Explore The Beauty Of Northern Mongolia
About this tour
Khuvsgul, the largest freshwater lake located in the northern part is considered as a Blue Pearl of vast Mongolia. The area covered with pine and larch forest, rolling hills and high towering rocky mounts adds nuance to pristine crystal clear water of the locally respected Mother Sea perfectly matching the name Mongolian Switzerland. Northern Mongolia is also home of several ethnic groups such as Darkhad and Tuvan people or likewise known as Dukhan Reindeer people. For those Dukhans reindeers are the main source of their living and culture and they still continue living in their tepees.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar to Heading to Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Ulaanbaatar – Amarbayasgalant 350km • Continue our journey to one of the biggest and best preserved Buddhist Monastery Amarbayasgalant which means a place of “Tranquil Felicity”. This place of pilgrimage was built between 1727-1736 by the order Manchurian King as token of his respect for Mongolian religious leader Zanabazar. The complex consists of 30 temples. During the communist purges, the monastery was able to survive for its great contribution in Mongolian architectural art and invaluable cultural heritage. • Upon arrival at the site you have opportunities to go for a short hike • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (L+D)
Day 2: Amarbayasgalant Monastery to Extinct volcano in the national park
Amarbayasgalant – Uran Togoo National Park 220km • After breakfast, start our excursion around the monastery. To attend a morning chanting ceremony. • Start to drive towards to Uran Togoo an extinct volcano crater which is located in Bulgan province on the way to Khuvsgul Lake. Uran literally meaning artistic is a crater almost looks like that its ridges has been carved in very fine craftsmanship. Diameter of circled crater ridge almost about 500ms with 15m depth and surrounded with trees will add color to the scenery. • Optional climbing and hiking • Lunch at a local restaurant • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger / tent (B+L+D)
Day 3: Extinct Volcano In The National Park to Day3 Khuvsgul -Mini Switzerland of Mongolia
Uran Togoo – Khuvsgul Lake 380km • Arrive at Khuvsgul Lake which respectfully referred as “Blue Pearl” or “Mother Sea “by locals. The Lake is one of the wonders and top destinations of Mongolia. Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northwest of Mongolia near the Russian border, at the foothills of the eastern Sayan Mountains. It is 1,645 meters (5,397 feet) above sea level, 136 kilometers (85 miles) long and 262 meters (860 feet) deep. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia's fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. Almost hundred springs, rivers and streams flow into the lake when only Egiin Gol River flows out form this gigantic water pool. Plus its water factors, Khuvsgul National Park cover huge percentage of Mongolian forest and primarily Taiga. • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 4: Khuvsgul Lake
• Morning at leisure. Optional horse riding and hiking. The scenic fields of edelweiss and other colorful flowers, happily grazing yaks and herds of horses will definitely make to wonder around the lake. • Visit to Reindeer - Tsaatan people • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 5: Khuvsgul lake to Exploring the Steppe
Jankhai Mountain Pass– Murun 145km • Today we will gradually head back to the Steppes of Western and Central Mongolia. On the way stopover by Uushigiin valley where you can see complex of deer stone monuments erected besides the burial sites dating back to early Bronze Age era over some 4000 years ago. Deer stones were part of the ancient funeral practices and were mainly dedicated to express common people’s mourning over their great warriors and military leaders. There are 14 deer stones and one of the exclusive monuments is a deer stone with a human face. • Short stop in Murun city for fresh supplies at the market Murun - Zuun Lake 130km • Journey of the hills and steppes. As we go deeper in the remote valleys, landscapes will change dramatically into barren plains with beautiful green meadows. The Mountain passes are over 2000ms above the sea level. Great photo opportunities. • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger / tent (B+L+D)
Day 6: Zuun lake to The Great White Lake of Mongolia
Zuun Lake – Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park 180km • Road to Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park which is located in Arkhangai province and created by a volcanic eruption. The Lake is called White Lake by locals as a symbol respect to the nature and water. There are few kinds of fish were found in the lake. • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 7: The Great White Lake of Mongolia to Khorgo Volcano
• Hiking along the shore of the Lake. Visit to an extinct volcano Khorgo which is on the height of 2240ms. From the top of the Volcano you will enjoy the amazing lava flows covered with forest and splendid view of the lake. Some thousands of years old lava flow formed an original scene that has never seen elsewhere in Mongolia. • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 8: Khorgo volcano to Relaxing in Tsenkher hot springs
White Lake National park –Tsenkher hot springs –via Tsetserleg city -220km • Arrive in Tsetserleg city, the center of Arkhangai province, a small town nestled amongst mountains of larches. Visit to local museum which displays rich items of ethnography, history and culture of the Mongolian people. Short stop at the market for supplies. • Arrive at Tsenkher Hot springs. It is one of the biggest Mongolia’s hot springs, has a temperature of 86 degrees with high flow rate and high alkalinity and relatively high amounts of fluoride. The hot spring is mostly used for relaxing and restoring your health. Here we will have a hot tub outside and enjoy cold beer and beautiful scenery. Optional hiking and hot tub with natural sulphur spa. A great place for wild flower observers. • Overnight at the tourist ger camp “Altan Nutag” (B+L+D)
Day 9: Relaxing In Tsenkher Hot Springs to Joy of desert in Khugnu Khan Nature Reserve
Tsenkher hot spring – Mini Gobi 250km ● Arrive at Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve today which is a combination of all kinds of natural settings such as mountains, forest, steppe, desert, small lake and mineral water spring all in same location forming unique scenery and representation different natural zones. The area is perfect for hiking, climbing and horse riding. • Horse trekking to the ruins of Erdene Khamba Monastery which dates from 17th century with the perfect location of concealing and escaping the wind and cold of the steppe in the granite mountain. • Visit Dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai on the camel back. • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (B+L+D)
Day 10: Khustai National Park to Ulaanbaatar
• Return to Ulaanbaatar. On the way you see the herds of horses crossing the roads, smokes of gers fading away and never ending hills and steppe. Arrive in town, transfer to your accommodation. • If time allows you can do some short city orientation and shopping with our guide. (B+L)
What's included
• Transfers upon arrival and departure
• Accommodation in a hotel or hostel in Ulaanbaatar • Hotel extras, such as telephone calls, bar bills and laundry services • Travel insurance, medical insurance • Visa application fees • Alcoholic beverages • Airfare or train ticket • Changes of arrival/departure flights • Gratuity to guides and drivers • Additional services • Any charges of major force beyond our control (e.g. imposition, quarantine restrictions, etc…)
What to know
EXTENSIONS: • SOUTHERN MONGOLIA- GOBI DESERT • CENTRAL MONGOLIA- ORKHON VALLEY • WESTERN MONGOLIA-ALTAI TAVAN BOGD • EASTERN MONGOLIA-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar to Heading to Amarbayasgalant Monastery