Area: Southern, Central and Northern Mongolia Potential dates: from May to October, in each year. Duration: 20 days/19 night Tour price: 2690 USD per person (Based on 2pax)
Travel through most attractive tourist destinations in Mongolia. These destinations and attractions include Gobi Desert, the 4th largest biosphere reserve in the world, with its natural ecology and geographically unique landscape as well as its endemic & rare species of plants and animals. You will enjoy most beautiful valley (Yoliin Am) in the South Gobi, and will hike over the largest sand dunes (Khongoriin Els) in this northernmost part of the hemisphere, and spend some time with nomads who have lived in this territory for many thousands of years and have bred their livestock, especially camels, in the same nomadic way for all that time. Also, you will witness the paleontology sights (Bayanzag) where many ancient dinosaur fossils have been found in an area which, 130-200 million years ago was at the bottom of a sea.
Afterwards, you will vsiit Karakorum, a historical city which was the main administrative and merchant location of the historical Mongolian states, the historical valley of the River Orkhon. There, you will see & enjoy a nature beauty of this area, will visit an anicient famous monastery and get introduced into a specific lifestyle of real nomads.It is followed by drive to region of Volcano Khorgo and Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (White Lake). These places are very beautiful and famous with their various nature scences & landscapes.
Lake Khuvsgul and its beautiful surrounding nature scenes. The far north of Mongolia is an area renowned for its high mountains covered in thick taiga forest, crystal clear lakes, rivers teaming with taimen and lennock and lush green open valleys. Right at the tip of northern Mongolia is Lake Khuvsgul which lies within the bounds of National Park Khuvsgul. This lake is sacred to all Mongolians and is known as the 'mother' or the 'sea'. To the north-west of the lake live the Khuvsgul-Tuvan minority group, more commonly known as the Tsaatan people or Reindeer people. These people use reindeer for transporting supplies, riding and milking and have done so for centuries. These 4 are the main destinations for tourist coming in Mongolia.
Other important destinations, attractions & events related to your tour include visit ancient monasteries Ongi, have a relax day at hot spring of Tsenkher, and see rock Taikhar, and interaction with the nomads & horseriding, and sightseeing tour in Ulaanbaatar (UB) the capital city of Mongolia.
Day 1. Arrival – Sightseeing in UB. /L,D/.
On arrival, you will be picked up by your guide and transferred to a 3 star hotel. After lunch, we will have a sightseeing tour which includes Winter Palace & Musuem of last king of Mongolia, monastery Gandan and temple of Megjid Janraiseg. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be held on honor of your visit at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Flight to South Gobi – Eagles Valley (Yoliin Am) – Sand Dunes of Khongor. Totally 260 km. /B,L,D/.
Early morning, you will be transferred to airport for a 90 minute flight to the South Gobi. We offer you packed foods for your breakfast. After arrival, drive to valley of Yolyn Am. The valley begins from Zuun Saikhan Mountain, a branch of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain system, and stretches over 10 km. It is completely shaded from the sun in some parts by high cliff walls. We will walk through the valley which is famous for the fact that there is ice present there even during the hot summer months. The beauty of the valley, combined with the sound of vultures (Yol means vulture, in Mongolian) creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder – this is an experience not to be missed! Drive to a tourist camp ‘Juulchin Gobi’ for lunch. After lunch, continue the drive to Sand Dunes of ‘Khongoriin Els’. The sand dunes, which stand 800 meters above sea level, continue for over 100 km, and are about 20 km wide, making them the largest distribution of sand dunes in Mongolia. Stay at tourist camp ‘Juulchin Gobi-2’. After dinner, there will be a sightseeing. Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 3. Hiking – Saxual forest Bayanzag – Interaction with nomads – Camel riding (optional). Totally 105 km. /B,L,D/.
