In this section...
Trip Rating Details
Challenging: Includes expedition style camping or stays with local families, where formal washing and toilet facilities may not be available. May include full-day hikes or rides (4 to 6 hours) over moderate terrain and occasional steep trails, or long driving distances on rough roads.
Packing List
This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- backpack or soft bag
- sleeping bag (-5C)
- waterproof bag cover
- day pack
- head lamp/flashlight
- spare batteries/bulb
- personal medications
- towel
- waterproof hiking boots
- waterproof jacket with hood
- waterproof overpants
- fleece jacket or wool jumper
- cotton t-shirts
- long sleeve shirts
- lightweight trousers
- shorts
- warm hat
- long underwear
- socks
- underwear
- sun hat
- gloves
- sandals
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- spare glasses
- spare hiking shoes
- insect repellent
- resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
- water bottle
- binoculars/camera
- hiking stick
- wet tissues
- watch/ alarm clock
- money belt/ pouch
- insurance confirmation copy
- emergency contact number
See our packing tips for detailed information.
Trip Information - Wildflowers of the Eight Lakes
Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (D)
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, we may go on a short sight-seeing tour of the city. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in our 4-star hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Mongol Nomads/ Elsiin Tasarkhai (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we board our 4×4 vehicles. Today we drive back in time, to a place that recreates the lives of Mongolian nomads during the beginning of the 20th century, the time when Mongolia has gained its independence from the Qing Dynasty, and established itself as a reemerging nation, under the reign of a living-god king. We shall attend a demonstration of the way the nomads have lived their lives during this era, as well as stunning performance of Mongolian horsemanship. After lunch, we head out west. Marking the northern edge of the great Gobi Desert, Elsiin Tasarkhai is a sand dune that stretches for more than 130 km northwards into the heart of central Mongolia. After having lunch at a ger camp, we visit a family who make a living from herding Bactrian (two-humped) camels. In the afternoon we go for a hike along the sand dune, and, if the weather permits, we will enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dune. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 3. Elsiin Tasarhai/ Tuvkhon Monastery/ Orkhon Valley (B,L,D)
Leaving the sand dune, we reach the Mongolian steppes. Here there is a great variety of birds of prey, including eagles and falcons, constantly on the watch for a meal. Our first stop is for a 2½- hour trek (the first hour being uphill) to Tuvkhon Monastery, established during the 1650s by Zanabazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated into a natural system of caves near a hilltop, from which you have beautiful views of the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its unique natural features, this was a perfect location in which the great religious leader could meditate. Continuing south, we reach the Orkhon Valley. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 4. Orkhon Valley/ Red Waterfall/ Khangai Mountain Range (B,L,D)
Leaving our camp, we take an hour's drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon through which the Orkhon River flows. Here we will take an easy hike along the canyon floor, and end up at the pool at the bottom of the Red Waterfall. For the brave at heart, a cool swim awaits! From here we go on to visit with a nomadic family who have a base on fertile land beside the Orkhon River, spend some time with them, and learn about their unique traditions and way of life. In the afternoon we leave our hosts and drive deeper into the Khangai Mountain Range to camp for the night. Overnight camping in tents.
Days 5 to 9. Trekking the Eight Lakes National Park (B,L,D)
For the next five days we will hike at a leisurely pace through the Hangai Nuruu, Mongolia’s second largest mountain range, in the area of the Eight Lakes which lies 2800 meters above sea level. The park contains many lakes scattered over two big valleys. Very few families inhabit the area, and it is a perfect place to see a large variety of wild flowers. As we hike, we will carry only light daypacks, and our luggage and tents will be carried on ox carts. As we hike from one lake to the next, you will see most of the wildflowers of Central Mongolia, including Gentian (Gentiana decumbens), Bluebell (Campanula), Aconite (Aconitum Czekanovskyi), Siberian columbine (Aquilegia sibirica), Delphinium (Delphinium crassifolium Schrad), Alpian aster (Aster alpinus), Echinops latifolius Tausch L, Adenophora verticillata L, Adenophore stenanthina L, Pasque flower (Pulsatilla ambigua), Veronica (Veronica incana), Meadow crane’s bill (Geranium pratense), Scabious (Scabiosa comosa) Schizonepeta multifida L, Monkshood (Acomitum barbatum), Gallwort (Linaria acutiloba), Tulip (Hemerocallis minor) Youngia tenuifolia L, Arctic poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium), Pink (Dianthus versicolor), Superb pink, (Dianthus superbus), Pyrola (Pyrola incarnata), Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium guttatum), Lily (Lilium pumilum Delile), Sanguisorba officialis L, Paeonia anomala L, Iris (Iris ruthenica), Edelweiss (Leontopodium ochroleucum), Silene repens L, Gentiana algida L, and Altai onion (Allium altaicum). We will camp overnight in tents.
In the morning we board our 4X4 vehicles, and 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’ because of its lush grass and open valleys. We drive to the Tsenkher hot springs, where water flows out of the ground at 82° C and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 11. Tsenkher Hot Springs/ Kharkhorin/ Hustaiin Nuruu Strictly Protected Area (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. After lunch we head back eastwards. At late afternoon we arrive at Hustaiin Nuruu Strictly Protected Area (SPA). The SPA was established as part of a unique project to reintroduce the world’s last surviving wild horses back to their natural environment. On the brink of extinction during the last century, only a very few Takhi or Przewalski’s horse were left in zoos around Europe. This graceful steppe horse was returned to Mongolia, and today, thanks to this special project, two herds again roam the Mongolian steppes. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 12. Hustaiin Nuruu/ Terelj (B,L,D)
We leave Hustaiin Nuruu, and head towards Terelj National Park. The park features unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a winding river, and restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where they find good grazing for their animals. As we arrive at the park, we take an easy hike to the famous Turtle Rock, a symbol of wisdom and longevity to the Mongolian people. We then continue hiking to Ariabal Temple. The temple has been recently reconstructed, after the original temple had been destroyed during the communist purges of the 1930’s. A great site of tranquility, it functions today as a meditation center to Buddhist monks. After lunch we take a horse riding trip through the vast meadows of the park. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 13. Terelj/ Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the park, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar. 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 visit the National History Museum, which has a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have risen and declined in the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present day. The exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. There will be free time for shopping in the afternoon. Mongolia is world renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this and many other souvenir items in the city. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a visit to Zaisan Hill for a view over the city at night. Overnight in our 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Day 14. Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Chinggis Khan International Airport for our departure flight.
› top › return to trip summary
Map
› top › return to trip summary