With this tour, you'll meet nomad breeders of the steppes and reindeer breeders of the taiga, Dukhans. In this way, you'll discover why Mongolia is a multi-facets country.
A full tour to live from yurts to tepees.
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 - Moron
Flight to Mörön, the capital of the province of Khövsgöl, where our driver is waiting for us.
Day 2
We arrive at Lake Khövsgöl, one of the natural wonders of the world. This mountain covers an area of 2760 square kilometres, and its water is so pure that we can drink it! It's surrounded with many peaks culminating at more than 2000 metres and covered with forests of pines and lush meadows where yaks and horses graze!
We go towards East and the green small valleys of Alag Sar, and spend the night in a small yurts camp.
Let's start a beautiful story… With local breeders and their yaks, we leave for our 2-days hike or pony-trek in the tree-filled valleys of Alag Tsar. Following the peaceful tempo of the cart, we discover this land of nomadism. In the heart of summer, the area is flowered and we will move literally on a carpet of edelweiss, while at West, we will see on the opposite bank the peaks culminating at 3000 metres that bathe in the crystal water of the lake.
In the evening, with the breeders, we will put up the yurt that we carried, in which we will spend the night.
Alag Tsar - Oliin Dawaa
We go by jeep towards Southeast of Lake Khovsgol. The camps of the Dukhans are isolated in the taiga and the mountains Northwest of the lake, so the journey will last several days. Our journey will lead us to Oliin Davaa, a pass where have been built thirteen ovoos.
Ovoos are piles of stones and wood, generally located in the passes and in the sacred places. Mongolians walk around three times and give offerings, such as stones, tugriks, milk or vodka.
Oliin Dawaa - Tsagaan nuur
Journey towards North and Tsagaan Nuur, land of Dukhans. The landscape is made of rivers and steppes, and we must cross some passes before stopping at Lake Tsagaan Nuur.
Tsagaan nuur - Tsaatan camp
Meeting with the breeders who will come with us all along our tour towards the Dukhans. Beginning of our horseride. After en epic crossing of the Shishged River in "ferry boat", we discover the first landscapes of the taiga. Forming a natural barrier protecting the camps of the Dukhans, in summer the wild and inhabited taiga is hard : unfortunately, marshes, flies and mosquitos will be present. It's not the easiest part of your trip but, with your guide and the local guides, you can take advantage of the trek to discover the traditions and the way of life of Mongolian breeders. In the early evening, we set up our camp near the Moorog River, where we'll enjoy a quite needed rest. Tomorrow, we'll finally reach the camp of the Dukhans.
Day 9
This day is dedicated to the discovery of the Tsaatan people. The traveller must come and meet his/her host, so spend time to go in the tepees and to share a few moments with the family. Watch, take part in the daily tasks, listen to stories, legends and myths, and learn some games. A part of the day will be dedicated to shamanism, proper to spirituality of Tsaatans.
After sharing dinner and evening with your host family, you'll fall asleep in a tepee made with reindeer skin in the camp of the host family.
To reach the camp of the Dukhans, we have to ride in the taiga for about one day and a half (to go and to come back). It's a self-sufficient ride, the logistics and your personal belongings will be carried by pack horses.
Tsaatan camp - Tsagaan nuur
After this wonderful experience among Dukhans, it's time to ride again. We ride towards South and, at the end of the day, set up our camp by Lake Gants Uulin Khar Nur. Tomorrow, we'll find Tsagaan Nuur again.
To reach the camp of the Dukhans, we have to ride in the taiga for about one day and a half (to go and to come back). It's a self-sufficient ride, the logistics and your personal belongings will be carried by pack horses.
Tsagaan nuur - Beltes river
Today we drive towards Moron, South. We set up our camp near the Beltes River. On the road, we discover another landscape, made of steppes, passes and rivers. Take the time to stop here. In the evening, if weather allows it, you can observe the sky by the fireside : Mongolia is definitely the land of the sky, Tenger, incredibly blue during the day and scattered with thousands of stars at night.
Beltes river - Shine Ider
Journey towards centre : the track goes through many passes and sinks into lost valleys where landscapes quickly change. Altitude exceeds 2000 metres (1,24 mile) at the passes.
Landscapes are more and more beautiful and there are more and more photo opportunities.
Shine Ider - 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 15
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 - 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 - Tsenkher hot springs
Arrival at Tsenkher hot springs, where you can lounge in the hot springs of the camp.
Tsenkher hot springs - Tovkhon monastery
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.
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.
Day 18
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 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.
Orkhon valley - 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.
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".
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.
Khogno Khan - Ulan Bator
Camelback trek along the sand dunes of Elsen tasarkhai.
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.
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.