DURATION: 15N/16D
AVAILABLE: 10/MAY-15/SEPT
TOUR GRADE: EASY
Highlights of the tour
Mongolia is a mysterious country, well known to the world for its richness of culture, uniqueness of traditions, true nomadic life, breathtaking landscapes and a proud historical past.
Start from the Gobi Desert: Tsagaan Suvarga (White stupa), Bayanzag the Flaming Cliffs, the Khongor sand dunes and the Yoliin Am.
The next half of the tour takes you to the crystal clear Lake Huvsgul at the beautiful Horidol Saridag mountains, picturesque Khorgo-Terkh National Park, the ancient capital at Karakorum amd remotest buddhist temple.
We have chnaces to visit nomadic families, remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional events, horse and camel riding and guided walking. There are also endless opportunities for photography. Discover the true Mongolia!
Day1. Arrive in Mongolia and city tour in Ulaanbaatar (Abbreviation: UB) (D)
We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. After some rest at the hotel we will visit the National History museum and see Mongolian traditional show at 6 o’clock. After dinner, we will transfer you to the hotel. Stay in hotel***
In the morning we will fly to South Gobi. After landing we will drive to Yol Valley (Vulture canyon). The Vulture Canyon, which nestles between the beautiful peaks of Gurvansaikhan of the Three Beauties. After arrival at the canyon, we will take 2-hour hike through the canyon and maybe able to see parts of a glacier left over from the winter months. Overnight in ger camp (about 100 kms)
Day3. Khongor sand dunes and camel riding (B/L/D)
The drive to the Khongr sand dunes takes between 3 and 4 hours, passing through vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon. Lone gers and nomads on camelback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks and unusual minerals. This is the Gobi at its stark best - there are many opportunities to stop and take photographs of the landscapes and people. Visit the beautiful sand dunes and the Khongor river streaming through the sands, try camel riding along the Khongor sand dunes etc. The two-humped Bactrian camels are very comfortable to ride as they walk slowly and gently, and you will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Overnight in ger camp (about 180 kms)
Day4. Bayanzag or Flaming cliffs and walking around (B/L/D)
Visit to the Bayanzag area. Known as a Flaming Cliffs "Cradle of Dinosaurs" this is where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922. A site famous for the remains of dinosaur that lived here 60 million years ago. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saxaul trees and other classic desert vegetation. Overnight in ger camp (about 150 kms)
Day5. Ongiin khiid Monastery (B/L/D)
This monastery, with its temple Damba Darjaalan Sum, was built in the late 18th century to commemorate the first ever visit to Mongolia by a Dalai Lama. The monastery was once the larges monastery in South Mongolia and was used by about 500 monks. It was the only monastery out of nine in the immediate vicinity to survive the Stalinist purges - by becoming a warehouse and shop. The monastery was reopened in 1990 and the current Dalai Lama visited in 1992. Overnight tourist ger camp (about 150 kms)
Day6. Orkhon valley and Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall (B/L/D)
Today we will drive to Orkhon valley, registered as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005, this Orkhon River valley. There are many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its basin. And there is Orkhon Waterfall, also called Ulaan Tsutgalan was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago. It cascades from the height of 22 metres and is 10m wide. Here we will visit nomadic family and make horse riding for an hour. Overnight in ger camp (about300 kms)
Day7. Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu monastery (B/L/D)
Drive to Karakorum in the morning and visit to Erdenezuu monastery. Karakorum is the ancient capital of Chingis Khaan’s Mongolia and was established in 1220 and served as the capital for 140 years. The Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m X 400m wall. Only a few temples remain standing after the communist purges of 1930s. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for daily worship. Overnight ger camp (about 140 kms)
Day8. Tsenkher hot spring (B/L/D)
We will drive to Tsenkher hot spring, take a relaxing hot spring bath. We will walk in the surrounding steppes, there are plenty of options for independent treks depending on how fit you are feeling. Stay in the ger camp (About 130kms)
Day9. Great White lake and KhongoVolcano (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur via Tsetserleg town. We will visit the extinct Khorgo volcano crater which once spewed hot lava (7,000 years ago). Next, we will proceed to tour Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, which was formed when Khorgo volcano lava dammed the Suman River, cutting a large gorge through the basalt. Overnight in ger camp (About 200kms)
Day10. Shine Ider, zuun Nuur Salt Lake (B/L/D)
Travel to Shine-Ider province across rolling steppes which are covered with wild flowers in spring and early summer. Zuun Nuur a small, beautiful salt water lake which is a haven for birds. After the lake, we will continue to drive about 10kms and reach at the camp (About 280kms)
Day11. Khuvsgul lake (B/L/D)
Today we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake, close to the Siberian border. Here you have the opportunity to truly understand the Mongolian way of life. Lake Khuvsgul is the second largest freshwater lake in the world, after Lake Baikal so be prepared to be impressed. Overnight ger camp (About 220kms)
Day12. Leisure day in the Khuvsgul lake (B/L/D)
Free day to explore the area. We will make some hiking and see some reindeer. Stay in ger camp
Day13. Uran togoo volcano (B/L/D)
We will drive to spectacular area of extinct volcanoes covered in coniferous woods. This extinct volcano has spectacular red rock formations and is surrounded by coniferous woods and wild flowers. There is an opportunity to trek on the volcano. Overnight in ger camp (About 380kms)
Day14. Amarbayasgalant Monastery (B/L/D)
Travel by road to Amarbayasgalant. Built between 1727 – 1736 this is one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. The Journey travels across the southern approaches of Siberia. The monastery is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River Valley at the foot of Burenkhan Mounatin. It has amazing art and decorations and the incredible architectural construction makes it one of the most magnificent monasteries in Asia. Overnight in ger camp (About 200kms)
Day15. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (B/L)
After breakfast we drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We will have the lunch at local café on the way. We will transfer you to the hotel. We will do some shopping. Stay in hotel***(about 350kms)
Day16. Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departure.
THANKS FOR JOINING US
Inclusion
All transportation listened in the itinerary
Twin share accommodation: hotel*** and in ger camps
Three meals per day
Services of English speaking guide
All taxes and entrance fees to the protected areas
Sightseeing cost
All transfers between airport and hotel
Horse and camel riding cost
Exclusion
International transportation
Travel and medical insurance
Alcoholic drinks
Tip
Meals in UB