Leave for an 8-days self-sufficient hike from Orkhon Valley to the Eight Lakes Park.
It's one of these places for which anyone could change his/her life. Orkhon Valley is an edelweisses bed, an enchanting garden where tumultuous torrents overflow with fishes. Wrapped by the Khangai range, this little heaven is the land of nomadism. From the camp of our host family, we'll hike until the very remote area of Eight Lakes.
A genuine tour where richness of the landscapes matches with the richness in t...
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.
Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.
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.
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 on the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.
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.
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.
We go on walking in Orkhon Valley. We reach the Baga falls, near which we have lunch. Then we walk through the areas of Uuragt, Unit and Khöshigt, where we set up our camp.
We start the self-sufficient part of our hike. We hike in a valley surrounded by the Khangai chains. We reach the small Lake Tsagaan Azarga, where we camp tonight.
Visit of the several lakes of the area : Lakes Bugat, Khaya, Doroo, Khaliut, Khuis, and then Lake Shireet where we set up our camp.
We hike on Shireet Hill and visit Shurangiin Tsokhoi stone. Then we join a nomads family and rest.
Stay with a nomads family living in this mountainous area, with whom we'll share moments of their daily life.
We start to come back down the Shireet Hill, then walk along the Ulziitiin Am Mounts. We set up our camp on the banks of the Shuranga River.
Hiking in Ulziitiin Am Mountains. After lunch, we go on hiking along two rivers that will lead us to Övör Gyatruu springs. We set up our camp.
Hiking on the Khaitruunii Hills (2200 metres, 1,37 mile) to reach Ar Khyatruun springs, where we set up our camp.
We hike along the Khyatruun River and reach the Orkhon River. Our vehicle is waiting for us and will lead us to the camp of the family that hosted us four our first night in the valley.
At the end of the day, you will attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue which you will enjoy with your hosts.
Lunch: Included
Accommodation: Yurt for guests with a family
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.
Visit of 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 shopping 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.