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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 - The Eight Lakes Trek and Local Naadam
! Note: Programs may change due to changes in flight schedules.
June 29 (Day 1) Arrival (D)
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, we may take a short city sight-seeing tour. In the afternoon we visit the National History Museum, where your guide will introduce you to the culture and history of Mongolia. Evening welcome dinner. Overnight in 3 star hotel.
June 30 (Day 2) Ulaanbaatar/Karakorum (B,L,D)
After breakfast, depart for Kharkhorin. Better known as Karakorum, this city was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol Empire. Here kings were chosen, laws made, and the fate of the next city to be conquered were determined. You will visit the Erdene Zuu monastery and other historical monuments in the area. Overnight in a ger camp by the Orhon River.
Jul 1 (Day 3) Kharkhorin/Tuvkhon/Red Waterfall/ Zuun Salaa (B,L,D)
From the Hangai Mountain Range the Orhon 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 at Tuvhon 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. Continuing south; we reach the Red Waterfall, where we will stop for a short rest. From the waterfall we drive to into the foothills of the Hangai Nuruu where we will meet our local guide. Overnight in tents.
Jul 2-July 6 (Day 4 – 8) Zuun Salaa – 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 yak carts. We will camp overnight in tents. On our last day we hike out the east end of the park where we will be met with horses, and we will ride into Bat Ulziit soum where you will meet your host families. Overnight with local families.
July 7-8 (Days 9-10) Bat Ulziit Community Project & Naadam (B,L,D)
On these two days in Bat Ulziit you will experience an authentic local Naadam festival up close. The Naadam competitions include the traditional horse races, wrestling, and archery as well as some other games like ankle-bone shooting and competing in skills on horseback, where you will see some spectacular riding feats! As this is a small local event, if you choose you can also enter the wrestling and archery competitions. Evening entertainment will include a concert organized by citizens of Bat Ulzitt and prizes will be given for individuals who are wearing the most authentic traditional Mongolian attire in a few different categories. Overnight in ger camp.
July 9 (Day 11) Bat Ulziit/Elsiin Tasarhai (B,L,D)
In the morning we drive east to Elsiin Tasarhai. Marking the northern edge of the great Gobi Desert, Elsiin Tasarhai is a sand dune that stretches over 130 km north into the heart of Central Mongolia. Time permitting, we will either visit the ruins of the Two Lams Temple, which has both a glorious and frightening history, or take a short hike through the sand dunes to stretch our legs. Overnight at a ger camp in the Mongol Els.
July 10 (Day 12) Elsiin Tasarhai/Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving in the late afternoon. After checking to our hotel, you have time to rest and relax. In the early evening we will attend a cultural performance and concert before having a farewell dinner together. Overnight in 3 star hotel.
July 11 (Day 13) Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your departure.
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