KHUVSGUL LAKE TREKKING TOURS in Mongolia – Khuvsgul Lake Trek & Horseback Trek with a Nomad Guide
This Mongolia Trekking Tour grants you Live Like a Local access to nomadic families in Khuvsgul Region for some amazing horseback riding and trekking!
Duration: 14 days /13 nights
Difficulty of trip: Moderate
Method of travel: Trekking, horse riding and traveling by rural jeep and bus
Group size (Price per person in USD): 2 ($1256), 3-4 ($1051), 5-6 ($939, 7-8 ($833)
Additional In-Country Travel Expenses:
Rural Bus to Murun (1 way approx. 14 t0 15 hours): $14 USD;
Rural transport (approx.): $146 USD;
Note: Jeep cost can be divided among number travelers (1-4 persons);
Booking, briefing, handbook, healthy/safety coordination: $25 USD
When trekking within Khuvsgul Lake region you can Expect to see beautiful scenery throughout this trekking adventure. Darkhan valley is famous for its landscape, which is riddled with hundreds of bodies of water. Ranging from small ponds to large lakes. You will also see mountain ranges in the distance, lush meadows, rolling hills, grazing livestock, patches of sand dunes, and rivers. Each night, you can gaze up at the stars and clearly see the constellations. You might hear wolves howling in the nighttime. But don’t worry, as local herders say “Wolves have no interest in humans, they want the sheep, and plus they don’t come down from the forests.” Travel distance each day might be due to the weather conditions. Travelers must be comfortable with horses.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day One
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar, Local Sightseeing and Fine Dining (D – Overnight in Hotel): On the first day of your arrival you will transfer to the 3 Star Hotel and possibly have a short Ulaanbaatar 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’s early departure that will take you to the first point along the Khuvsgul Lake trekking route.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Two
Scenic bus ride to Khuvsgul (L, D – local hotel): Prepare yourself for a long scenic bus ride across a diverse geographic landscapes i.e. steppes, mountains, rivers, etc. The local bus (much like USA’s Greyhound Bus Line) will depart at 0800 from Ulaanbaatar to Murun – the destination town. You will arrive in Murun in the late evening time around 2200. Upon your arrival, our local facilitator and drivers will greet you at the bus station and you will have a chance to refresh and have a dinner before you retire to your room.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Three and Four
Russian van ride to Renchenlhumbe village (B, L, D – tent): This morning you will depart to the Renchenlhumbe village by Russian van. On the way you will be served a picnic foods and camp. On arrival, you will set up your camp near a rural Mongol family at a location 4-5 km north of Renchinhumbe village. There, you can prepare for the trip such as organizing travel gear, getting acquainted with your guide, preparing food, getting fresh water from a nearby stream etc.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Five
Trekking to Rolling Hills (B, L, D – tent): From Khuvsgul Province’s Renchenlumbe follow the Aising Gol River, trekking through woodlands on hilly paths. The route will take you from the open enormity of the Darkhad Valley/ depression into the rolling hills. Total distance can be up to 25kms/ approx. 8 hours and depending on the weather there can be some boggy areas with river crossings (dependent on water fall and time of year).
