Mongolian Climber

Overview

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Exploration of peaks on the border with China and an ascent of Khuiten - Mongolia's highest mountain

Introduction

***Due to the availability of internal flights in Mongolia, we recommend that you book at least 4 months in advance of the expedition start date.***

Many think or Mongolia as a land of endless rolling green grasslands, yet in the far western corner of this landlocked country dramatic glaciated peaks rise out of the steppe and form natural borders with neighbouring China and Russia.

The Altai Tavan Bogd (5 Saints) mountains are the highest peaks in the Mongol Altai Range, which stretches some 2,000km from the Gobi desert to the Greater Himalaya in Pakistan. The Five Saints include Mt Khuiten, Mongolia's highest peak and Mt Nairandal (Friendship), which marks the intersection of the borders of Russia, China and Mongolia. On this expedition you will establish a comfortable base camp beside the Potaniin Glacier, before completing a acclimatisation walks, including to the summit of Malchin (4,037m). You will then ascend the Potaniin Glacier to climb Mt Nairandal and Mt Khuiten from a high camp.

Join us on Mongolian Climber

• Jagged Globe leader, assisted by Mongolian guides.
• Ascents of 3 peaks, including Khuiten - Mongolia's highest.
• Visit Mongolian Eagle Hunters.

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Experience Required

To join the expedition and have a good chance of success, you need:

• A clean bill of health.
• A good basic level of fitness.
• Have completed Scottish Winter routes of Grade I and II, or Alpine routes of PD.

You will need to carry your own personal gear to high camp, so should be fit enough to carry a 50L pack with your sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, climbing gear and clothing.

Our Scottish Winter Courses and our Alpine Courses provide good skills preparation for an expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 25 Jul – Sun 9 Aug 2026	UK	Ulan Baatar	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Expedition Leader Andy Chapman Last 2 places	£5,495	£4,095
Sat 24 Jul – Sun 8 Aug 2027	UK	Ulan Baatar	Available Book now »
Expedition Leader Chris Groves 2 places left with £200 early booking offer	£5,595 £5,395	£4,195 £3,995

Our Trip Guarantee

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
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Group size: 5 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £250

For comparison, this expedition starts from £256 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go'. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel for Mongolia on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless joining in-country.)
• UK Air Passenger Duty (excluded if joining land-only and you make your own international flight arrangements).
• 2 internal flights by fixed wing aircraft.
• Airport transfers between International Airport and hotel in Ulaanbaatar, connecting with international flights.
• 2 group road transfers between hotel in Ulaanbaatar and Airport, connecting with internal flights.
• 2 nights' hotel (4 star) accommodation in Ulaanbaatar on a twin-sharing, bed and breakfast basis.
• 2 nights' local hotel accommodation in Olgi on a twin-sharing, full-board basis.
• 10 nights' accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing, full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles as described in the itinerary.
• All porterage costs.
• All costs for leaders, guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Ulaanbaatar.
• Optional trips.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Ulaanbaatar Fly from London Heathrow via Istanbul. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Morning flight to to Olgi 3 hour flight. Overnight local hotel.
Day 4:	Drive to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (2,657m) 7 - 8 hour drive. Overnight camp.
Day 5:	Trek to base camp (3,092m) 5 hour walk to base camp accompanied by camels. Overnight camp.
Day 6:	Acclimatisation 'Russian' border ridge walk (3,600m) 5 hour round trip walk to c3,600m, with superb views into Russia. Afternoon ropework. Overnight camp.
Day 7:	Ascent of Malchin (4,037m) Malchin is climbed from base camp, which provides good acclimatisation.
Day 8:	Move to High Camp (3,662m) The route takes you up the gently rising Potaniin Glacier for 8km, through crevasse fields. It takes 7 - 8 hours. Overnight camp.
Day 9:	Ascent of Nairandal (4,180m) Summit Nairandal and return to high camp.
Day 10:	Ascent of Khuiten (4,374m) You cross the glacier and traverse around the base of the north west ridge into a cwm from where you head south east up to a col (4,124m). From here you climb a steep face to the true summit of Khuiten (3 - 6 hours). Descend to base camp.
Day 11 - 12:	Spare days These can be used as rest days, or a spare days in case of bad weather.
Day 13:	Depart Base Camp Return to park gates via White River Valley. Overnight camp.
Day 14:	Return to Olgii Drive back to Olgii via Golden Eagle Hunter's home. Overnight hotel.
Day 15:	Flight to Ulaanbaatar Overnight hotel.
Day 16:	Departure Depart Ulaanbaatar to fly back to London Heathrow via Istanbul.

PLEASE NOTE: This is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region and we cannot guarantee that you will be able to make all the climbs in the above itinerary! Weather conditions, internal flight delays, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health and fitness of climbers may all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!

