Nomadic Trials

Khuvsgul Lake is the “Mother of Sea” among Mongolians. This lake is sacred to all Mongols and water is crystal clean and located in the northernmost province with 36km wide, 262m deep and 136km long. The surrounding mountain covered by Siberian larch and pine tree forest offer extraordinary atmosphere with many wild life such as argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver and moose. The highlight of the area is the ethnic reindeer herders called Tsaatan. This ethnic groups of Turkic origin related to the Tuvans are the people with small numbers, inhabit the remotest corner of the taigas. Tsaatan people worship “the Eternal Blue Sky and Mother Earth” and retained an ancient, unusual culture based on shamanistic rituals and forest-based reindeer-herding.

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. Kharkhorin via Shankh monastery. 300km In the morning, we will drive to Shankh monastery, once known as the West Monastery, is the only one of the region's monasteries other than Erdene Zuu to have survived. Shankh was renowned because of its connections with the great Zanabazar and is said to have once housed Chinggis Khaan's black military banner. In the afternoon, 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 at the ger camp.

Day 7. Tsenkher hot spring. 110km In the morning we will drive to Tsenkher hot spring, a sulphur spring that emerges from the ground at 85 Celsius degree, were outfitted for visitors in 1996. The facility includes outdoor and indoor baths, showers and accommodations. We will take a long soak in the therapeutic waters. It is the perfect way of relaxing after a day's adventure in the jeep, or on saddle. This is the area of Mongolia where you may see the most gers and horse breeders and you will have the chance to visit a family and try the national drink airag, which is made from fermented mare’s milk.Overnight in the ger.

Day 8. Khorgo volcano via Tsetserleg. 350km After breakfast, we will drive through the Tsetserleg city; a capital of Arkhangai province. On the way, we will visit Taikhar Rock, 16m high boulder is located on the bank of Tamir with 150 inscriptions and engravings of many languages. We will pass Zuun Mod – the “Hundred Tree” a sacred tree hidden by thick layers of scarves deposited by worshipers and the Chuluut River Gorge. We will arrive in Khorgo Volcano in the late afternoon. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 9. Zuun nuur via Jargal jiguur. 210km After breakfast, we will drive through Jargal Jiguur, another hot spring spot to Zuun lake. This is a large lake and the scenic highlight of the region. There is good camping here or you can stay at the Dalai Van ger camp, on the southern side of the lake. Around 30km south of Shine-Ider, right on the main road, is an area of standing stones and graves. A further 8km brings you to a scenic pass and the historic Gelenkhuugiin Suvraga, an old stupa built in 1890 by local hero Khainzan Gelenkhuu. Overnight at ger camp.

Day 10. Khuvsgul via Murun. 280km After breakfast we will drive to Murun, a capital of Khuvsgul province and will have lunch there. We will drive to Khuvsgul lake, the second largest freshwater lake in the Central Asia depth of 262m. This lake is fed by ninety six rivers and streams but only Egiin River flows out from the lake, joining the Selenge River and Lake Baikal. Khuvsgul lake is inhabited by nine species of fish, while the nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, mountains and the lake provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer and brown bear as well as 244 species of birds and 750 species of plants. The lake is surrounded by mountains with thick pine forests and lush meadows. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 11. Khuvsgul lake. 60km In the morning we will hike in the mountain to have a better look of the crystal blue lake. We will ride horses around the shore and boating on the lake. In the afternoon, we will drive to the north to visit Reindeer village where we can experience Tsaatan - reindeer breeders’ unique life, traditional tent dwelling “Urts” and herds of reindeers. Return to the ger camp and overnight in the ger.

Day 12. Khutag Undur. 300km. In the morning, we will drive back to the direction of Ulaanbaatar. On the way, we will see Khangai landscape with many nomadic families and horses. We will arrive at the camp in the afternoon. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 13. Amarbayasgalant via Uran volcano. 300km. We will drive to Uran volcano. It is located about 60 km directly west of Bulgan city around the extinct volcanoes Uran Togoo, Tulga, Togoo, and Jalavch Uul. All four mountain names allude to their volcanic past with designations borrowed from around the fireplace. The Uran Togoo and Togoo mountains are named for their bowl shape, the Tulga mountain for its three mounds reminding of the traditional iron tripod kettle support. Jalavch ist a term for a small pot. We will visit Amarbayasgalant monastery in the afternoon. Amarbayasgalant is the Monastery of Tranquil Felicity, once one of the three largest Buddhist centers in Mongolia, is located near the Selenge River. It was built between 1727 and 1736 by Zanabazar, the first Bogd Khaan Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, a religious and cultural; leader. Unlike other monasteries Amarbayasgalant shows great class of style. The overall design is Chinese despite some Mongolian and Tibetan influence. Amarbayasgalant monastery is a 2 storey building that covers an area of 87 hectares. Overnight at the camp.

Day 14. Ulaanbaatar. 380km After breakfast, we will drive to Ulaanbaatar and arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon. 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 15. We will end our memorable tour by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with team of Blue Gobi Tours.