Central & Northern Mongolian Golden Circuit Tour
About this tour
The tour takes 11 days to cover one of the best travel destinations Center & Northern Mongolia in shorts possible time with experiencing local culture along with natural beauties. This tour takes to the most popular tourist destinations including UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Karakorum city, Orkhon valley), Karakorum ruins, and the museum of ancient Mongolian capital and oldest famous Erdene Zuu monastery. Much more beautiful is a Khuvsgul Lake is the world’s freshest lake that is located in amazingly beautiful virgin nature in the territory of Mongolia in Central Asia. And dormant volcano is an Uran Togoo Uul as well as more interesting Terelj National Park. It is the best experience of Mongolia and a very educational tour.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia
In the morning, our guide and a driver will pick up from your hotel or guesthouse and start our tour. We leave the city before we pass some shops. After shops directly driving towards to Karakorum city & Erdenezuu monastery for 340 km. Lunch served on the way some and then after toward our next destination is a Karakorum ancient city. The most prominent historical site in Orkhon Valley is the Karakorum, ancient capital of the Mongol empire. The Karakorum, founded in 1220 by Genghis khan, was not only the capital of the vast Mongolian Empire but the epic center of trade along Silk Road. However, the Karakorum of today is a small settlement with little focus on tourism. Upon arrival in the village, we will visit the museum of Karakorum and learn about the beautiful ancient Karakorum. Then we will visit the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century, with 108 stupas. After returning to the vehicle, head to tonight’s Ger guesthouse.
Day 2: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Tsenkheriyn Khaluun Us, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Tsenher hot spring for 240 km. On the way, first stopping Tsetserleg town is famous for its many old volcanoes, have lunch and then continue for 45 km to the Tsenher hot spring. These volcanoes explain the presence of the springs natural hot water that flows all year long at 1860 meters above the sea level and its water is not mixed with soil waters because it is hot. They transfer the hot water via tubes from and built some pools. Curative water and amazing nature featured by wooden mountains make this an excellent place to relax. A night bath is great. Sitting in the pool drinking while seeing stars in the dark is one of the favorite activities here. Overnight tourist camp.
Day 3: Tsenkheriyn Khaluun Us, Mongolia to Khorgo Trekhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Khorgo Dormant Volcano is the youngest volcano in Mongolia for 200 km. First stopping at Tsetserleg town, have lunch and then continue for 140 km to the Khorgo & Terkh N.P. Khorgo volcano is the only one that has no soil somewhere and no water inside the crater because Khorgo exploded much later that those volcanos. After returning to the vehicle, head to Terkh White Lake, the lake 16 km long from west to east and 6 km wide from north to south. The lake 10 species of fish such as Taimen, perch, lemon, and pike and including swan, shelduck, duck, gull, common heron, and great white egret gather here. You can go short hiking a lake. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 4: Khorgo Trekhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Murun city. Murun city (Huvsgul province) is the northernmost of the 21 aimags (provinces) of Mongolia. The name is derived from Lake Huvsgul. This city a transport hub in northern Mongolia that's also the center of civilization in this part of the country. It comes alive in summer when tourists pass through on their way to Huvsgul Lake.
Day 5: Murun, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to the Khuvsgul lake for 140 km. This lake is 136 km long and 36 km wide at 1645 m above sea level. It is the second-largest lake in Mongolia. Khuvsgul lake has a volume of 380 km3 and it is the second in Asia and the 14th largest in the world. Khuvsgul lake contains 93.6% of the total surface freshwater of Mongolia and 1% of world freshwater. Khuvsgul Lake is surrounded by beautiful high mountains of the Khoridol-Saridag and the Bayan Mountain Ranges, along the west shore. At noon, we stop for lunch in Khatgal town. After continuing for 45 km to the Khuvsgul Lake. There is a great opportunity to hiking, kayaking or just enjoy at wild nature to take photos. Also, you can ride a motor-boat around the lake. Overnight tourist camp.
