Ulaanbaatar
After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to accommodation. After lunch, take a city sightseeing tour including a visit to Gandan Monastery with its huge gold plated Buddha, a symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival. See the monks chanting, spin some prayer wheels and view the intricately embroidered thanks. Then visit National Museum of Mongolia, where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Enjoy cultural performance in the evening.
Ulaanbaatar city – Bayangobi
After
breakfast at the hostel, drive to Bayangobi. It is a unique place with many different forms of natural
landscape; combination of a Gobi sand dunes, forests and rock mountains. Here
we will stay with camel breeder family. Learn to milk camel and ride Bactrian
camel.
*Bactrian
camels have two humps which makes them very comfortable to ride than Arabian
camels*
Bayangobi – Tsenkher hot springs
We
will drive to Tsenkher hot springs, sulphur springs that emerge from the ground
at 85 degrees Celsius. Facilities include outdoor and indoor baths, showers,
and accommodations. In the afternoon, we will visit Zayan Gegeen Monastery,
founded in the 17th century, housed over 1000 monks before its
closing in 1930s. This monastery included several groups of Tibetan and Manchu
style halls. The main temple was turned into a food warehouse after 1921
revolution. The ethnographic museum of Tsetserleg was created in buildings that
formerly were part of Zayan Khuree Monastery.
Tsenkher hot springs – Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
There
are several extinct volcanoes within the national park area. Khorgo volcano is
the most spectacular one among them. The volcano is considered the last of
Mongolia’s over 300 volcanoes to become extinct. Rare species of flowers and
pine trees grow in the black volcanic soil. Awe-inspiring valleys covered by
basalt are home to alpine wildlife. Astonishingly beautiful Terkhiin Tsagaan, a
fresh water lake was formed after lava flow from the volcanoes blocked the
north and south Terkh Rivers is renowned for its fish and birdlife, including
the Ruddy Shellduck and Great Cormorant.
Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park – Khar nuur
Surrounded by sand dunes and
mountain, Khar nuur is a one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia. Around 13
different species of birds migrate to Khar nuur. The lake is 48 meters deep, 30
km long. Free time for hiking by the lake shore and relaxing in the quiet
beauty of nature.
Khar nuur – Khyargas Lake /Khetsuu Khad/
Continue
driving to Khyargas Lake along the Bor Khyariin Els Sand Dunes. Khyargas Lake
is one of the largest lakes in Mongolia and is located in the Great Lakes
Depression that is a globally important wetland area for migratory birds and is
a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Khyargas Lake is a huge inland sea 75 km
long, 31 km wide and 80 meters deep. The water is brackish and has rare fish
such as Mongolian grayling. The surrounding atmosphere of the lake area makes
you feel that you are really separated from bustling outside world. Enjoy
relaxing and bird watching and fishing.
Khyargas Lake – Uureg nuur
We
will make a short visit to Ulaangom, center of Uvs Province. Visit Uvs Province
Museum in Ulaangom. And drive to Uureg lake, situaeted in 100km from Ulaangom
in 1426 above sea level. The area is similar to Gobi and surrounded in the far
by high Mountains. Uureg Lake is 42m deep and its surface is 237sqkm. Here you
can see numbers of birds and can visit local nomads. The lake is frozen from
October to May. There are two small barren rocky islands in the lake.
Uureg lake – Ulgii town
After
breakfast we drive to Ulgii, center of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s western most province.
The province is famous for its untouched snow-capped mountains and the Kazakh
nation that makes up nearly 5% of the population with their rich, unique
culture. Visit the museum of Bayan-Ulgii Province and learn basic information
about the area. Then we will visit a local eagle hunter’s family and learn
about the Kazakh people’s unique lifestyle, traditions and how they train the
eagles for hunting.
Kazakh family – Eagle hunting
See
how Eagle Hunter makes ready his bird for hunting (how he trains etc.). See his
hunting outfit. Learn how to hold the bird on your arm during the hunting.
Learn how to carry the bird on the horse.
Kazakh family – Eagle hunting
After
breakfast we’re going to head out into the valley to hunt with the Eagle
Hunters. Mongolian Kazakhs use female eagles for hunting, as they are far
bigger than the males and more aggressive. These eagles are trained to hunt
foxes, wolves, rabbit and wildcat.
Ulgii town - Ulaanbaatar
In
the morning we will fly to Ulaanbaatar. After we land in Ulaanbaatar city,
transfer to our hotel and have some rest. Before farewell dinner, we will have
a free time in the city where your guide will accompany you.
Departure
Our unforgettable journey will end by transferring you to
international airport/train station.