Adventures of Mongolia

Overview

Mongolia is virtually untouched and untamed, a place where time has seemingly stood still for hundreds of years; it is unique, the last horse-based culture on earth. This tour combines capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar with amazing Gobi, mountainous areas and steppe. Highlights and attractions of Mongolia that tourists want to see and visit are included in this tour. Do you want to experience all Mongolia has to offer but don't know where to start? To see not only the boundless steppe and Gobi deserts but to also explore the historical sites and meet the people? Then this tour is for you. Amazing scenery, history, wildlife and adventure wait on this fabulous trip - we promise you won't forget it!

Short reference itinerary

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar (City tour)

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar (City tour)

Arrive at Ulaanbaatar. Meet your Guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. We will star city tour the first stop is Sukhbaatar Square, the central square named after the revolutionary hero of 1921 Damdiny Sukhbaatar who declared independence from China. We visit Gandan Monastery the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia; here we may experience monks in worship and see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisig. Time permitting Natural History Museum which is famous for its authentic dinosaur skeletons and and visit Zaisan memorial hill to view of whole city from there. Welcome dinner at restaurant and stay overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 2 Ulaanbaatar to Amarbayasgalant monastery

After breakfast drive to Amarbayasgalant The monastery was established by order of Manju emperor Enkh- Amgalan Khan, to cherish and give respect to the Undur Geghen Zanabazar, his skills, wisdom, intellect and accomplishments. One hundred thousand langs (=3730 kg) of silver from the state fund were used to build a magnificently styled place for Buddha teaching and practice in honor of Zanabazar. After searching for a suitable place, the construction works of the monastery called “Amarbayasgalant ‘’, a palace for God `s meditation, began in the year of red horse, 1726, and was completed in the year of red dragon, 1736. Out of deep respect the monastery was then offered to the Undur Geghen. Late in the afternoon visit with monastery which is located in Selenge province, northwest of Mongolia, the biggest monastery in Mongolia after Erdene zuu monastery. Stay overnight in tent. (B, L, D) (Ger means Mongolian traditional felt accommodation)

Day 3 Amarbayasgalant monastery to Ugii Lake

In the morning drive to Ugii Lake. On the way we will be visiting two monuments of Turkish and about 60 kilometers from the imperial town of Karakorin. There are two important monoliths located near another one. The first monument is dedicated to the Turkish prince Kul-Tegin (638-731), and the other to his brother Bilge-Khan (716-734). In the afternoon take some rest and short hiking by lakeshore. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Ugii Lake to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

We travel to Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park and Khorgo volcano. The lake, birdlife and mountains are now protected within the 77,267 hectare Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. The lake, which was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many mil¬lennia ago, is excellent for swimming, though a bit cold in the morning - try the late afternoon, after the sun has warmed it. There is a horse trips and trekking is available to Khorgo Volcano and trekking. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake to Tsenkher Hot Spring

In the morning, we will drive to Tsenkher hot spring. On the way we will make a short stop in Tsetserleg capital of Arkhangai visit Zaya Gegeenii huree museum and then continue drive to lake. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Exploring Tsenkher Hot Spring  

This day you will have opportunity to ride horse and trekking for exploring and taking pictures of flora and fauna of this area. For whole days have hot spa bathing. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Tsenkher Hot Spring to Tuvkhun Monastery (Talbiun)

Today we travel through semi arid steppe to reach Tuwkhun monastery which is founded by Zanabazar. This attractive landscape is registered as WORLD HERITAGE PLACE from UNESCO.  Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Tuvkhun Monastery (Talbiun) to Karakorum (Erdenezuu monastery)

Early morning drive to Karakorum and arrive late afternoon, on the way picnic.  Ancient capital of Mongolia Karakorum city was located on the right bank of Orkhon River and on the north-eastern slopes of the Khangai Mountain and founded by Chinggis khan in 1220, was not only the capital of the vast Mongolian Empire but the epicentre of trade along the Silk Road. At that time the inhabitants of city were mostly Merchants craftsmen who came to Karakorum from all over the world. Khubilai khan moved to the capital of the Mongolian Empire to China, establishing the Yuan Dynasty, began losing its importance.  In 1379 much of the city was badly damaged during an attack by the army of the Min Dynasty. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Erdene Zuu monastery

