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Trip Rating Details
Moderate: Hotels, lodges, or full service tent camping. Hikes of two to four hours on some days. Easy physical activities. May include one to three longer driving days.
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)
- day pack
- head lamp/flashlight
- spare batteries/bulb
- personal medications
- towel
- hiking boots/shoes
- rain jacket with hood
- fleece jacket or wool jumper
- cotton t-shirts
- long sleeve shirts
- lightweight trousers
- shorts
- warm hat
- socks
- underwear
- sun hat
- sandals
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- spare glasses
- insect repellent
- resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
- binoculars/camera
- wet tissues
- watch/ alarm clock
- money belt/ pouch
- insurance confirmation copy
- emergency contact number
See our packing tips for detailed information.
Trip Information - Jewels of Mongolia
Day 1. Ulaanbaatar - Arrival (D) Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time of arrival, you may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Elsiin Tasarhai (B,L,D)
We drive from Ulaanbaatar to the Mongol Els (The Mongol Sands). 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. After having lunch at the ger camp, we can take a hike around Jaakhan Lake, a great place to see numerous species of birds, and visit the ruins of the Two Lams Temple, which has both a glorious and frightening history. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 3. Elsiin Tasarhai/ Kharkhorin / The Hot Springs of Tsenher (B,L,D)
A short drive in the mornign brings us to Kharkhorin. Built by order of Chinggis Khan and completed by his son Ogedei 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. You will visit the Erden Zuu monastery and thyen have lunch, before we continue into the region the Mongolians call the ‘paradise of the
horse herders’ for its lush grasses and open valleys. We drive through
thick pine forests to the Tsenher hot springs, where water flows out of
the ground at 82° C, and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight
in ger camp.
Day 4. The Hot Springs of Tsenher (B,L,D)
Today we will go hiking in the pine forest surrounding the hot springs, and enjoy a picnic lunch during our hike. Free time to relax in the afternoon. You may enjoy a soak in the hot springs or to go for an easy horseback ride.
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 Horgo Volcano. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 6. Khorgo Volcano/ Jargalant (B,L,D)
In the morning we will go for a hike up the Khorgo volcano. After lunch, we will be driving north on one of Mongolia's most beautiful routes, crossing high mountain passes, grasslands, and small creeks as we pass by remote villages. We finish the day next to the Jargalant Hot Springs. Overnight a ger camp.
Day 7. Jargalant/ Murun (B,L,D)
On this day we head north to 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. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 8. Murun/Lake Huvsgul (B,L,D)
Leaving Murun, we visit an ancient burial site featuring Mongolia’s mysterious deerstones, memorial stones representing important leaders and warriors, carved with deer motifs. After a picnic lunch there, we continue to Lake Huvsgul. 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. We drive north along the lake to the ger camp, arriving in time for an afternoon walk along the lakeshore. 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 (B,L,D)
In the morning we will take a hike up into the mountains 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 local hotel.
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. Overnight in 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 4 star hotel.
Day 13. Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
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