Khuvsgul Lake and Taiga excursion
Dates: 26th July – 06th August
Duration: 12 days, 11 nights
Group size: Min- 3 pax, Max- 8 pax
Destination: Ulaanbaatar, Selenge province, Khuvsgul province, Khorgo-Terhiin Tsagaan National Park, Arkhangai province
Highlights: Amarbayasgalant monastery, Khorgo extinct volcano crater, Great White Lake, Khuvsgul Lake, Uran Togoo extinct volcano crater, Ancient
capital Karakorum, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Tsenkher Natural Hot Springs and Tsaatan (reindeer)culture
Accommodation: Tourist standard ger camps / 9 nights, Tsaatan family homestay 1 night
Total driving distance: 2325 km
Price per person: 1 pax 1660 USD
Khuvsgul Lake, containing 0.5 percent of world’s freshwater resource, has always been attracting both local and foreign tourists. Taiga forest area, which surrounds the Lake, is habitat to many species of plants and animals. Combination of Khuvsgul Lake, Taiga forest and reindeer people will give you unique experience about local people and their culture. This is a perfect place to see the green parts of Mongolia. Freshwater lakes, extinct volcano craters, reindeer herders, Buddhist temples will take you into an unforgettable journey.
Day 1. Arrival
Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our guide will warmly welcome you, and check-in to your preferred hotel for the overnight rest (hotel stay not included).
Day 2. Amarbayasgalant (350 km)
After breakfast at the hotel, start your journey to Amarbayasgalant Monastery – the Monastery of Tranquil Felicity. It was commissioned by Manchu emperor Kang Xi in purpose of serving as a last resting place for the Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar – the first Buddhist spiritual leader of Mongolia. Lunch is on the way. Dinner and overnight in a ger camp near the Monastery. (L/D)
Day 3. Uran Togoo (220 km)
After breakfast drive to Uran Togoo, an extinct volcano in Bulgan province. The crate is humble but has an interesting shape, which is considered as one of the nature’s precious craft. Dinner and overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 4. Murun town (250 km)
In the morning drive north to the Khuvsgul province capital Murun town. Please keep your cameras аt hand; photo opportunities will be present very often. Late afternoon reach the Murun town and settle in a ger camp. Lunch is on the way, dinner and overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 5. Tsagaan Nuur soum (220 km)
Early in the morning start to Tsagaan nuur soum, located in the far north of Khuvsgul province. Lunch on the way and dinner is upon arrival in the guest house. It is a small town where majority of residents are of Tsaatan ethnic group. Overnight in a guest house. (B/L/D)
Day 5. Taiga (~30 km)
After breakfast, the ride is in direction of Taiga, up until the point where vehicle can take you (~2 hours). Furthermore, the travel continues on horseback through the woods. About two hours later, we arrive in the Tsaatan family home, with large herd of reindeers, and tent housing. There, greet the host and meet the family, and learn about their distinct culture and lifestyle throughout the day. Lunch, dinner and overnight with the Tsaatan household. (B/L/D)
Day 6. Khuvsgul Lake (~30km, 174 km)
Say your goodbyes to the Tsaatan family, and go down to the Tsagaan Nuur soum from the Taiga. From there, continue your journey to the Khuvsgul Lake. Around evening, settle in the camp by the lakeshore. Lunch is on the way. Dinner and overnight are in a ger camp by the lakeshore village upon arrival. (B/L/D)
Day 7. Khuvsgul Lake
Early in the morning a walk by the lakeshore is highly recommended. When the mist takes off from the water by sunrise, one gets a chance to see the striking mystical environment that enchants travellers’ minds. After breakfast, optional rafting and kayaking activities are available. Lunch, dinner and overnight are in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 8. Great White Lake (340 km)
After breakfast, travel to a magnificent volcanic area of Khorgiin Togoo and Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. The majestic extinct volcanic crater is located on the east shores of the Great White Lake. Disregard the time lapse while visiting the timeless nature formations. Dinner and overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 9. Tsenkher Natural Hot Springs (240 km)
In the morning, travel to Tsenkher hot springs. Spend the day relaxing in natural hot springs and walking in its surrounding forest. Please pack your swimsuit for this day. Your may have a small hike to a mountain top, where a stunning view awaits you. Optional massage and beauty services are available. Enjoy the hot springs again after dinner. Lunch, dinner and overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 10. Karakorum (120 km)
After breakfast, drive to Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit the Karakorum museum, and Erdene Zuu Monastery, which had been one of the most significant monasteries in Mongolia, but heavily damaged in the 1930’s socialist purge. Tour the monastery grounds and visit several temples with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Lunch, dinner and overnight in ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 11. Ulaanbaatar (360 km)
After breakfast travel back to Ulaanbaatar. Have lunch on the way and re-check in to hotel upon arrival. The evening is program free to dine and explore on own. (B/L)
Day 12. Departure
Today we transfer you to your international departure point and conclude the tour.
