Flavours of Khangai

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.

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.

We definitely leave the tarred road to taste the joys of the track. We drive along the splendid landscapes formed by the canyons and the green steppe, then we arrive at the home of breeders who will host us in the heart of 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.

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

For the others, it will be possible to go to the falls by making a 6 km walk, or with the vehicle.

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.

At the end of the day, you will attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue which you will enjoy with your hosts.

We start our 9-days hike. First, we'll walk from Tsenkher hot springs until Orkhon Valley, then until Naiman Nuur National Park. We'll have the logistics vehicle during the first five days of the hike. During the last four days, the hike will be a self-sufficient hike and we'll have only pack yaks to carry the equipment.

We start on the Norther bank of the Orkhon River. In the morning, first ascent. Then we come back down in the valley at the foot of the Ondor Shireet Hill. Lunch near the winter camps of the nomads. In this area, we will observe petroglyphs dating from the Bronze Age.

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.

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.

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.

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 along 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.

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.

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.

We will spend 2 nights at a local family guesthouse, under the yurt, on the banks of the Terkhiin Tsagaan lake.

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.

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 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.

We spend our first night in Mongolia with a nomadic family living on the edge of the national park.

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.