MONGOLIA JEEP TOURS – Zavkhan Dunes to Otgontenger

MONGOLIA ZAVKHAN JEEP TOUR ITINERARY

Day One – Arrival, Ulaanbaatar City Sightseeing and Fine Dining (D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight in Hotel): On the first day of your arrival you will transfer to a 3 Star Hotel and possibly have a short city sight-seeing tour (depending on arrival time) that includes visiting the main square, oldest Buddhist Gandan Monastery and the National Museum. In the evening, you will have a welcoming dinner at a fine local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the evening. It’s a good idea to rest early this evening before tomorrow’ early departure that will take you to the first point along the travel route.

Day Two – Overland Across Central Mongolia towards Khogan Khan National Park for Bactrian Camel and Horseback Riding to Mongolia’s northern desert known as “Mongol Els Sand Dunes” for some trekking at the Locally Famous desert oasis known as Swan Lake (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight in extra Mongolian Nomadic Ger – Cultural Home Stay): In the morning you will start your overland travel to Rashaant village for 280kms, along the way you will see many scenic locations and vast nomadic pastures. Upon arrival at the nomad family, they will prepare and greet you with an afternoon lunch. After your meal and some rest, you will have an afternoon horseback ride or camel ride to the beautifully scenic Swan Lake that is located at the base of the Mongol Desert Sand Dunes. This round-trip is generally a 6km horseback ride – Swan Lake is both a pristine example of the beauty of co-existence of extremes (desert and water) as well as vibrantly intoxicating home to Swan Couples that are testimonies to strength, tolerance and passion. Later you will return to the family where you will be warmly invited to enjoy your evening dinner before returning to the family’s extra Ger for rest and sleep.

Day Three – Overland to Arkhangai Province’s Sapphire of Mongolia called Tsenher Hot Springs for Relaxation (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at Ger Camp): After breakfast, you will travel overland to Arkhangai Province which is commonly referred to as the ‘horse breeders’ paradise as its pastures are geographically rich in vast green fields and clear river valleys. Some travelers and locals refer to Arhangai Province as to be comparative with Switzerland with its amazingly beautiful mountains, cliffs, rapid rivers and green forests. Today you will enjoy the natural bounties of Tsenher Hot Springs where the hot spring water flows out of the ground at 82° C and overnight at the ger camp.

Day Four – Trekking to the Garnet of Mongolia, “Khorgo” Volcano and Yellow Dog’s Cave (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at Ger Camp): After breakfast, you will travel overland to White Lake for 185 km by rural vehicle. White Lake is an astonishingly beautiful lake – the lake is about 20 km long and 16km wide, it supports Pike and other fish as well as rare birds’ species can be found here. You will be served lunch when you arrive at the ger camp. Then you will trek for 20kms (round trip) to a volcanic crater called Khorgo, which is 2100m above sea level. From the summit there is a splendid view of the whole lake region, as you continue your journey, you will also visit the famous Yellow Dog’s cave (a local legend stated that a compassionate monk kept a sick dog in this cave in order to protect it from being killed). In the evening, you will return the ger camp and be welcomed with a farewell dinner and milk tea before retiring to your Ger.

Day Five – Tosontsengel-Telmen Lake (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at ger camp): After breakfast, we will head to Tosontsengel soum, the coldest place of Mongolia where temperature drops down to -45C in winter. According to the record, the lowest temperature was -57C in Tosontsengel. The area is well known for its wild berries and beautiful valleys.  Tonight we will stay overnight at ger camp, which locates near the Telmen Lake, which is a salt lake southwest of the Bulnai Mountains. It is located at an altitude of 1789 m and 30 km long, 16 km wide. The air at the lake resembles the sea. There are three islands and many migrating birds on it.

Day Six – Khar Lake (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at ger camp): After breakfast, we will continue our journey towards Khar Lake, which has been protected as Strictly Protected Area since 2010. This lake is fresh water lake and one of the most beautiful lakes of the country. We can see amazing sand dunes in the southern and northern parts of the lake. The lake is 23.9m long and 3.5m wide in average. Depth of the lake is 47m in the west 23-30m in the east and the deepest point is 57m near the Gatsaa. There are 2 big and small island called “Small and Big Avgash” in the middle of the lake. Shoreline of the lake is rocky and has a lot of different peninsulas and bays that penetrate into the lake water. On the bottom of the lake, there are sand and mud and gravel, and some water plants occur on the shallow parts of the lake. The clarity of the lake is 8m and colors are seen as green and blue emerald. Some migratory birds such as Whooper swan, Greylag goose, duck and others come to the lake in summers and other mammals such as deer, roe deer, fox, wolf, corsac fox cat, and marmot are seen near the lake. Along the shoreline of the lake, there are many eye-catching places. This day is dedicated to hike all around Lake Khar; we’ll discover breathtakingly landscapes typical of Gobi, surrounding a turquoise lake.

Day Seven – Hiking to Senjit Khad and visit to the Muhart Oasis (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at ger camp): After breakfast, we will start our hiking trip to the Senjit Rock for about 16kms and then continue visiting to the Muhart Oasis. Muhart is part of the huge Mongol Els (sand dune) and is uniquely shaped to look like a dam, particularly alike Hoover Dam in Nevada.  Hunui River runs from the foot of the dam and meanders through the sand dunes forming an oasis.  The sceneries from Khar Nuur to Muhart are indescribable.  The varied landscapes change continuously from mountains, lakes, sand dunes, unique rock formations, plains, plateaus and grassland.  An interesting highlight on this part of the overland journey is the Senjit Khad – a natural stone arch.  This stone arch is located on an elevated plain where surrounding views are breathe-taking and it looks like a doorway to heaven.

Day Eight – Uliastai town of Zavkhan province (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and Overnight at rural hotel): After breakfast, we will head to Uliastai, which is a peaceful and pleasant town.  You can view the entire city from Javhlant Tolgoi, a hilltop that sits in the northern part of the city.  We will visit Zavkhan museum, which keeps the largest collection of artifacts among the museums in rural Mongolia. The town was home to Manchu Embassy until 1921 who used represent colonial power of Manchu’s who controlled both Mongolia and China between the late 17 and early 20 centuries. Also the communists used to execute their political prisoners and monks in the town during the 1930s. We will drive to Hairhan davaa for spotting holy Mt Otgontenger (4,021 m a.s.l) in the afternoon. In the evening time we will stay overnight at rural hotel.

Day Nine – Ulaanbaatar city (B, L, D – Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour and overnight in a 3 star hotel): We will take early morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. After checking in your hotel, you will have “free time” for shopping at Gobi Cashmere Factory shop. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at the fine restaurant.

Day Ten – Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B): After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for our international departing flight.

Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour – Included services:

• All breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
• Private English speaking guide on route
• One way domestic flight from Uliastai town to UB city
• Sightseeing
• Boiled water on route
• National park fees, Gandan monastery fee, National Historical museum fee
• Private vehicle service according to itinerary
• 2 nights in 3 star hotel (standard twin share)
• 1 night at local hotel (standard twin share)
• 5 nights at ger camp
• 1 night at nomadic family
• Horse riding to the sand dunes

Mongolia Zavkhan Jeep Tour – Not included:

• International airfare
• Travel insurance
• Gratuity to guide and driver
• Alcoholic beverages