Tent camping on the way to Lake Huvsgul on Classic Mongolia Travel (day 12).
Tour N9: Classic Mongolia Travel
Duration: 18 days
Transportation: Airplane, Extensive driving
Accommodation: Hotel, Ger tourist camp, tent camping
Departure date: Any time between June 15 and Sep 15
Tour grade: Moderate
Tour code: N9
Destinations: Gobi Desert, Yoliin-Am National Park, Hongor sand dune, Flaming Cliffs, Ovgon Temple, Khustai National Park, Erdene-Zuu monastery in Khar-Khorin, Tuvkhun temple, Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument, 13th century complex, Khorgo Volcano, Chuluut River Caynon, Lake Terkh, Lake Huvsgul
Description: Classic introduction to Mongolian nature, landscape, culture and religion. The route covers all popular tourist spots in Gobi Desert, Central and Northern Mongolia region. Recommended for first time visitors to Mongolia.
Activities: Sightseeing, Ulaanbaatar City tour and optional trekking and horseback riding.
ITINERARY & PRICE
Day 1: Arrive at Ulaanbaatar City, Transfer to hotel. After some personal refreshment, start guided city tour. Visit to Zaisan Memorial to see a view of the entire city. Our staff will guide you through some major spots, such as Sukhbaatar Square and the Opera House. Visit the Museum of Natural History and other museums, if time allows. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport to fly to South Gobi. Depending on the flight schedule, visit to The Bogd Khan Palace Museum and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar City. Arrive in Dalanzadgad, a provincial center of South-Gobi aymag. Then, drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saihan (The three beauties of Gobi) National Park and arrive at the Hongoriin Els sand dune. Enjoy horse and camel riding along the sand dune. Have dinner at the tourist camp restaurant. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 3: Drive to Bayanzag (The Rich in Saxual), which is referred to as “The Flaming Cliffs” for its shapes and colors. Visit a nomadic herder family. You will be introduced to the daily life of herders and try some hand processed dairy products. Then head towards Valley of Vultures (Yoliin Am) National Park. Stay overnight at the ger camp close to the Valley.
Day 4: Trek in Yoliin Am National Park. You will see an ice cup if you come here before the end of July. Visit the local museum at the entrance to the valley, named the “Three beauties of Gobi” which presents information about the fauna and flora of the national park. Drive back to Dalanzadgad to catch your flight back to the capital city. Stay overnight in the hotel in Ulaanbaatar City.
Day 5: Drive to the Khogno Khan Mountain, one of the strictly protected areas of Mongolia. Make a trek to the mountain through beautiful surroundings to visit Ovgon Temple. Then drive to Bayangobi, a spectacular combination of sand dunes, and grassland. Have lunch and dinner at the tourist camp restaurants. Stay overnight at ger camp.
Day 6: Drive to Khar-Khorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia in the 13th century, and see Mongolia’s oldest monastery Erdene Zuu. Drive toward Tuvkhun Temple, a place where Zanabazar, the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, meditated and created his finest works of arts within a period of over 30years. Stay overnight in a ger camp near the Monastery.
Day 7: Trek to Tuvkhun Temple. Enjoy the stunning beauty of the High Mountain, where the temple is built. Zanabazar called the temple the Land of Happy Solitude. There is a cave called Mother Belly, which is said to cleanse people of all their sins if they go in and out of the cave. Drive back to Khar-Khorin. Stay overnight at a ger camp.
Days 8-9: Drive further northwest to Tsenkher Hot Spring. At the spring, water with hydrogen sulphide pulses out of ground at 86°C. Take a hot soak. Visit a nomadic herder family and taste some hand processed dairy products. Observe the daily activities of herders. Ride horses and enjoy leisure time. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 10: Drive further to the town of Tsetserleg, a provincial center of Arkhangai aymag and visit Zaya Gegeen Temple Museum built, in the 18th century. Next drive to Taihar Rock and observe inscriptions in different Asian languages, such as Old and New Mongolian and Turkish, Tibetan, and Chinese. Relax near the river bank. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 11: Drive to the Chuluut River Canyon. The Chuluut river is rich in many species of fish, including lennok and taimen. Trek down to the canyon. Drive westward to the dormant Horgo volcano. Enjoy the stunning natural beauty created by past volcanic eruptions. Do some fishing and swim in Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, our final destination for today. Stay overnight in the ger camp.
Day 12: Take a long drive through amazing natural beauty towards Lake Huvsgul, leaving the territory of Arkhangai Province behind. Camp in a tent camp or a ger camp.
