ACTIVE ADVENTURES
Mongolian Overland Adventure: Across the Mongolian Plains
TRIP SUMMARY
If you are looking for exploring the extensive Mongolian plains and learn about nomadic culture in depth, this quest might be suitable for you. For centuries, explorers arranged quests to discover its wildlife and sought to traverse across its vast land on horse or camel. Our expedition begins in the northern Lake Hovsgol region, where Mongolia’s crystal clear Lake Hovsgol awaits you. Our journey then continues onto Zavkhan province, which is one of Mongolia’s few remaining unexplored corners. We will then traverse across the northern Gobi plains to the towering sand dunes. Our quest concludes with a dinosaur fossil prospecting journey and a nomadic encounter with horse breeding family. This expedition will take us through best known lakes and river systems of central and northern Mongolia and concludes in the Gobi Desert.
Brief Daily Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar
We will spend one full day exploring the city’s best museums and Buddhist temples. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3. Ulaanbaatar / Lake Hovsgol
This morning, we will fly north to the magnificent Lake Hovsgol, which is considered as a headwater to the Lake Baikal. After our arrival in Muron, we drive north to our ger camp located on the shore of the lake . Overnight in gers.
Day 4. Lake Hovsgol
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of horseback riding along the lakeshore. We will start riding south and return to the camp from its northern direction by making a large loop.Overnight in gers.
Day 5. Lake Hovsgol / Telmen Lake
We will begin our field expedition south west to Telmen Lake, surrounded by nomadic summer camps. Overnight in tents. (Approx. 300km)
Day 6. Telmen / Khar Nuur Lake (Approx.200km)
Today, we will drive to the Khar Nuur Lake which is beautiful and surrounded half by sand dunes. Overnight in tents. Spend a full day exploring the site.
Day 7. Khar Nuur
We will spend one full day exploring the sights and sounds of the surrounding area. Overnight in gers.
Day 8. Khar Nuur / Uliastai / Otgontenger
After breakfast, we will drive to the towering Otgontenger mountain base, the highest peak in Central Mongolia. The locals revere it as a holy mountain. Overnight in tents.
Day 9. Otgontenger / Otgon Sum / Buu Tsagaan Soum
From the base of Otgontenger Mountain, we will drive through tall mountain passes and horse pasture lands to the Bayanhongor province. We will camp near Boon Tsagaan Nuur Lake. Overnight in tents.
Day 10. Buun Tsagaan Nuur Lake / Bichigtyn Khad petroglyphs
Our journey today will bring us to the northern borders of Gobi Desert. Here, we will visit what is considered as one of the richest and most magnificent petroglyphs of Mongolia. Overnight in tents. .
Day 11. Bichigtyn Khad / Hongoryn Els
From Bichigtyn Khad, we will drive to the western part of the Gobi where the towering Hongoryn Els sand dunes exist. Overnight in gers.
Day 12. Yol Valley / Flaming Cliffs
This morning, visit Yol Valley where ice stays until late July. In the evening, visit the legendary Flaming Cliffs and enjoy Gobi’s sunset. Overnight in gers.
Day 13. Delgerkhangai Sum
We will steer north to Dundgobi province and will visit a nomadic horse breeder family where we will spend the evening together. Overnight in tents.
Day 14. Ulaanbaatar
We will arrive back in Ulaanbaatar and enjoy last minute shopping and sightseeing. Overnight in hotel.
Day 15. Departure
Farewell and transfer to the airport for departure.
Trip Highlights:
- Explore Lake Hovsgol, the mid-western Mongolia and Gobi desert;
- Visit ethnic Mongolians along the way;
- Explore the national parks of Mongolia;
- Enjoy hiking in the mountains and the desert, in search of cultural heritage and wildlife;
- Explore the country from north to south, exploring one ecosystem transitioning to another;
- Be one of the first to explore Mongolia’s most remote regions beyond the mountains and the deserts;
DATES & PRICING
Trip Date:
August 1 – 15 , 2023
Prices:
2 travelers:
$3,870 per person, standard twin occupancy
3-5 travelers:
$3,650 per person, standard twin occupancy
6-9 travelers:
$3,450 per person, standard twin occupancy
10 and more travelers:
$3,300 per person, standard twin occupancy
Optional single supplement:
$650 per person
Post-Trip Altai Mountains Extension
Why not extend your journey and visit Altai Tavan Bogd National Park? On this western Mongolian journey, we will visit Mongolia’s highest peaks and trek amidst stunningly beautiful peaks. We will visit local Kazakh hunters’ camps to learn how golden eagles are trained and meet talented Kazakh women who are renowned for their skill of making colorful embroideries.
GALLERY
ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION
Hotel Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Hotel Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar is conveniently located in downtown Ulaanbaatar and is a 5 start hotel with a friendly staff. All major atractions of UB are located with a walking distance of the hotel.
Field camps
In some areas, we will be staying expedition style tents. It is one of the best camping grounds in the entire country and be sure to watch for the northern stars and the entire Milkyway spanning over us!
Ger camps
Throughout the program, we will be staying at ger camps, rustic, eco lodges. Ger camps offer authentic Mongolian experience.
Land Transportation:
Land transportation is provided by Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps seating 3 passangers per vehicle. Some roads can be bumby and hard but our drivers are some of the most experienced and reliable in the country.
