Central Mongolia Explorer - 9 days

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. At the airport you will meet your guide and driver. You will head to the city center.

After check-in, free at leisure and have a good rest to recover from jet lag. If you would like, you can take an easy walk and explore the city.

Today we will drive back in time to a place which recreates the lives of Mongolian nomads at the beginning of the 20th century. The early twentieth century was the period in which Mongolia gained its independence from the Qing Dynasty of China and established itself as a reemerging nation under a living god-king.

We will drive for 1.5 hours to the Mongol Nomadic tourist camp to see a Nomadic show. The “show”, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, will demonstrate how nomads lived their lives during this era and we will learn about some traditions that are carried on to this very day.

After having lunch at the camp we will drive to Ugii lake.

Ugii Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake known for its rich birdlife and peaceful scenery, offering visitors a relaxing stop to enjoy nature, birdwatching, and stunning steppe landscapes.

Drive to a family nearby Tovkhon monastery. On this day, you will get to know the nomadic life of the countryside. You understand and learn about the life of a rural family.

We will drive to the Tuvkhon Monastery. Tuvkhon Monastery was established in the 1650’s by Zanabazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated with a natural system of caves perched near a hilltop, offering beautiful views over the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests.

In the afternoon we enjoy the Tsagaan sum hot spring.

Head to the Kharhorin. Kharhorin (Karakorum) was the capital of the great Mongolian Empire in the thirteenth century under Ogedei Khan, son of Chinggis. It is located on the right bank of Orkhon river but, for a capital of the world’s largest ever land empire there is remarkably little left to see on the surface. Much remains still to be excavated.

In Kharhorin, we will explore two key attractions: the Kharhorin Museum and the Erdene Zuu Monastery. If we arrive later in the day, the museum visit will take place in the afternoon, while the monastery will be visited the next morning.

In the morning, we visit the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, where ancient temples and stone walls reflect the country’s rich spiritual heritage.

We then drive to the scenic Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, often called the “Mini Gobi.” In the afternoon, enjoy a memorable camel ride across the dunes, followed by a relaxed drive to our camp to rest and unwind.

After breakfast, we depart Elsen Tasarkhai and drive toward Hustai National Park, home of the rare and wild Przewalski’s horse (Takhi). Upon arrival, we enter the national park and begin exploring its steppe and mountain landscapes.

We visit the Hustai National Park Information Center to learn about the successful reintroduction of the Takhi and the park’s wildlife conservation efforts. Later, we drive deeper into the park and enjoy a guided walk or short hike, offering chances to spot wild horses and marmots in their natural habitat.

Afterwards we enjoy the peaceful nature of the park and then head to our camp near Hustai for rest and dinner.

Heading back to UB. Check-in at a hotel and be refreshed from the nomadic adventures.

After check-in, optional time is available for souvenir shopping or local sightseeing.

In the evening, you will attend a traditional Mongolian cultural performance which is one of the most entertaining, must-see things in Ulaanbaatar with its play of horse-headed fiddle, colourful dances, throat singing, contortion, and much more.

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Ulaanbaatar. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for last-minute souvenir shopping at the State Department Store or a visit to the Cashmere outlets. Our driver will transfer you to Chinggis Khaan International Airport 3 hours before your departure.