West and Central Mongolia - Nature Discovery Tour
3 % OFFTour description
We welcome you to the world of astonishingly untouched nature with a surprising mixture of landscapes, majestic snow-capped mountains, gigantic blue lakes, rare flora and fauna as well as heterogeneous ethnic groups and unique nomadic culture that is Western Mongolia! If you work and live in a bustling city, this is an extremely restful environment where you should spend your vacation. Western Mongolia is a westerner’s dream, off the beaten path with abundant natural wonders. During this tour, we will visit not only the western area but also wonderful natural & cultural sights of southwestern Gobi and central Mongolia. Diverse, interesting activities are waiting for you. Mostly we will stay in the traditional Mongolian dwellings, the ger, sometimes overnight in tents in beautiful spots and gaze at the amazing starry sky before sleeping. Feel life’s freedom in the immeasurable spacious and silent paradise of Western Mongolia and enjoy the beauty of pristine nature.
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
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
Today we will drive to beautiful Khorgo-Terkh National Park. On the way we will pass through the town of Tsetserleg, the center of Arkhangai Province and visit the historic and legendary Taikhar Rock. On the rock are numerous ancient insriptions. Continue driving along the amazing canyon of Chuluut River and Khangai Zone. Arrive at the ger camp, relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Stay overnight in traditional Mongolian ger.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will visit the attractions of the park: the Khorgo extinct volcano, the Yellow Dog’s Hell, the Ice Cave and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. Khorgo – Terkh National Park has been protected since 1965 and covers an area of 773 square km. Khorgo Mountain was an active volcano just 8000 years ago and Khorgo is covered with basalt. Red deer, Siberian deer, wild boar, reddish and black ducks are found in the park. During the summer, great cormorants commonly nest at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. The lake is beautiful with crystal clear fresh water and supports pike & other fish. Torrents of lava issuing from the Khorgo Volcano dammed the Terkh River in the north and south forming the lake and is at an altitude of 2060 meters above sea level. Enjoy walking and bird watching by the lake shore.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to beautiful Telmen Lake in Zavkhan Province. This salt lake is at an altitude of 1789 meters above sea level and covers an area of 194 square km. We will camp at the eastern end of Telmen Lake. Free time for hiking by the lake shore and relaxing in the quiet beauty of nature.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Khar Lake to see the wonderful joining of a fresh water lake and sand dunes. Khar Lake is at an altitude of 1980 meters above sea level and covers an area of 89 square km. Enjoy climbing the sand dunes, hiking, swimming and admire the natural beauty.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue driving to Khyargas Lake along the Bor Khyariin Els Sand Dunes. Khyargas Lake is one of the largest lakes in Mongolia and is located in the Great Lakes Depression that is a globally important wetland area for migratory birds and is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Khyargas Lake is a huge inland sea 75 km long, 31 km wide and 80 meters deep. The water is brackish and has rare fish such as Mongolian grayling. The surrounding atmosphere of the lake area makes you feel that you are really separated from bustling outside world. Enjoy relaxing and bird watching.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will travel to the untouched Kharkhiraa Turgen Mountain Range. On the way enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Khan Khukhii Mountain Range. The mountains of Kharkhiraa Uul and Turgen Uul are perpetually snow capped. Kharkhiraa Mountain reaches 4038 meters above sea level and Turgen Mountain reaches 3965 meters. Here there are many kinds of rare plants and animals such as snow leopard and wild Argali sheep. The mountain range is a great place for hiking. We will make a short visit to Ulaangom, center of Uvs Province, and view Mongolia’s largest lake "Uvs". Uvs Lake’s surface covers 3351 square km and the surrounding area becomes the coldest part of Mongolia in winter time. Ornithologists have documented over 220 species of birds around Uvs Lake including cranes, spoonbills, geese and eagles, as well as gulls. Visit Uvs Province Museum in Ulaangom.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to the northwestern part of the Kharkhiraa Turgen mountains. On the way we will visit a local nomadic family and learn about their rich culture and nomadic way of life. The family will be from any one of Uvs Province’s ethnic groups: Dorvod, Bayad, Khalkh or Khoton. Have a pleasant trek around the camp area or in the beautiful Kharkhiraa Turgen mountains.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we drive to Ulgii, center of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s western most province. The province is famous for its untouched snow-capped mountains and the Kazakh nation that makes up nearly 5% of the population with their rich, unique culture. Visit the museum of Bayan-Ulgii Province and learn basic information about the area. Then we will visit a local eagle hunter’s family and learn about the Kazakh people’s unique lifestyle, traditions and how they train the eagles for hunting.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive to the center of Khovd Province and visit Tolbo Lake and Tsambagarav Mountain on the way. Tolbo is a crystal clear, freshwater lake at an altitude of 2080 meters above sea level and has a 185 square km surface. Enjoy some hiking in the pristine nature of Khovd Province. Khovd Province is renowned as the native land of multi-ethnic groups and a center of Khoomii (throat singing), one of the most enigmatic arts of Mongolia. Admire the outstanding view of 4202 meters high Tsambagarav Mountain that is one of the 13 highest and snow-capped mountains of Mongolia.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will visit Gurvan Tsenkher Cave in Mankhan Sum. The cave is about 220 meters long and inside are ancient rock paintings drawn 22000 years ago by the people who lived in the cave. The cave became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. Enjoy exploring the cave and viewing the rock drawings.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive towards Altai, center of Gobi-Altai Province. On the way we will see beautifully snow-capped Sutai Sacred Mountain (4090 meters above sea level) and cross the Kuisiin Gobi, one of the most famous of the 33 Gobi areas of Mongolia. Admire the unique nature the Gobi and Altai Zones. On the way we might have a rare chance to see wild camel, saiga, ibex or antelope. Visit the province museum and a local market.
Stay: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we drive to Buun Tsagaan Lake in Bayankhongor Province through Delger Steppe. Buun Tsagaan Lake is a large saltwater lake at the end of Baidrag River. The lake is popular with birdlife, especially whooper swan, swan geese, relict gull and bar-headed geese – mentioned in the “Red Book of Mongolia”. Enjoy hiking and bird watching by the lake shore.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will drive towards the Ikh Bogd Mountain Range in Bayangobi Sum. On the way we will visit Tsagaan Bulag, a white rock with the faint imprints of strange figures that locals believe were created by aliens. Then we visit the famous Bichigt Rock. Bichigt is a rock canyon with well-preserved rock engravings and drawings dating from the Bronze Age. The rock drawings depict the life of ancient people, daily activities, hunting, agricultural scenes and wildlife in surprising ways. Enjoy seeing thousands of examples of ancient arts.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue driving to White Cave or “Tagaan agui” in Mongolian. White Cave is located in gorgeous Ikh Bogd Mountain (3957 meters above sea level). The cave’s inner wall is covered with crystals. The White Cave was home to ancient people and scientists have found traces of Stone Age people from 700,000 years ago. Drive to Bogd Sum overlooking Orog Lake.
Stay: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Arvaikheer, center of Uvurkhangai Province overlooking the Bayanteeg coal mining area and also see local gold miners working on the way. Arrive in Arvaikheer, relax and explore the town.
Stay: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to the northeast to Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes. 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 Erdene Khamba Temple in picturesque Khugnu Khan Mountain. Enjoy riding a two-humped camel, walking and climbing on the sand dunes.
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
Return 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