Adventures with Purpose: Mongolia
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
The remote wilds of Mongolia are an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Blessed with breathtaking vistas of vast open steppes, rocky mountains, towering sand dunes and forested valleys, the country is perfect for remote exploration by vehicle, foot, kayak and horse, where you can really escape the distractions of modern life and contribute to conservation and community-based tourism efforts throughout the region.
After a chance to take in the culture and history of Ulaanbaatar, the country’...
The remote wilds of Mongolia are an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Blessed with breathtaking vistas of vast open steppes, rocky mountains, towering sand dunes and forested valleys, the country is perfect for remote exploration by vehicle, foot, kayak and horse, where you can really escape the distractions of modern life and contribute to conservation and community-based tourism efforts throughout the region.
After a chance to take in the culture and history of Ulaanbaatar, the country’s lively capital, head off into the forested mountains of the Terelj National Park, where you can kayak down the Tuul River before moving on to the isolated wild steppe of Gun Guluut. There will be a chance to look for wild mountain sheep and the rare horses of Hustai National Park before your journey then carries you deep into the rolling hills of Central Mongolia.
Here you will begin a four-day hike through the alpine landscapes of the Khangai Hills, home to the famed Eight Lakes of Naimun Nuur. Camping beside the lakes each evening, you’ll pass your days trekking through some truly inspiring scenery concluding the trek with a visit to the beautiful Erdene Zuu Monastery of Kharkorin en route to the rich wilds of the Khogno Khan National Park.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Ulaanbaatar: City Tour
Day 1 Arrive Ulaanbaatar: City Tour
Arrive early in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your own private apartment. Staying in this low-rise Soviet apartment block allows you to not only enjoy modern comforts and additional space, but also adds a bit more local flavour to your stay in the capital. After freshening up, take a tour around the temple complex of Gandan Monastery, one of the most complete monasteries in Mongolia today, where you may perchance encounter monks chanting their daily, mid-morning rituals. A light lunch is followed by a visit to the National Museum and a walk across Sukhbaatar Square, both of which provide a good introduction to the history of Mongolia. Enjoy an early evening traditional folk show before sitting down to dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park: Temple Visit & Cooking Lesson
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park: Temple Visit & Cooking Lesson
Depart the city this morning and head for the nearby Terelj National Park, the country's first national reserve. Home to forested hills, mountains and river valleys, its stunning rock formations and spectacular views make this a popular day trip from the capital. From your picturesque base in the valley beyond the Tuul River, this afternoon you can hike or ride out to the ruins of the Gunjin Sum temple to visit one of the few Manchurian-influenced temples left in Mongolia before retiring to your ger camp next door to Naraa, a nomadic herder, and his family, for an evening of nomadic hospitality. Following a fun cooking lesson, where you will learn how to make traditional Mongolian dumplings, you will sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.
Day 3 Terelj National Park - Gun Guluut: Kayak to Genghis Khan Statue
Day 3 Terelj National Park - Gun Guluut: Kayak to Genghis Khan Statue
After breakfast, head to the water for a three-hour kayak down the Tuul River to visit the great Chinggis statue standing at 40-metres high and visible for miles around. It is possible to climb the statue to enjoy sweeping views across the countryside. After your visit, continue on through the remote steppe landscapes of Gun Guluut. Your stay at the camp here helps contribute towards the local conservation programme, general maintenance of the park and gives financial support to the park rangers.
Day 4 Gun Guluut - Hustai National Park: Wild Endangered Przewalski’s horses
Day 4 Gun Guluut - Hustai National Park: Wild Endangered Przewalski’s horses
Heading out early this morning, you'll take a walk across the vast open steppe of Gun Guluut in search of some of the region's wildlife including marmot, argali wild mountain sheep, bearded vultures and grey wolf. Heading back towards Ulaanbaatar, you'll then continue on to the Hustai National Park, home to the rare and endangered wild Przewalski’s horses, where an early evening drive through the park provides the opportunity to see them in their native habitat. Your visit here again helps contribute to the conservation efforts in the area and the breeding programme for the horses. This evening you will be staying alongside a park ranger and his family in guest gers for the possibility to experience traditional archery and pay a visit to the Bronze Age and Turkic Unguut stones nearby.
