Essence Of Mongolia Tour 4 Days
About this tour
The Essence of Mongolia is an activity-packed tour into central Mongolia. Visit the Khogno Khan Reserve, the dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai before venturing to the Hustai National park to see the wild Takhi horses and plenty of other wildlife. This condensed trip lets you experience as much of Mongolia as possible in a short time of four days. Overnight, stay at authentic guest gers next to local nomadic families and in a comfortable ger camp one night. Learn about your hosts’ culture and traditions, socialize with them, ride horses and Bactrian camels, hike, and visit hilltop temples. This all-encompassing trip contains most of what Mongolia offers, including must do’s and must-see and is perfect for those with limited time in the country.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar to Gurvanbulag, Mongolia
After meeting your guide at 09:00 am in your hotel or another Ulaanbaatar location of your choice board the vehicle for a morning visit at the Gandan Monastery in the western part of the city. Take the guided tour of the temples and see the monks chanting. Then head west to the northern part of Gobi onto Gurvanbulag, where you will be staying at a guest ger alongside a nomadic family. The drive is mostly on a paved road and should take 4 hours (280km). On arrival, enter the family ger and experience nomadic hospitality – sample milk tea, homemade yogurts, and curds, learning about the nomadic way of life and your hosts’ traditions. In the afternoon, if you are up for it, ride a horse to the nearby sand dunes – or you can walk if you prefer. The distance is not long, just 3km each way. In the evening enjoy a traditional nomadic meal of Buuz (steamed dumplings) or khorkhog (mutton seared with hot stones) – you can also help with cooking if you want. Travel details: 4hr/280km to Gurvanbulag Accommodation: Guest ger alongside nomadic family Meals included: Lunch; Dinner
Day 2: Gurvanbulag, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Mongolia
After a home-cooked breakfast say goodbye to your hosts and drive for 1.5 hours (55km) to Khogno Khaan nature reserve – the site of the Uvguun temple complex. Khogno Khan is an area where taiga meets rolling steppes and north Gobi’s sand dunes. Hike a short distance to the Ungun temples which were built in the 17th century by Zanabazar but destroyed in the 1930s during communist purges. After coming down to the vehicle drive 25km to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, where you will stay next to a family of camel herders. Settle into your ger and once your camels are ready, mount up for a 1-hour Bactrian ride into the dunes, taking time for photographs from the camelback. In the evening return to your hosts and enjoy a home-cooked dinner, socializing in the evening over fermented mare’s milk with the family. Travel details: 1.5hr/50km Khogno Khaan; 45 min / 20km to Elsen Tasarkhai Accommodation: Guest ger alongside nomadic family Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3: Elsen Tasarkhai, Mongolia to Khustai Mountains Camp, Mongolia
After a leisurely breakfast board the vehicle for the journey back east to Hustai. The drive will take 3 hours (190km) and on arrival visit first the park’s information center where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in the ger camp where you will be staying tonight, located right at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animals’ location, and you have high chances of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track wild deer or foxes – Hustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. In the late afternoon return by vehicle to the camp, take a hot shower, and enjoy hearty dinner. Travel details: 3hr/190km drive to Hustai National Park; 2hr/110km to Ulaanbaatar Accommodation: Standard ger- Hustai Resort ger camp Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4: Khustai Mountains Camp, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, Mongolia
After breakfast set off for the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex near Erdene soum for 200km. Once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii. Then have lunch in the complex's restaurant. After lunch, come back down to the vehicle and return to Ulaanbaatar (2hrs/120km) Travel details: 3.5hrs/200km to the complex; 2hrs/60km to UB Accommodation: None Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch
What's included
What to know
We always suggest to our clients to bring their own sleeping bags. Also some souvenirs for the locals "if possible"
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar to Gurvanbulag, Mongolia