Price does not include accommodation in UB.
Please contact us for prices of children (3-12 years old).
Package price includes:
- Airport or train station transfers in Ulaanbaatar
- Accommodation in ger camps * – twin sharing
- English speaking professional local guide
- Chauffeured tour couch during the tour
- Entrance fees to National Parks and protected areas
- Tickets to museums and art performances
- Meals as mentioned in itinerary
- Two bottles of 0,5 litre drinking water per day
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
Package price excludes:
- Hotel in Ulaanbaatar;
- Ger camp single supplement 25 USD per person/per night;
- Visa application fee;
- International airfare;
- Travel insurance;
- Hotel extras (phone calls, laundry, minibar,. etc);
- Personal toiletries;
- Gratuity to local guides and drivers;
- Optional excursions unless stated in the itinerary;
How to get a visa?
If you are a citizen of one of the 46 countries that has been granted “visa-free access” to Mongolia, or 41 countries covered in a 30 day visa-free visit regime until 31st December 2016, you do not need to present a visa when entering Mongolia for tourism purposes. With exception of those, visitors are required to have a valid visa issued by Mongolian diplomatic missions or honorary consuls abroad. The following materials are required to obtain a visa under grounds of tourism:
- Passport, valid for at least six months from the end of intended period of stay in Mongolia
- One passport size photo
- Completed and signed Visa Application Form for Tourists
- Invitation from Mongolia (Either an invitation of the receiving entity, or an official request of the sending country and the organization).
- Transit visa processing requires visa for next destination, and copy of onward tickets.
How to get to Mongolia?
By airways: Providing you with comfort flights, Mongolian national flag carrier MIAT – Mongolian airlines operate scheduled and chartered flights to Ulaanbaatar from Berlin, Frankfurt, Moscow, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Beijing. The Chinggis Khaan international airport, conveniently located 18 km southwest of the capital, hosts following carriers apart from MIAT:
- Aeromongolia
- Hunnu Air
- Aeroflot Air
- China
- Korean Air
- Turkish Airlines
We will always be happy to help arrange your international flights to Mongolia. By railways: If your holiday duration and plan allows, another great way to get to Mongolia is via trans-Mongolian train. This is possible either from Moscow or Beijing. The journey takes 4 nights and 5 days from Moscow, and 1 night and 2 days from Beijing. It is a magical journey which takes you from the heart of buzzing downtowns of metropolises into nomadic Mongolia, past the Great Wall of China through the Gobi desert, or Russian countryside villages through the Baikal Lake. Also trains to border cities run every day, as the cities of Ulaan-Ude (Russia) and Erlian (China) are both popular get-away destinations for locals, for a little cultural sightseeing and a bit of shopping. You can let us handle your international railway tickets, to make your travel plan even smoother.
What to bring? What to wear?
Yes, you would want to pack a few additional things to make your travel more comfortable.
Those are:
- Your personal toiletries
- Summer hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Earplugs to use when camping in the countryside
- Small headlamp or a flashlight
- Portable battery charger for your phone, tablet, camera etc.,
Small first aid bag including following:
- Small adhesive bands
- Blister plasters
- Painkillers
- Medicine to treat occasional diarrhea
- Lip balm
- Wet tissue
- Mosquito repellent cream
Other optional:
- Sleeping bag or sleeping sack
- Mosquito net
- After sun cream when possible
Clothing:
- Trekking shoes
- Weatherproof jacket
- Wool hat, gloves, scarf
- Pajamas
- Spare pairs of socks and underwear
- Bathing or swimming suit
- Other casual clothing
Currency
Foreign currency can be exchanged at . commercial banks and Mongolian national currency “Tugrug” are in notes of 1, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000. The US dollar is preferred currency. Credit cards are also accepted at major hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. UB and major cities have ATMs.
Electricity
Mongolian nationwide electricity output is 220V/50HZ in a European style plug. Most likely all the wall sockets will feature 2 widely spaced round pins. But no worries if your device is different, because universal plug converter is commonly found at relatively cheap price here in Mongolia.
Public Holidays
Mongolians have several national holidays and celebrations, and when we talk about celebrating holidays, we mean to do it nationwide. Believe us, celebrations take festive forms in most cases, and some certain are