Day 5 Hustai National Park - Orkhon Valley: Valley Walks
Day 5 Hustai National Park - Orkhon Valley: Valley Walks
Today's drive into the rolling hills and forests of the Orkhon Valley takes you past herds of sheep, goats and horses grazing by the roadside. Fed by the waters of the Orkhon River, this beautiful river valley was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the country's most important cultural landscapes and the journey is dotted with tiny encampments of nomadic herders. Later this afternoon walk to the deer stones, which are ancient burial markers believed to date back to the Bronze Age.
Day 6 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
Day 6 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
This morning, drive to the Buurgiin Valley to begin preparations for your trek and meet your packhorse and the team, all of whom are local to the area. The first hike sets off this afternoon, heading into the Khangai Hills and on towards Shireet Lake, one of the famed Eight Lakes of Naiman Nuur.
Day 7 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
Day 7 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
Over the next three days you will trek between the lakes, camping by Shireet Lake on the first night, Huis Lake on the second night and White Stallion Lake for the final night. Created by volcanic eruptions centuries ago, the lakes sit at around 2,400 metres above sea level lying amidst a landscape of alpine meadows, pine forests and barren mountains. The hikes between each of the lakes will take an average of six hours a day, covering some 15-20 kilometres daily, and the evenings will be filled with the peaceful sounds of this remote wilderness as you sleep under the stars.
Day 8 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
Day 8 Eight Lakes Trek: Lakes Hiking
After breakfast overlooking the river at the camp, you will head out to continue the trek for a third day to reach today’s destination of White Stallion Lake.
Day 9 Eight Lakes Trek: White Stallion Lake Hiking
Day 9 Eight Lakes Trek: White Stallion Lake Hiking
The final day of the trek sees you exploring the area surrounding White Stallion Lake.
Day 10 Eight Lakes Trek - Orkhon Nomadic Homestay: Orkhon Khurkree Waterfall
Day 10 Eight Lakes Trek - Orkhon Nomadic Homestay: Orkhon Khurkree Waterfall
Heading away from the Eight Lakes area today, the journey then takes you towards the confluence of the Orkhon and Uliastai Rivers with a stop at the Orkhon Khurkree Waterfall en route to see one of the country’s most beautiful falls. After heavy rains, especially around late July and August, this becomes arguably one of Mongolia’s most spectacular sights and a short walk downstream brings you to a 22-metre-deep gorge. Continue from here to tonight's homestay.
Day 11 Orkhon Nomadic Homestay – Kharkhorin: Tovkhon Khiid Monastery & Museum
Day 11 Orkhon Nomadic Homestay – Kharkhorin: Tovkhon Khiid Monastery & Museum
Hidden away on a hillside, surrounded by pine forests, lies the tiny and peaceful Tovkhon Khiid Monastery. Stroll to the temple this morning for beautiful views across the valley, before continuing through the high passes to Kharkhorin, built on the site of Karakorum, briefly the capital of the Mongol Empire during the 16th century. This afternoon grants time to visit the local museum which provides an excellent insight into the local history of the region. There will also be a chance to visit a local sea-buckthorn farm – these distinct orange berries have many health-giving properties, and you will be able to try some of the juice made from them.
Day 12 Kharkhorin - Elsen Tasarkhai: Erdene Zuu Monastery Ceremony & Wildlife Spotting
Day 12 Kharkhorin - Elsen Tasarkhai: Erdene Zuu Monastery Ceremony & Wildlife Spotting
A morning visit to the Erdene Zuu Monastery (probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in the country) provides an opportunity to watch the mid-morning ceremony and chanting before you continue on to Khogno Khan National Park, home to a rich mix of historical sites, wildlife and spectacular scenery, where you can enjoy an afternoon walk going in search of ibex and wolf.
Day 13 Elsen Tasarkhai – Ulaanbaatar
Day 13 Elsen Tasarkhai – Ulaanbaatar
There will be an opportunity, if you wish, to take a final early morning walk before heading back to the capital today. Alternatively, you may choose to head straight back to Ulaanbaatar to enjoy some time at leisure there for your final day.
Day 14 Depart Ulaanbaatar
Day 14 Depart Ulaanbaatar
After checking out of your hotel, you will be taken back to the airport for your return flight home.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Steppe Nomads, Gun Galuut National Park
Steppes Nomads Ger Camp sits on the steppe in the Gun Guluut region close to a river and hills home to ancient burial sites and wild sheep. The only other signs of civilisation in the area are the distant herder families gers giving you a real feel of isolation out on the steppe. The gers are simple and comfortable with single beds and stoves, a larger block has a few rooms and bathrooms as well as a restaurant with balcony to provide beautiful views. There is also the option of staying in small cabins.