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Six
Trekking to Jiglig Pass (B, L, D – tent): Continue to follow the trail. There may also be a number of river crossings of variable depth and size; sometimes in full flood and sometimes completely dry. There may be very muddy sections up to and over the Jiglig Pass (1926m). After reaching the pass follow the route eastwards until the lake is reached. You will camp at a suitable spot next to the lake. The total trekking distance can be up to 25kms 7-8 hours.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Seven
Trekking to Lake Khuvsgul (B, L, D – tent): Continue follow the trail south along the shores of Lake Khuvsgul. This alpine lake covers 2760 sq km and is the second largest lake in Mongolia. Khuvsgul lake is sacred to local Mongolians who refer to it as “mother”. Travel along the lakeside, mainly through forest and along a track that is not often used. You will camp at a suitable spot. Total trekking distance can be up to 25kms/8-9 hours.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Eight
Trekking along the Lake (B, L, D – tent): Continue to follow the trail until you the trail turn into a gravel beach. After this the route will turn into a gravel track. Continue to follow this south along Khvusgul Lake. Total trekking distance can be up to 25kms/ 8-9 hours.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Nine
Trekking along the Lake towards nomadic family (B, L, D – staying overnight in Ger): On this final day the packhorses may have to go on the less direct track from Janhai to Khatgal and the teams can take the very scenic route. The lake is a magnet for tourists whom have brought much needed cash into the area. There are many Ger camps for tourists and local visitors alike and on the last day you will be traveling past many of these small settlements. Ensure you stay on the main pathway for this last day and do not stray into smaller pathways. Food may be available in the roadside stalls and you may also have a chance to buy souvenirs. The total trekking distance can be up to 20-25kms/7-9 hours. Tonight you will stay overnight at nomadic family’s extra Ger.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Ten
Visit Reindeers (B, L, D – staying overnight in Ger): After your breakfast, you will learn how to make a felt bag with hostess. From June 25th to August 25th Khuvsgul Provinve’s Reindeer families live nearby the family, so you can visit to see reindeers guided by the host family. They are one of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world. Reindeer people live in a tepee in -30C to -50C in winter. Reindeers eat moss of trees and families have to move every month to find new pastures for their reindeers. Only over 2000 reindeers remain in Khuvsgul today. After dinner, you will play Mongolian traditional anklebone game with the family. You will stay overnight in family’s extra Ger.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Eleven
Horseback Riding to Mogoi (snake) Tree (B, L, D – staying overnight in Ger): After breakfast, you will take ox cart for 15 kilometers to see “Snake Tree” which looks like a tree wrapped by snake from bottom to the top, and will have picnic lunch there. After you return to your family, you will learn how to make homemade bread with your hostess. In the evening time, you will have a dinner and have an opportunity to play chess with family members before returning to your ger and enjoy a good rest.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Twelve
Depart back to Murun (B, L, D – overnight in local hotel): After your morning breakfast with the family, the hostess can show you how to make dairy products. Then you will have a farewell lunch with her family. After your lunch, the rural driver will arrive and take you to Murun (125 kilometers) by Minivan. Today you can visit to the Local Museum (open till 1900) and Chingunjav Main Square. You will have a dinner and overnight at local hotel.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Thirteen
Depart back to Ulaanbaatar (B, L): This morning you will have take the morning long scenic bus ride across a diverse geographic landscapes i.e. steppes, mountains, rivers, etc back to Ulaanbaatar city at 0800. Along the way, you will have a short rest and have a lunch. Arrive in UB city at around 2200 pm and check in your hotel for good nights rest.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide Day Fourteen
Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B)
After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for our international departing flight.
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide – Included services:
- All breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
- Private English speaking guide on route
- Private/local cook service according to itinerary
- Sightseeing
- Boiled water on route
- National park fees, Gandan monastery fee, National Historical museum fee, Local Museum fee
- Two ways bus ticket between UB and Murun
- Russian van service according to itinerary (safety vehicle will follow the group during trekking)
- 2 nights at Rural hotel (standard shared room)
- 3 nights at the nomadic family’ extra Ger
- 8 nights in tent
- Camping equipment (2 per tent, sleeping bag, mattress and riding helmet)
Khuvsgul Lake Trekking Tours with Nomad Guide – Not included:
- Orientation lesson fee
- National park fee (3000 tugrug per person)
- Personal use
Important Notes for Mongolian Homestay Travel and Mongolia Homestay: These are “non-touristic” cultural adventures with nomadic families – please do refer to the ‘terms and conditions’ for further clarifications. Winter itineraries are provided for “reference” there will always be changes in activities, methods of travel, etc., to maintain the ‘health/safety’ of travelers and nomadic families. Please double confirm itineraries via email and/or upon arrival at our office during the “training workshop”. ONLINE Itineraries are ONLY meant to provide you a “general” comprehension of day to day experiences and prices (subject to changes), terrain, lifestyles, etc., distances will change in accordance with Nomadic pastures, weather, culture, lifestyles and other factors.