DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR

• Dinner

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 ✈ MURUN – JANKHAI

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

This morning we return to the airport for our morning flight to Murun, the provincial capital of Khuvsgul Province. We stop for a quick visit to the Buddhist Temple at the city’s outskirt, and then at the local provincial market. Then we have a one hour drive to the village of Khatgal, the gateway to Lake Khovsgol region, and the home port of the entire Mongolian fleet. From Khatgal we take another short drive towards our first night of bush camping.

DAYS 3-6. JANKHAI – RENCHINLUMBE

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

For the coming 4 days we shall be trekking north along vast river beds, across mountain passes, through thick pine forests and flourishing meadows. We head towards the village of Renchinlumbe, which lies at the edge of the Darkhad Khotgor (depression). Darkhad Khotgor is a wide valley of lakes and rivers, nestled some 1500 meters above sea level. It is at the heart of the Khoridal Saridag Mountain Range, which is the highest mountain range at the Sayan Mountains. The area is inhabited by various minorities, among them the Darkhad, Khogoid, Buriyats and Durvud. It is unlikely we shall see very much of the nomads, as the entire area is a nature reserve, so they are not allowed to graze their herds there. For 3 nights we shall be bush camping, with our entire luggage carried by horses from one bush camp to the other. On the very last leg of these 4 days we meet our cars, which take us to a simple, yet cozy guesthouse, where we enjoy our first hot shower for days.

DAY 7. RENCHILUMBE – NOMADIC FAMILY

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We enjoy a morning of leisure, resting from the past 4 days of intensive trekking. After lunch at the guesthouse, we take a short hike out of the village of Renchilumbe, to a family of Mongolian herders that camp in the summer by the river bed. We arrive at our host family in the early afternoon, and spend the evening with them. There we learn about their ancient traditions and unique way of life. We pitch our tents next to the family’s dwelling, and spend the night with them.

DAYS 8-11. DARKHAD DEPRESSION - LAKE KHUVSGUL - MURUN

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Another 4 days of trekking brings us from the Darkhad Depression to Lake Khovsgol. After a farewell breakfast with our host family, we travel up the Arsai River towards Jigliig Mountain Pass, separating the Darkhad Depression from Khovsgol Lake. From Jigliig pass we hike down the mountain range to the lake’s shores. Here we enjoy a walk along the pristine beaches of crystal blue water and blooming flowers in all colors. After last night of camping by the lake side, we meet our cars which will bring us back to Murun, where we stay the night in a local hotel, with en suite showers and toilets.

DAY 12. MURUN ✈ ULAANBAATAR - TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Taking the first available flight, we return to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we meet our driver, and embark on the 1.5 hours’ drive to Gorki-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. We will stay the night in a ger camp in the park.

DAY 13. TERELJ NATIONAL PARK - ULAANBAATAR

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

This morning 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 head to the Mongolian Capital, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a visit to the Zaisan Hill, for a view over the city at night. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

DAY 14. DEPARTURE

• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Chinggis Khan International Airport for our departure flight.