Zavkhan - A Journey Into My Beautiful Homeland
About this tour
I was born into a nomadic herder family in Zavkhan province which brings together Mongolia’s diverse ecological zones combining mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and golden sands.
I lived as a nomad in my homeland until I was 8 years old and many of my nomadic relatives still live there as nomads. When I was little, I spent my days swimming in the river, sunbathig, chasing herds, listening to my wise old grandma's tales, playing with my siblings and cousins, helping with little nomadic duties to my parents, and just wandering around the fairytale like valleys and mountains of my beautiful Zavkhan land. Everytime I visit back my homeland and recall my childhood memories, I feel like my homeland is an eternity, an existing paradise.
As livestock is the backbone of Mongolia and most important cultural heritage to us, I am very much proud of this culture and I deeply respect and treasure nomadic herders in Mongolia. I am also so grateful for having many herder relatives.
My homeland is home to the majestic Otgontenger Mountain, the snow-capped sacred peak of the Khangai Mountains, as well as the peaceful Ulaagchin Khar Lake, a clear freshwater lake surrounded by the semi-desert landscapes of Erdenekhairkhan soum. The vast golden dunes of Mongol Els, the largest sand dune system in Mongolia and many big rivers such as Ider, Tes, Zavkhan, and Mukhart rivers flow through the land.
I created this journey to invite travellers into my beautiful homeland, meet my nomadic relatives, and experience the simple, authentic life of Mongolian herders. This trip includes beautiful destinations and special cultural activities such as traditional cooking class, mini concert by locals, traditional craft making, and calligraphy workshop.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Our driver and guide will pick you up from your accommodation at 8:30 AM. We will then head to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, which was once the heart of a vast empire and remains one of Mongolia’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks. The driving distance is approximately 320 km, taking around 6–7 hours on paved roads. We will stop for lunch at around 1:00 PM along the way and continue our journey to Karakorum, arriving around 3:00–4:00 PM. Upon arrival, we will visit the Karakorum Museum, which brings the story of Mongolia’s ancient capital to life through archaeological discoveries, artefacts, and treasures that reveal the rich history of the Mongol Empire. We will then check into our camp around 5:00 PM and have some time to rest and relax until dinner, which will be served around 6:30–7:00 PM.
Day 2: Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
We’ll start the morning with breakfast around 8:30 AM, followed by a traditional Mongolian calligraphy workshop at Erdenesiin Khuree Center from 9:30–10:30 AM. It’s a lovely chance to slow down and experience a small but meaningful part of Mongolia’s artistic heritage. After the workshop, we’ll continue our journey towards Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, with another 330 km of driving on paved roads. We’ll stop for lunch along the way and then enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful landscapes of Arkhangai Province. We expect to arrive at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake around 7:00 PM. After checking in, dinner will be ready, and we can slow down and relax after the long drive.
Day 3: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia to Ikh uul, Ikh-Uul, Mongolia
We’ll have breakfast around 8:30 AM, followed by free time until 11:30 AM to explore and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. From 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, we’ll visit Khorgo Volcano, dormant volcano that last erupted around 7,200 years ago, leaving behind a dramatic crater and vast basalt lava fields. After lunch by the lake, we’ll set off around 2:00 PM towards Ikh-Uul Soum in Zavkhan Province - my beautiful homeland. The 200 km drive will take around 4 hours on paved roads. We’ll arrive at a local nomadic family around 7:00 PM and stay in tents nearby, close to my nomadic relatives. After setting up camp, we’ll have dinner with our hosts and spend the evening relaxing, sharing stories, and getting to know the local nomadic living and herding culture.
Day 4: Ikh-Uul, Mongolia
Today is the day to spend the whole day learning from the nomads and spending quality time with them. We’ll have breakfast at our own pace, engage in traditional herding activities, and go horse riding. We’ll also take part in a small felt-craft workshop inspired by the Mongolian tradition of making felt foxes for children. Traditionally, a felt fox is placed near a child’s cradle as a protective symbol, representing a parent’s wish to keep the child safe and help them grow up healthy and strong. During the workshop, children and travelers can work with colorful felt and create their own foxes or other shapes and small decorative items, giving them a chance to explore this traditional Mongolian craft in a fun and hands-on way. In the evening, we’ll have a traditional dinner, followed by a mini concert by local nomads featuring long songs, the horse fiddle, and folk songs. The evening will be filled with warm moments shared with the herders in the open steppe of Ikh-Uul Soum.
Day 5: Ikh-Uul, Mongolia to Tsenkher hot springs, Tavanbulag, Mongolia
We’ll have breakfast around 9:00 AM, and then start heading back towards Tsenkher Hot Springs. The drive is around 250 km and takes about 5–6 hours, depending on the road conditions. We’ll have lunch on the way and enjoy the countryside as we make our way through the Khangai Mountains. Tsenkher Hot Springs is one of Mongolia’s most remarkable natural thermal springs and is considered the second-hottest natural hot spring in the country, after Shargaljuut. Located in Tsenkher soum of Arkhangai Province, at an elevation of around 1,860 meters in the Khangai Mountains, the spring emerges from deep underground at temperatures reaching approximately 86°C (187°F). We’ll arrive at the hot springs around 5:00–6:00 PM. After checking in, we’ll have dinner together and then unwind in the relaxing pools of mineral-rich waters of Tsenkher Hot Springs.
Day 6: Tsenkher hot springs, Tavanbulag, Mongolia to Elsen Tasarkhai, Högönö-Taranaiin-Hüree, Mongolia
We’ll have breakfast at 8:30 AM, and then depart to Elsen Tasarkhai, often known as Mongolia’s “Mini-Gobi.” Located within the Khugnu Tarna area, it is a striking landscape where golden sand dunes meet open grasslands and rugged mountains. We’ll have lunch shortly before reaching the Mini-Gobi and expect to arrive before 3:00 PM. We will check-in to the nomadic guest family stay and meet the hosts. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the beautiful Khugnu Tarna National Park, taking in its unique combination of sand dunes, mountains, grasslands, and surrounding natural scenery. We’ll also enjoy a camel ride across the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, riding traditional two-humped Bactrian camels. In the late afternoon, we’ll have traditional dumbling making workshop together and have our dumblings for final dinner and have a small celebration to mark the end of our journey, sharing stories, remembering the highlights of the trip, and enjoying our last evening in Mongolia.
Day 7: Elsen Tasarkhai, Högönö-Taranaiin-Hüree, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We’ll enjoy a slow and relaxed breakfast with our host family before departing for Ulaanbaatar. The drive will be approximately 280 km and take around 5–6 hours, including a lunch stop along the way. We expect to arrive in Ulaanbaatar between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.
What's included
This tour can be customized upon request, and I’d be happy to adjust the itinerary around your interests, schedule, and the kind of experience you’re looking for.
International and domestic flights Travel insurance Visa fees Personal expenses Alcoholic beverages Laundry and other personal services Tips and gratuities Any activities or services not mentioned in the itinerary
Languages spoken
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Kharkhorin, Mongolia