ABOUT - Discover Altai

Sakhuan Daurenbek /Dauren/

Hello dear travelers!

My name is Dauren, I’m the manager of Discover Altai and I’m more than happy to meet you in this remote corner of the world. Please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to organize your ideal Mongolia expedition. I was born and raised in Western Mongolia. I started working in the tourism industry back in 2013 and I am very proud to be able to introduce you and guide you to my beautiful birthplace. In 2017, my team and I founded the local travel agency Discover Altai, which employs many experienced guides and has many happy travelers, and their number is constantly growing. The Bayan-Olgii province is famous for its magnificent Altai Mountains and nomadic eagle hunters.

We are mainly focused on western Mongolia expeditions and we have a number of the best-planned tours. Please choose your favorite one or create your own. Hope to see you very soon!

We have direct connections with local individuals, nomadic eagle hunters, and camel herders. Currently, there are more than 40 people between the ages of 20 and 60, hailing from the different ethnicities of Mongolia: Tuvan, Kazakh, and Khalkh.

All of us here are working as one big family, helping each other and striving to make the ideal tour together for you. It is important for us to provide you with a fantastic and memorable experience

HEART OF ALTAI

Bayan-Olgii province is located in the westernmost corner of Mongolia. The main population of the province is ethnic Kazakh people who are famous for their ancient eagle hunting cultures and their hospitality. The name “Bayan-Olgii” literally means “Rich Cradle”. The province is bordered by Russia to the North and China to the South.

It is also surrounded by the Uvs and Hovd provinces. Olgii is the administrative center of the province where around 35 thousand people. The main buildings are located around the central square where you can find big supermarkets, museums, post offices, ATMs, hotels, etc. But the majority of the territory is covered by houses which are usually built by each family themselves. The religion of the local Kazakh community is Islamic and here you will see many mosques.

11 villages belong to the Bayan-Olgii Province. The bigger ones are Tsengel, Deluun, and Altai. Our Discover Altai team has a good connection with the local herders all around the province.

The climate is mostly dry and arid because the province is located at a high elevation. But in the summertime, it gets hot and rainy. The average temperature is around +15’C and in the winter is around -17’C Altai Tavan Bogd National park is one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia.

It includes Mount Khuiten, Potanin glacier, Sacred Mountain, Bear Valley, Khoton lake, Khurgan lake, Dayan lake, Waterfall Valley, and Yolt valley. Also, it is rich with untouched nature and ancient archaeological sites.

The Discover Altai team can organize a variety of tours in the national park. The most popular tours are the Altai Trekking, Climb to Khuiten Peak, and the All Combined Western Mongolia tours. Come and enjoy the stunning nature of the Altai Mountains!

– OUR DISCOVER ALTAI TEAM –

Kumisbek

Eagle hunter

Kumisbek is an eagle hunter who lives by Koton Lake and he is very friendly. His father was a great eagle hunter. From September to October, they stay by another beautiful lake Khurgan where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding.

Dash

Our Cook

She has been working in tourism for over 15 years and she is one of the most experienced expedition chefs in our province.

Hundreds of travelers around the world have tried her delicious dishes and were very grateful. After a long trekking day enjoy a delicious meal from our chef cook

Soviyetkhan

Eagle hunter

Our eagle hunter Soviyetkhan. His father taught him to eagle hunting when he was thirteen years old.

For over half a century, he is hunting with a specially trained eagle. He always says that the eagle is a member of his family.

Guide Kunju

Tour Guide

She has been guiding over five years and always takes excellent care of travellers. She is very knowledgeable and friendly.

If during the trip we will have any difficulty, she professionally solves it. Also, she speaks fluent English and some Korean.

Shepherd Bayarsayhan

Camel Shepherd

Our camel shepherd Bayarsayhan. He is an ethical Tuvinian who has his own language and shamanistic religion.

Nomadic Tuvans live and care for their animals in the high parts of Altai mountains. You have the opportunity to talk with him and learn more about Tuvan shamanism

Talap

Travel Assistance

Our travel assistant Talap. In most of our trips, we use camels to transport our luggage.

And Talap will take care of the safety of our camping equipment. He is also very friendly and speaks some English. You will be friends with him

Driver Sequ

Driver

Sequ is one of the most experienced drivers in our team. He has been working as a driver since 2009 and knows the land very well. Western Mongolia is famous not only for its magnificent Mountains but also for its difficult roads, where only the best of drivers can survive. During the trip, he loves fishing, and you have the opportunity to try Altai’s grayling.