Day 13: Drive to Lake Huvsgul. On the way, stop shortly at Murun, a provincial center of Huvsgul Aimag. Arrive at the Huvsgul Lake by driving through wonderful landscape. Stay overnight at the ger camp on the shore of the lake.
Days 14-15: Leisure time at Huvsgul Lake. After refreshments, trek to the nearby mountain and do some horse back riding along the shore. Taking a motor boat to the other shore of the river is optional. If the water is warm enough, you can swim in the crystal clear lake and do some fishing. Visit the reindeer breeding family living on the shore of the lake. Stay overnight at the ger camp. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 16: Drive back to Murun and catch your flight back to Ulaanbaatar City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 17: Tour Ulaanbaatar City for a full day. Visit Gandan Monastery, and the Museum of National History. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 18: Take advantage of free time before your departure. Visit some cashmere, clothing, souvenir and antique shops. Transfer to the airport.
Duration: 18 days
Transportation: Airplane, Extensive driving
Accommodation: Hotel, Ger tourist camp, tent camping
Departure date: Any time between June 15 and Sep 15
Tour grade: Moderate
Tour code: N9
Destinations: Gobi Desert, Yoliin-Am National Park, Hongor sand dune, Flaming Cliffs, Ovgon Temple, Khustai National Park, Erdene-Zuu monastery in Khar-Khorin, Tuvkhun temple, Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument, 13th century complex, Khorgo Volcano, Chuluut River Caynon, Lake Terkh, Lake Huvsgul
Description: Classic introduction to Mongolian nature, landscape, culture and religion. The route covers all popular tourist spots in Gobi Desert, Central and Northern Mongolia region. Recommended for first time visitors to Mongolia.
Activities: Sightseeing, Ulaanbaatar City tour and optional trekking and horseback riding.
ITINERARY & PRICE
Day 1: Arrive at Ulaanbaatar City, Transfer to hotel. After some personal refreshment, start guided city tour. Visit to Zaisan Memorial to see a view of the entire city. Our staff will guide you through some major spots, such as Sukhbaatar Square and the Opera House. Visit the Museum of Natural History and other museums, if time allows. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport to fly to South Gobi. Depending on the flight schedule, visit to The Bogd Khan Palace Museum and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar City. Arrive in Dalanzadgad, a provincial center of South-Gobi aymag. Then, drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saihan (The three beauties of Gobi) National Park and arrive at the Hongoriin Els sand dune. Enjoy horse and camel riding along the sand dune. Have dinner at the tourist camp restaurant. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 3: Drive to Bayanzag (The Rich in Saxual), which is referred to as “The Flaming Cliffs” for its shapes and colors. Visit a nomadic herder family. You will be introduced to the daily life of herders and try some hand processed dairy products. Then head towards Valley of Vultures (Yoliin Am) National Park. Stay overnight at the ger camp close to the Valley.
Day 4: Trek in Yoliin Am National Park. You will see an ice cup if you come here before the end of July. Visit the local museum at the entrance to the valley, named the “Three beauties of Gobi” which presents information about the fauna and flora of the national park. Drive back to Dalanzadgad to catch your flight back to the capital city. Stay overnight in the hotel in Ulaanbaatar City.
Day 5: Drive to the Khogno Khan Mountain, one of the strictly protected areas of Mongolia. Make a trek to the mountain through beautiful surroundings to visit Ovgon Temple. Then drive to Bayangobi, a spectacular combination of sand dunes, and grassland. Have lunch and dinner at the tourist camp restaurants. Stay overnight at ger camp.
Day 6: Drive to Khar-Khorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia in the 13th century, and see Mongolia’s oldest monastery Erdene Zuu. Drive toward Tuvkhun Temple, a place where Zanabazar, the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, meditated and created his finest works of arts within a period of over 30years. Stay overnight in a ger camp near the Monastery.
Day 7: Trek to Tuvkhun Temple. Enjoy the stunning beauty of the High Mountain, where the temple is built. Zanabazar called the temple the Land of Happy Solitude. There is a cave called Mother Belly, which is said to cleanse people of all their sins if they go in and out of the cave. Drive back to Khar-Khorin. Stay overnight at a ger camp.
Days 8-9: Drive further northwest to Tsenkher Hot Spring. At the spring, water with hydrogen sulphide pulses out of ground at 86°C. Take a hot soak. Visit a nomadic herder family and taste some hand processed dairy products. Observe the daily activities of herders. Ride horses and enjoy leisure time. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 10: Drive further to the town of Tsetserleg, a provincial center of Arkhangai aymag and visit Zaya Gegeen Temple Museum built, in the 18th century. Next drive to Taihar Rock and observe inscriptions in different Asian languages, such as Old and New Mongolian and Turkish, Tibetan, and Chinese. Relax near the river bank. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 11: Drive to the Chuluut River Canyon. The Chuluut river is rich in many species of fish, including lennok and taimen. Trek down to the canyon. Drive westward to the dormant Horgo volcano. Enjoy the stunning natural beauty created by past volcanic eruptions. Do some fishing and swim in Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, our final destination for today. Stay overnight in the ger camp.
