Classic Mongolian Adventure

Zorgol khairkhan is a sacred mountain, found in the area of Bayan Unjuul soum of Tuv province, about 150 km from Ulaanbaatar. The peak is 1686m above the sea level. Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain is venerated and revered by the local people, who believe that it is the siege of a great, benevolent spirit. The huge, red granite mountain does indeed have a diverse and beautiful nature to offer. It has many caves and water springs and home to Argali wild sheep, Ibex and Red deer and many other animals.
There are several burial sites of ancient Mongol soldiers around this mountain. According to shamanic custom, pronouncing the name of the holy mountains while visiting them is forbidden. In history, it is said that Chinggis Khaan used to go for hunting around this mountain.

Day 1.Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel in the city centre. After lunch, we will start the city tour including Gandan Monastery, Chinggis Khaan square and surroundings including Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace and House of City Council. Then we will drive to Zaisan Hill, which provides wide view of the Ulaanbaatar then we will visit Museum of National history with an excellent exhibitions such as Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 2. Baga gazriin chuluu. 280km After breakfast we will drive through Zorgol Khairkhan mountain to Baga gazriin chuluu. After picnic lunch on the road we will visit Baga gazriin chuluu. Baga Gazariin Chuluu is 1751-meter high granite stone mountains in the territory of Adaatsag soum, Dundgobi province, is another place with unique scenery that many tourists compare with lunar scenes. The mountain contains remains of old temples. They are not only rich in minerals, crystals but also eyes spring, old stone temple ruins related with 17th century. Overnight at the camp.

Day 3. Yoll valley. 450km After breakfast at the camp, we will drive to the direction of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park in the South Gobi province. On the way, we will visit Sum Khukh Burd, is ruins of Stone temple of 13th century, which locates in the middle of oasis Burd. Famous Mongolian Saint Danzanravjaa used to play his drama of " Saran Khukhoo" in the temple. The next stop is Erdenedalai monastery which was built at the end of the 18th century, and about 500 monks lived there. In 1937, it was one of the very few monasteries and temples which were not destroyed under the rule of Choibalsan. In the afternoon, we will pass by Moltsog sand dunes, continue to drive to the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. Overnight at the camp.

Day 4. Khongor sand dunes. 180km After breakfast at the camp, we will visit Yoll valley, is the narrow canyon of a river that flows through the Zuun Saikhan Mountain. The rock walls stand 200m and the canyon has green meadows with thick glacier layer that is deeply set between the walls. We will hike or ride a horse to the canyon from the parking for 3-4km. We will have picnic lunch on the Dunegnee canyon. We will arrive at the Khongor sand dunes in the afternoon. Khongoriin Els dunes stretch for 180 kms, as wide as 7-20km. The dunes lie on the northern part of Servei and Zuulun mountain. The sound of masses of wind-blown sand can be heard from the long distance. Overnight at the camp.

Day 5. Ruins of Ongi Monastery via Bayanzag. 300km After breakfast at the camp, we will drive to Bayanzag, a famous Flaming Cliffs named after by Roy Andrews Chapman, a modern day Indiana Jones. He was an American explorer who visited Mongolia in 1920s. The striking red Bayanzag cliffs have dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones all over the place and neighbored by bushy Saxual tree forests. After lunch at Bayanzag we will drive to the Ruins of Ongi Monastery, which was founded in 1660 and consisted of two temple complexes on the north and south banks of the Ongi River. The older southern complex consisted of various administrative buildings as well as 11 temples. The northern complex built in the 18^th century, consisted of 17 temples-among them one of the largest temples in all Mongolia. Overnight at the camp.

Day 6. Orkhon waterfall via Uurtiin canyon. 300km After breakfast we will drive to Orkhon waterfall which is situated in the Orkhon river, that flows 1120km; the longest river in Mongolia. The local name of the waterfall is Ulaan Tsutgalan and the height is 24m, waterfall was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes about 20 000 years ago. The water level of the waterfall depends on the rainfall. Hiking opportunities to the bottom of the gorge. Overnight at the camp.

Day 7. Kharkhorin via Tsagaan sum hot spring. 280km After breakfast we will drive to Kharkhorin via Tsagaan sum spring, which is located at Khotont sum of Arkhangai province with a degree of 69C. We will visit Kharkhorin; an ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and Erdenezuu Monastery. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of Orkhon river in 1220. Kharkhorin played significant role in Mongolian history and was a capital city of Mongolian Great Empire until Khubilai Khaan, a grandson of Chinggis Khaan moved the capital to Beijing of Yuan Dynasty. Erdenezuu Monastery – the first Buddhist monastery was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, descendant of Chinggis Khaan, on the ruins of Kharkhorin in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by beautiful looking white walls with 108 stupas. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 8 . Elsentasarkhai. 100km After breakfast, we will drive to Bayangobi. It is a unique place with many different forms of natural landscape; combination of a Gobi sand dunes, forests and rocky mountains. We will have lunch in the ger camp. We will visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is 20 kms drive from the camp. The monastery is located in the majestic looking Khugnu Khaan mountain. Enlightened Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar, a religious leader, philosopher, and sculptor was founded Uvgun and Zaluu temples for his religious teacher. The soldiers of Oirad nobleman Galdan boshigt destroyed the monasteries and assassinated the monks in 1688. We will have opportunities to visit horse breeder’s family and experience making of airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made by mare’s milk. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 9. Ulaanbaatar. 280km After breakfast, we will visit Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 dedicated to the 8^th Bogd Gegeen, the head of lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Amazing bronze castings, silk paintings, paper icons, mineral paintings, god statues made by Zanabazar and his students is the main attraction of this Palace. After lunch, we will visit cashmere outlet factory and state department store for souvenir shopping. Traditional folklore performance in the evening. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 10. Departure. We will end our memorable tour by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with team of Blue Gobi Tours.