A Mongolian tour: desert, grasslands and lakes

This morning, take your flight to Ulaanbataar. Arrival at Ulan Batar airport early in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, you’ll start your trip to Mongolia with a visit of Gandan Monastery, a Buddhist Tibetan style monastery that still hosts hundreds of monks. Tonight spend the night in Ulaanbataar.

Today you will drive in the direction of Dundgovi, a town at the edge of Gobi desert (6hrs). Stop at Baga Gazriin Chuluu and admire this surprising beautiful landscape of granitic rocks. You’ll discover the temples nearby and spend the night at a yurt camp.

Today, you’ll reach the majestic sand dunes of Khongoryn Els. These “Singing Sands” are the most impressive in Mongolia. Climb up a dune and get a panoramic view on the other side; meet also the nomad family who is welcoming you for the night. You’ll learn about their traditions and spend time at their yurt.

A camel riding day is waiting for you: your trek will take you around the sand dunes and back to the yurt.

Today you will leave the desert, and drive in direction of the north to Arvaykheer. Enjoy the scenery around you, an old hilly volcanic zone. You’ll stop on the way to sleep at a nomads family yurt.

In the morning, you’ll hit the road again to finally reach Arvaykheer. Visit the town and stretch your legs in the market, before driving up a few kilometers in the Orkhon Valley, with wonderful views on the Orkhon river. Tonight stay at a yurt camp.  

After breakfast, you’ll discover the beautiful Orkhon waterfall, surrounded by vast grasslands plains and hills. This mythic waterfall is the emblem of Ovorkhangai region. Stay at a yurt camp close to the waterfall for the night, surrounded by silence and nature immensity.

Today you will drive to Kharkhorin, also known as Karakorum. On the way, you’ll stop at Tovkhon Khiid monastery that you’ll reach after a short walk on Shireet Ulaan Mountain, at an altitude of 2300m. Then you’ll reach Kharkhorin, medieval imperial city and capital city in the 13th century. However, with Mongol people nomadic way of life, the place didn’t last as a capital and few archaeological remains were found. You’ll explore Kharkhorin and reach a yurt camp for the night.

Today you will drive to Tsetserleg (2hrs), capital of Arkhangai province and an old cultural, commercial and religious centre in the country. You will reach a nomad family yurt camp and go horse riding for the afternoon. Enjoy the scenery in this very green part of Mongolia (Tsetserleg means “garden”), and learn how to ride a horse in the Mongolian style! You’ll stay with your hosts for the night.

Keep driving north, and reach Khorgo Uul volcano in Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur national park. You’ll go for a walk in this very special landscapes, formed with old lava flows and overlooking Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur beautiful lake. It’s a privileged area for many birds species. You’ll stay tonight in a yurt nearby.

Today you’ll go on a long driving day to the north to reach Shine Ider, a small village where you’ll stay for the night. On the way, enjoy the scenery and the drive in these never-endingly beautiful landscapes.

Drive to Moron and visit the town, capital of Khovsgol lake province. Located at the far north of Mongolia, this region owes its name to the country’s biggest lake, also called Baikal lake’s little brother: its Russian counterpart is just across the border and they were formed in a similar way. Different ethnic groups still live in very traditional ways in this remote border region, such as the Darkhas, Buriats and Tsataans. Tonight, enjoy staying at a hotel in town!

Today you’ll discover Khovsgol lake, known as Mongolia’s blue pearl. You will drive to Khatgal, a small village at the edge of Khovsgol lake that used to be a trading place between Russians and locals. Continue alongside the lake, in these beautiful Swiss-like forests landscapes to reach Toilogt Camp where you’ll stay for the night in a yurt. Enjoy this amazing sceneries surrounding you, going for a walk or just relaxing.

A relaxing day at Toilogt Camp, very well situated near the lake. Soak in the nature for the end of your trip: you can go horse riding (optional), or just enjoy a walk on the hills and in the forests surrounding the lake, to get wonderful points of view on its clear waters. Admire the surrounding mountains, mostly a range of old extinct volcanos. Maybe you’ll eat some fish: they are rare in Mongolia but abundant in Khovsgol lake!

Today you’ll drive to Moron, where you’ll board a flight to Ulan Bator. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and free time at leisure to wander across the city or get some souvenirs.

This morning, enjoy some free time to end your trip to Mongolia. Then your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.