After breakfast, we will hike a short distance over the sand dunes and you will be taken in the beauty of the surroundings. It takes about 2.5hrs. After lunch, we will drive to Bayanzag, a saxual forest and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as skeleton & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there. Lunch is followed by visit a camel breeders’ family and you will be their guests. You will get introduced into their daily living process and be served a traditional soup which made with jerked meat & processed-flour. You can ride on camel back, if you want. Overnight at tourist camp Bayanzag.
Day 4. Bayanzag – Monastery Ongi – Relax. Totally 120 km. /B,L,D/.
Enjoy the nomads’ daily morning activities. You can help them for some chores, if you want. After that, will continue the tour to Saikhan Ovoo, a small village in the middle of the Gobi. There you will enjoy the peace and beauty of the Delger Khangai Mountains. We will explore the ruins of of Monastery Ongi. Rest of the day is for relax. We will set up a base camp. Overnight at the camp.
Day 5. Ongi – Karakorum – Visit monastery Erdenezuu. Totally 250 km. /B,L,D/.
Drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia where today there is a small local township. On arrival you will notice the first and most obvious landmark which is the massive wall of monastery Erdenezuu. The monastery was built in 1586 by a well-known Mongolian king called Abtai Sain Khaan, and is surrounded by a vast 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for their daily worship. Overnight at tourist camp Khaan Taij.
Day 6. Karakorum – Hot Spring of Tsenkher. Totally 120 km. /B,L,D/.
After breakfast, continue driving to hot spring of Tsenkher. Have a relaxed day taking a bath in the hot spring water. Stay over night in a Ger camp Tsenkheriin Jiguur.
Day 7. Hot Spring of Tsenkher – Provincial center Tsetserleg – Rock Taikhar – River gorge Chuluut – Hundred Branched Tree – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (White Lake). Totally 215 km.
Passing through provincial center Tsetserleg, we reach Rock Taikhar. This legendary rock is very famous in Mongolia and Mongolian people worship this rock when they pass nearby it. After lunch in this wilderness area, continue the drive to White Lake. It is the top attraction for your tour! En route, we see & enjoy Gorge of River Chuluut and a hundred branch tree. Overnight at tourist camp Tsagaan Nuur, on bank of the lake.
Day 8. White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur) – Volcano Khorgo. Totally 20 km. /B,L,D/.
This lake is really brialliant. The landscape here is equally fascinating with extinct volcano craters producing various rock formations and huge gorges with fast flowing rivers and cascades. Terkhiin White Lake, where once-active volcanoes have formed some beautiful terrain suitable for hiking. Today we will be hiking to volcano Khorgo and climbing up to top of the volcano. Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 9. White Lake – Relax Day. /B,L,D/.
In the morning, you will visit a nomads’ family in this northern Mongolia and you will be further integrated into the family’s lifestyle and will observe the milking of the cows and the making of the dairy products. We will ride horse a short distance. This afternoon is free to you. You can do whatever you want, from swimming, fishing, walking or hiking. This lake is said by foreigners a papadise for fishers. This beauful lake & its brilliant nature scenes will make you have a prefect satisfaction from the tour! Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 10. Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (White Lake) – Mountain range Khangai. Totally 230 km. /B,L,D/.
Continue the drive north towards Lake Khuvsgul. This is a long driving day through mountain range Khangai. You will come to a mountainous valley with forest and a River. We offer you a packed lunch. On the way you will have an opportunity to visit nomadic families of this remote area. We will set up a base camp. Overnight at the camp.
Day 11. Visit nomadic families on the way Lake Khuvsgul. Totally 220 km. /B,L,D/.
Today we will continue driving to Lake Khuvsgul. En route, we visit a local family, grasping a glimpse of the daily nomadic life style. Will arrive in Moron the centre of the provnice in the late afternoon. Over night at a Ger camp Moron.
Day 12. Moron – Lake Khuvsgul. Totally 120 km. /B,L,D/.
Arrive at Lake Khuvsgul which is the deepest fresh water lake in Central Asia. It has the same geomorphological & ecological origin as Lake Baikal in Russia and constitutes over 1% of the world’s total surface water. Tourists call it the ‘Switzerland of Mongolia’. Rest of the day, you will go on a sightseeing. Overnight at tourist camp ‘Khangardi’.
