Karakorum and Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes
10 % OFF until March 2024Tour description
This 2 day trip will take you to the ancient Mongolian capital of Karakorum, beautiful and functioning Erdenezuu Monastery decorated with 108 white stupas and other surrounding places. Other central Mongolian locations we will visit include beautiful sand dunes and Erdene Khamba Buddhist Monastery. Karakorum was the 13th Century capital of Great Mongolian Empire of Chinggis Khaan. Most westerners recognize it “Karakorum” but Mongolians call it “Kharkhorin”. Erdenezuu is 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. It has been restored and is still beautiful and again a functioning monastery. Elsen Tasarkhai is a part of the 80 km long Mongol Els Sand Dunes. The nature in this area is really spectacular and great for relaxing. During the trip, you will also have opportunities to visit a local nomadic family, ride two-humped Bactrian camel, walk on sand dunes, experience staying in a traditional Mongolian dwelling, the ger, and walk and relax in beautifully serene nature. You may choose this Mongolia short tour program as a whole or also you can choose one or two day tour programs. Because of its proximity and good road connection to Ulaanbaatar, Karakorum can easily be made a part of most tours and extended with other tours. Enjoy Mongolian short trips and day tours with us!
Tour itinerary day by day
Meet at your hotel/ accommodations in the morning and we will drive west to beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes. Transfer to a ger camp and have lunch. 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. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Stay: Ger camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast 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. Have lunch at a restaurant and return to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive at your hotel/ accommodations late in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch