15days/14nights
Tour grade: Medium
Style: Private Tour
Western Mongolia is renowned for its rich cultural tapestry, home to numerous ethnic groups including the Kazakh people, and remains one of the least explored regions in the country. The breathtaking landscapes here are untouched and pristine, while the locals are known for their exceptional hospitality and generosity.
This extraordinary overland tour will take you through the most captivating areas of four western provinces, offering an immersive experience into the natural beauty and cultural diversity of vast Mongolia.
Aug 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meet at the airport after custom formalities and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is dedicated for you to relax and recover from your travels to Mongolia.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar /standard check-in time is 2 pm/
Aug 2. Giant Genghis Statue Tour
This morning, we will drive out of the city for 1.5 hour to visit the Giant Genghis Statue and climb up the head for panoramic view and explore the surroundings. Then we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar in the early afternoon. Lunch & dinner independent.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar /standard check-in time is 2 pm/
Meals Included
Aug 3. Karakorum
Meet your tour guide and driver at the hotel lobby and we start our journey to the west. Today, we will drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongol Empire located in the Orkhon valley in a drive that takes 5-6 hours with a short stop by Elsen Tasarkhai. Arrive in Karakorum in the afternoon and visit legendary monastery Erdene Zuu, the first Buddhist monastery in Central Mongolia founded in 1586 and Museum of Karakorum which gives a good introduction to Central Mongolia, its’ history, and the UNESCO world heritage site Orkhon river valley. Short drive from Karakorum Museum to our camp where we will stay overnight today. Spend a rest of the day relaxing in midst of the steppe feeling nomadic vibe.
Accommodation
Urgoo ger camp or similar /standard ger/
Meals Included
Aug 4. Khorgo Terkh National Park
After breakfast, we continue our journey toward Terkhiin Tsagaan lake in located in Khorgo Terkh National park. Break our journey at Tsetserleg town, Arkhangai for a visit to legendary Zayiin Gegeen Monastery from 17th century. Short drive from Tsetserleg to historical Takhar rock. Over 150 inscriptions in various scripts including Turkic, Uyghur, Mongolian, Tibetan, Manchu and Chinese were engraved on the cliff, but most of them seem to have barely appeared as time passes. Optional yak riding and lunch near Taikhar rock. In the afternoon, we continue our drive toward Khorgo Terkh. Short stop at Chuluut river canyon, a picturesque 20 m deep steep basaltic rock canyon. Arrive at our ger camp in the late afternoon, transfer to the tourist ger camp and rest.
Accommodation
Maikhan Tolgoi camp or similar
Meals Included
Aug 5. Hojuulyn Gol, Tosontsengel
After breakfast, we will have a trip around the lake and volcanic surrounding. The lake lies calmly in the arms of tall hills, its water extremely clear and lined with long sand beaches. The road winds along the shoreline, past Shamanic piles of black lava, before it cuts a short distance inland towards the Khorgo Volcano. At around 10,000 feet up, the volcano is now extinct, but still revered by the nomads of the region. A short walk takes you to the crater rim, where red-stained rock descends into a deep chasm surrounded by sacred Ovoo mounds. Look back towards Lake Terkh Tsagaan - there is an excellent view over the lake through a small hill pass. Lunch back at the ger camp and we depart to Hojuulyn Gol valley via Solongot pass, one of the tallest mountain pass of astounding Khangai Mountain range. In the early evening, arrive at Hojuulyn gol ger camp, dinner and rest.
Accommodation
Hojuulyn Gol camp or similar
Meals Included
Aug 6. Ulaagchyn Khar lake, Zavkhan
Continue our journey toward Ulaagchyn Khar lake located along the Bor Khyar sand dunes. You will enjoy incredible setting of lake over in the middle of golden dunes surrounded by picturesque mountains. Enjoy hiking around the dunes and visit the most scenic spot at this unique landscape. Dinner and overnight at tourist ger camp (basic facility).
Accommodation
Khar lake tourist camp or similar
Meals Included
Located 1132 m above the sea level, Ulaagchyn Khar lake is 38 km long and 50 m deep in places, extends along the south of the northern Margats mountain range at the northern edge of Bor Khyar sand dunes.
Aug 7. Hungii river valley via Muhart river
Breakfast at the ger camp and we drive to Muhart river, a river that’s originating from ground surrounded by towering sand dunes – unique natural combination.
Enjoy hiking around and optional sand sledding into the river. Lunch nearby and we continue our journey west toward Khyargas lake. Break our journey at Hungii river basin located along Bor Khyar sand dunes. Set out tents at our camping spot. Overnight under starry sky.
