Itinerary

Day 1-2: Ulaanbaatar

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour guide and the other members of the tour. (5.00pm in your hotel lobby) Ulaanbaatar (or UB) is the gateway between new and old in Mongolia. One third of the population live here and as more foreign investment comes in, the old Soviet-influenced buildings are starting to be dwarfed by new office and apartment blocks while the Russian vans are starting to be outnumbered by new Japanese imports. But in the middle of this developing city the traditional 'Del' is still proudly worn. Ulaanbaatar has a number of important and impressive sights, in particular: Ganden Monastery, which currently supports a population of almost 200 monks; the black market where local traders sell everything from gas masks to Ger parts; and some interesting museums. Depending on your taste, perhaps visit the dinosaurs at the Natural History museum, the museum of Fine Arts or learn about the communist purges at the Victims of Persecution Memorial Museum. The Cultural show in Nairamdal Park is also well worth a visit. Check with your tour guide for the latest timings. Drinking is a popular Mongolian pastime and with 1 bar or night club for every 850 citizens, you'll have no trouble finding a place to relax in the evening and sample a few local brews or, of course, Mongolian Vodka. On the evening of Day 2, we depart by sleeper train bound for Erdenet.

Day 3: Erdenet - Uran Togoo Reserve

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

We arrive into Erdenet in the morning where durable 4WD vehicles meet us and take us out for our first nights on the open steppe amongst the Uran Togoo reserve, one of the most fertile provinces of Mongolia. We drive through spectacular alpine scenery toward the beautiful area where the Bulgan, Arhangi and Hovsgol provinces meet. It is one of the most lush and beautiful parts of Mongolia, where we will spend the night camping. This is near one of Mongolia’s largest river in terms of water volume, and it eventually empties into Lake Baikal in Siberia. The following day we start making our way towards Khovsgol Lake. Please note that this will be a full day of diving so bring some snacks and maybe a book or some music; however the scenery is so spectacular you will be entertained by the magnificent views.

Day 4-7: Khövsgöl Nuur (Khövsgöl Lake)

Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

We spend several days driving to Lake Khovsgol, travelling via Moron through the Arhangi areas where many nomads live and exist. Lake Khovsgol, is a magnificent clear blue lake on the Siberian border. We stay near the banks of the lake and have two full free days to hike around the lake or just relax and enjoy the views. The landscape initially becomes more arid and rocky but later we drive through pine forest before getting our first glimpse of the magnificent Lake Khovsgol. The lake is 2,760 square km, surrounded by mountains and contains water is so pure that you can drink it. It is without any doubt the scenic highlight of Mongolia. You can either relax on the lakeside, enjoying stunning views, or trek into the surrounding hills. Again, please be prepared for some long driving days.

Day 8-9: Zuun Nuur (Zuun Lake)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

We spend a full day driving to the beautiful Zuun Nuur (Zuun Lake). Here we explore the open steppe and see herder communities living as they have done for centuries. We have a full day to explore the lake area.

Day 10-11: Khorgo Uul National Park

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

A full day's travel takes us to scenic Khorgo Uul National Park. Hike up the extinct volcano Khorgo and enjoy views of the ‘White Lake’ (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur). We enter the scenic Horgo national park to view and hike along White Lake. This volcanic lake is one of the most stunning and dramatic in all of Mongolia. It positively teems with hungry pike, making for some of the best fishing of the trip. En route to the lake, we pass through a strange landscape littered with black volcanic rock. The lake itself is ringed on all sides by large hills (hike to the top for some wonderful views over the lake and beyond) and topped by an extinct volcano - Horgo. We have an easy climb to get to the top of this volcano to enjoy the views.

Day 12: Chuluut Gorge

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Our journey continues to Chuluut Gorge. A hike amidst this beautiful canyon is a must, with the chance of seeing ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock. The journey we undertake leads us to Chuluut Canyon where we will set up camp. We have a chance to explore this scenic canyon on a full day hike. Chuluut Canyon is a beautiful canyon situated along Chuluut river with its many rapids and tributaries. If you are lucky enough on the hike you may discover some petroglyphs dating back 10000 BC.

Day 13-15: Tsenkher Hot Springs, Orkhon Valley & Tövkhön Khiid

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

A full day of driving brings us to teh northern side of Hangai Mountains through Tsetserleg and onto the Tsenkkher Hot Springs. We spend teh night here and soak in teh natural hot springs. We then continue on to explore the Orkhon Valley. Our drive will take us to the northern side of the Hangai Mountains, through Ikhtamir and Tsetserleg and onto the Orkhon Valley – the cradle of Mongol civilisation. We take a day trip to Tövkhön Khiid (Tovkhon Monastery). This reconstructed monastery is an important pilgrimage centre for Mongolian Buddhists. The Monastery is perched on the forested hills above the valley and was a retreat of Zanabazar, the first of the Mongolian Bogdo Gegens.

Day 16: Harhorin & Högnö Khan Uul

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Avoiding the tourist trail, we make our way to the ancient Mongol capital, visiting the Erdene Zuu Khiid, the first centre of Lamaism (Tibetan Buddhism) in Mongolia. Building started in 1586 and continued for the next three centuries. In its heyday the complex contained 62 temples and housed up to one thousand monks. Tragically, most temples were destroyed during the communist period but three remain standing and are sufficient to evoke some idea of how impressive it must have once been. In the afternoon we continue driving to Högnö Khan Uul National Park.

Day 17-18: Arburd Sands

Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

We spend a full day driving north through grasslands and sand dunes to Arburd Sands. This area offers a realistic glimpse into nomadic lifestyle. As we visit a local family you may be invited into the ger and offered airrag (fermented mares milk), vodka or snuff as a sign of respect. This area is also well known for its horsemanship and we will see boys as young as 8 years old expertly controlling their horses. We will spend the next few days hiking and exploring this fascinating area.

Day 19-20: Ulaanbaatar

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

We drive back through the grasslands to Ulaanbaatar leaving behind the dramatic remoteness of this amazing landscape. We return to the relative bustle of Ulaanbaatar for our final night, perhaps gathering for a folk performance that includes mesmerising Mongolian throat singing. Our adventure ends after breakfast on Day 20.

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