Grassland, Steppe wind and Desert
Since you’re going to come to Mongolia, why not see all at once? 13-day tour flies off the long drives and passes through the most well appreciated landmarks of Mongolia. A short flight to Murun and drive further to the Khuvsgul Lake, the blue pearl of massive fresh water lake and an extra day of leisure to walk along the peninsula, optional boat or kayak ride, or hike up to nearby hill for the spectacular view of the place. Drive down to Centre, arrive in Lake Terkh. Hike up to the dormant volcano crater, optional swimming in the lake if weather is friendly.
Next day is Tsenkher hot spring for Jacuzzi pool and enjoy your holiday. Next part of the tour goes with a bit faster pace, and more hiking and driving. Tuvkhun Monastery is the last in line of the forest mountain area, especially with a fantastic view from the top, the tour goes to steppe and Gobi then. Meantime, spend a day in Karakorum to visit Erdenezuu Monastery and pass by local market to stack the snack and bottled water for Gobi temperature. Tour continues to Bayanzag or better known as the Flaming Cliff, the singing sand dune of Khongor, and eventually arrives at the picturesque Valley of Yol. A flight back to UB.
Duration: 12 day
Itinerary
Day 1. Khuvsgul Lake
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to airport for local flight to Murun /administrative of Khuvsgul province/. Upon arrival visit local museum and start driving to Khuvsgul Lake. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 2. Khuvsgul Lake
Full day exploration at the lake. Horse-riding for 1 hour. Optional boat riding. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 3. Terkh White Lake
After early breakfast start driving to Terkh White Lake. This day will be full driving day through the mountains, steppe of Khuvsgul province. Arrive at the lake and transfer to ger camp. Overnight in a ger camp (B/L/D)
Day 4. Exploration at the lake
Breakfast and drive to Horgo Volcano which is nearby by the lake. Trekking to the top of the volcano. Exploration by the lake and volcanic crater area. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 5. Tsenkher hot spring
Breakfast at the ger camp and start driving to Tsenkher hot spring. En-route make a stop at Tsetserleg /administrative of Arkhangai province/ and visit Zayan Gegeen Temple museum. Continue drive to Tsenkher hot spring. Enjoy natural hot Jacuzzi. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 6. Tuvkhun Monastery and Kharakorum
After breakfast start driving to Karakorum via Tuvkhun Monastery. Trekking to the top of the mountain and visit the Tuvkhun Monastery. Enjoy picnic lunch. Continue drive to Kharakorum. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 7. Kharakorum
Breakfast at the ger camp and visit Erdenezuu monastery, Kharakorum museum. After lunch visit Kharakorum museum and Erdenezuu Monastery. Visit the three empire statue for a view of Kharakorum city and Orkhon valley. Visit horse breeding family. Optional horse-riding. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 8. Ongi Monastery
Have a breakfast at the ger camp and start driving to Ongi Monastery. On this day you will notice how fast the landscape changes as you will drive from Khangai Mountains to Middle Gobi. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 9. Flaming cliff and Bayanzag
Breakfast at the camp and start driving to Flaming cliff. Upon arrival at the ger camp have lunch. While having lunch watch short documentary about the trip of Roy Chapman Andrews through Mongolia. Drive to Flaming cliff and Bayanzag the saxaul tree forest. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 10. Hongor sand dunes
After breakfast start driving to one of the biggest sand dunes of Mongolia, Hongor sand dunes. Have lunch at the ger camp and visit camel breeding family. Start camel riding and visit the spring water near the sand dune. Visit the sand dunes and start trekking to the top of the sand dunes. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 11. Valley of Yol
Breakfast and start driving to Valley of Yol. Have lunch and visit local museum. Drive deep into the Valley of Yol and start trekking through the valley. The water inside the valley is mostly frozen and it only melts at the end of July. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 12. Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast and transfer back to airport for domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar. (B)
- Accommodation in ger camp;
- Camel riding for 1 hour;
- Meals indicated as the itinerary;
- National park entrance fees;
- Sightseeing as per itinerary;
- Flight ticket from UBMurun and Dalanzadgad-UB;
- Guide speaking (English /German /French /Italian);
- Drive with Mitsubishi Delica 4x4.
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar;
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Personal expenses.