Accommodation
Tent overnight
Meals Included
Aug 8. Khetsuu Khad, Khyargas Lake
In the morning, we continue our journey toward western Mongolia. Our today’s journey end at Khetsuu Khad, a dramatic rocky outcrop on the southern shore of Khyargas lake. Khyargas lake is one of the 4 biggest lakes which cover more than 1000 square km and 40-90 m deep. Transfer to the ger camp at Khetsuu Khad and lunch. The afternoon is spent leisurely with optional swimming, hiking or boat trip on the lake.
Accommodation
Baruun beach camp or similar
Meals Included
Lake Hyargas, one of the largest lakes of Mongolia, lies about 100 kilometers south of Lake Uvs in the territory of the Depression of Great Lakes. The Zavkhan river feeds Airag lake, which is further connected to Hyargas lake that has not outlet. The salt water lake, stretching from west to east, is 83 kilometers long and 31 kilometers wide. Few species of fish including the rare Altai Osman (Oreoleuciscus potanini) inhabit in Khyargas lake.
Aug 9. Lake Uureg via Ulaangom
Today we continue our journey toward west. Our drive takes 4-5 hour until reaching Ulaangom, a center of Uvs province. Arrive and lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, we continue to Uureg lake surrounded by Turgen and Tsagaan Shuvuut mountain. The saline lake is 1425 m above the sea level and it is known to be mosquito free lake. Our drive takes around 2 hours passing Turgen soum and Ulaan Khutul pass along our way. Arrive and check in to our next ger camp located along the lake shore.
Accommodation
Suldet Tsahiur camp or similar
Meals Included
Uvs province is located in Great Lakes Depression of Altai Mountain. The regions are home to diverse ethnic groups and nationalities living in Uvs province including Durvud, Bayad, Khalkh, Tuvans, and Kazakhs. The province is famous by its majestic high mountains and great lakes.
Aug 10. Ulgii, Bayan-Ulgii
Today we drive to Ulgii for 5-6 hour passing by Achit Lake along our way. Arrive in Ulgii in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel for check in. Visit Bayan-Ulgii province museum and local bazaar in the town. Dinner and overnight at tourist ger camp.
Accommodation
Local hotel
Meals Included
Aug 11. Tsengel Khairkhan, Meeting with Eagle Hunters
Breakfast at the hotel and we start our Bayan-Ulgii exploration today. Drive more west from Ulgii passing by Ulaan Hus and Tsengel soum, we arrive at our host Kazakh eagle hunter family in the afternoon. Pitch our tents near the eagle hunter’s ger. Rest of the day is spent with Kazakh family observing and taking part in their daily life chores including herding, milking, eagle training and so on. Enjoy Kazakh traditional meal for dinner. Overnight in tent.
Accommodation
Kazakh family stay
Meals Included
Aug 12. Dayan lake and Altai Mountains
We say good bye to our host family and continue our journey south to Dayan Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Western Mongolia. It is 18 km long moraine lake fed by small rivers from snow peak mountain in Altai Mountains. Arrive and pitch our tent one the shore of the lake. In the afternoon, we trek along the lake while observing its beauty. Dinner and overnight at tent.
Accommodation
Kazakh family stay
Meals Included
Aug 13. Ulgii
Early morning drive back to Ulgii today. Lunch along the way in a scenic spot. Arrive in Ulgii in the late afternoon. Arrive and check in at the ger camp. Overnight in hotel & dinner independent.
Accommodation
Local Hotel
Meals Included
Aug 14. Ulaanbaatar
Farewell to the tour staffs and we catch afternoon flight to Ulaanbaatar today. Arrive and transfer to the hotel for check in. Farewell dinner at local restaurant.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel 4* or similar
Meals Included
Aug 15. Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
You are transferred to the airport/train station after breakfast. End of service.
Meals Included
TOUR PRICE:
1 Pax - US$ 7900 per person
2 Pax - US$ 4250 per person
3-5 Pax - US$ 3750 per person
Single Supplement US$ 520 per person
* Single supplement is only available at hotels in Olgii & Ulaanbaatar
Included services:
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 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:
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 majestic western Mongolia is the most beautiful part of the country. The mountainous area climate is extreme with very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. The stunning mountains of Altai are home to wild animals such as the globally endangered Snow Leopard, Argali and Ibex, as well as wolves and many bird species.
Ethnic groups: Altai area is a place where many ethnic groups inhabit. You will meet the Kazak, Tuva, Torguud and many other small groups and enjoy their distinctive traditions and lives. The Kazakh is a small ethnic group of Turkic origin that was one of Genghis Khaan's tribes. They are Muslims and now live peacefully keeping their completely different customs, strict traditions, religion and inhabit the Altai Mountains. Not like their relatives in Kazakhstan, they speak in their own Kazakh language as Mongolian government gave them the rights to keep and conserve their native language and religion.
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
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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