The
Jewels of Mongolia
An Overland Expedition to the Highlights of
Central and Northern Mongolia |
Day 1. Arrival to Ulaanbaatar (D)
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time
of arrival, we may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening
welcome dinner. Overnight in a 4-star hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Kharkhorin (B,L,D)
Built by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin, better
known as Karakorum, was famed throughout Asia as the capital of
the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city
kings were chosen, laws made and the fate of the next city to be
conquered were determined. We will visit the ruins of the old
city, the Erdene Zuu monastery and other historical monuments in
the area. Overnight in a ger camp by the Orkhon River.
Day 3. Kharkhorin/ Tuvkhon Monastery/ The Red Waterfall
(B,L,D)
From the Khangai Mountain Range the Orkhon River runs all the
way to Lake Baikal in Siberia. Today we head south, driving
along the river’s banks. Our first stop will be a two and a half
hours trek (with its first one hour uphill) to Tuvkhon
Monastery, established during the 1650’s by Zanabazar, one of
Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s
wooden buildings are integrated with a natural system of caves
perched hear a hilltop, from which you have beautiful views of
the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its
unique natural features, it was a perfect location for the great
religious leader to meditate. Continuing south; we reach the Red
Waterfall, where we make camp for the night. Overnight in a ger
camp.
Day 4. Red Waterfall/ The Tsenkher Hot Springs (B,L,D)
In the morning we head north, crossing the Khangai Nuruu
mountains through a series of passes until we reach the area
Mongolians call 'the paradise of the horse herders' for its lush
grasses and open valleys. We drive to the Tsenkher hot springs,
where water flows out of the ground at 82C, and where we can
enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 5. The Hot Springs/ Khorgo Volcano (B,L,D)
Driving out of the hot springs, we pass through Tsetserleg, the
provincial capital, where we will make a short visit to the
local market. Continuing west, we stop next to Taikhar Chuluu -
a massive rock which is connected to local mythology. The last
stop of the day will be next to a good observation point for the
Chuluut Canyon, and the holy "100 branch tree" which has grown
nearby for hundreds of years. Finally we arrive at Khorgo
Volcano. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 6. Khorgo Volcano/ Terkhin Tsagaan Nuur/ Khorgo
Volcano (B,L,D)
We spend this day hiking or horseback riding from the top of the
Khorgo Volcano through basalt fields studded with pine trees,
all down to the shores of Terkhin Tsagaan Lake. Overnight in the
ger camp.
Day 7. Khorgo Volcano/ Zuun Lake (B,L,D)
Driving north on one of Mongolia's most beautiful routes, we
cross high mountain passes, vast grasslands, and small creeks as
we pass by remote villages. We finish the day next to Zuun Lake,
a small alpine lake in the mountainous region of Huvsgul.
Overnight in ger camp by the lake shore.
Day 8. Zuun Lake/ Erhil Lake/ Lake Huvsgul (B,L,D)
As we head north, we pass through the town of Murun, the
provincial capital of Huvsgul. A short while later we arrive at
an ancient burial site featuring Mongolia’s mysterious
deerstones, memorial stones representing important leaders and
warriors, carved with deer motifs. After visiting the site, we
will continue our trip northward. One of the world's biggest
fresh water sources, Lake Huvsgul and its amazing surroundings
are home to several of Mongolia’s ethnic minorities as well as a
refuge for a wide variety of wildlife. Huvsgul is truly a
highlight of any trip to Mongolia. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 9. Lake Huvsgul – Tsaatan, the Reindeer People
(B,L,D)
One of the most interesting ethnic groups living near the lake
is the Tsaatan or as they are better known – ‘The Reindeer
People’. A small tribe of Tsaatan consisting of about 40
families lives with its herds of reindeer in the forests around
the lake. These graceful animals provide the tribe with all its
basic needs - milk, transportation, meat, skins and bones and
antlers used as building materials and for tools. As there are
very few Tsaatan left and this is a mobile population, we will
go look for them by foot and by horse. We cannot guarantee that
we meet them, but the scenery of the area is well worth the
exploration time! Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 10. Lake Huvsgul/ Murun (B,L,D)
In the morning we will take a hike around the forests and
meadows near the lake. Lying at about 1650 meters above sea
level, surrounded by mountains rising above 3100 meters, the
waters of Huvsgul are deep and spectacularly clear and pure. We
will hike through thick pine forests carpeted with flowers and
explore the setting of Mongolia’s ‘Blue Pearl’. After lunch we
will drive to Murun. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 11. Murun Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
Taking the first available flight, we return to Ulaanbaatar and
check in to the hotel. If time permits, we will go on a
sightseeing tour of the city, and visit the Natural History
Museum, which has on display dinosaur skeletons excavated in the
Gobi desert. In the evening we shall view the city at night from
Zaisan Hill, where a monument to Mongol–Russian cooperation is
located. Overnight in hotel a 4-star hotel.
Day 12. Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
We begin the day with a few hours exploring the Black Market.
This huge market contains every single item a Mongolian might
need, whether they are nomads or urban apartment dwellers. Goods
brought from all corners of Mongolia are here for sale. A visit
to the market is a colorful experience which gives the visitor
an insight to the everyday life of the people of Ulaanbaatar.
After lunch we will visit the Bogd Khan Palace museum, the
palace of the last Mongolian king, who was considered a living
god. Free shopping time in the afternoon. Mongolia is world
renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this and many
other souvenir items in the city. Overnight in a 4-star hotel.
Day 13. Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B)
After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for
our international departing flight.
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