Day 6: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Khuvsgul Lake (horseback riding) After relaxing the morning breakfast, we will meet our local horse guide. You will be briefed by the horse guide about the rules for horse riding and sightseeing opportunities in the area. We will make a horseback riding trip alongside the shore lake and the surrounding with forest mountains to have a better look at the beautiful Blue Pearl Lake Khuvsgul and visit the Reindeer nomadic family. Lunch served on the way. Overnight tourist camp
Day 7: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Uran Togoo Volcano, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Uran crater for 350 km. Uran crater or know as Urantogoo Uul the biggest volcano in Mongolia. This volcano was active in the 3rd to 4th geological periods and was exploded 20-25 thousand years ago. This mountain is unevenly covered by larch trees and the larch forest is still increasing in recent years. Lunch served on the way (name of Jargalant town) and then after continue to the Uran crater. You can go short climbing to the Uran crater. After returning to the vehicle, head to tonight’s Ger guesthouse.
Day 8: Uran Togoo Volcano, Mongolia to Ugii Lake, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will head to Ugii Lake for 200 km. Lunch served on the way and then after continue to the Ugii Lake. This freshwater lake has herbaceous grasses and is surrounded by steppes. Around this lake, there are many swamps, ponds, flood plains, pastures, and sandy areas. The lake is 5 km wide and 7 km long, and approximately 40% of the lake is not deeper than 3 m. Ugii lake has lots of water birds and fish including perches and pikes for fishing. Ugii lake has lots of water birds and fish including perches and pikes for fishing. You can go hiking the shore of the lake. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 9: Ugii Lake, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Mongolia
After breakfast, drive towards to Elsen Tasarhai knows as well Mongolian Sand Dune for 150 km. lunch served on the way. The area is surrounded by sand dunes, hills covered with rare bushes, and a small forest near a river. Together this presents a unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests, and Gobi-type landscape in one location. These stays among locals will give you the opportunity to share the daily life of your hosts and taking part in their tasks. You will be led to help to make dairy products, to take part in milking the animals, or to help to round up the herd. We will ride camels along sand dunes and enjoy the incredible contrasting view. Overnight Ger guesthouse /nomad family/.
Day 10: Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Mongolia to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Улаанбаатар, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive towards to Terelj National Park for 350 km. Lunch served on the way, and then continue driving to Terelj N.P. Terelj is considered one of the most scenic areas in all of Mongolia and is a short drive outside of the capital. It's a rather mountainous area with a beautiful river, forests, and some interestingly shaped rocks and It is a landscape of transition from Siberian taiga forest to grass steppe. Overnight in Ger guesthouse /nomad family/. Tonight's special dinner (Khorkhog is a barbecue dish in Mongolian cuisine).
Day 11: Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Улаанбаатар, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar “Genghis khan Equestrian Statue” After breakfast, we will head to Ulaanbaatar for 70 km. On the way, visit “Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue ” which is currently the biggest (40 meters high) equestrian statue in the world. There is a recreation area, restaurants, and souvenir shops occupy the base structure. From here, you can ascend to the head of the horse using an elevator. There you have a good panoramic view of the complex area and the scenery beyond. Lunch served on the way, after heading to Ulaanbaatar. In the evening we will attend an amazing performance (18:00 P.M) of Mongolian traditional music and dance. Overnight hotel or guesthouse.
What's included
An English-speaking tour guide at all times (Korean, Chinese languages upon requests) Ger accommodation fees (shower) Meals as a list (breakfast, lunch, dinner) All transports + experienced drivers All sightseeing and entrance fees are mentioned as program Camel and horse riding Complimentary drinks water during the tour Visa invitation letter, if required
Visa fee to Mongolia International and domestic flights & Travels ticket and insurance Check-in and late check-out Ulaanbaatar Tipping and other personal services Camera or video fees Other services not mentioned in it
What to know
HOTEL OR GER CAMP BOOKING SERVICES FOOD AND COOKING SERVICE GUIDE AND DRIVE SERVICE AIRPORT AND TRAIN STATION PICK UP AND DROP OFF MONGOLIAN VISA SUPPORT LETTER CAMPING EQUIPMENT CAR RENTAL DOMESTIC FLIGHT BOOKING SERVICES
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia