Lake Khuvsgul is known as Asian Switzerland and the Asian blue pearl. It is 1645 meters above sea level, 136 km long and 262 meters deep. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia and contains almost 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. The lake formed about 7 million years ago. Geologists say the lake is connected the Baikal Lake underground. Over 46 streams pour into Khuvsgul Lake that contains 12 species of fish, 4 large islands, and 70 percent of the lake is more than 100 meters deep, clear water reaches 24 meters. By the end of the November, water freezes completely 1 m thick ice. The lake is surrounded by high mountains which is 3000-3200 meters above sea level. Khuvsgul Lake has a legend about why Mongolians call the lake as an ocean Khuvsgul.
Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square
3 Hours Before Flight Time
We start our first day exploring Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital. Sukhbaatar Square is at the heart of the city. Surrounding buildings include the Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace and the House of City Council. Our next stop will be Zaisan Hill. This hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. We will also visit the National History Museum and the Bogd Khan’s winter palace which has precious artifacts from Mongolia’s last ruler. Overnight in hotel.
We will drive to the Amarbayasgalant Monastery, the “Monastery of Tranquil Felicity”, which was once one of the three largest Buddhist centers in Mongolia. The monastery was built between 1727 and 1736 by Zanabazar; a religious and cultural leader, and the first Bogd Khaan Undur Gegeen Zanabazar. Overnight in ger camp.
Today we will continue our journey to Bulgan province. This region is green with thick forests and magnificent pasturelands. There are more than a million livestock who feed on these grassy steppe lands. Fertile soil, wide valleys, and low mountains with gentle slops foster local agriculture. Overnight in ger camp.
After having breakfast, we will drive to Murun City where we will have luch before continuing on to Khuvsgul Lake. This is the largest lake in Mongolia by volume and the second largest by area. The lake ranks third in the worls for purest water. Nearby Khuvsgul Nuur is nicknamed “Young Sister of Sister Lakes”, referring to Lake Khuvsgul and Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. Once we reach Khuvsgul Lake, we will check-in to our ger camp. The camp is located on the edge of Khuvsgul Lake which means you will see the beauty of the lake just outside your ger door. Overnight in ger camp.
Have breakfast in the ger camp and drive to the Tsaatan, or “Reindeer People”. The Reindeer People are a small community of reindeer herders living in northern Khuvsgul province. Reindeer people use their reindeer not only to carry their belongings; but also for meat, milk, and clothing from animal hides. During your visit, you will have a chance to learn about the unique lifestyle of these people and their everyday lives. We will have lunch on the bank of the lake and drive back to the ger camp. Overnight in ger camp.
Have breakfast in the ger camp and drive to the Tsaatan, or “Reindeer People”. The Reindeer People are a small community of reindeer herders living in northern Khuvsgul province. Reindeer people use their reindeer not only to carry their belongings; but also for meat, milk, and clothing from animal hides. During your visit, you will have a chance to learn about the unique lifestyle of these people and their everyday lives. We will have lunch on the bank of the lake and drive back to the ger camp. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to Jargaliin Jiguur. Jargaliin Jiguur is located by the Ider river which is rich with different types of fish. Overnight in ger camp.
Today we will drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake also called “White Lake”, which is nestled in the mountains of Khangai to 2,060 m. It measures 16 km wide and 20 km long, and its waters are of exceptional purity. It is the heart of a protected area for its biodiversity, as diverse ecosystems cohabit: taiga (boreal forest), mountain steppe and wetlands supporting a rich fauna.
After lunch, we visit extinct crater of the Khorgo volcano which is located in the east of Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Lake. The Khorgo volcano is located at an altitude of 2200 meters, its slopes are covered with basalt and its crater forms an almost perfect cone of 200 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep. Its last eruption was 8000 years ago; it was the last active volcano in Mongolia. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to Orkhon River and Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall which has a height of 24m. The waterfall was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes about 20 000 years ago. The water level of the waterfall depends on the rainfall. There will be hiking opportunities to the bottom of the gorge. Overnight in ger camp.
After having breakfast; we drive to Kharkhorin, the ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire, and to Erdenezuu Monastery, a treasure of Mongolian Buddhism. Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, was founded on the ruins of Kharkhorin in 1586 by Avtai Sain Khaan, a descendant of Chinggis Khaan. There is an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special costumes for Tsama religious dances, and superb Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive west to Khustai National Park. This National Park is located about 95kms south-west of Ulaanbaatar in the hills of the Southern Khan Khentii Mountain. Upon our arrival, we will visit a local museum and see a video about the National Park. We will then drive deep inside park to see the wild Mongolian horses known as “Mongolian Przewalski Horses”.
The late afternoon offers an optional guided shopping tour to cashmere and antique shops, and to the State Department Store. In the Evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Hotel.
International departure
