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Nomads Spring Migration: Kazakh herders on the move in the Altai
Experience the spring migration of Kazakh nomads in the high Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, as families move their herds, gers and belongings from harsh winter camps to fresh spring pastures.
7 Days / 6 Nights
Max 8 travellers
Stay with a nomad family
Flights UB ⇄ Ölgii included
DURATION
7 days / 6 nights
DIFFICULTY
Easy to moderate
MIGRATION
10–20 km/day
GROUP SIZE
Max 10
SEASON
Spring
PRICE FROM
$1,160 pp
OVERVIEW
Move with a Kazakh nomad family
Stay with a local Kazakh nomad family in a traditional ger and become part of their daily routine. Share home-cooked meals, stories and cultural traditions, help herd livestock, set up camp, collect fuel and prepare food alongside your hosts.
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Four nights with a Kazakh nomad family in a traditional ger
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Follow the real seasonal migration across valleys and mountain passes
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Watch families take down their winter gers and pack camels and yaks
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Help herd horses, yaks and sheep
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Meet Kazakh eagle hunters and their golden eagles
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Campfire evenings, Kazakh cooking and storytelling
THE ROUTE
Ölgii to the nomad camps and back
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Ölgii
Winter camp
Migration
Migration
Spring camp
Ölgii
Ulaanbaatar
Fly in from UB
Drive 1–2 h
10–15 km
10–20 km
Final stage
Drive 2–4 h
Fly back
ITINERARY
Day by day
Open all days
DAY 1
Fly to Bayan-Ölgii
Fly from Ulaanbaatar, meet your driver and Kazakh guide and get to know Ölgii town.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day details +
Morning domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ölgii (about 2 hours)
Meet your driver and local Kazakh guide at Ölgii airport
Bayan-Ölgii Museum: Kazakh culture, history and wildlife
Local bazaar (open market) for handicrafts and souvenirs
Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh cuisine
DAY 2
Meet your nomad family
Drive to a Kazakh nomad family’s winter camp and settle into daily life in their ger.
Drive 1–2 h
Ger with family
Day details +
Morning drive to a Kazakh nomad family’s winter camp (about 1–2 hours)
Introduction to family life: ger setup, daily chores and livestock care
Observe traditional eagle hunting culture and meet trained golden eagles
Short hike in the surrounding valleys and steppe
Evening: learn Kazakh cooking and share a traditional meal with the family
DAY 3
The migration begins
Help the family pack livestock and ger materials and set off towards their spring pastures.
10–15 km
Ger with family
Day details +
Help the family pack livestock and ger materials for the migration
Begin the migration towards the spring pastures (10–15 km depending on terrain)
Travel on foot, on horseback or with the camels along frozen rivers and snow-covered plains
Photo stops for the Altai Mountains and nomadic life along the way
Evening: set up camp at a temporary site and enjoy dinner around a campfire
DAY 4
Migration and cultural activities
Continue through mountain valleys and steppe, herding horses, yaks and sheep with the family.
Migration day
10–20 km
Ger with family
Day details +
Continue the migration through mountain valleys and steppe (10–20 km)
Observe and help with herding horses, yaks and sheep
Optional Short hikes and photography
Evening: storytelling with the nomads about legends, eagle hunting and Kazakh traditions
DAY 5
Arrival at the spring pastures
Complete the main migration and watch the family set up their new camp on the spring pastures.
Final stage
Ger with family
Day details +
Morning trek towards the spring pasture lands, completing the main migration
Watch the nomads set up new gers, graze their livestock and prepare the summer pastures
Join daily nomadic activities: milking animals, cooking or crafts
Optional Short hike to nearby mountains or valleys for panoramic views
DAY 6
Return to Ölgii
Say goodbye to your hosts, drive back to Ölgii and shop for Kazakh handicrafts.
