16 Days From desert to steppe

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu
1 stop
1
Mandalgovi
Ulaanbaatar– Baga Gazriin Chuluu 250km • Visit one of the few rocky mountains of Gobi, Baga Gazriin Chuluu where you will find gorgeous looking granite rock formations shaped in different forms eroded by wind and other violent elements of Gobi. During mid-18th century some high ranked and locally respected Buddhist monks lived in the area, as evidence of their existence we will see some temple ruins and inscriptions on the rock. According to some historical sources, Chinggis Khaan also had lived here. It’s a great location for some pleasant hike.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Great white stupa in the desert
1 stop
2
Dalanzadgad
Baga Gazriin Chuluu – Tsagaan Suvraga/White stupa 220km • Today we will be driving thru vast and empty rocky desert and semi-arid steppe to reach out White Stupa. Mongolians always have admired and honored this unique natural formation of 30ms height, precipitous, stupa shaped slopes as White Stupa. The place definitely will remind travelers some lunar landscape with its mystery of fossils hidden underneath and stunning color combinations. The area deemed to be bottom an ancient ocean.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Three beautiful mountains- Gobi Gurvan Saikhan
1 stop
3
Dalanzadgad
White stupa – Yoliin am 225km • Today we will reach Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park which covers some chain of mountain ranges as the southern end of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. Gurvan Saikhan literally meaning “Three Beauties” referred to the highest three peaks of the range which is almost over 2800ms. • Hiking in the Yoliin Am or Bearded Vulture’s canyon. Regarding the snowfall and shade in the canyon, oftentimes there formed a high layer of ice cover which sometimes will stay till mid-July. During our walk, we may either walk on top or bottom, or just see the parts of this ice. The canyon is surrounded with steep Rocky Mountains creating some shade which is pleasant to hike thru during hot days of Gobi desert. During out hike, you may notice some rodents such as pica and ground squirrel along with colorful wild flowers and plants. Although mountains are the home for wildlife like ibex, mountain goat and argali, the wild sheep, spotting these animals will purely depend on fortune. • Continue driving towards to Dungenee canyon where we can start another beautiful hike along the stream in the canyon.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Khongor sand dunes
1 stop
4
Dalanzadgad
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan - Khongor sand dunes 180km • Continue driving to west of the park to Khongor sand dunes which are known as the highest and biggest dunes in the country.• Stop at Khongoriin Els or Khongor sand dunes. These are the most astonishing dunes of Mongolia with extension of over 180kms length and around 3-15kms width and average height is 80ms. The highest dune is 200ms and from the top these dunes you will capture amazing view of Gobi with the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. When you climb the dunes they shift and cause a sound of vibration which very much resembles to the sound of an airplane hence it’s also called Singing Dunes.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Khongor sand dunes
1 stop
5
Dalanzadgad
• When you are in Gobi, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get on the Bactrian Camels. It’s obviously is one of the remarkable experiences to trek on the camels along the dunes, on the green lush down the foot of the dunes. Our camel riding will last until we reach a small oasis where there are some Gobi bushes and shrubs. Camels are great lovers of Saxaul shrubs and it’s considered as the most precious wood in the desert for its outstanding survival and growth on desert soil. You will surely enjoy the pristine nature and high mountains during the ride.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Flaming cliffs of Bayanzag and Ongi Monastery ruins
1 stop
6
Mandalgovi
Khongor Sand Dunes – Bayanzag- Ongi Monastery – 300km • Arrive at the cliffs of Bayanzag, most commonly known as “Flaming Cliffs” for its bister red color which is the cradle of dinosaurs. A Saxaul forest not far from the cliffs and cliffs themselves are true evidences of the time when our planet was still occupied by massive creatures-the dinosaurs. American explorer Roy Andrews Chapman was the first to reveal dinosaur fossils and eggs in 1922 from Bayanzag and other neighboring localities which are today displayed in Mongolian dinosaur museums in Ulaanbaatar and other museums around the world. • Continue driving to Saikhan Ovoo village of Middle Gobi province. Some smaller rocky mountains are beautifully set along the Ongi River where Ongi Monastery ruins are found. It’s a perfect place to have a time out before entering Khangai regions. Upon your arrival discover the site of Ongi lamasery which was unfortunately heavily destroyed in 1937. In 2002 some local lamas arrived at the once famous Ongi Monastery and began the restoration with very limited resources and much enthusiasm.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Reaching the Khangai Mountains
1 stop
7