Day 12: Take a long drive through amazing natural beauty towards Lake Huvsgul, leaving the territory of Arkhangai Province behind. Camp in a tent camp or a ger camp.
Day 13: Drive to Lake Huvsgul. On the way, stop shortly at Murun, a provincial center of Huvsgul Aimag. Arrive at the Huvsgul Lake by driving through wonderful landscape. Stay overnight at the ger camp on the shore of the lake.
Days 14-15: Leisure time at Huvsgul Lake. After refreshments, trek to the nearby mountain and do some horse back riding along the shore. Taking a motor boat to the other shore of the river is optional. If the water is warm enough, you can swim in the crystal clear lake and do some fishing. Visit the reindeer breeding family living on the shore of the lake. Stay overnight at the ger camp. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 16: Drive back to Murun and catch your flight back to Ulaanbaatar City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 17: Tour Ulaanbaatar City for a full day. Visit Gandan Monastery, and the Museum of National History. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 18: Take advantage of free time before your departure. Visit some cashmere, clothing, souvenir and antique shops. Transfer to the airport.
Mongolian horse racing
| 1. | Add State Naadam Festival during July 10-12 or Naadam Festival either in South Gobi, Arkhagai, Huvsgul provinces or Khar-Khorin |
| 2. | Add 1-5 day Nomadic Family Homestay |
| 3. | Remove either Lake Huvsgul, Central Mongolia or Gobi Desert Gobi component |
| 4. | Add 1-3 day horseback riding trip |
| 5. | Combine it with Wonders of Zavkhan trip (Trip code: B1) |
| 6. | Add or Remove 1-2 day Ulaanbaatar City Tour |
Tips for your stay in Mongolia
| • | Pack some warm clothes. It can be quite chilly in the evening in the countryside, even in summer. |
| • | Any major currency can be exchanged for Mongolian currency, "tugrug", at banks or exchange points in the capital, Ulaanbaatar City. But this is not the case anywhere else in Mongolia. |
| • | The exchange rate of Mongolian currency fort major currencies can be found at http://www.tdbm.mn. |
| • | You can buy a cell phone with a prepaid calling card for about $100 U.S. Cell phone service covers about a half of the Mongolian administrative unit centers. International call is possible in those areas from cell phones. |
| • | It is possible to pay for purchases with credit cards only in a few shops in Ulaanbaatar City. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. |
| • | The internet is rarely available, once you leave the capital city. |
| • | It is a good idea to keep your passport and documents in the safe deposit box of your hotel. |
| • | If your itinerary includes a domestic flight, you can carry 10 kilos (22 pound) of baggage for free. |
| • | It is alright to refuse if you are offered alcoholic drinks or fermented mare's milk. But to show respect, you may take a small taste or just dip your upper lip into the drink. |
| • | Do not drink too much fermented mare's milk, unless you have tried it before. Fermented mare's milk from different areas can have a different effect on your digestive system. |
Price
Copyright © 2010 by "Orient Expeditions" LLC • All Rights reserved • E-Mail: info@mongoliatravels.com
| • | Further price reductions for group(s) of 15 people or more. Contact us |
| • | One person is free for a group of every 15 people |
| • | Seasonal discounts / offers may be available. Check here |
The price INCLUDES:
The price does NOT INCLUDE:
| A. | International and domestic airfare and airport charges, international train ticket, if applies. |
| B. | Any type of insurance. |
| C. | Personal purchase such as cigarette, mini bar, telephone. |
| D. | Alcoholic drinks. |
| A. | All accommodation cost, including hotel in Ulaanbaatar city, ger tourist camp and tent camping, if any, costs. (for tent camping, bringing your own sleeping bag is recommended, but not required) |
| B. | All vehicle expense, horseback riding costs, riding equipments and horse-related expenses, if any |
| C. | Everyday 3 meals. |
| D. | National park entrance fee, road tax, museum and entertainment fees. |
| E. | All other taxes in Mongolia. |
| F. | Service of tour guide and driver and other staff. |
| G. | Mineral water, soft drinks. |
|
Number of people in your group |
2 | 3-4 | 5-10 | 11 - 14 |
| Price per person (in USD) | 2590 |
2390 |
2290 | 2090 |