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Itinerary name: KARAKORUM  Karakorum - The state of Mongols in the 13th century was among the most powerful of all in the world. Center of the empire was Karakorum city until Khuvilai Khaan decided to move his capital to Dadu or Beijing. After collapsing of Yuan dynasty Min state’s invaders sacked the city and massacred its inhabitants in 1388 and ruined it. Though Karakorum was partially reconstructed later, it was nevertheless eventually deserted. Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia. Various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum to build this monastery. Today Erdene Zuu monastery complex remains an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum that is open to tourists. Day1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar.
Day2. Elsen Tasarkhai. /250 km/ Camel riding. Breakfast time, we will drive to Central Mongolia. Arrive to this place called as Piece of Sand Dunes. It is the northern edge of the Gobi desert in Mongolia. This sand dunes represents landscape, climate & ecology of Gobi Desert, in this region. In 1991, the United Nations designated the Gobi as the fourth largest biosphere reserve in the world. After lunch time, we will ride camels here. The two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as they walk slowly and gently and we will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Our camel man will take us to the sand-dunes. Visit to Nomadic Family. Interaction with local nomads. After dinner time, we will have free time. Overnight in Elsen Tasarkhai. Day3. Karakorum. /90 km/ Horseback riding. After breakfast time, we will drive to Karakorum village. In the history, the city of Karakorum was founded in 1220 in a valley named the Orkhon, at a busy point on the route of the Silk Road which is in the first large break in the chain of mountains. Karakorum was the center of the Great Mongolian Empire until Khubilai Khaan moved his capital to Beijing. Also, you will see the monastery of Erdene Zuu which was built in 1586. It is the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and, at its peak in the late 18th century the complex of ornate gardens and 62 temples was home to over 1000 lamas. Also, we will see turtle rocks there. Day4. Back to Ulaanbaatar. /260 km/ takhi wild horses.After lunch time, we will ride horses in the valley of the Mongols' historical river Orkhon. After dinner time we will have free time. Overnight in Karakorum. After breakfast time, we will head out west. The drive takes about few hours (about 260 km) until we reach Khustai National Park where re-introduction of the wild takhi horses (Przhevalsky's horses) has taken place since 1992. Takhi is last wild horse subspecies surviving in the 21st century. It was discovered in western Mongolia in the late 1870s by the Russian explorer N.M. Przhevalsky. Several expeditions since 1969 have failed to find this horse, which probably crossed with half-wild domesticated horses and lost its distinct features. Specimens have been kept and bred in zoos, and Mongolia in the late 20th century attempted to reintroduce them into the wild. After lunch time, will be spent at leisure hiking in the surrounding mountains for looking wild horses. After dinner time, we will invite you to have a fun time in ger restourant of tourist camp. Have a fun time and drink Mongolian beer. Overnight in the National Park. Day5. Back to Ulaanbaatar. /90 km/ International Departure. After breakfast, we will drive to Ulaanbaatar city. After we arrived in Ulaanbaatar city, you will be have some shopping time and transferred to the railway station or international airport for your international departure. Price:
Photos:  Elsen Tasarkhai  Natural Beauty Elsen Tasarkhai & Mountain Khugnu Khaan  Kharkhorin town  Wall of Erdene Zuu Monastery Complex  Erdene Zuu monastery wall  Phallic rock at Karakorum  Turtle Rock at Karakorum  Another (bigger) turtle Rock at Karakorum  Takhi wild horses at National Park Khustai  with Przhevalsky's horses  with Przhevalsky's horses |