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Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: August 2004
Total: 15 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “Excellent guides, unspoilt mountains in a fascinating country and 100% summit success - just awesome!” EV (Derby)
• “A wonderful opportunity to climb in one of the world’s most remote and unspoiled areas” TM, (Bristol)
• “Great trip - wonderful warm people - a privilege to visit a remote area with no footpaths or signs of others. A wonderful wilderness experience” PS, (Beaconsfield)

Leader Reports

• Mongolian Climber 2023
  “An expedition stretching out across the steppes of Mongolia? Exploring the peaks and passes along ancient silk roads and modern nomadic herders? And eagle hunters? Count me in! The year was 2019 and the countdown began for Mongolia...”
  report added 29/Sep/23
• Mongolian Climber - 20 Jul to 4 Aug '19
  “Mongolia is not top of the list as a travel destination for everyone and probably never will be. It has however, been on my ‘list’ for some time, so I was very happy to be finally able to get there. To enjoy, rather...”
  report added 06/Aug/19
• Mongolian Climber - 21 Jul to 5 Aug '18
  “Hmmmm, it’s got to be here somewhere. Nope, maybe a bit further away? Erm….. Where the heck is it? Surely not all the way over there?? Crikey - there it is! I have to admit that, despite having been very keen to...”
  report added 09/Aug/18
• Mongolian Climber - 22 Jul to 6 Aug '17
  “We are off to Mongolia, a country that conjures up so many extreme images in your mind. After surviving the Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Ulan Bator we were relieved to be on our way to the hotel for breakfast before departing on...”
  report added 08/Aug/17
• Mongolian Climber - 23 Jul to 7 Aug '16
  “We were alone, not even a cloud shared our uninterrupted views across the Altai. Stood at the top of Nairamdal, a summit shared by Mongolia, Russia and China, hence its name, Friendship Peak, there were no other climbing teams, no...”
  report added 10/Aug/16
• 11 more reports »

• Mongolia Climber - 30 July to 14 August 2011
  “Mongolia is reeling from the effects of this year’s Jagged Globe Altai Climber group who returned to the UK on the 14th August. The Medieval invasions of the Mongol Hordes have now been avenged as the eateries of Ulaan Baatar...”
  report added 15/Aug/11
• Mongolia Climber - 2 to 17 August '10
  “The majority of the team met up in Heathrow for our initial flight to Moscow. After a short delay, we continued onto Ulaan Bator (UB), arriving early morning on Day 2. Here we met Anne & Alan (team members) before continuing...”
  report added 01/Sep/10
• Mongolia Climber - 19 Jul to 3 Aug '09
  “An unfortunate injury to Mungo Ross at the last minute gave me an opportunity to re-visit one of my favourite expedition venues. Ten of us met at Heathrow airport & after doing battle with the ice-maidens of Aeroflot over...”
  report added 19/Aug/09
• Mongolia Climber 10 Aug to 26 Aug '08
  “This is an amazing trip, which combines mountains, cultural sights, interaction with the local people, and fantastic overland travel in to the Altai Mountains all in what can be achieved in little over a two-week holiday! Ulaan...”
  report added 03/Sep/08
• Mongolia Climber - 26 Jul to 11 Aug '08
  “Journey to the Back of Beyond The coincidence of a full solar eclipse being visible from Western Mongolia during our expedition meant that an unprecedented 3000 “eclipse fans” were also aiming for this normally little...”
  report added 01/Sep/08
• Mongolia Climber expeditions 2007
  “Altai Climber Expeditions – 5 to 20 August and 19 August to 3 September 2007 London - Moscow, Moscow - Ulaan Baatar, is a lengthy flight but does give fine views of the Russian Steppes and the vastness of the Mongolian...”
  report added 05/Sep/07
• Mongolia Climber - 20 Aug to 4 Sep '06
  “The amazing thing about this expedition is that not only are you visiting a country that is seldom explored by Westerners, you are visiting a different century! We had two comfortable nights in the Palace Hotel in Ulaan Baatar to...”
  report added 11/Sep/06
• Mongolia Climber - 6 to 21 Aug '06
  “After an early landing in Ulan Bataar, we drove through the capital to our hotel. The landscape around the capital is beautiful and seemingly never ending. The city itself is a rapidly developing entity with a mixture of old style...”
  report added 04/Sep/06
• Mongolia Climber - 21 Aug to 5 Sep '05
  “Over the first few days in the company of Bolortuya, our superb local guide and interpreter, we walked in the hills south of UB (Ulaan Bataar), visited Gandan, the largest monastery in Mongolia and viewed the many excellent...”
  report added 21/Sep/05
• Altai Climber - 6 to 23 Aug '05
  “After an interesting stop over in Beijing, where we had the opportunity for some sight-seeing, the team reached Ulaan Baatar, capital of Mongolia. The feeling of remoteness steadily increased as we completed the plane journey to...”
  report added 05/Sep/05
• Mongolia Climber - 7 to 22 Aug 04
  “The group returned to Ulan Baatar on 20 August after a fascinating and successful expedition to the Altai in the far westernmost corner of Outer Mongolia. The Altai is a beautiful area, very remote and very unspoilt, with...”
  report added 22/Aug/04