Customized 12 Day Monglia Private Family Trip with Horse Riding

Day 1 · Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Airport Pick-up

1. 1

   Ulaanbaatar

   one hour

   Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival, our private driver and the guide will pick you up at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in. On the way, you can glimpse the modern city views of nomadic Mongolia.

Grand Hill Hotel Ulaanbaatar (4 stars) or similar

Day 2 · Drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery

1. 1

   Amarbayasgalant Monastery

   7 hours

   The first escorted sightseeing stop of your Mongolia tour is Amarbayasgalant Monastery, which is a 6-hour drive from Ulaanbaatar. On the way, you will get the first impression of the vast grassland dotted with hills, sometimes with herds of cattle or sheep grazing on the plain. Amarbayasgalant Monastery was built in 1727, by order of a Chinese emperor.

Amarbaysgalant Urguu Camp or similar

Day 3 · Visit Uran Togoo Mt. Nature Reserve

1. 1

   Stop 1

   6 hours Admission included

   In the morning, we will move on to Uran Togoo Mt. Nature Reserve by car. Uran means “art” in Mongolian, which is perfectly illustrated by the unspoiled natural beauty. It features four extinct volcanoes, extensive grasslands dotted with wildflowers, and clear streams that nurture various animals including deer, argali, wild boars, and Tolai hare. . In the afternoon, we will visit the Uran extinct volcano on the western side. After arrival, you will be wowed by the stunning views of the crater, which is 500 meters (1,640 feet) in diameter.

Unit Camp or similar

Day 4 · Drive to Khovsgol Lake, with a Stop at Khatgal Village

1. 1

   Murun

   one hour

   After breakfast, we will set off for Khovsgol Lake. On the way, stop at Murun, a small town for lunch and a short break.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   Then drive for another 2 hours to Khatgal Village on the southern tip of Khovsgol Lake. There, the guide will show you around the local bazaar, where you can see herds of livestock. For a deeper exploration, climb up the hill near the village. Follow the paths to the north part of the village, where you can see a corner of the lake and hear the gurgle of water. We suggest you wear thicker clothes, as the temperature at the lake area varies widely from day to night even in the summer months (June - August).

Khuvsgul Eco Tour Camp or similar

Day 5 · Full Day at Khovsgol Lake National Park

1. 1

   Lake Hovsgol National Park

   4 hours Admission included

   In the morning, our guide will accompany you to explore the lake on horseback, which takes about 2-3 hours depending on your interests. Setting off along the shore of the lake, you will first pass through a vast meadow. As you venture deep, the shrubbery becomes lusher and taller and a patch of wooded area awaits you. Following the trail, you will finally reach the top of the hill, enjoying the 360-degree view of Khovsgol. In the afternoon, be ready to explore the area by yourself. You must not miss the chance to go boating on this mirror-like lake to enjoy the serene environment.

Khuvsgul Eco Tour Camp or similar

Day 6 · Proceed to Jargalant Hot Springs

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours Admission included

   Ready to treat yourself to a mineral hot spring? Today’s destination, Jargalant Hot Springs, is a 6-hour drive away in Khangai Province. Upon arrival, unpack and settle down in the clean ger camp, and then take a cozy bath in the hot springs on your own. After bathing, go for a short walk to explore the nearby mountains and forests.

Jargal Jiguur Ger Camp or similar

Day 7 · Explore Terkh White Lake National Park

1. 1

   Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park

   10 days Admission included

   After breakfast, we will drive 2.5 hours to Terkh White Lake. Surrounded by the Khorgo Extinct Volcano, the lake is one of the most scenic destinations in Mongolia. After checking into the ger camp there, you could arrange some pleasant activities based on your preference.

