- Gobi
- Altai
- Planning
- First trip
Ask anyone who has been to Mongolia which region you should see first, and two answers come up more than any other: the Gobi and the Altai. One is a vast desert of dunes, cliffs and gravel plains in the south. The other is a wall of glaciated mountains in the far west. Both are spectacular. They are also very different trips.
Here is how they compare.
The landscape
The Gobi is the country's south, and it surprises people. Most of it is not sand but open gravel plain, scrub and low mountain ranges. The famous scenes are concentrated in a few places: the singing dunes of Khongoryn Els, rising well over 100 metres; the red sandstone cliffs at Bayanzag; the narrow gorge of Yolyn Am, where ice can linger into early summer.
The Altai is Mongolia's highest ground, with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes and long valleys of grass and larch. In summer it is green and full of wildflowers; in autumn the valleys turn gold under freshly snowed summits.
If you love open horizons and space, the Gobi delivers. If you love mountains, the Altai wins outright.
The culture
The Gobi is home to Mongolian camel herders and their families. Visits to their gers, a chance to help with the animals, and long evenings under extraordinary stars are a highlight of most trips.
The Altai is home to Mongolia's Kazakh community, with its own language, music and traditions, including the golden eagle hunting the region is known for. Kazakh gers are taller and decorated with richly embroidered wall hangings, and the hospitality is generous to a fault.
Getting there
The Gobi is usually reached overland from Ulaanbaatar, a journey of several long days, often combined with the Orkhon valley and Kharkhorin on a classic loop. Domestic flights to the south can shorten the drive.
The Altai is roughly 1,600 km from the capital. Almost everyone flies to Ölgii, the regional centre, which saves days of driving but means relying on domestic flight schedules and baggage limits.
How active is it?
The Gobi can be done at an easy pace, mostly by vehicle, with short walks, a camel ride and an optional scramble up the dunes, which is harder than it looks. Longer camel treks and dune camping add more effort.
The Altai suits people who want to move. Day hikes are possible, but the region shines on multi-day treks or horse journeys, often with support vehicles or pack animals. Altitude is moderate rather than extreme on most routes, but passes, river crossings and cold nights add up.
The Gobi rewards patience: long drives, then moments of pure stillness. The Altai rewards effort: the further you walk, the more it opens up.
When to go
- Gobi: late May to early October. July and August can be very hot by day, but nights stay comfortable. Spring brings wind and dust storms; September is often perfect.
- Altai: June to September for trekking. Snow can fall at any time at height. Late September and early October bring the eagle festivals, colder weather and wonderful light.
Comfort
The Gobi has a good range of camps, from simple to luxury, with private bathrooms available at the top end. The Altai is more basic. Expect family-run Kazakh gers, camping on treks and limited facilities outside Ölgii. That simplicity is part of the appeal, but it is worth knowing before you go.
Who each suits
Choose the Gobi if you:
- Want an iconic first trip with a mix of landscape, history and culture
- Prefer a comfortable pace with the option of higher-end camps
- Love night skies, wide horizons and photography
- Are interested in dinosaurs and fossil sites
Choose the Altai if you:
- Want mountains, trekking or riding at the core of your trip
- Are curious about Kazakh culture and eagle traditions
- Are comfortable with simpler accommodation and camping
- Are travelling in autumn and want to see an eagle festival
Can you do both?
Yes, with enough time. A trip of around two and a half to three weeks can combine the Gobi overland with a flight to the far west. It is a big journey, with two very different halves, and many travellers rate it the best possible introduction to the country.
If you only have ten days to two weeks, pick one and do it properly. You will come back for the other; most people do.
Our honest advice
For most first-time visitors who want a rounded picture of Mongolia, the Gobi, paired with the central steppe, is the easier and more varied introduction. For anyone whose heart is set on mountains, walking or eagle hunters, the Altai is the more rewarding choice, and it is not just for experienced trekkers.
Tell us what you want to feel on your trip, whether that is space, challenge, culture or quiet, and we will help you choose. There is no wrong answer here, only different kinds of right.