Drive 2–4 h
Hotel in Ölgii
Day details +
Breakfast and pack up camp
Drive back to Ölgii town (2–4 hours depending on location)
Ölgii bazaar for handicrafts, felt products, Kazakh jewellery and souvenirs
Optional Local museums or cultural centres for a last glimpse of Kazakh traditions
DAY 7
Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to the capital, transfer to your hotel and shop for souvenirs.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Day details +
Transfer to Ölgii airport
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar (about 2 hours)
Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel
State Department Store for souvenirs
Optional Dinner show with Mongolian throat singing and dance
PRICES
Price per person
How much does the Nomads Spring Migration tour cost? This 7-day tour costs from $1,160 per person for groups of 7–8, $1,900 per person for two travellers and $2,900 for a solo traveller. The price includes return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, meals, an English-speaking guide, a cook and camel support. International flights, travel insurance and a sleeping bag are not included.
TRAVELLERS
PER PERSON (USD)
1 traveller
$2,900
2 travellers
$1,900
3–4 travellers
$1,600
5–6 travellers
$1,300
7–8 travellers
$1,160
The more people travel together, the lower the price per person. All prices include domestic flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, meals, guide, cook and camel support with handlers.
Departure dates
Departures are arranged around each Kazakh family’s spring migration.
The exact dates depend on weather and pasture conditions each year.
Contact us for this year’s migration dates.
Private tours for couples, friends or families are possible.
The tour runs for 7 days. Up to 8 travellers per group.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Included and not included
Included
✓ Accommodation throughout the journey, including traditional gers with the nomad family and hotels
✓ Round-trip domestic flights Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar
✓ All ground transportation with fuel
✓ Arrival and departure airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
✓ Professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Experienced local driver
✓ Dedicated expedition cook
✓ Full-board meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
✓ Bottled drinking water and snacks
✓ All necessary camping and cooking equipment
✓ Camel support with professional camel handlers
✓ Visit to a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter family
✓ National park permits and local fees
✓ All sightseeing activities and entrance fees
✓ Visa support with an official invitation letter
Not included
✕ International airfare
✕ Visa fees
✕ Travel insurance
✕ Personal expenses and individual equipment
✕ Sleeping bag
✕ Excess baggage on domestic flights (over 15 kg allowance)
✕ Airport taxes (if applicable)
✕ Alcoholic beverages
✕ Drinks and additional charges at hotels, inns or restaurants
✕ Any services not listed under Included
✕ Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and staff
IS IT FOR ME?
Easy to moderate, no experience needed
Difficulty: easy to moderate
10–20 km
longest migration days
4 nights
with a nomad family
7 days
Ölgii to Ölgii
6 nights
in gers and hotels
A good fit if you…
Want to live with a Kazakh nomad family
Are happy with basic ger facilities
Can walk or ride part of the migration
Love photographing herds and mountain landscapes
Talk to us first if you…
Have a heart or respiratory condition
Have limited mobility
GOOD TO KNOW
Before you go
Best time
The spring migration takes place when Kazakh families leave their harsh winter camps for fresh spring pastures. Expect cold nights, frozen rivers and snow on the high plains. Exact dates depend on the weather and pasture conditions.
Accommodation
Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii, a traditional ger with the nomad family on Days 2–5 and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Every camp and hotel is personally inspected by Vacations Mongolia.
Meals
Hearty meals based on traditional ingredients — mutton, beef, rice, noodles and fresh vegetables — plus home-cooked meals with your host family. Vegetarian options on request. Alcohol is not included, but you are free to bring your own.
Transport
Private, air-conditioned vans or modern 4WD vehicles. During the migration you travel on foot, on horseback or with the camels.
What to bring
Warm layers for cold spring nights and a waterproof jacket, a hat and headscarf for sun and wind, sunscreen, lip balm, water-purifying tablets, a personal first-aid kit and camera gear. A sleeping bag is not included.
Phone and internet
Mobile signal in Ölgii town; expect little or no signal at the nomad camps.
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 travellers ask
How hard is the migration?