Ursa Major Ger Camp, Orkhon Valley
With beautiful views of the Orkhon Valley, the Ursa Major Ger Camp is a delightful place to stay. An eco-camp priding itself on working with the environment and local communities; it doesn't have a toilet and shower block, toilets are made from wood and composting and instead of showers hot towels are bought to your ger in the evening and morning. Gers are beautifully decorated inside and out with traditionally painted furniture, doubles and twins and small touches such as a little sink behind a screen, they also have good quality ceramic stoves. There is no electricity in the gers but a torch and candles are provided. The bar and restaurant are stylish and provide great food and the service is top quality. With so many activities in the area this camp makes a great base.
Monkh Tenger Camp, Kharkhorin
A lovely camp on the edge of the city with 25 gers, Munkh Tenger Camp is beautifully furnished with traditionally painted day beds, plus extras such as wardrobes, tables, a sink and a sofa. Gers have double, twin or triple beds and are still spacious, with 14 Gers providing en suite facilities. A restaurant provides good food and there is a small toilet and shower block. The grassy areas between gers have plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the mountain views.
Sweet Gobi, Elsen Tasarkhai
Set right on the edge of Elsen Tasarkhai dunes in a stunning wilderness location, this eco-camp has stylishly appointed gers with double beds, comfy mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets and traditional soft furnishings and design features. In keeping with their environmental credentials the toilets are compost facilities stylishly and cleanly maintained, plus there is a ‘bathroom’ ger where they provide a personal head massage and hair-washing service. Their large ornately carved dining ger provides delicious meals, a range of beers and wines and outstanding views of the surrounding plateau.
Nomadic Homestay (Galaa's Family), Orkhon Valley
The Orkhon Valley is a stunning location and here you can stay with a nomadic family in traditional Mongolian gers. The gers are colourfully decorated and contain wooden beds with bedding as well as a central stove for heating. Be treated to family recipes of delicious Mongolian nomadic delicacies. There are plenty of walking and riding opportunities from the camp. Located two kilometres from Orkhon Waterfall, guests can choose to walk, drive or horse-ride to the falls depending on their itinerary.
Sanjaa's Homestay, Hustai National Park
On the southern edge of Hustai National park you can stay with a park ranger Sanjaa and his wife, in a guest ger next to the family. Although the facilities are basic, this is a great opportunity to enjoy traditional nomadic hospitality.
8 Lakes Trek Camping, Naiman Nur (8 Lakes)
Camp will be set up in a different location each day, which is made up of sleeping tents, a dining tent and a shower/toilet tent. High quality sleeping bags with liners and sleeping/rest mats will be provided. All of the camping equipment, including cooking tools and utensils, will be carried to each campsite via pack animals. For single travellers, a double tent will be used, and for couples and twin shares, a three to four-person tent will be provided. Before departing the campsite, everything is dismantled and covered over in a commitment to a ‘leave-no-trace’ style of travel.
Nomadic Homestay (Naraa's Family), Terelj National Park
This secluded homestay with a nomadic family is tucked away in the Baruun Bayan Valley in the further reaches of Terelj, accessible only by fording the Terelj River which not many vehicles can do. Naraa and his wife Bujee's home is a base for horse riding and other activities in the area such as kayaking. Their four guest gers are well-furnished and sit near a small tributary of the nearby Tuul River. Each ger is well furnished and also has a small washbasin stand. A compost long-drop is located around 30 metres away and has a sit-down toilet. Guests will live alongside the family during their stay, experiencing local hospitality and enjoying traditional, home cooked food such as khorkhog or similar countryside fare. Naraa is a master horseman and Bujee is an accomplished cook, so guests will have the chance to sample her wonderful dishes or even help prepare them.
Local Apartment, Ulaanbaatar
Add a bit more local flavour to your trip and stay in a beautiful centrally-located apartment. We have a selection of options depending on the group size, with each apartment coming fully furnished, finished to a tasteful, practical high standard. Beautifully-finished floors are complemented by hand-made wooden doors, double-glazed windows, comfortable Mongolian rugs, wooden furniture, and imported soft furnishings. Breakfast will be provided at the apartment, whilst guests can make the most of the location which is within walking distance of central attractions and some of the city's best restaurants.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED
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WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
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Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Clem
Clem is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258