With this trip, you will experience the gradual geographic and cultural change from central Mongolian steppe to a forested region in the North. Crystal clear freshwater lake, shaman culture, extinct volcanoes, yaks and reindeers, natural lush forests are contrasted from the typical Mongolian image. Horses are replaced with reindeers, cows with yaks, yurts with tents, grassland with forests and we will leave the rest for you to explore.
Overview
Day 1.Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Day 2. Khugnu Khan National Park Day 3. Erdene Zuu monastery, Khar-Khorin city Day 4. Tsenkher Hot spring Day 5. Terkh National Park Day 6. Khorgo Volcano Day 7. Khuvsgul Lake Day 8. Uran Volcano Day 9. Ulaanbaatar Day 10. Chonjin Boldog Day 11. Departure
Day: 1. Ulaanbaatar city
Arrival in the Capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar city. Transfer to hotel. City tour starts from Gandan monastery, the biggest Buddhist temple in Mongolia, and we stop at the main square Chinggis Khan. Visit Zaisan Hill Memorial and see a Mongolian folk and dance concert in the evening.
Day: 2. Khugnu Khan National Park
Visit Erdene Khamba monastery and its ruins which belong to the 16th century. Moderate hiking to old monastery ruins. Horse Riding is available as an optional tour. Drive to sand dunes. This national protected area allows you to feel a unique combination of Blue rocky mountains, green steppes and sand dunes. Riding two humped Bactrian camels is available at the Elsen Tasarkhai. Overnight at the camp.
Day: 3. Kharkhorin –Ancient capital of Mongolian Empire
Drive to Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum, once was a capital of Chingghis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the move of Mongolian capital to Beijing, and the fall of the empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. Today, in the wide valley of the Orkhon River, the ancient monastery Erdene Zuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. The monastery was built in 1586 by a Mongolian king called Abtai Sain Khan, and not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples. We will visit the newly opened Kharkhorin museum which displays artifacts mostly of Great Mongolian Empire time and Erdene Zuu Monastery complex museum respectively. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 4. Tsenkher hot spa - Visit nomad family
After breakfast, drive to Tsenkher hot spring, located in Arkhangai province. On the way, we will visit nomads who are living in Khangai, steppe and mountain areas. You will be invited to their Gers and offered to taste traditional dairy products including famous airag drinks. The Arkhangai provinces have many old volcanos, which explain the presence of this hot water source that flows all year long at 1860 meters (1, 16 mile) above the sea level in the sub province of Tsenkher. The water is at 85,5°C (185,9°F). In a pleasant verdant wooded area, some Ger camps with equipment and baths with a less hot temperature have been set up for the travelers. Tsenkher hot springs have healing properties notably on articular diseases and nervous system’s diseases. In the evening, have a spa bath and relax at ger camp. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 5. Khorgo Volcano
Visit Khorgo- Terkh National Park. On the way we will pass the Tsetserleg town, which is the provincial center of Arkhangai province. Also, we will visit Taikhar Rock - is a massive granite rock located on the banks of the Tamir River surrounding flat country. The rock has some ancient inscriptions and is considered as a sacred object for worship. Just before we reach the Khorgo-Terkh National Park we will see the Chuluut river great canyon which had a huge volcanic earthquake. After arriving at Khorgo –Terkh National Park, climb up to the top of the extinct volcano Khorgo, the top view is amazing. The Khorgo crater, situated at an altitude of 2.210 meters with a diameter of 20 meters and depth of 70 to 80 meters, approximately 8000 years ago volcanic lava flooded the valleys nearby which are covered today with small forests of Siberian larch and a great variety of berries and flowers. Terkh White Lake is an astonishingly beautiful lake with crystal clear freshwater and surrounded by spectacular scenery of plants, forests, mountains, and fauna. Area offers fun activities such as hiking, horse riding, mountain climbing, fishing and swimming. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 6. Khuvsgul Lake
Today we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake, which is known as the second clearest lake in Central Asia. On the way we will visit to see Deer stones. The deer stones spread widely in Central Asia. 600 deer stones were found in Central Asia. 500 of them were found in the territory of Mongolia. Deer stone is the first monument of humans. The earliest of them belong to the XIII-IX century BC while most of them belong to the Bronze Age. Continued travel to Lake Khuvsgul, as dubbed as Mongolia Switzerland and a lake surrounded with green forest mountains and water is crystal clear that one can easily catch sight of ground. Arrive at the Khuvsgul Lake National Park, after some relaxation, explore the surroundings and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 7. Khuvsgul Lake - Tsaatan visit
After breakfast, we will drive to the Reindeer Herders/Tsaatan people, who live in the depths of the taiga forest. Few reindeer are the main resource of their livelihood. In summer months, mostly in July and August, few reindeer families move down from the mountain close to the lake to increase their livelihood. After lunch, you will have a hiking activity accompanied with your guide. Hiking and climbing up to the top of the back mountain of the lake is unforgettable. From the top of the mountain, magnificent Khuvsgul Lake looks turquoise. Walking by the edge of the lake you will see the crystal-clear part of the lake famous for its name ‘’Dark blue pearl’’. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 8. Extinct Volcano Uran
Drive to Uran Mountain via Moron town, which is the provincial center of Khuvsgul province. Today we will drive mostly by paved road. After arriving in Uran , we will transfer to the Ger camp. In the evening we will go to the Uran mountain, an extinct volcano with a crater of 600 m wide and 50 m deep and its surrounding is very beautiful. Stay overnight in Ger camp.
Day: 9. Ulaanbaatar City
Today we will drive to Ulaanbaatar. On the way we will pass through the Darkhan city, which is Mongolia’s second largest city. In 1961 the Darkhan was built with extensive economic assistance from the Soviet Union, and the city was originally conceived to be a manufacturing site for Mongolia's northern territory. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, and you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Day: 10. Chonjin Boldog
Chonjin Boldog is the largest Chinggis Khan’s Horse Riding Statue in the World. It is located 55 km from Ulaanbaatar. The statue is 40m high from the ground and erected at about 10 m high and surrounded by columns. It is made of 250 tons of steel and the basement building consists of 36 supporting columns which symbolizes 36 kings who are the direct lineage of Chinggis Khan.
