Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Talking about Mongolia, the first things usually coming to our mind are vast grassland and nomads. However, the country has much more to offer. Join this western Mongolian tour to discover its different looks! Please inform us before your arrival, so we can pick you up on time and transfer you to the hotel. Considering that you may feel tired after the long flight, we will not go out for sightseeing during the rest of the day. If not tired, you may have a stroll nearby on your own. Accommodation: Ramada Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 2: Visit Bayan Gobi Desert (Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes), Experience Life of Nomads
Hope you have had a good rest last night! After breakfast, our experienced guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Bayan Gobi Desert, also called Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. It will take about 5 hours to get there. On the way, you can ask for photo stops any time. Bayan Gobi, also known as Mini Gobi, is a beautiful stretch of Gobi desert surrounded by rolling sand dunes, hills dotted with rare bushes, and a river lined with willow trees. On arrival, the guide will escort you to visit a local camel herder’s family to get a glimpse of their unique lifestyle, then ride a camel through the sand dunes. Tonight, have a rest at a ger camp just like the local herders do.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Bayan Gobi
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Day 3: Orkhon Valley and Waterfall
Orkhon Valley, alongside the Orkhon River, the longest river in Mongolia, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, recognized as the cradle of nomadic civilization of the steppes. The landscape there is breathtakingly beautiful. Apart from seeking the life traces of ancient Mongolian nomads, you may sit by the river and watch horses running on the lush grasslands. The Orkhon Waterfall, formed 20,000 years ago, and 25-meter-high and 10-meter-wide, is on our visit list, too.
In the early evening, we will also visit a local herdsman’s family, sitting and chatting with them, then ride a horse for about one hour to explore the nearby landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Orkhon Waterfall
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Day 4: Enjoy Hot Spring in Tsenkher Valley
Today, we will go to the Tsenkher Valley, renowned for the Tsenkher Hot Springs. The springs there gushes at 86 degrees in Celsius and contains chemical elements like sodium, calcium and sulfur, which is good for health. After checking in the ger camp on arrival, you are free to go for a hike through the nearby forest or have a spa at the cozy spring on your own. Soaking in the spring pool with blue sky above and green hills around will must be a pleasant experience in your life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Duut Resort
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Day 5: Karakorum Tour, Continue to Ugii Lake
After breakfast, we will extend the Mongolia trip to Karakorum, a historical city of the steppe used to be the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Because only ruins are left there, we will not miss the Karakorum Museum to explore the city's history and culture. Then go to the nearby Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery. It is now probably the oldest existing Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Magnificently, there are 108 stupas on the wall of the monastery.
In the afternoon, drive 1.5 hours to the Ugil Lake, a beautiful and serene freshwater lake in central Mongolia. It is also the home to over 150 species of migrating birds. When arriving, check in a Ger camp by the lake and the rest of the day will be left for you to appreciate the picturesque scenery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ugii Khishig
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Day 6: Hustai National Park (Wild Horse Park)
An icon of Mongolia is horse. Today the guide will accompany you to Hustai National Park to observe the endangered takhi horses in short distance. They are the currently found only living pure wild horse species. Before stepping into their habitat, we will first go to the information center to learn the history and current status of the wild horses, then take a car to the area where the horses usually show up. While tracing the horses on foot, we will also see many other wild animals like foxes, deer, eagles, and grey wolves.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hustai Camp
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Day 7: Ulaanbaatar City Tour
The drive back to Ulaanbaatar will take about 2 hours. After, today's escorted tour will begin with a visit to the Gandan Buddhist Monastery featuring a 26.5-meter-high copper statue of Migjid Janraisig. After lunch, we will take a leisurely stroll at the Sukhbaatar Square. It is the place where important political and cultural events of the country are held. Then go on to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History. It has selective collections of nomadic art works, religious tools, and domestic and technical objects with a time span from prehistory to present. Next, we will go to another museum called Bogd Khan Palace Museum. It was the winter palace of the 8th Bogd Javzandamba, the head of Mongolia religion and king of Mongolia Empire. Many valuable possessions of the king are on display. Today’s itinerary will end with a traditional Mongolian music and dance show with the unique performance of Khöömii, the throat singing. After the amazing show, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramada Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 8: Departure from Ulaanbaatar
Today, at the very end of the Mongolia tour, our driver will escort you to the airport. Hope you've had a wonderful journey with us. Meals: Breakfast
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