Maikhan Tolgoi Tourist Camp or similar

Day 8 · Visit Khorgo Extinct Volcano, Taikhar Chuluu & a Nomadic Family

1. 1

   Khorgo Volcano Mountain

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Today, we will first head to the 2,240-meter (7,349-foot) high Khorgo Extinct Volcano, one of the famous extinct volcanoes in Mongolia, which was formed by an eruption 9,000 years ago. Our guide will lead you through the small copses of trees where strange basalt rocks are scattered. After about a 30-minutes of climbing, you will reach the crater of the volcano where you can immerse yourself in the panoramic views of the White Lake.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   3 hours

   Then, pay a visit to Taikhar Chuluu. It is a 20-meter-high (about 66-foot) granite rock located in the middle of a vast flatland, with a history of 1,500 years. You can see about 150 writings carved in different times and languages from the top to the bottom.

   ★ Visit a Local Herder's Family: At the end of the day, we will visit a local herder’s family and experience their lifestyle.

Taikhar Camp or similar

Day 9 · Drive to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery, Continue to Bayan Gobi

1. 1

   Kharakhorum Museum

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Today we will visit the first UNESCO world cultural heritage of Mongolia, including Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery. Karakorum was the ancient capital of Genghis Khan and once a world-class metropolis influencing Asia and Europe.

2. 2

   Erdene Zuu Monastery

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Leaving the museum, we will head to Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It was established in 1586 and is one of the country's most important architectural heritage sites.

3. 3

   Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune

   2 hours Admission included

   Leaving the monastery, we will depart for Bayan Gobi, also known as Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes where you can see the unique Gobi landscape with soft sand hills surrounded by mountain ridges. At the end of the day, we will pay a visit to a camel herder's family to learn more about Mongolian nomadic culture.

Bayan Gobi Camp or similar

Day 10 · Hustai National Park (Wild Horse Park)

1. 1

   Hustai National Park

   6 hours Admission included

   Today, the guide will accompany you to Hustai National Park, aka Wild Horse Park, which is home to the endangered Przewalski's Horse, the world’s only living pure wild horse. They are short and have wide faces and white fur on the belly, which makes them easy to distinguish from Mongolian horses.

Hustai Ger Camp or similar

Day 11 · Ulaanbaatar City Highlights

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour Admission included

   Today, we will drive 3 hours back to Ulaanbaatar and visit some of its top attractions. The first one will be the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Mongolia, Gandan Buddhist Monastery. Inside the monastery, there is a 26.5-meter-high (about 87-foot-high) copper statue of Megjid Janraiseg, a bodhisattva that represents compassion, which is also the world's tallest indoor statue.

2. 2

   Sukhbaatar Square

   30 min

   Then we will drop by Sukhbaatar Square situated at the city center where important ceremonies and festivals are usually held. In front of the square is the Mongolia Parliament House, with the Bronze Statue of Genghis Khan standing at its doorway.

3. 3

   The National Museum of Mongolian History

   one hour Admission included

   Then, our guide will lead you to the Museum of Mongolian National History. If you are a fan of Genghis Khan, you can closely learn about the legendary story of him. The following one is about his lost tomb.

4. 4

   The Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum

   one hour Admission included

   Thereafter, we will continue to head to the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the winter palace of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, the state's religious head who later became the Bogd Khan or the last emperor of Mongolia.

5. 5

   Tumen Ekh Ensemble

   one hour Admission included

   ★ Watch Mongolian Music and Dance Show: In the evening, you can relax and appreciate an excellent Mongolian music and dance show. To the accompaniment of the traditional instruments, the performance begins with “khoomei”, a Mongolian art of throat singing.

Grand Hill Hotel Ulaanbaatar (4 stars) or similar

Day 12 · Departure from Ulaanbaatar

1. 1

   Ulaanbaatar

   one hour

   Today, at the time per your request, our driver will escort you to the airport and your trekking Mongolia tour will end here. If you want to learn Chinese culture, climb the Great Wall, or admire the aesthetic buildings in Russia, we are willing to continue to tailor the trip to China or Russia for you.