Taste Of Mongolia - 12 Days Private Tour
About this tour
This tour takes 12 days to cover the most popular travel destinations including Northern Mongolia for Amarbayasgalant monastery which is one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and Khovsgol Lake. This lake is one of the most beautiful and scenic spots in Mongolia, where high mountain peaks, forests, lush meadows and steppes all form a rich ecosystem and diverse wildlife habitats. Also, visit Tsaatan minority who live in huts and reindeer herding.
The trip continues to Khangai province that is geographical mixture creates a number of very interesting landscapes within manageable distance, and leads to a rich diversity in both flora and fauna. You are available to experience Mongolian countryside and nomadic life. Highlights includes beautiful Terkh White Lake and UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Karakorum - ruins and museum of ancient and most interesting national parks and much more!
Relaxing in wild nature and explore Mongolian nomadic life style... hiking, horseback and camel riding, climbing to sand dunes, soft hiking and feel free driving through the wilderness are the main activities.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 01: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Whenever, your international flight lands in city airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Free at leisure for the rest of the day. You may need some time to relax and recover from the long-distance flight or possibly from jet-lag. If you feel like going for a walk and checking out places nearby, feel free to ask from your hotel reception for recommendations. Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: not included on this day
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia
Day 02: Ulaanbaatar - Amarbayasgalant monastery Enjoy breakfast and disembark to beautiful Amarbayasgalant monastery located in the valley of the Iven River. Presently, 30 monks reside in the newly restored monastery ranging in age from 7 to 90. En route, visit nomadic family in their Ger, interact with the nomads and join them to experience their lifestyle. In the evening, you will have time to relax at comfortable Ger camp. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 380km, driving for ~5.5-6hrs.
Day 3: Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Дархан, Mongolia to Uran Togoo, Mongolia
Day 03: Erdenet town - Uran Togoo Nature Reserve Freshen up in the morning and drive to Uran Togoo Volcano via Erdenet city which is one of 3 big towns of Mongolia. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant of Erdenet town which is mining city and disembark to Uran Togoo which is great for hiking and wild life observation. Uran togoo dormant volcano crater is one of many examples of circles that arise in nature resembled a nice creature of a craftsman. This area is a pretty good place to break the journey to Khuvsgul. Overnight at tourist camp near the volcano. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Total distance: 280km, driving for ~ 6hrs.
Day 4: Uran Togoo, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Day 04: Murun town - Khuvsgul Lake National Park Today continue the excursion to Khuvsgul Lake, which is known as the Switzerland of Mongolia and second the clearest lake in Central Asia. Lunch at local restaurant in the Murun, a small town of Khovsgol province with population of 35000. Take a 2 hours’ drive to the Khatgal village on the shore of the lake and explore the village’s life, the market and main port of the lake. In the afternoon is free time for you to be on your own. You can explore the surrounding hills and walking along the shore of the lake. The Lake water is well known for crystal clear blue and surrounded by beautiful lash green deep forest and magnificent mountains. Dinner at Tourist Ger camp, which is located near to the lake. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 220km, driving for ~5hrs.
Day 5: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
Day 05: Full day at Khuvsgul Lake National Park This morning, we will take a boat trip and visit reindeer herders and explore their daily life, custom and sacraments. Khuvsgul province is home to the southernmost indigenous reindeer herding people (Tsaatan) in the world. Some of Tsaatan families came from remote Taiga at the summer camp near to the lake from June until end of August. The evening is dedicated to horse riding trip and especially Khovsgol Lake is the best recommended place for this experience. After given preliminary instructions and orientation about horse riding, we will discover the nature from horseback. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Jargal Jiguur Tour Camp, Orgil, Mongolia
Day 06: Jargal Hot Springs – Northern Mongolia After a beautiful night on th shore of the lake, we will drive towards to Jargal hot springs through beautiful nature routes, vast grasslands cross high Mountain passes and arrive in the Jargal Jiguur Tourist camp. The spring comes out from 150 m of the ground and its water is not mixed with soil and waters because it is hot at 70 Celsius degrees. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons. After this long driving day, you will have a relaxed evening and enjoy taking a hot bath in the hot spring water. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 280km, driving for ~6hrs.
Day 7: Jargal Jiguur Tour Camp, Orgil, Mongolia to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
Day 07: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park Lets start the journey at 9am and head for Terkhiin Tsagaan lake which is surrounded by spectacular scenery of plants, forests, mountains, and fauna. Enroute, we will visit Yak breeder’s family and experience the traditional customs and lifestyle of local residents. Check-in and lunch at Tourist Ger camp near to the lake shore. Afternoon is free for you to be on your own with optional activities. Hiking, horse riding, mountain climbing, fishing and swimming are all good here. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 95km, driving for ~2.5hrs.
