Khuvsgul – the North

Day 1
You are picked up by our tour guide. On this day we visit the famous Gandan Monastery, the religious centre of modern-day Mongolia. You spend the night in the yurt camp on the edge of the capital.

Day 2
You are picked up by driver at the hotel and set out northwards to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, which was built at the start of the 18th century to honour the first Buddhist spiritual leader Zanabazar. (B,L,D)

Day 3
After breakfast we drive through the mining town of Erdenet to Bulgan Province. In Erdenet you will have the option to visit the market. (B,L,D)

Day 4
We spend this day in Bulgan. We have the opportunity to climb Uran Uul, a dormant volcano, and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. (B,L,D)

Day 5
Today we move on to Khuvsgul Province, which is close to the Russian border. The northern part of the province, in the Mongolian taiga, is home to the Tuvans, the reindeer nomads. From Murun, we travel to Khuvsgul Lake, which lies at an altitude of 1,645 metres. Khuvsgul Lake is 134 kilometres long and up to 262 metres deep. The ,,Pearl of Mongolia”, it is the second-biggest freshwater lake in Asia and its water is clean enough to drink. We spend three nights at the lake. (B,L,D)

Day 6
We spend this day at Khuvsgul Lake. We take trips to the surrounding national park. Here we can choose between horse riding, hiking or simply enjoying nature. (B,L,D)

Day 7
We spend another day at the beauriful Khuvsgul Lake. Today is reserved for recuperation (B,L,D)

Day 8
We head back southwards via town of Khatgal to the deer stones, which are decorated with drawings from the Bronze Age. Then we travel on further south. (B,L,D)

Day 9
Today we go to Khorgo National Park, comprising the dormant Khorg volcano and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur). (B,L,D)

Day 10
We stay in Khorgo National Park today. We climb Khorgo volcano and enjoy the wonderful view from its peak. There’s also a hike that you can join if you like. Horse riding is another option. In the afternoon you can rest et Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. (B,L,D)

Day 11
Via the town of Tsetserleg we travel to the Tsenkher hot springs situated in an idyllic valley. In the evening you have the option to bathe in the hot spring waters. (B,L,D)

Day 12
Today you have the option to go hiking again, and you can choose how long you want to walk for. (B,L,D)

Day 13
Today we’re off to the former capital of Genghis Khan’s Mongolian Empire: Karakorum (Kharkhorin). In the 14th century almost the entire city was destroyed by the Ming Dynasy. In Karakorum we visit the Karakorum Museum, which contains the findings of the German-Mongolian excavations and representations of the different epochs of Mongolian history, from the Stone Age up to the Mongolian Empire. We also visit the famous Erdene Zuu Monastery, which was foundad in 1586 on the initiative of Abtai Sain Khan and is the oldest centre of yellow Buddhism in Mongolia. You have the option to join the Buddhist monks in prayer. We travel through the hilly steppe country to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune. Here, in the middle of central Mongolia, we find another small part of the Gobi Desert. (B,L,D)

Day 14
We spend this day at the Elsen Tasarkhai san dune. We go for a hike and enjoy our last day in the steppe. (B,L,D)

Day 15
Today we drive to Ulaanbaatar. An evening concert introduces us to the delights of traditional Mongolian music. You hear the sound of the Mongolian horsehead fiddle and throat singing. (B,L)

Day 16
Our time in the steppe has come to an end, and this ist our last chance to explore the capital. A day of recuperation, you are free to spend it however you choose. (B)

Day 17
Return journey, organised individually. (B)