Paradise in the West

Day 1
You are picked up by our tour guide. Today we visit the National Museum. You spend the night in the yurt camp on the edge of the capital.

Day 2
In the morning we head west 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. This is our first overnight stay with nomads. (B,L,D)

Day 3
First 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 Dynasty. In Karakorum we visit the Karakorum Museum which contains the findings of the German-Mongolian excavations and representations of the different epochs og 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 Abtei Sain Khan and is the oldest centre of yellow Buddhism in Mongolia. You have the option to join the Buddhist monks in prayer.

Afterwards 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 4
Our route takes us through the town of Tsetserleg, the centre of Arkhangai Province. We stop en route to take a look at the mighty Chuluut Gorge, through which the Chuluut River flows. Then we go to Khorgo National Park, comprising the dormant Khorgo volcano (2,240 m) and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur). (B,L,D)

Day 5
Today we remain at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6
We travel to the beautiful Zavkhan Province, spending the night on the bank of the Ider River, which rises in the Khangai Mountains. We set up our tents on the bank of the river and can go for an evening walk or get to know the local families. (B,L,D)

Day 7
We first travel to the province capital, Uliastai. Then onwards to the snow-covered, sacred Otgontenger Mountain that rises to a height of 4,008 metres and is the highest peak of the Khangai Mountains. The very rare Vansemberuu plant that grows in just a few rocky mountainous regions can be found here. It reaches a height of 30 to 40 cm and appears only in pairs (known as king and queen). Its flower is brown, circular and soft as silk. (B,L,D)

Day 8
We stay in the area today, hiking and investigating our surroundings. The sacred Otgontenger Mountain is flanked by several peaks that the Mongolians call the guardians of Otgontenger. The guardian on the western side is Dayan mountain, and we spend the night at its base. (B,L,D)

Day 9
Today we travel to the western desert region of Mongolia, located in the province of Zavkhan. The province of Zavhan stands out for its eclectic and beautiful nature. There are sand dunes, steppes, mountains, lakes and rivers, everything Mongolia has to offer. We spend the night near the sand dune Mongol-Els. (B,L,D)

Day 10
Today we stay near the Sand Dune Mongol-Els. We hike and explore the area. (B,L,D)

Day 11
Today’s route takes us into Uvs Province. A charakteristic of the region is that all landscape and vegetation zones of Central Asian can be found here. Today’s destination is the beautiful Khyargas Lake, which is 74 km long and up to 31 km wide. It is supplied with fresh water by the Zavkhan River. The water in the lake is slightly salty, very clear and full of fish. On the bank of the lake, in beautiful surroundings, we find the yurt camp in which we’ll spend two nights. (B,L,D)

Day 12
We stay on at Khyargas Lake today. We can take a walk along the bank, relax and, if the temperature permits, go swimming in the lake. (B,L,D)

Day 13
We drive to the most northerly sand dune region on earth, the Boorog Delin sand dune, spending the night on the bank of Bayan Lake. Most of the Durvod Mongols live in Uvs Province. And most of the country’s famous wrestlers also come from this region. (B,L,D)

Day 14
We stay in the region today, pay a visit to a Durvod family, and familiarise ourselves with the lives of the nomads. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet a wrestler… Depending on when our domestic flight leaves on the following day, we leave either this evening or in the morning for the province capital, Ulaangom. (B,L,D)

Day 15
We head to Ulaangom, capital of Uvs Province. On the way we take a look at Uvs Lake. Uvs Lake is five times the size of Lake Constance and is an UNESCO World Heritage site. The largest body of water in Mongolia, it is situated in the most northerly mountain region depression of Central Asia. Although this depression is surrounded by mountains of up to 4,000 metres, Uvs Lake itself lies 759 metres above the sea level. Its waters are up to 20 metres deep. The lake ist a popular attraction but is unsuitable for bathing due to its muddy shore.

Domestic flight from Ulaangom to Ulaanbaatar. Today we fly back 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)

Day 16
Our time in the steppe has come to an end, and this is 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)