Active adventure by lake Khuvsgul

Genghis Khan Square Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city. We meet our guide at the airport, and head to the city center. The short drive passes through the shanty town inhabited by those who were once nomads, but have neglected their traditional lifestyle in the hope of finding a little fortune in the city, which not too long ago has seen some rapid development. The urban landscape quickly changes into expansive shopping malls and brand new residential complexes, shifting again to the scenes of the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amidst soviet-era buildings. After checking into our hotel, and if time permits, we will have an orientation tour of the city center through the central square. Right at the heart of the square we see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of 1920’s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation’s forefather whose name wasn’t allowed to be mentioned during the 70 year communist reign. We then visit the National History Museum, which holds a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have inhabited the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present. This exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. From here we take a short walk to the drama theater where we attend an impressive folk concert, featuring some traditional Mongolian art forms. After a welcome dinner, we drive back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Accommodation: Overnight in 4-star hotel

Meals: Dinner

Lake Hovsgol National Park

This morning we will take a flight to Murun, the provincial capital of Khuvsgul Province. Here we make a stop at the local market, serving city dwellers and nomads that comes from all throughout the province to purchase supplies. We leave the city and drive up north, to the small village of Khatgal, nestled by the southern tip of Lake Khuvsgul. One of the world’s biggest fresh water sources, Lake Khuvsgul and its amazing surroundings are home to several of Mongolia’s ethnic minorities as well as a refuge for a wide variety of wildlife. Here at Khatgal we mount our bicycle, and take a cycling trip over the Jankhai Mountain pass, and on along the lake’s shores to the camp where we spend the night. This will be our first night in a ger camp- the cozy yet simple, Mongolian version of a lodge, consisting of traditional felt-made dwellings the nomads of Central Asia often refer to as yurt.

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Lake Hovsgol National Park Today we take a hiking trip through the forests and meadows nearby the lake. Lying around 1650 meters (5413 feet) above sea level, and surrounded by mountains that rise over 3100 meters (10170 feet), the waters of Khuvsgul are deep and spectacularly clear and pure. We will hike to a beautiful vantage point, locally known as ‘Khyasaa’ (in Mongolian- steep cliff), from which we get a marvelous view over the ‘Blue Pearl’. In the evening, we return to our camp for a second and last night by the lake’s shores.

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Lake Hovsgol National Park

ur day begins with few hours kayaking over the pristine lake. Back on land, we check-out the camp, and retrace our footsteps south. En route we pause by Erkhil lake, great place to watch some waterfowls. We then continue to an ancient burial site featuring Mongolia’s mysterious deer stones, memorial stones representing important leaders and warriors, carved with deer motifs. We then drive to the banks of Delgermurun river. After setting in the camp, we take a hike to the beautiful mountain cave, and on to the top of the mountain for a beautiful open Mongolian steppe. We then hike back to the camp, where we spend the night by the river bank.

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Khovsgol Province We drive back to the city of Murun, where we could stop and resupply. We then continue our drive southwards, arriving early in the afternoon at a camp by a confluence of five rivers!

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Khovsgol Province This day would serve as one of our next two and a half days of thrilling adventures, where we will kayak, take motor boat trip, hike, ride horses, and take bicycle trips in the pristine area, where very few get to visit.

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Khovsgol Province This day would serve as one of our next two and a half days of thrilling adventures, where we will kayak, take motor boat trip, hike, ride horses, and take bicycle trips in the pristine area, where very few get to visit.

Accommodation: Overnight in ger camp

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Murun Leaving the camp in the morning, we arrive back in Murun in the afternoon. After late lunch in the city we visit the local museum, with its exhibits on the province’s flora and fauna, culture, and interesting history. We wrap up the day with a visit to Danzadarjaa Temple, which was erected after the Murungiin Temple has been destroyed during the purges of the 1930’s.

Accommodation: We spend the night in a local hotel in Murun.

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park This morning we drive to Murun airport, for the flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Landing back in the Mongolian capital, we embark on the one and a half hour drive to Gorki-Terelj National Park. The park features unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a winding river, and restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where they find good grazing for their animals. If time permits, we will take a short hike to a nearby hill, from where we watch the sun set over the park (weather permitting of course).

Accommodation: We will spend the night in a ger camp in the park.

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Genghis Khan Statue Complex This morning we take an easy hike to the famous Turtle Rock, a symbol of wisdom and longevity to the Mongolian people. We then continue hiking to Ariabal Temple. The temple has been recently reconstructed, after the original temple had been destroyed during the communist purges of the 1930’s. A site of great tranquility, it functions today as a meditation center to Buddhist monks. After lunch, we leave the park and drive to the newly constructed Ghengis Khan Monument. Rising 40 meters in height over the surrounding steppes, this mighty structure plays a major symbol to the renewing Mongolian nation, after more than 300 years of foreign sovereignty over its people and territory. We then head to the Mongolian Capital, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a visit to the Zaisan Hill, for a view over the city at night.

Accommodation: Overnight in 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Meals: BreakfastLunchDinner

Buyant-Uhaa