
Used for the summit if the weather is bad on Day 5
Otherwise trek back to the ranger station with the camels
Visit a Kazakh herder family nearby
Campfire dinner
DAY 7
Drive back to Ölgii
Drive out of the mountains to Ölgii for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.
Drive 5–6 h
Hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day details +
Drive back to Ölgii, with a picnic lunch on the way
Hot shower and time to rest
Celebration dinner with the team
DAY 8
Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to the capital, transfer to your hotel and shop for souvenirs.
✈ Flight ~2 h
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Day details +
Transfer to Ölgii airport; domestic flight (about 2 hours)
Hotel transfer in Ulaanbaatar
State Department Store for souvenirs
Optional throat-singing show
PRICES
Price per person
How much does the Khüiten Peak expedition cost? This 8-day climb costs from $1,965 per person for a group of 7–8, $2,358 per person for two climbers and $3,400 for a solo climber. Prices include domestic flights, meals, a certified mountain guide, a cook and camel support.
TRAVELLERS
PER PERSON (USD)
1 traveller
$3,400
2 travellers
$2,358
3–4 travellers
$2,096
5–6 travellers
$2,021
7–8 travellers
$1,965
The more people travel together, the lower the price per person. All prices include domestic flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, meals, mountain guide, local guide, cook and camel support.
2027 group departures
July 2027: dates to be confirmed
August 2027: dates to be confirmed
Every departure runs for 8 days. Private climbs are possible on other dates in July and August.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Included and not included
Included
✓ Return domestic flights Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar
✓ Airport pickup and drop-off
✓ Hotel, ger and tent accommodation
✓ All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
✓ Bottled water and snacks
✓ Certified mountain guide
✓ English-speaking local guide
✓ Experienced local driver, vehicle and fuel
✓ Expedition cook
✓ Camping and cooking equipment
✓ Group climbing gear: ropes, harnesses, helmets
✓ Camel support with handlers
✓ Border zone permit, national park permits and fees
✓ Visa support with an official invitation letter
Not included
✕ International flights
✕ Visa fees
✕ Travel and rescue insurance
✕ Sleeping bag
✕ Personal climbing gear: crampons, ice axe, mountaineering boots (rental TBC)
✕ Excess baggage on domestic flights (over 15 kg)
✕ Alcoholic drinks
✕ Personal expenses
✕ Tips for guides, drivers and staff
IS IT FOR ME?
Challenging climb, glacier experience helpful
Difficulty: challenging
10–12 h
summit day
4,374 m
highest point
~3,100 m
base camp altitude
5 nights
in tents or gers
A good fit if you…
Can hike 6–8 hours on several days in a row
Have done multi-day treks above 3,000 m
Are fine with cold nights in a tent
Have used crampons and an ice axe before, or are happy to learn on Day 3
Talk to us first if you…
Have a heart or respiratory condition
Have had altitude sickness before
GOOD TO KNOW
Before you go
Best time
July and August, when the weather is most stable. June and September are colder, with more snow on the glacier.
Accommodation
Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii, tents at base camp and high camp, ger or tent near the ranger station. Every place is checked by our team.
Meals
Hearty meals made by our cook with mutton, beef, rice, noodles and fresh vegetables, plus high-energy food on climbing days. Vegetarian on request.
Transport
Air-conditioned vans or modern 4WD vehicles. The drive to the ranger station takes 5–6 hours each way.
What to bring
Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots, 4-season sleeping bag (−10 °C), down jacket, waterproof shell, gloves and mitts, glacier glasses, sun protection, headlamp, trekking poles. A full list is sent at booking.
Phone and internet
Mobile signal in Ölgii town only. No signal or Wi-Fi from Day 2 to Day 6. The guide carries a satellite phone (TBC).
REVIEWS
What our guests say
★ 5.0 on TripAdvisor (8 reviews, October 2026)
What reviewers mention (summary, not quotes):
Ritvik S (July 2026, travelled with a friend): a one-week expedition in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, including hiking Malchin Peak. Praised the guide, driver, host families, food and smooth organisation.
matej l (August 2026, solo): camped at Khoton Lake and describes it as remote, quiet and worth the long 4x4 drive. Notes basic conditions and no facilities at the lake.
Guille C, Spain (September 2026, solo): a great adventure with local guides; would recommend it.
Marina F, United Arab Emirates (June 2026, with a friend): the route was changed to avoid areas under quarantine; thanked the driver and guide for difficult mountain roads. Says to expect a very basic level of comfort.
Vacations Mongolia is listed on TripAdvisor as Vacations in Mongolia.
