5 Day Treasures of Central Mongolia

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Drive to Elsen- Tasarkhai semi-desert
2 stops
1
Elsen Tasarkhai
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel, and we'll begin our scenic drive (approximately 280 km) to Elsen Tasarkhai, often referred to as the Mini Gobi. Located within Khogno Khan National Park, this remarkable area offers a unique landscape where golden sand dunes meet granite mountains, lush green steppe, and a small forest nourished by a winding river—a rare combination of Mongolia's diverse natural scenery in one destination. Upon arrival, enjoy a one-hour camel ride across the sand dunes, followed by time to walk along the dunes and take in the spectacular panoramic views.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
2
Later, we hike to the peaceful Erdene Khamba (Uvgun) Monastery, nestled at the foot of the Khogno Khan Mountains. Originally established in the 17th century, the monastery is surrounded by dramatic granite cliffs and offers a tranquil setting with beautiful views over the steppe and sand dunes. After exploring the monastery, continue to your tourist ger camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Drive to UNESCO'S heritage site of Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall
1 stop
3
Today, we drive to the Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan), located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, inscribed in 2005. The valley has been the cradle of Mongolian civilization for centuries and is home to numerous archaeological sites, ancient monuments, and the remains of former nomadic empires. En route, we visit Shankh Monastery, one of Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monasteries, founded in 1647 by Zanabazar. Restored after the religious purges of the 1930s, it remains an active monastery and offers a glimpse into Mongolia's Buddhist heritage. We then continue to Orkhon Waterfall, formed by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes around 20,000 years ago. The waterfall plunges 22 meters into a dramatic basalt canyon carved by the Orkhon River, making it one of Mongolia's most scenic natural attractions. Overnight at a tourist ger camp near Orkhon Waterfall.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Drive a short distance to Tuvkhun Monastery, a hidden gem.
1 stop
4
Today, we will drive to Tuvkhun Monastery. Visitors hike 5 km up to the monastery from the skirt of the mountain. The Tuvkhun monastery was first established in 1648 by the 14-year-old Zanabazar first Jebtsundamba khutuktu Bogd. He first noticed this beautiful place in 1651 and then built a small wooden cabin for meditation. That was the beginning of the Tuvkhun monastery.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Drive to 13th century capital Kharkhorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery
1 stop
5
Kharkhorin
In the morning, we will visit the Kharkorum Museum, the Great Mongolian Empire's ancient capital. The city served as the Mongolian capital for only 40 years (until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing). Chinese soldiers later destroyed most of the city during the second half of the 14th century. And the remnants of the town were used to build the ErdeneZuu Monastery in the 16th century. Upon arrival in the Kharkorum, the first and most prominent landmark is the massive walls of the Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar city via Hustai National Park
1 stop
6
Hustai National Park
This morning, after having a hearty breakfast, we will drive to Hustai National Park, which is famous for its successful reintroduction of Przewalski's horse, Equus przewalskii, the only remaining wild horse, since 1992. Also, the Takhi, as Mongolians call them, roamed freely in their homeland once again. The park and its surrounding area have much to offer to lovers of nature and culture in Asia's heartland. Once we discover the national park, we will drive to about 110 km to Ulaanbaatar city to drop you off at your hotel. The end of the tour. Thank you very much for choosing to travel with us—we truly appreciate it. We hope you had a memorable and enriching experience in Mongolia, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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