Flavours of Khangai - Horseback Mongolia
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Flavours of Khangai

This is a peaceful tour in the heart of Khangai, the ultimate area of nomadism. You'll meet exceptional families and hike in the lower Khangai.

This tour is made for those who rather spend some time to discover Mongolia from the inside, with its nomads living in the steppes and mountains of Khangai !

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

  • Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you in the restaurant of your choice.

  • Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

  • Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

  • At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh : folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

Day 2Discovering Przewalski's horses

Day 2Discovering Przewalski's horses

Ulan Bator - Khustai national park

  • Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.

  • Journey to Khustai Reserve that houses the Przewalski horses (takh). Twilight is the best moment to observe them. We'll walk until the river where they drink, and observe them with no fear to bother.

Meal and accommodations
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Khustai camp
Accommodation: Khustai camp

Day 3Walking in the Mini-Gobi

Day 3Walking in the Mini-Gobi

  • We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometres (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

  • Walk until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Day 4-5Stay among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Day 4-5Stay among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Khogno Khan - Orkhon valley

  • Journey to Orkhon Valley. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the valley is a land of nomadism and many breeders set their summer camp there.

Day 5

  • Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

  • Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray… These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Also
  • Day 4Day 5

    Stay at herders' from the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

    You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with yours hosts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Eden camp (4)
Breakfast: Made by your team (5)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (4)
Lunch: Made by your team (5)
Dinner: made by the family (4)
60km
Khangai Mountain

Day 6-8Hiking in the lower Khangai

Day 6-8Hiking in the lower Khangai

Orkhon valley - Khangai Mountain

  • We leave for a 4-days hike across the lower Khangai range, from Orkhon Valley to Tsenkher hot springs. The logistics vehicle will follow us.

Day 6

  • Wir starten am nördlichen Ufer des Orkhon Flusses. Am Morgen gibt es den ersten Aufstieg. Danach geht es wieder runter ins Tal, zum Fuße des Öndör Schireet Hügels. Zu Mittag werden wir in der Nähe der Wintercamps der Normaden essen. In dieser Gegend können wir auch Petroglyphen, die aus Bronzezeit stammen, entdecken.

  • Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view on the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Day 7

  • Crossing the lower Khangai. We find again the valley crossed the day before and go back several kilometers before turning on the left and finding a tree-filled area. Many breeders live in the area and we meet many herds of yaks and nomadic settlements. We cross a vast plain before lunch.

    We go on walking in the valley, then we cross the river and pass a small hill, near which we camp.

Day 8

  • We leave early in the morning to reach the Tsetserleg River for lunch. We walk along the valley we reached the day before, then we pass the small hill. Then we come back down towards Tsetserleg. Lunch by the river. Swimming is possible, especially in June, July and August. After our break, we walk along the river for 1 hour. We camp on the banks of the river.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Made by your team
Accommodation: tent camping
Khangai Mountain

Day 9End of the hike and rest at Tsenkher hot springs

Day 9End of the hike and rest at Tsenkher hot springs

Khangai Mountain - Tsenkher hot springs

  • This is our last day hiking. We'll cross the Tsetserleg River and walk on its Western bank, before turning towards a pass. On top of the hill, ritual offering at the ovoo. We walk alonf the forest of larches, then reach the Tsenkher River. Lunch.

    The afternoon starts with the easy ascent of a pass, then we walk on the opposite slope of the hill, along a pleasant forest path. After the descent, we reach a large plain at the end of which we find Tsenkher hot springs. After spending four days hiking in remote areas, what could be more pleasant than lounging in hot baths ? It's also possible to receive massages.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team
Accommodation: Shiveet Mankhan

Day 10-11Stay by the great white lake of Arkhangai

Day 10-11Stay by the great white lake of Arkhangai

Tsenkher hot springs - Tsetserleg

  • Stop at Tsetserleg, small lovely village nested in mountains of larches. We'll buy fresh supplies at the local market and visit Zayan Gegeen Museum.

Tsetserleg - Terkhiin Tsagaan national park

  • Road to Khorgo – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Natural Park that is located 2060 metres (1,28 mile) above sea level. This lake, called "the great white lake", and its whole volcanic surroundings, are the emblematic area of the province of Arkhangai. The waters of the lake are full of fish and it's possible to fish if you wish.

Day 11

  • Hiking along the banks of the lake. We go towards Southeast where Khorgo Volcano reaches its highest point at 2240 metres (1,39 mile). (Easy) ascent of the volcano. From the top, we enjoy a splendid view of the lake and the surrounding hills. Nearby the volcano, stunning lava flows form an original landscape never seen up to now.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Shiveet Mankhan (10)
Breakfast: Maikhan Tolgoi (11)
Lunch: Local restaurant (10)
Lunch: Picnic from the camp (11)
Accommodation: Maikhan Tolgoi

Day 12Visit of the former capital, Kharkhorin

Day 12Visit of the former capital, Kharkhorin

Terkhiin Tsagaan national park - Kharkhorin

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas. Visit of the Museum of Kharkhorin.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Maikhan Tolgoi
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Anja camp
Accommodation: Anja camp

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

Kharkhorin - Ulan Bator

  • Back to Ulan-Bator. Last herds of wild horses crossing the road outside our dumbfounded eyes, last yurts smoking far away, the steppe will be with us until the last moment.

    Arrival in town and settling in at your hotel, where you can rest a few moments.

  • Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go and shop in the centre of the city.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Anja camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Hotel
Flight back

Day 14Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 14Have a nice journey and see you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.

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I am Daniel from "Horseback Mongolia". Send us your request, and we will answer you within 48 hours.
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