Read honest reviews from our guests on our reviews page, TripAdvisor and Google. Read all reviews →
FAQ
Questions climbers ask
How difficult is this climb?
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Challenging, but not technical. It is a glacier climb: you walk roped together with crampons and an ice axe. Summit day is the hardest, at 10–12 hours.
Do I need climbing experience?
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It is not required, but you should have done multi-day treks above 3,000 m. Day 3 is a full glacier skills day with the mountain guide.
How high does the climb go?
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Base camp is at about 3,100 m, high camp at about 3,700 m and the summit of Khüiten Peak at 4,374 m.
When is the best time to go?
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July and August, when the weather is most stable. June and September are colder, with more snow on the glacier.
Are domestic flights included?
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Yes. Return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii (Hunnu Air or MIAT, about 2 hours each way) are in the price. International flights are not.
Can I climb solo?
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Yes. We run private climbs on flexible dates in July and August, and can match solo climbers with others to lower the price.
How big are the groups?
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A maximum of 8 climbers. On the glacier we rope up in small teams with the mountain guide.
Is a sleeping bag included?
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No. Bring a 4-season sleeping bag rated to at least −10 °C. Nights at base camp and high camp drop below freezing, even in summer.
Where do we sleep?
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Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii (Days 1 and 7), tents at base camp and high camp (Days 2–5), ger or tent near the ranger station (Day 6) and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar (Day 8).
Is there phone signal or Wi-Fi?
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Only in Ölgii town. There is no signal or internet in the mountains from Day 2 to Day 6. The guide carries a satellite phone (TBC).
Do I need my own climbing gear?
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You need crampon-compatible mountaineering boots, crampons and an ice axe. Ropes, harnesses and helmets are provided. Ask us about rental (TBC).
Is travel insurance required?
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Yes. Your insurance must cover mountaineering up to 4,500 m and helicopter evacuation, because the route is remote.
Do I need a border zone permit, and do you arrange it?
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Yes. Khüiten Peak is in the border zone where Mongolia, China and Russia meet. We arrange the permit; we will ask for your passport details when you book.
How cold is it at night in the mountains?
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Below freezing at base camp and high camp, even in July and August. Bring a down jacket, warm gloves and a −10 °C sleeping bag.
What happens if I get altitude sickness?
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Day 3 at base camp helps you adjust. The mountain guide checks everyone before moving to high camp. Anyone with worsening symptoms goes back down with a member of the team.
What happens if the weather is bad?
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Day 6 is a reserve day for the summit. If it is still unsafe, the mountain guide turns the group back. Safety always comes before the summit.
What if I can’t or don’t want to go to the summit?
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You can stay at base camp with the local guide and cook, or take short walks near the Potanin Glacier while the others climb.
What is this climb at a glance?
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8 days from Ölgii to Khüiten Peak and back · Challenging glacier climb, summit day 10–12 h · Highest point 4,374 m · Max 8 climbers · July–August · From $1,965 per person.
What does each day of the trek look like?
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Day 1 — Fly to Ölgii · Altitude: about 1,710 m · Night: hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day 2 — Drive to the ranger station, trek to base camp · Trek 3–4 h, about 14 km · Altitude: about 3,100 m · Night: tent
Day 3 — Glacier skills and acclimatisation · Altitude: up to about 3,500 m · Night: tent at base camp
Day 4 — Climb to high camp · Climb 5–6 h · Altitude: about 3,700 m · Night: tent at high camp
Day 5 — Summit day, Khüiten Peak · 10–12 h · Altitude: 4,374 m · Night: tent at base camp
Day 6 — Reserve day or trek out · Trek 3–4 h · Night: ger or tent
Day 7 — Drive back to Ölgii · Drive 5–6 h · Night: hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day 8 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar · Flight about 2 h · Night: hotel in Ulaanbaatar
PHOTOS
In the mountains
MORE IN THE ALTAI
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Which Altai tour is right for you?
Khüiten Peak Expedition (this tour) — 8 days · Challenging glacier climb · Highest point: Khüiten Peak, 4,374 m · Eagle hunter visit: no · From $1,965 per person
Altai Mountains Trekking — 9 days · Moderate, one summit day · Highest point: Malchin Peak, 4,051 m · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 8 · From $1,116 per person
Altai Tavan Bogd Hiking — 6 days · Moderate fitness, optional summit day · Highest point: Malchin Peak, 4,051 m (optional) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 5 · From $992 per person
FROM THE BLOG
Read before you climb
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BOOK OR ASK A QUESTION
Talk to our team in Bayan-Ölgii
Flat 606, Happy Town 3, Bayan-Ölgii 18700, Mongolia
Written by the Vacations Mongolia team · Updated October 2026