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Easy to moderate. Migration days cover 10–20 km on foot, on horseback or with the camels, with plenty of stops for photos. No trekking experience is needed.
Do I have to walk the whole way?
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No. During the migration you can travel on foot, on horseback or with the camels, together with the family.
What will I do with the nomad family?
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You become part of their daily routine: ger setup, daily chores, livestock care, milking, cooking and crafts. You help pack the camp, herd horses, yaks and sheep and set up the new camp.
When does the spring migration take place?
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In spring, when Kazakh families leave their winter camps for fresh spring pastures. The exact dates depend on the weather and pasture conditions, so contact us for this year’s dates.
Are domestic flights included?
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Yes. Round-trip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ölgii are included in the tour price. International flights are not.
Can I join solo?
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Yes. We run private departures and can match you with other solo travellers going at the same time to lower the per-person price.
How big are the groups?
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Up to 8 people. Private tours for couples, friends or families are possible.
Is a sleeping bag included?
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No. A sleeping bag is not included, so please bring a warm one.
Where do we sleep?
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Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii (Day 1), a traditional ger with the nomad family (Days 2–5), a hotel in Ölgii (Day 6) and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar (Day 7).
Is there phone signal or Wi-Fi?
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Mobile signal is available in Ölgii town. Expect little or no signal at the nomad camps.
Will we meet eagle hunters?
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Yes. On Day 2 you observe traditional eagle hunting culture and meet trained golden eagles, and you may meet more Kazakh eagle hunters during the migration.
Is travel insurance required?
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Yes. Travel insurance is not included in the price; please arrange cover that includes medical evacuation, as the nomad camps are remote.
What is included in the tour price?
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Domestic flights, accommodation, full-board meals, an English-speaking guide, a driver, a cook, camping equipment, camel support with handlers, a visit to a Kazakh eagle hunter family, park permits and entrance fees, and visa support.
What should I bring?
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Warm, thin layers and a waterproof jacket, a hat and headscarf, sunscreen, lip balm, water-purifying tablets, a personal first-aid kit, camera gear and a sleeping bag.
How much does the tour cost?
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From $1,160 per person for groups of 7–8, $1,300 for 5–6, $1,600 for 3–4, $1,900 for two travellers and $2,900 for a solo traveller.
Can I help with the herding?
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Yes. You can help herd horses, yaks and sheep, and help the family pack, move and set up their camp.
How is this different from the autumn migration tour?
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Both tours follow Kazakh families on their seasonal move. In spring they leave their winter camps for fresh pastures; in autumn they move from their summer pastures towards their autumn camps.
What is this tour at a glance?
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7 days / 6 nights · Easy to moderate · From $1,160 per person · Up to 8 travellers · Spring. 4 nights with a Kazakh nomad family · Migration days 10–20 km · Return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii included.
What does each day of the tour look like?
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Day 1 — Fly to Ölgii · Night: Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
Day 2 — Meet your nomad family · Drive: about 1–2 h · Night: Ger with the family
Day 3 — The migration begins · About 10–15 km · Night: Ger with the family
Day 4 — Migration and cultural activities · About 10–20 km · Night: Ger with the family
Day 5 — Arrival at the spring pastures · Night: Ger with the family
Day 6 — Return to Ölgii · Drive: about 2–4 h · Night: Hotel in Ölgii
Day 7 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar · Flight: about 2 h · Night: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
PHOTOS
On the migration
MORE IN THE ALTAI
You might also like
Which Altai tour is right for you?
Nomads Spring Migration (this tour) — 7 days · Easy to moderate, migration days 10–20 km · 4 nights with a Kazakh nomad family · Eagle hunters: met during the stay · From $1,160 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
Eagle Hunter & Nomadic Life — 8 days · Moderate trekking sections, no technical climbing · Highest point: Altai Tavan Bogd base camp, about 2,400 m (no summit) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 6 · From $1,120 per person
FROM THE BLOG
Read before you go
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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