Selena Travel

Essence of Mongolia Tour

Erdene zuu Monastery at Harhorin - the Ancient capital Karakorum

6days/5nights

Tour grade: Easy

From: US$ 950

Style: Private Tour, Join in Group Tour

  • Authentic Nomadic family experiences 
  • Riding two-humped Bactrian camel ride 
  • UNESCO’s world heritage sites: Orkhon valley 
  • Explore Karakorum, the historic capital of the formidable Mongol Empire
  • Seeing the last remaining wild horses Takhi 
  • Taste authentic Mongolian cuisine & explore many more wonders!

Tour Overview

You'll visit historic sites from 13th century and the UNESCO world heritage Orkhon River Valley to introduce Mongolia from historical and cultural perspective! Mongolia is famous for being the homeland of Genghis Khan, his mighty Mongol Empire and a nomadic people whose lives are not changed in many ways from the days of the Mongolian Empire. And this fantastic Mongolia tour will take you on the paths of Great Mongol Empire to the historic sites from 13th century and the UNESCO world heritage Orkhon River Valley to introduce Mongolia from historical and cultural perspective: you will visit the first Buddhist monastery Erdene Zuu and the ruins of the capital city from the renowned empire and will also travel several sites from Mongol-Turkic states.

Moreover, you will also meet and interact with real nomads everywhere you go. Enjoy hot bath time in Tsenkher hot springs and visit to Lake Ogii. The tour will end at beautiful Hustai National Park home to the world’s only wild horse Takhi aka Przewalski horse, and you will enjoy a perfect relaxing day in wilderness before last your day in Ulaanbaatar. 

Tour map

Brief itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 2: Karakorum via Elsen Tasarkhai
  • Day 3: Sightseeing in Karakorum
  • Day 4: Hustai National Park
  • Day 5: Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 6: Departure From Ulaanbaatar
go to detail

Tour images

Erdene Zuu monastery at Karakorum
Khugnu Khan Nature Reserve
Monkh at Erdene zuu Monastery in Central Mongolia
the UNESCO world heritage site Orkhon river valley

Full Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, private transfer to the hotel

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our team will warmly welcome you at the airport after you complete the customs formalities. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, recover from any jet lag, and prepare for the exciting journey ahead. In the evening, at 7 pm, we’ll gather downtown for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the tour, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the adventures to come. 

 

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel 

 

Meals:

Dinner 

Day 2:

Ulaanbaatar – Karakorum via Elsen Tasarkhai

Today, we will journey to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Great Mongol Empire. The drive will take approximately 4–5 hours, with a stop at Elsen Tasarkhai for lunch and a visit to a local nomadic family to experience their unique lifestyle. Here, we’ll also enjoy a one-hour camel ride across the picturesque dunes. We will arrive in Karakorum in the late afternoon, check into our hostel, and settle in. Dinner and overnight at the hostel.

 

Accommodation: Local Hostel or similar

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

 

 

Day 3:

Sightseeing in Karakorum

After breakfast, we will visit the iconic Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery established in central Mongolia in 1586. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Karakorum Museum, learn about its historical significance, and visit the Tortoise Statue at Melkhii Tolgoi. A short hike to Khaadiin Khushuu Hill will reward us with stunning panoramic views of the Orkhon Valley. Before returning to the hostel, we’ll stop by a local bazaar to browse and experience the vibrant market atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at the hostel.

 

 

Accommodation: Local Hostel or similar

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4:

Karakorum – Hustai National Park

Today, we will travel to Hustai National Park, home to the majestic Takhi, or Przewalski horses, the last remaining wild horse species. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our ger camp and enjoy a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the natural history museum at the park entrance, showcasing the unique flora and fauna of the area. Later, we’ll venture into the park to observe the Takhi horses peacefully grazing in their natural habitat. Return to the ger camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

 

Accommodation: Ger Camp

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5:

Hustai National Park – Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, check out from the camp and embark on a 2–3-hour drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, visit the iconic Gandan Monastery to witness the morning chanting rituals and marvel at the impressive 26-meter-tall statue of the Buddhist deity Megjid Janraisag. Continue to Sukhbaatar Square, the heart of the city. After lunch, transfer to the hotel for check-in. The afternoon is yours to enjoy optional shopping or explore the city at your leisure. Dinner is on your own, and you can enjoy free time to relax or discover local dining options.

 

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel 

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 6:

Departure From Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Pick up in the morning from hotel and transfer to the airport. 

 

Meals:

Breakfast

Date & Price

Tour Price:

Pax 1 US$ 2950 per person
Pax 2 US$ 1800 per person
Pax 3-4 US$ 1600 per person
Pax 5-8 US$ 1500 per person
Pax 9-12 US$ 1300 per person
Single supplement charge        US$ 210 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 


Included Services

  • Full-time services of your English speaking local guide(s) throughout the tour
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
  • Private transfers (4WD Japanese minivan + Experienced driver)
  • Airport transfers (Van or bus)
  • Twin/double share at good 3-star hotel - 2 nights
  • Twin share at good tourist ger camps – 5 nights
  • Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
  • 1 hour camel riding fee in Elsen Tasarkhai
  • 2 hour horse riding fee in Lake Ogii
  • 0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day
  • Visa support invitation letter where applicable
  • Exclusive Mongolia tour souvenir!


