Ancient Capital Karakorum Tour
10 % OFF until March 2024Tour description
Karakorum is a destination not to be missed by visitors who are coming to Mongolia. This is a heart of Mongolia. Karakorum was the 13th Century capital of Great Mongolian Empire of Chinggis Khaan. Most westerners recognize it as “Karakorum” but Mongolians call it “Kharkhorin”. The original city of Karakorum was destroyed in the 14th Century by ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty soldiers. Close to the modern Karakorum is the Erdenezuu Monastery a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastery was built in 1586 using stones from the ruins of ancient Karakorum. Erdenezuu was the first Buddhist center in Mongolia. At its height, the monastery housed over 1500 monks in over 60 temples before the communist purges of the 1937. Now there is a beautiful and functional Erdenezuu Monastery which is decorated by 108 white stupas. There are also other interesting sightseeing places around Karakorum. Because of its proximity and good road connection to Ulaanbaatar, Karakorum can easily be a part of most tours and extended with other tours. Ulaanbaatar city tours, beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes, Khustai National Parks and other interesting activities are essential parts of the tour. Please see more about the tour below and contact us to take this tour!
Tour itinerary day by day
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. We will meet you at the airport with your name sign. Visit the National Museum of Mongolian History, Gandan Buddhist Monastery and Genghis Square (Sukhbaatar Square), the city’s central square in front of the Mongolian Parliament building. Here we will provide you with some basic information about Mongolia and our capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Stay: Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will drive west to beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes. Tasarkhai is one of the most picturesque places of Mongolia and is part of the 80 km long Mongol Els Sand Dunes. This place is a wonderful combination of pretty sand dunes, majestic granite mountains, grassy green land, a clear fresh spring and a tiny lake. Indeed, here you can enjoy seeing the combination of Gobi and Khangai Natural Zones. Visit the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes and Erdene Khamba Temple in picturesque Khugnu Khan Mountain. Enjoy riding a two-humped camel, walking and climbing on the sand dunes. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia. Karakorum (Kharkhorin) was the capital of Great Mongolian Empire of Chinggis Khan in the 13-14th Centuries. Visit one of Mongolia’s two largest monasteries, “Erdenezuu”, Museum of Karakorum and surrounding sites of Karakorum: the Great Khan’s monument, the legendary Turtle of Karakorum and the Phallic Rock statue. Erdenezuu Monastery has a complex of 108 stupas and over 10 temples that contain rich displays of Mongolian Buddhism. The Erdenezuu Monastery and ruins of Karakorum were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Khustai National Park. This park protects the “Takhi” wild horse, also known as Przewalski’s wild horse. The park also contains a great diversity of other rare wild animals and plants. Visit a small museum of the Takhi wild horse and watch a short documentary film about Khustai NP. Enjoy seeing the Takhi wild horse and other wild life in the late afternoon.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Visit Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the last Mongolian king’s winter palace, Buddha Park, featuring a 23 meter tall statue of Buddha and the Zaisan Hill War Memorial. The huge monument on the top of the hill was created as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War II. Zaisan Hill overlooks the city and offers the best panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar and its surrounding sacred mountains. Later we will go shopping at a cashmere factory outlet store, a souvenir shop or whatever else you want to do. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian folklore performance of song, dance, music and contortionists followed by a farewell dinner at a fine Mongolian restaurant.
Stay: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meet at the hotel and transfer to the airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast