Adventures

Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Elsiin Tasarhai (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel. we board our 4X4 vehicles, for a 6 hours’ drive on one of the country’s only asphalt roads. 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 will go for a visit at a family that herds Bactrian (two humped) Camels for living. At the afternoon we will go for a hike along the sand dune, and if the weather will permit we will enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dune. Overnight in ger camp.

Day 3. Elsiin Tasarhai/ Tuvkhon Monastery/ The 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 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 near 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 Orkhon Valley. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 4. The Orkhon Valley/ The Red Waterfall/ The Khangai Mt. Range (B,L,D)
Leaving our ger camp, we will take a 1 hour drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon that runs along the Orkhon River. Here we will take an easy hike along the canyon, and end up in the pool at the bottom of the Red Waterfall. For the brave at heart, a cool swim awaits! From here we shall continue to a visit with a nomadic family that leaves in fertile surroundings of the Orkhon River, spend some time with them, and learn about their unique traditions and way of life. At the afternoon we shall leave our hosts, and drive deeper, into the Khangai Mt. Range, where we will camp for the night. Overnight in camping.

Day 5. Hiking to Bodingiin Davaa (B,L,D)
At early morning, we will meet our support team for our oncoming trek. We shall pack our luggage on the yaks that shall carry it for the coming days, and start climbing up into the Eight Lakes Protected Area. The steep climb shall take us amongst lush green pine forests, and on to the Bodingiin Dava (mountain pass), where we will camp for the night. Overnight in camping.

Start (elevation): 1950 m’

End (elevation): 2250 m’

Approx. 14 km

Day 6. Hiking to Shireet Lake (B,L,D)
Today we shall be crossing the Eight Lakes Protected Area, lying at some 2500 meters above sea level. We shall be crossing along the way several other small lakes, and at the afternoon we will reach Shireet Lake, probably the most beautiful of all the lakes and this nature reserve. Overnight in camping on the lake shores.

Start: 2250 m’

End: 2509 m’

Approx. 12 km

Day 7. Hiking to Duruu Lake (B,L,D)
This is our last day of trekking at the nature reserve. At the morning hours, we shall explore the surroundings of Shireet Lake, and climb for a great observation point over the lake and its surroundings. We then continue, and walk to Duruu Nuur, on the western edge of the nature reserve. Overnight in camping on the shores of the lake.

Start: 2509 m’

End: 2350 m’

Approx. 10 km

Day 8. Hiking to Amgalan Lake (B,L,D)
We leave the valley into the vast plains of the Khangai Mountain, where nomadic families grazing their herds in the lush green steppes along crystal blue stream. At the afternoon we shall reach Amgalan Lake. Overnight in camping by the lake.

Start: 2350 m’

End: 2100 m’

Approx. 11 km

Day 9. Hiking to Uliastai River (B,L,D)
Today we will cross a mild range, on our way into the Uliastai River. Once at the Uliasti River, we shall cross it, and then walk along it to the point in which it flows into the Orkhon River. Overnight in camping on the river banks.

Start: 2100 m’

End: 2000 m’

Approx. 17 km

Day 10. Uliastai River/ 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 11. Tsenkher Hot Springs- Naadam (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the ger camp, we will take the short drive to Tsenkher village, where we will join the locals, as they are celebrating the annual local Naadam Festival. 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 we 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. At the evening, we will drive back to the ger camp, to relax once again in the mineral hot water pools. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 12. Tsenkher Hot Springs/ Kharkhroin (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 Erden Zuu monastery and other historical monuments in the area. Overnight in a ger camp by the Orkhon River.

Day 13. Kharkhroin/ Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
Today we have a six-hour drive back to the Mongolian capital. After lunch, and a decent shower at our hotel, 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 flight, for the international departing flight.

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Map

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