Erdene zuu monastery was built by Avtai Sain Khan on the ruin of the Mongolian capital Karakorum in 1586. It was the first great Buddhist Monastery of Mongolia. It is part of the World Heritage Site entitled Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. It is surrounded by a wall featuring 108 stupas, 108 being a sacred number in Buddhism, and the number of beads in a Buddhist rosary. The monastery was damaged by warfare in the 1680s, but was rebuilt in the 18th century and by 1872 had a full 62 temples inside. The Erdene Zuu Monastery was taken to state protection and became museum in 1944.

Day 9 Karakorum (Erdenezuu monastery) to Ongi temple

Drive to Ongi temple. The ruins of Ongi Temple are found in Saikhan Ovoo soum of Dundgobi (Middle Gobi) province. It used to be a big Buddhist monastery compound built by Bari Yonzon Khamba at the bank of Ongi River. Transfer to the camp before the lunch. Visit the ruins of temple also there is small ger museum signifies ancient things. Dinner and stay overnight in ger at tourist camp.  (B, L, D)

Day 10 Ongi temple to Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)

Drive to Bayanzag which is located 20 kilometers far from Bulgan soum, where 70 million years ago a lot of Paleontological findings have been discovered. The place is known as Flaming Cliffs so named by Roy Chapman Andrews American explorer who had visited Mongolia in 1922. During two years he searched through the Mongolian Gobi Desert and he found dinosaur fossils and dinosaur eggs about 10-15 cm from the Bayanzag for the first time in the world. Visiting and exploring native land of dinosaurs and taking some photos for beautiful surroundings. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) to Khongor sand dunes (Singing sand dune)

Today we will drive to Khongorinn Els sand dunes, the largest sand dunes in Mongolia. These dunes lie in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The drive is through some incredible desert scenery with flat, stony plains; outcrops of vegetation; hills of interesting rock formations; and herds of wild antelope racing across the plains. The roads are flat and fairly even so it will take at least 4 hours. The shifting sand blown by the wind or someone makes sound so it is called Singing Sand Dunes. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Khongor Sand dune

Today we will have a full day exploring the sand dunes and rest after the long drive. The dunes seem to stretch on forever like a soft ribbon of sand draped over the desert. The shifting sand blown by the wind or someone makes sound so it is called Singing Sand Dunes. There is a beautiful green oasis known as Seruun bulag near the Khongor River. Return to the camp for lunch and enjoy feeling silence and a peaceful in the beautiful surroundings Gobi Deserts. Dinner and stay overnight in ger at tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Khongor sand dunes to Yol Canyon

We will drive through the National Park until we reach an area of the Altai Mountains known as Eagle Valley. This is approximately a 240km drive on fairly good roads taking about 6 hours. This Valley is nestled deep within the hills and is a haven from the desert heat. Some areas of the valley are continually sheltered from the hot sun and house huge, blocks of ice that gradually melt away during the summer. Very wide at the entrance, it narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. You have some chance to see wild animals such as ibex and wild sheep, of course to see the vulture. Riding a horse or a camel and trekking to the gorge. Stay overnight in ger at tourist camp (B, L, D)

Day 14 Yol Canyon to Baga Gazriin Chuluu (Earth stone)

Drive to Middle Gobi is known as Baga Gazriin chuluu (earth stone). You will be reached in the early afternoon, lunch at the camp. There are some interesting granite rock formations, also there eye spa which supposed to be good for sights. There is ruin of ancient small temple, located middle of the rock. Stay overnight in ger at the tourist camp. (B, L, D)

Day 15 Baga Gazriin Chuluu (Earth stone) to Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and lunch at the finest restaurant in Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon free time do shopping for cashmere shop, souvenir shop and State Department Store. Enjoy watch national folklore performance by “Tumen Ekh” national song, throat singing, tsam mask dance and so on. A farewell dinner and stay overnight in hotel.

Day 16 Departure

Check out from the hotel and transfer to the “Chinggis Khan” International airport or train station for departure.