The highlights of Mongolia’s Northern provinces, an alpine region bordering the forests of Siberia, and the pristine Lake Khuvsgul, known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl.” Believed to be several million years old, Mongolia’s deepest freshwater lake is surrounded by dozens of small rivers and streams that empty into its waters, pristine taiga forest, and valleys and meadows rich with wildflowers. Northern Mongolia tour offers a chance to see a large population of reindeer along with largest ancient burial site - Uushig deer stones as well as fun activities such as horse riding and hiking around the breathtakingly beautiful areas of Khuvsgul Lake National Park.
Amarbayasgalant - Erdene Zuu monasteries
Khuvsgul lake, Khorgo-Terkh National Park
13th century ancient capital of Mongol Empire Karakorum
Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes
reindeer herders and nomadic family visits
hiking
horse riding
camel riding
real Mongolian barbeque Khorkhog
In the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up from your accommodation and start our tour driving to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Before we leave the city we will pass some shops and then drive around 360 kms by paved road. Amarbayasgalant is the most beautiful and well preserved old monastery in northern Mongolia, which was established in 1726-1736 by order of Manchu emperor Yongzheng, and dedicated to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor Zanabazar, whose mummified body was moved here in 1779. The beauty, decorations and construction of the monastery have made it one of the most magnificent architectural monuments not only in Mongolia, but in the whole Asia. Amarbayasgalant Monastery was not totally destroyed during the purges of 1937-38. However, all its senior monks were brutally executed. Today this spectacular monastery has some 60 novices and ordained monks who practice dharma in residence. Arrive at the camp in the afternoon, visit to the Monastery and enjoy hiking around. Overnight in Ger camp.
Today we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake, which is known as the second clearest lake in Central Asia. After lunch at Murun town (provincial center of Khuvsgul province), drive to see Uushig deer stone monuments. The deer stones spread widely in Central Asia. 600 deer stones were found in Central Asia. 500 of them were found in the territory of Mongolia. Deer stone is the first monuments of human. The earliest of them belong to XIII-IX century BC while most of them belong to the Bronze Age. Continue travel to Lake Khuvsgul, as a dubbed as Mongolia Switzerland and a lake surrounded with green forest mountains and water is crystal clear so that you can see bottom of lake. Arrive at the Khuvsgul Lake National Park, dinner and free time. Overnight in Ger camp.
After breakfast, we will drive to the Reindeer Herders/Tsaatan people, who live in the depths of the taiga forest. Few reindeer are the main resource of their livelihood. In summer months, mostly in July and August, few reindeer families move down from mountain close to the lake to increase their livelihood. This small journey offers brief introduction of Tsaatan people’s lifestyle and great photo opportunity. After lunch, you will have a hiking activity accompany with your guide. Hiking and climbing up to the top of the back mountain of the lake is unforgettable. From the top of mountain magnificent Khuvsgul Lake looks turquoise. Walking by the edge of the lake you will see the crystal-clear part of the lake famous for its name ‘’Dark blue pearl’’. Overnight in Ger camp.
After breakfast, you will meet the local horsemen who will accompany with you today. He will give you some instruction on riding do and don't on the trail for your safety. Then our journey will start and horse riding through flower-carpeted forests and along the shore of the lake. In the evening come back to the camp. Overnight in Ger camp.
Drive back to Murun town and visit local black market. Today we will have an overnight stop close to the Shine ider village. We will pass high mountain pass of a forested mountain. Arrive at the camp in the afternoon, hike through the surrounding beautiful mountains or just relax in the nature. Overnight in Ger camp.
After breakfast, drive to Khorgo Terkh White Lake National Park. Surrounded by extinct volcanoes, Terkh White is one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia. Being elevation at an altitude of 2,060 meters, the lake occupies and area of over 61 square kilometers. This astonishingly beautiful crystal clear water lake is renowned for its fish and bird life. The dead volcano of Khorgo is a huge volcanic crater, with a diameter of 20 meters and depth of 70 to 80 meters. We will climb up to the top of Khorgo crater and see the whole view, which is superb. In the evening enjoy free hiking around astonishing beautiful Terkh Tsagaan lake shore. Overnight in Ger camp.
Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum, once was a capital of Chinggis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Chinggis Khaan founded Karakorum in 1220. After his exploits on the Eurasian steppes, the city became the center of a substantial and growing empire. But after Khublai Khaan moved the Mongolian capital to Beijing, and the fall of the empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. After arriving at Kharkhorin, first we will visit to Kharkhorin museum, which displays artifacts mostly of Great Mongolian Empire time and followed by visiting to Mongolian oldest and largest monastery Erdene Zuu. Erdene Zuu is a Buddhist Tibetan monastery which dates back to 1585. Built from the ruins of Chinggis Khaan’s capital, Erdene Zuu is the oldest surviving monastery in Mongolia today. A soviet government partially destroyed Erdene Zuu in the 1930s, but the monastery has since reopened as a museum. Overnight in Ger camp.
Travel to Khogno Khan Nature Reserve, magnificent place with mountains, steppes, Gobi-type desert and mineral water sources all in one location. One of the main attractions of this area is Uvgun monastery or Erdene Khamba khiid which was built in 17th century, nowadays there is only ruins apart from one small operating temple for visitors. If you go further more 1,5 km there are main ruins of temple hidden deep into the splendid Rocky Mountains and this small journey offers true wilderness of natural beauty. After lunch at camp visit to temple and if you wish, take a hiking tour to temple ruins. Also, visit to extraordinary sand dunes Elsen Tasarkhai which represents mini Gobi at Khangai Mountain range and extends about 80 km. Camel riding through the Golden sand dunes is fun and we will do that with support of camel man. After dinner at camp, free time. Overnight in Ger camp.
After breakfast travel back to Ulaanbaatar. Arrival and transfer back to your accommodation. End of the tour.
8 Nights in Tourist Ger camps (twin share)
4 WD Vehicle in the countryside
Airport transfers for arrival / departure
Meals as listed (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Sightseeing and Entrance fees according to the itinerary
English speaking guide
Daily water supply
Camel and Horse riding fees
Visa support invitation letter where applicable
Accommodations in Ulaanbaatar
International airfare / train tickets+ tax
Travel insurance / Visa fees
Items for personal use
Alcoholic drinks
Tips for staffs
Single supplement
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