On this tour, we want to show you the contrariety of northern and southern Mongolia. We start our journey in the north, which seduces with the national reserve Khuvsgul, ist crystal clear lakes like the so-called ‘blue pearl of Mongolia’, snow covered mountain peaks and taiga forests. Crossing mountain ranges and endless steppes carpeted with colourful flowers we eventually will reach the south with it’s drought, the Gobi desert, sand dunes, oases with green meadows and the spectacular Vulture Ravine. In between we will make halt at several nomad families, where you will experience the true and traditional life of Mongolians.
Day 1/ 2. Flight and arrival at the international airport „Chinggis Khan“ in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to hotel. Breakfast and break until lunch. We will then visit Gandan monastery, with its 26 m high and gilded Buddha statue nowadays being the biggest and most important monastery in Mongolia. Then, we will go to ‘Zaisan’ hill, which offers a beautiful view over Ulaanbaatar. Dinner, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3. Flight to Moron, provincial capital of Khuvsgul Aimak. Drive to Khuvsul Lake, Mongolias biggest lake. Overnight stay at a yurt camp at the side of the lake.
Day 4/5. Now we relax. On occasion we visit a reindeer or yak breeder. You can ride on horseback, hike, go swimming or just have a walk at the lake. Overnight stay in tent.
Day 6. Today, we drive to Galt region to visit a nomad family, situated in a beautiful valley with a small river and hill chains all around us. Overnight stay in tent.
Day 7. We stay with the nomads. You can spend the day as you wish – go hiking, stroll around, watch the sun rise and set or take part actively in nomad life: help with milking the cows, fetching water, things like that. Overnight stay in tent.
Day 8. We travel to our next destination: Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, on of the most beautiful lakes of Mongolia. Overnight stay at the Eco-Camp.
Day 9. Hike around the volcanic crater Khorgo. You can explore several lava tubes and caves. Overnight stay at the Eco-Camp.
Day 10. We travel to the hot sources of Tsenkher. On occasion, we visit a family of horse breeders. Overnight stay at a yurt camp.
Day 11. Our day off: we relax at the sulfurous mineral source of Thermal-U.
Day 12. Our journey leads to Karakorum, former capital of the Mongolian Empire. In the afternoon, we visit Erdene Zuu monastery, the oldest buddhistic monastery in todays Mongolia. Built in 1568 out of the ruins of destroyed Karakorum, it was the first lamaistic monastery in Mongolia. Overnight stay at a yurt camp.
Day 13. We go on south to the ruins of Ongi monastery. Gradually, the lush steppes are replaced by a bleaker landscape. In the evening we arrive at the ruins of Ongi, which you can marvel at in the setting sun at the sides of Ongi river. Overnight stay at a yurt camp.
Day 14. We travel to ‘Flaming Rocks’ Bajan Zag: There, palaeontologist and adventurer R. Chapman Andrew found during the 1920 the remains of almost 100 dinosaurs; later, in this place the first fossile nests where discovered. Hike and walk through a Saxaul forest. Overnight stay at yurt camp.
Day 15. ‘Vulture Ravine’ Yolyn Am, located at national reserve Gobi Gurwan Saikhan. In the ravine meanders a small river. At it’s narrowest point a thick icesheet builds up, which is staying the whole year, even during the hot summer. If we’re lucky, we will be able to see ibices, wild sheep and bearded vulture. Overnight stay at a yurt camp.
Day 16/ 17. Our mystery our brings us to the mighty chain of dunes ‘Khongorin Els’: 200 m in height, 180 km long, an impressive site to be at. We will stay for two nights at a camel breeding family. Overnight stay in tent.
Day 18. Today, we will drive to a nearby yurt camp near to Dalanzadgad, provincial capital of southern Gobi desert.
Day 19. In the early morning we take the flight back to Ulaanbaatar. The rest of the day you can spend as you like. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 20. In the morning we visit the Museum Of National Sciences. After lunch, we will stroll around town or go shopping, then there’s dinner and Mongolian traditional dance and music.
Day 21. Breakfast, transfer to the airport, flight.