Central Mongolian Highlights Tour
9 % OFFTour description
The central Mongolian region is popular for its incredible natural beauty like the spectacular mountain range of Khangai, dense forests, flower covered valleys, freshwater rivers & lakes, the beautiful sand dunes of Mongol Els and its exquisite Buddhist temples: Erdenezuu, Tuvkhun, Shankh and Erdene Khamba.
This wonderful tour gives you opportunities to enjoy visiting most of the exciting natural & historical sites of central Mongolia, relaxing in beautiful nature, seeing wildlife, riding camels near the sand dunes, boating on freshwater lakes, experiencing the nomadic lifestyle, watching a cultural show and many more.
Join us for the Central Mongolian Highlights Tour and be sure it will be your unforgettable holiday of a lifetime in Mongolia.
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 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
Early in the morning we will drive west to Ugii Lake. The lake covers 25 square km and is rich in perch and pike. Crane, duck and other species migrate to this area beginning in May. Swan, geese, white spoonbill, Dalmatian pelican and others have also been sighted. Enjoy a boat journey on the lake, bird watching and walking by the lake shore. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will drive to the ancient Mongolian capital, Karakorum. On the way we will visit Khushuu Tsaidam, an ancient Turkish State King’s burial site. Karakorum was a capital of Great Mongolian Empire of Chinggis Khan in the 13-14th Centuries. Visit one of the 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 is 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. Return to the camp.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive to Ulaantsutgalan via the Tuvkhun Monastary. Tuvkhun Monastery is located on the top of the 2312 meter high Undur Shireet Mountain. The monastery was established by the first Mongolian Buddhist saint, Zanabazar, in 1654. Zanabazar lived, worked and meditated here for 30 years. There are 14 small temples, a hermit’s cave, several pilgrimage sites as well as Zanabazar’s boot imprint on a rock. Enjoy amazing views of the natural surroundings from the peak. Continue driving and visit Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall. The waterfall is on Ulaan River which flows through basalt rocks formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes around 20000 years ago. Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall cascades from a height of 20 meters and is naturally most impressive after heavy rain but disappears in dry seasons.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We drive to beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes via Shankh Monastery. Shankh is one of the oldest monasteries in Mongolia and its monks still practice original Buddhist traditions. The monastery is famous for having saved Chinggis Khan’s black spirit banner until 1980s. It is an excellent example of a very old, simple monastery. Elsen 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 enjoy riding a two-humped camel, walking and climbing on the sand dunes.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will 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 the 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