Arrival in UB and city tour

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our local staffs (drivers and guide) will pick you up at the international airport of Chinggis khan. You will be transferred to a centrally located three-star hotel.
At noon, you will be escorted for a guided city tour that highlights the city’s most notable attractions, impressive National History Museum, Sukhbaatar Square and the Parliament building.
As the evening approaches, at 6:00 PM, experience a traditional Mongolian show at Tumen Ekh ensemble, featuring folk dances, contortion, and khoomii, the unique throat singing, followed by a welcome dinner.

On Our Way to Dashinchilen

Early in the morning, we will visit Gandan Monastery, the religious center of Mongolia, before leaving the city. There, we will have the chance to watch the peaceful morning prayers of the Buddhist lamas.
After this, we start our adventure, driving 250 kilometers through broad horizons. Our route takes us west across lush steppes and bare mountains, where we’ll encounter herds of animals grazing freely and the first yurts of nomadic families.
In the evening, we’ll reach a friendly nomadic family living in a beautiful valley. Here, we will spend the night and experience their warm hospitality and the simple yet rich life of the nomads.

Relaxing Day at the Shores of Ogii Lake

Today, we’ll drive 100 km to Ogii Lake, a freshwater lake in central Mongolia. This lake is known for its rich biodiversity, including over 150 species of migrating birds and abundant fish such as Perch and Pike. It is vital stopover for migratory waterbirds, including Relic Gulls and Whooper Swans. We expect to reach our traditional ger camp located by the lakeside around lunchtime. Surrounded by hills, Ogii Lake is a great spot for leisure travelers, offering fishing, hiking, boating, and bird watching opportunities.

Tsenkher hot spring

We continue our journey southwest, crossing the high, wooded mountains of the Khangai range as we enter Arkhangai Province (Northern Khangai), a region whose beauty is often celebrated in Mongolian songs and poems. Here, we discover the hot springs of Tsenkher, which can reach temperatures of up to 86.5 °C.
Containing hydrogen sulfide, this water is renowned for its numerous healing properties. We fully enjoy the various pools to relax. This location marks the starting point for our upcoming riding days. In the evening, we will meet our horsemen and their horses.

Start of the 5-Day horseriding in the Khangai Mountains

During our ride, our drivers will accompany us to carry our belongings and camping gear. Today, we start our journey in the Khangai Mountains, known for their open grasslands and wooded hillsides. This region, located in western and central Mongolia, stretches about 700 kilometers and features alpine meadows, mountain steppes, and forests of larch and pine.
We will ride through a vast plain before ascending our first pass on a wooded trail. After a gentle descent, we’ll reach the Tsenkher River around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we will cross a second pass and set up camp by a small stream, where we’ll spend the night in tents.

Riding through the lush valleys and rivers

We keep riding southwest toward the Tsetserleg River, traversing green valleys. After enjoying a lovely picnic by the river, we’ll follow its course through open grasslands until late afternoon. As the day comes to an end, we’ll ride up one last hill and continue across the grasslands to reach the area near the Tsagaan Sum River, where we’ll set up our camp.

Ride to Tuvkhun Monastery in Shireet Ulaan Mountain

Today, we ride in the heart of nomadic land, surrounded by numerous yurts and herds, moving at the pace of our encounters. Around noon, we will arrive near Shireet Ulaan Mountain, the entrance to the Ovorkhangai region. We will ride through the forests of the mountain to Tuvkhun Monastery, located 2,100 meters above sea level. This 5-kilometer ascent leads to breathtaking views from a plateau surrounded by trees and rocky formations. In 1648, the young Bogd Zanabazar was inspired by this beautiful area and built a small stone cave for meditation in 1651, called ‘dubhan,’ now known as ‘Tuvkhun.’
After our return, we’ll set up camp and relax near a small torrent.

At a gallop in the Orkhon Valley

We ride toward the famous Orkhon Valley, a cradle of nomadic life with lush pastures along the Orkhon River. This landscape is home to many nomadic families who depend on livestock for their living. We will cross the Orkhon River via a bridge and encounter nomadic summer camps scattered throughout the valley. Our journey will continue until we reach a herder family. Here, we will bid farewell to our local guides, the horsemane and thank them for their assistance.
In the evening, we will enjoy delicious homemade meals prepared by our hosts. During our stay, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life by milking animals, making dairy products, and assisting with herding. Overnight in a traditional ger.

Exploring the Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfalls on horseback

In the morning, we will spend time with our host family and enjoy lunch together before setting off for the Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfalls. Following a hearty lunch, we will mount our horses once again. This time, our hosts will guide us on the ride. After visiting the spectacular waterfalls, we will take a return ride to the family.
The waterfall, standing approximately 21 meters high, was shaped by a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, resulting in stunning basalt canyons and a long gorge.

To Kharkhorin, ancient capital of Mongol empire

We will start our day early with a four-hour drive, covering a distance of 200 km to Kharkhorin, the ancient imperial city of the Mongol Empire from the 13th century until its destruction by Chinese Ming Dynasty troops in the late 14th century. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Kharkhorin Museum, where we can learn about the rich history of the Mongol Empire and Genghis Khan.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first significant Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded by Abtai Khan in the 16th century. This monastery, surrounded by Buddhist stupas, was partially destroyed during the communist era. We will take time to explore its stunning architecture and tranquil grounds.

(Upon clients’ request, you can stay here for one more additional day to relax and enjoy other activities, such as the calligraphy center and felt workshop. An extension fee will apply.)

Drive to Bayan Gobi: a camel ride amidst the Dunes

We will take a short drive covering a distance of 80 km to Khogno Khan Reserve, where we can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Mongolia and the grandeur of the Gobi Desert. This area features lush grasslands, surprising sand dunes, and impressive rock formations in the Khogno Khan mountains.
When we arrive at a local family’s home, we’ll be welcomed with their warm hospitality and then enjoy a camel ride for about 1-2 hours in the golden dunes. After our adventure, we’ll spend the night in a traditional ger, fully immersed in the charm of Mongolian culture.

Back to Ulaanbaatar

Return to Ulaanbaatar, traveling 280 km through the stunning Mongolian steppe, where you’ll see traditional gers and grazing livestock. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day to explore at your own pace. In the evening, we will come together for a farewell dinner.

Departure: See you next time 🙂

Transfer to International Airport for your journey back home. You can choose your return transfer time based on your flight.