ltai is a vast mountainous area, located in the center of Eurasia at the juncture of China, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. Mongolian part of Altai includes the Mongol Altai Mountain Range and the Gobi Altai. The most attractive sites for ecotourism are concentrated in the Altai Tavan Bogd (Altai Five King) of Mongol Altai. Unique natural and cultural features of Mongol Altai grant wonderful opportunities for all kinds of ecotourism activities.

Mongol Altai is the highest mountainous province of Mongolia. Some mountain-masses are 3000 – 4000m high. Their peaks are covered with snow and ice all year long. Glaciers descend along their slopes. The highest point of Khuiten (Cold peak) Mt (5473 m) is situated there.

Altai Tavan Bogd is also famous with its rivers and lakes. Khovd, Tsagaan and Sogoo are the three largest rivers which interflow near the town of Ulgii and give start to the Lakes of Western Mongolian depression. Khovd with its tributaries Tsagaan Us, Sirgaal channel, Ulaan Khus are very popular among whitewater rafters because of thrilling rapids and exciting landscapes. The Tsagaan Us River has its source in the Khoton and Khurgan Lake which is situated between high ranges of mountains. The Khoton Lake with its length of about 50 km, depth of 25 m and volume of 20 cubic kilometers is considered as a symbol of Altai. The beautiful Khurgan Lakes are situated on the Northern slope of the Altai Range.

The greater part of Mongol Altai is covered with taiga. Larch and cedar prevail but you can see many other species of trees and bushes. Alpine areas, situated on heights more than 2000 – 2400 m, offer large meadows with various grasses and flowers. In the whole, in Altai tourists have opportunities to observe practically all kinds of Central Asian and Siberian natural scenery: dry steppes of Central Asia, taiga, alpine meadows in blossom, tundra, majestic glaciers and snow peaks. Fauna is very diverse too, including 90 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 20 species of fishes. Snow leopard (irbis), wild ram, elk, Siberian stag (maral), bear, golden eagle, hawk, umber, starlet can be met there.