• Day of transition between desert and green mountains steppe natural zones. We will steadily transfer from Gobi desert to green steppe with endless rolling hills and plains that will lead to Khujirt village before stepping in majestic Orkhon Valley. Here we stop for our supplies at the local market. • Continue driving off road along the thrilling landscape thru the home of yak breeders and speedy horses who will host us at the heart of Orkhon valley
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Horse trekking to Eight Lakes
1 stop
8
Orkhon waterfall- Eight Lakes approx. 4-5 hours horse ride • Today we will start of journey on the horse to the remote Eight Lakes. The horse trail is pretty rough and notably harsh due to the lava stones which make it more challenging yet beautiful too. As we reach the area, we will be visiting several lakes as the name suggests surrounded with larch forest and rich green meadow. Due to the higher altitude, the area is quite cool and it isn’t a surprise to have snow in August or September.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Hiking to Shireet Lake
1 stop
9
• Easy day with a mild hike to the biggest of all Eight Lakes, Shireet. We will dismount our horses and continue with hiking in the area to discover its splendors and arrive at Lake Shireet, probably the most beautiful of all. Explore the area. • Head back to the host family to benefit simple pleasures of nomadic life in nature such as drinking yak milk tea, playing anklebones, enjoying sunset or just stargazing.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Horse trekking back to Bodon Pass
1 stop
10
• Riding our horses and slowly returning to Bodon Pass, where our vans will be waiting for us. Drive to waterfall area.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Tsenkher Hot Spring
1 stop
11
Tsetserleg
Orkhon waterfall - Tsenkher hot springs 150km • Arrive at Tsenkher Hot springs. It is one of the biggest Mongolia’s hot springs, has a temperature of 86 degrees. It’s popular for its healing properties and high content of sulphur. The hot spring is mostly used for relaxing and restoring your health. Here we will have a hot tub outside and enjoy cold beer and beautiful scenery. Optional hiking and a great place for wild flower observers.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
The Great White Lake of Mongolia
1 stop
12
Arkhangai Province
Hot spring – Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park 190km • Road to Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park which is located in Arkhangai province and created by a volcanic eruption. The Lake is called White Lake by locals as a symbol respect to the nature and water. There are few kinds of fish were found in the lake.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 13
The Great White Lake of Mongolia
1 stop
13
Arkhangai Province
• Hiking along the shore of the Lake. Visit to an extinct volcano Khorgo which is on the height of 2240ms. From the top of the Volcano you will enjoy the amazing lava flows covered with forest and splendid view of the lake. Some thousands of years old lava flow formed an original scene that has never seen elsewhere in Mongolia.
6 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Former capital of Great Mongolian Empire, Kharhorin
1 stop
14
Terkhiin Tsagaan nuur– Kharhorin 220km • A morning drive will take us to Kharhorin, the former capital of Great Mongolian Empire in the 13th century. Although considered as an ancient capital, there are very few remains left from this historic place. We will visit the one of the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery named “Erdene Zuu” which was built upon the ruins and foundations of capital Kharhorin in 1586. Luckily it has survived communist purges in 1937 and was re-opened as a museum. Current Kharhorin is small village type settlement with over 3000 residents. • Excursion to the local museum of Kharhorin city where you will explore traces of Mongolian history dating from early Stone Age to Great Mongolian Empire. The museum offers great collections of items that were found from various excavation and expeditions around Kharhorin and Orkhon Valley. Following the museum we will stopover by other sites such as phallic rock and Turtle rocks.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 15
On the way to Mini-Gobi
1 stop
15
Bulgan Province
Kharhorin - Khugnu Khan 100 km ● Arrive at Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve today which is a combination of all kinds of natural settings such as mountains, forest, steppe, desert, small lake and mineral water spring all in same location forming unique scenery and representation of different natural zones. The area is perfect for hiking, climbing and horse riding. • Hiking to the ruins of Erdene Khamba Monastery which dates from 17th century with the perfect location of concealing and escaping the wind and cold of the steppe in the granite mountain. • Visit Dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 16
Back to Ulaanbaatar
1 stop
16
Töv
Khugnu Khaan - Ulaanbaatar 280km • On the way you see the herds of horses crossing the roads, smokes of gers fading away and never ending hills and steppe. • Return to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your accommodation.
6 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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