Not Included in the Service

  • International Airfare/train tickets + Tax
  • Travel insurance & Visa fees
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc. 
  • Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
  • Optional activities: Kayaking & fishing etc.

 


DISCOUNT CONDITIONS:  

  • Children under 3 years old are allowed to stay in their parents room for free (not including an extra bed).
  • Children aged 4 to 11 years old receive a 40% discount on accommodation per night, inclusive of bed and breakfast.
  • Children 12 and above will be charged as adults.
 

 

Tour Background

Accommodation info on your Mongolia tours 

Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, offers a variety of hotels ranging from basic guesthouses to high-end 5* hotel.

Some of our Mongolia tours do not include the hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar in the tour package, where clients can choose a hotel that suits their needs and budget. Please make sure to check your tour program`s Inclusions and Exclusions section to confirm if your hotel stay is included in the package.

If you wish us to book your hotel for you, your travel consultant will be happy to recommend and book an ideal hotel for you. 

 

Here are hotels that are recommended by us:  

  • Springs hotel (3*)
  • Holiday Inn (4*)
  • Best Western Premier (5*)
  • Shangri-La Hotel (5*)

 

Outside Ulaanbaatar: Outside of Ulaanbaatar where there are no hotels, tourist Ger (yurt) camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongolians have lived in Gers for thousands of years. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-3 beds with good bedding (1 Ger equals 1 hotel room), and also offer well-maintained public western style showers and WCs on their grounds. Some Ger camps offer en-suite bathroom facilities at additional charge, please ask your Selena Travel advisor for further details when booking your Mongolia tour. 

 

Food on Selena Travel tours 

In the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, a great variety of restaurants can be found and you will be eating at some of the best restaurants of Ulaanbaatar on your Mongolia tour while in the capital. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps, local cafes in the small towns and sometimes nomadic families will be the places where you will be eating most of your meal. Ger restaurants often offer set continental breakfasts, set menu lunches and dinners consisting of salad or soup, main course and dessert.

 

 While on the tour, during your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps, often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a small dessert, while hitting the road. Most of the food restrictions and allergies such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and many others, can be accommodated with easy on your Mongolia adventure.

 

 Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours 

If you are on an overland only tour across Mongolia, the recommended weight of your luggage is 20kg per person (max). However, kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 kg for the carry on luggage). It is possible to purchase extra luggage space which costs US$2 - 5 per 1kg.

 

 

DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO

The Karakorum was flourished in the IV-IX century by the Kirgis tribe and in 1220 the great Emperor Chinghis Khaan declared it as the capital city of his vast Empire. Many other Mongolian Khaans used Karakorum as the capital of Great Mongolian Empire, however, the Chinese Ming soldiers burnt the city several times in 15-17th century. Today there are many interesting sites left to visit; the legendary turtle rock sculptures, Buddhist stupas and the ruins of this once great city to name a few. This is one of the best place for Mongolian cultural tours. 

 
Erdenezuu ("One Hundred Treasures") was the first Buddhist monastery in the Mongolian Empire. It was established in 1586 on the orders of Abtai Sain Khaan, a direct descendent from Genghis Khaan. The monastery has a massive square wall, 420 meters in length each side, a total of 108 Stupas and 17 temples. Today Erdenezuu monastery still shows its glory with collections of many priceless religious objects and incredibly beautiful Mongolian arts.

"Elsen tasarhai" is a part of the Great Mongolian Sand dunes and extends about 80 km. The scenery is a perfect combination of desert, picturesque mountains, river and green grassland and makes you feel like you are in heaven.
 
Hustai National park is the place where the wild Takhi- Przewalski horses have lived peacefully since 1993 when they were reintroduced to their native land Mongolia. Here we are able to see and photograph these beautiful wild horses at pasture and Red Deer, Wolf, Asian Marmot, various species of waterfawls and prey birds etc., as well. 

Tour Map

Tour Reviews

Dec 04, 2024.  The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer

Aug 10, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum Explorer tour Our recent "The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer" tour with you was excellent, everything exceeded our expectations! It was a super trip in our lives and we loved our Mongolia holiday so much. Our guide Joe was kind, well organised, accurate and informative, polite and caring and always provided us with timely information. And our driver Jack is super, very friendly, professional and always on time. We are wild travelers, having been to many places in the world - but Mongolia is still truly unspoiled and uncontaminated. Selena Travel's services were perfect right from the very first email. We would like to thank Selena Travel, our guide and our driver for having made this Mongolia experience a truly beautiful one with so many wonderful memories.

by Rafaella, Benedetta, Lidia

Aug 08, 2012.  Gobi & Karakorum customized 11 days tour

Sending you some of our nicer pictures. Some are chosen for their beautiful scenery while the rest are just us happily playing and goofing around. There are a couple of shots of us doing some Mongolian wrestling, as suggested by Oyuna since we missed out on the mini-Naadam festival. She said since we missed it, we might as well organise our own festival by playing some Mongolian games. Haha... We had so much fun playing those games!!! :)OK, I hope you like the pictures we send you. Best regards to everyone at Selena Travel and thank you once again for all your assistance.

by Margaret Suganda

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