The Least thing to do in Mongolia for travellers is to visit two major important hightlights of Mongolia: South Gobi and Kharkhorin ! Indeed, this itinerary could be classified as CLASSIC by presenting true essence of Mongolian nature and culture with visits to hospitable nomad settlement, active Buddhist monasteries, historical sites and natural parks. Nature along this tour will be changing dramatically: from the golden dunes of Gobi to the open green valleys dotted with wild flowers, from vast plain steppes, to a great waterfall and charming lake Ogii! In order to make this classic trip more active, we have added 1.5 day camelriding and horseriding activities in places where it is most preferable - in Gobi and at the Ogii lake. 13 days/12 nights: • 2 nights in hotel • 10 nights in tourist camps • Total distance by land – 1800 km • Domestic flight UB - South Gobi Activities: • horse & camel riding experience • visit to nomad family • sliding at the sand dunes • hiking in the natural parks ROUTE: UB - South Gobi/Yol valley - Khongor sand dunes -Bayanzag - Ongi area - Orkhon waterfall - Kharkhorin - Ogii lake - Hustai nationbal park - UB

Camping in Bayanzag

ITINERARY:

Day 1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Short city tour. Gandan monastery and the Museum of national history. Prepare for the trip. Hotel.

Day 2. Flight to South gobi. Drive to Yol Am known as Yoliin Am (Eagle valley) in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain (28km). YOLIIN AM – this sunless canyon located in the middle of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain has a particular beauty with narrow paths broadening in places between rocks, while buzzards and eagles wheel and glide in the blue skies above. The cliffs of the canyon block the sunlight from the rivers below, so that they remain frozen throughout the year. Tourist camp.

Day 3-4 Camelriding days. Drive to Hongor sand dunes (195km) - the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Dunes of Khongor is known as the « singing sands » and rise from the plain reaching a height of 800m and extending for 150km long. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river Khongor river.
Hiking and sliding through the sand dunes. Visit camel breeding family, take camels and make short riding session. Next day ride camels towards the Khongor dunes. Have a rest at the dunes. Enjoy the dunes while sliding and walking around. Tourist camp.

Day 5. Drive towards Bayanzag (140 km) - classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun and unbelievable emptiness has become known to the world as "Cemetery of Dinosaurs”. It was discovered by the American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews who first discovered fossil beds of dinosaur bones and first ever recorded dinosaur eggs in 1922 - discoveries which made world headlines. Nowadays there is a local museum which displays important facts and some exhibits of this famous area. Tourist camp.

Day 6. Drive to the north towards Central Mongolia. Overnight stop in Middle Gobi province, at the Ongi monastery ruins. Tourist camp.

Day 7. We will reach Orkhon waterfall. Formed by volcanic eruptions about 20.000 yrs ago, the waterfall cascades from a height of 20m. It is scenic, tranquil spot and surrounding nature is undisturbed, as such there are opportunities for good walking and riding in the area.
Visit herder’s family and see domestic yaks. Tourist camp.

Day 8. Drive to Kharkhorin (130 km) – ruins of ancient capital of Mongolian Empire. On the way visit Tovkhon monastery. Visit Erdene zuu monastery in Kharkhorin and local market for interesting souvenirs and artworks.
Kharkhorin was the formerly great capital city built by Ogodei Khan in 1235. The city was strategically located at the crossroads of traditional routes, creating a staging post for migrating nomads and merchants caravans. Foreign envoys and prominent clerics travelled to this city for an audience with Mongol khan.Far after when the Hubilai Khaan moved t the capital to Beijing in 1264, Kharkhorin was rased to the ground by Manchu soldiers. However the bricks and stones from the ruins of this ancient city were used to build the Erdene Zuu monastery nearby, so in that way the old city lives on till today. Tourist camp.

Day 9-10 Horseriding days. Drive to Ogii lake (75 km) - another lovely place of silence and tranquility. The lake is at 1.387 meters above sea level, which engages 27 sq.km of area. The lake offers charming view extending for far horizons. Usually the lake has beautiful calming view with smooth waves, but it becomes impressive when strong wind flows above the lake surface. The lake abounds various types of fish and birds, which creates an incredible natural beauty. During 2 days at the lake we will ride horses and make a trip around the lake. Visit to nomad family. Optional walking activity along the lake shore. Ogii tourist camp.

Day 11. Trip turns back to Ulaanbaatar. Have overnight stop at Hustai national park /190 km/ to watch wild horses takhi, widely known as “Prejevalski horse ”. Przewalski horses are the only wild horse to survive in modern times. The species were returned to Mongolia from world zoos and reserves within Hustai National Park in 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar. Takhi, like zebra and the extinct tarpan, are a wild species and have never been domesticated or ridden.
Hustain Nuruu has good vegetation, springs, birch forest and rocks which are suitable for many wild animals including 46 species of mammals and 172 species of birds. The best time of the day for game viewing is the early morning and early evening. Hustai tourist camp.

Day 12. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar around 11a.m. After lunch visit Bogd Khaan winter Palace museum and State department store. Amazing performance of traditional dance and folk in the evening. Hotel.

Day 13. Transfer to the Airport and depart Ulaanbaatar.