A tour that will lead you to the wild lands of the province of Zavkhan. After visiting the essential sites of the centre of the country, we enter in the wild Mongolia where lakes stand alongside the desert outside the snow-covered peaks of Khangai.
Try a new adventure in the heart of the province of Zavkhan, you won't regret it !
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 to 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.
Ulan Bator - Khogno Khan
Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.
We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".
Pony trek 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.
Visit of the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai.
Khogno Khan - 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.
Kharkhorin - 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 4
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.
Stay among breeders in 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.
Orkhon valley - Tovkhon monastery
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 of the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.
Tovkhon monastery - Tsenkher hot springs
Arrival at Tsenkher hot springs, where you can lounge in the hot springs of the camp.
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 7
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.
Terkhiin Tsagaan national park - Ider river
We take the road towards West and the province of Zavkhan. We drive along the Solongotiin Hills. Lunch in a local restaurant in Tosontsengel. The atmosphere of the cities in the Western Mongolia makes inevitably think about the one of the lost cities in the American Far West. We set up our camp in a small corner of paradise between sky and land, on the banks of the Ider River.
Ider river - Khar lake
We drive across the province of Zavkhan. We can admire at East the high summits of Khangai and a forest zone, and at West the desert. Although this tour is very far from the classic touristic tours, it shows many natural wonders, such as Otgontenger Mount, landscapes of dunes and turquoise lakes.
We arrive in a semi desertic zone until Lake Khar, splendid lake in the middle of the dunes.
Day 10
This day is dedicated to a hike all around Lake Khar. We discover breathtakingly landscapes typical of Gobi, surrounding a turquoise lake.
Day 11
Short hiking (a few kilometres) in the Erdene Khairkhan mountains, until the site of Senjit Khad, a rocky formation that reminds the ones of the American Far West.
Visit of Mukhartiin River's source. An exceptional site where the river literally rises from the sand dunes.
Khar lake - Uliastai
We drive along the Khangai mounts that overlook the track at East, then pass through the Zagastai hills, and finally arrive at Uliastai, capital of the province of Zavkhan ; we go to the local market to buy fresh supplies.
We will drive again for 10 kilometers before reaching the bank of the Bogd river where we will pitch our camp.
Bogd river - Otgontenger mountain
Visit of Otgontenger National Park : waterfalls and Lake Badagakhundaga.
Hiking until Lake Badarkhundaga located at the norther foot of Otgontenger mount.
Uliastai - Ulan Bator
Transfer to Uliastai airport and return flight to Ulan Bator.
Arrival in town and transfer to 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.
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.