Day 13. Boating (about 3hrs)– Relax on beautiful shore of the lake. /B,L,D/.
Early morning, we will boat to an island in middle of the lake with joined other passangers and back to the tourist camp in the afternoon. Rest of the day is for your relax. Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 14. Khangarid – Pass of Janhai – Visit reindeer breeders’ family – Back Khangaird. Totally 120 km. /B,L,D/.
Early morning, will drive toward the north for reindeers. On reaching in a foothill of pass Janhai, we visit a reindeer herders’ family. Then, you will be introduced into specific lifestyle of this nation’s minority and especially you will see & enjoy performance of their religion ‘Shaman’. Back to Khangarid for night. Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 15. Hiking – Treat with a traditional meal ‘Khorkhog’, in the afternoon. /B,L,D/.
You will hike over a beautiful forested mount next to the Lake Khuvsgul. It takes 3 hours. This mount is a branch of Khoridol Saridag Mountains Range, one of the highest mountains (approximately 3351 meter above sea level). Your tour-support vehicle will be accompanying you and packed lunch will be available. While traveling in a green meadow, you can pick some natural wild fruits such as wild strawberry, currant, gooseberry, red bilberry, bog bilberry and etc. Probably, you will see many kinds of wild rare & rarely animals also, such grazing deer, ibex, gazelle or any kinds of birds. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a traditional Mongolian meal ‘Khorhog’ which is made from large chunks of meat and vegetables, ‘pressure cooked’ using hot rocks. You don’t have to eat the rocks but you might be interested to see what is done with them after the meal is cooked! Also, you can spend rest of the day in ownself, by swimming or walking a short distance. Overnight at the same tourist camp.
Day 16. Lake Khuvsgul – Voclano Uran. Totally 250 km. /B,L,D/.
Passing through Moron, we will continue the tour to volcano Uran. It is a dormant volcano and its surrounding is very beautiful. We will set up a base camp. Overnight at the camp.
Day 17. Voclano Uran – Monastery Amarbayasgalant. Totally 250 km. /B,L,D/.
Drive to a famous monastery Amarbayasgalant. After having a packed lunch, we walk around the monastery which is the second most important monastery in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu, and was built by Zanabazar in the 18th century. It was badly damaged during the religious purges of the 1930s but restoration work has brought the monastery back to something like its former glory. The area around the monastery is justly famous for its beautiful wild flowers and is a lovely place to spend some time relaxing, hiking and camping. We will set up a base camp. Overnight at the camp.
Day 18. Monastery Amarbayasgalant – UB.Totally 220 km. /B,L,D/.
We head back to Ulaanbaatar via Darkhan city which is the capital city of Darkhan Uul province, and is Mongolia's second largest city, with a population of 90000 residents. The modern city of Darkhan, with foundations which were laid in 1967, is one of the Mongolia's largest industrial centres and has many functioning steel processing factories. Once back in UB you will be transferred to your hotel. Shopping optional. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 19. Shopping. /B,L,D/.
Today you can go shopping. Afternoon is free to you. You may need to pack your luggage for your tomorrow’s return. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 20. International Departure. /B,L,D/.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.
Price includes:
1 One Way domestic flight (for luggage charge – less than 20kg per person free), Transportation within Mongolia /Land Cruiser-3 people max/, twin accommodation in a 3 star hotel. Single accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost. Accommodation in the field & tourist camps where specified, three meals a day, English-speaking guide, all sightseeing costs, riding hires where specified, boating fee, support staff including drivers, camping equipment related costs where specified, mineral water per day, and government taxes.
Price doesn’t include:
International flights, travel insurance, visas, departure tax, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, items of a personal nature. It would be your responsibility to be fully covered with travel and medical insurance while traveling in Mongolia.
River Canyon Chuluut
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