Day 8: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia to Taikhar Rock, Jargalant, Mongolia
Day 08: Khorgo extinct volcano - Taikhar rock Here today we will go to see amazing extinct Khorgo volcano which was active 8000 years ago. This province is beautiful scenery of mountains, cliffs, rapid rivers, lakes, extinct volcanoes and fantastic caves green forests and pastures, where the long-haired yaks and horse thrive. After seeing extinct Khorgo volcano crater, we will continue towards to Taikhar Rock, which is a massive granite rock, located on the banks of the Tamir River surrounding flat country. It’s covered with 150 writings in many different languages and dating back from many different periods. Upon arrival, have lunch and rest of the day is free for you to be on your own. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 160km, driving for ~3.5hrs.
Day 9: Taikhar Rock, Jargalant, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Högönö-Taranaiin-Hüree, Mongolia
Day 09: Kharakhorin & Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery – Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes In the morning, head to Kharkhorin via Tsetserleg town, a small village, and one of the country's major tourist destinations. Historically known as Kharkhorum, which was an ancient capital of Mongolia Empire founded by Genghis Khan in 1220. Also, Karakorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. In the afternoon, we will visit the museum of Kharakhorum and learn more about the beautiful ancient Karakorum city and Genghis Khan. Continue to visit the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century, with 108 Buddhism stupas. Here you can see interesting listen to monk chanting Buddhist sutras. Afterwards, depart for Elsen Tasarkhai magnificent sand dunes - surrounded by hills with willow trees, streams and bushes, and appear as a small desert in the center of the country. This sand dune is 80km long and the widest part of the sand dune is 9-10 km. Also, the sand dune called as mini Gobi. There, we will visit camel herder family and discover this magnificent place from on camel back. Dinner and overnight at Tourist camp. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 230km, driving for ~4hrs.
Day 10: Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Högönö-Taranaiin-Hüree, Mongolia to Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Day 10: Elsen Tasarkhai – Hustai National Park After delicious breakfast, we will drive towards to Hustai National Park. This area is home to the Mongolian wild horse known as Prezewalski horse (Takhi) with unique landscape that features mountain and steppe. We will reach and check in the tourist camp around lunch time. After lunch, visit small information center which tell us every details of the National Park. Afterwards, we will have some rest until the evening. Because the Takhi and marmots are easy to see around 2-3hrs earlier than sunset, during they come down from mountains for water to stream. We will take short drive and hiking to see the horses in their natural habitat. There are 7 different species of Wild horse (3 species of zebra & 3 species of Wild ass) is left on the planet but the Takhi is the last truly wild horse of the planet. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 290km, driving for ~ 4.5hrs.
Day 11: Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 11: Ulaanbaatar city tour Today your guide will lead you to discover nomadic city Ulaanbaatar. Once return to Ulaanbaatar, we will visit Gandan which is the largest functioning Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The main highlight of this monastery is 26-meter-high majestic gilded indoor statue of Megjid Janraisig. After lunch, Sukhbaatar square which lies at the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and post office. There is an equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar and a massive Bronze statue of Genghis Khan with his four warriors in front of Parliament House. Continue to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History – the museum presents Mongolian history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day. Next, visit Bogd Khan Palace Museum - the complex was a residence of 8th Bogd Javzandamba in the 19th century, the head of Mongolian religion. The palace consists of seven Summer Prayer temples and the winter palace. Our next highlight in the city is a famous cultural show in the city, which is featuring traditional performances by singers, dancers and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear Khöömii (throat singing) and see some fabulous costumes. After dinner, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Total distance: 110km, driving for ~3hrs.
Day 12: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia
You will be free at leisure in your hotel or wander around on your own until being escorted to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight home. End of service. Meals: Breakfast
What's included
English speaking tour guide at all times, 11 nights’ accommodation; - Good 4* hotel in the city – 2nights, based on double/twin. - Ger camps in countryside trip – 9 nights on twin share, All the meals as listed in the itinerary: Breakfast - 11, Lunch - 10, Dinner – 10, All transfer & transports + experienced driver, - 4WD minivan or Jeep (Lexus 470) depending on number of people for the overland trip All sightseeing and entrance fees are mentioned as program, A cultural performance, Horse riding at Khovsgol ~ half day (2-3hours), Camel riding in Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes ~1 hour, Complementary drink water during the tour, Visa invitation letter, if required All service charge, local and Gov’t tax
x Visa to Mongolia (Get in advance) x International flights &Travels insurance x Hotel early check-in and late check-out, x Tipping and other personal expenses x Other services not mentioned in the itinerary
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Sergelen, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia