Ever heard of the northern part of Mongolia? With the help of expert guides, and skillful drivers, Zaya team lets you discover the most extraordinary part of Mongolia. Begin your journey by exploring UB & embark on a fulfilling expedition to the mystical lands of Lake Khusvgul. This journey will take you through the mountainous passes, past stunning landscapes, and deep into the Lake Khuvsgul. Experience Mongolian traditional feast of the reindeer people, feast on breathtaking scenerie, and wander through the echoing forests.
Why you will absolutely love this tour!
- Make the most out of our package trip. We offer the best prices available on the market & all of your expenses are included. Safely fly over here & we will take care of the rest.
- Experience the legendary hospitality of Mongolia.
Is this trip the one?
- You need to have a good level of fitness and be in excellent health to take part in this trip. Medical facilities can be as far away as 1-2 days’ drive at times, as some locations are very remote. During this journey the group will spend time in remote areas without home comforts or easy access to medical facilities.
- You’ll experience varying temperatures in the desert and out on the steppe or in the mountains, so check the weather forecast online before you visit and pack accordingly.
- You’ll be spending some nights with a local family in yurt on this trip. While the “ger/yurt” is shared and small, this is a great opportunity to connect with the nomads (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals).
- Eating can be pretty challenging for vegan/vegetarian travelers as Mongolians mostly depend on meat and dairy products. Vegan/vegetarian food options can be scarce. However, we will try our best to suit your needs.
- Some destinations have outdoor bathroom facilities (squat toilets), and it won’t be possible to take a shower every day on this trip.
- Daily drives range from 3 to 7 hours in duration. While this can be tiring for some travelers, the sceneries & experiences are well worth the ride!
Our Adventure trips are designed for travelers who want exceptional experience, plenty of free time and having the flexibility to choose where and how their time and money is spent. By working plenty of free time into the itineraries and keeping many of the activities optional, we aim to make travel possible for those on even the slenderest of budgets. After all, why pay for an activity or excursion you wouldn’t otherwise be interested in?
Rules
5 days & 4 nights
Arrival Day
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar! Zaya drivers can meet you at the airport and happily drive you to your choice of accommodation for additional cost. If you arrive earlier than the indicated date, explore what our lovely capital, Ulaanbaatar has to offer. The big Journey begins with a meeting with Zaya staff at your convenient location the day before the tour begins! Discuss about your travel plans & get ready for the journey.
- Special Info- You can stay at Zaya hostel with a 15% discount, the day before and after the trip.
Day 1: Amarbayasgalant Monastery
It’s an early start today. Wake up, prepare your new playlist, pack your belongings, and meet your guide, driver, and fellow travelers at the Zaya Hostel office. Settle in for a 5-hour drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. According to myth, the exploratory group stumbled upon two young boys, Amur and Bayasgulantu, playing on the steppe while searching for a suitable site to build the monastery. Inspired by this encounter, they decided to construct the monastery on that very spot and named it after the two children, Amur-Bayasqulangtu. The name translates to “monastery of tranquil felicity”. This monastery is not only one of the largest in Mongolia but also one of the oldest, standing proudly for over 300 years.
Continue your journey to Selenge river, which is one of the largest lakes in Mongolia. Take in the breathtaking scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and feel the cool water. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to spend the night with a local herder family, experiencing their way of life and enjoying a traditional meal. Immerse yourself in the nomad culture and embrace the local customs. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the mesmerizing beauty of the Mongolian night sky, which is truly a sight to behold.
- Meals included – Lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Amarbayasgalant
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 2 & 3: Khatgal – Khuvsgul Lake
Welcome to Lake Khuvgsul! Over the next two days, you will have the opportunity to experience incredible and delightful adventures that will leave you feeling tired but fulfilled. Begin by taking in the breathtaking beauty of Lake Khuvsgul, strolling along the shore and enjoying the warm breeze. The lake is so clear that you can see every tiny pebble beneath its surface. After exploring the beach, you will be warmly welcomed by a hospitable Reindeer herding family who will share their unique way of life and traditions with you. Indulge in some reindeer milk tea and yak curd snacks while learning about their fascinating culture. Although not included in the trip, we highly recommend trying a reindeer ride for a truly remarkable experience. However, be warned that it may not be as simple as it seems!
The following
In the morning, take a leisurely walk through the valleys and be captivated by the awe-inspiring scenery of the landscapes and the lake. You will have a full day to explore the area, listening to the soothing waves and immersing yourself in the stunning views. At night, don’t forget to peek through the door of your ger. You will be greeted by the mesmerizing sight of the moon casting a white shadow on the beautiful, pitch-black, yet somehow haunting Lake Khuvsgul. Rest comfortably inside the ger at the camp for the night.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Khatgal, Lake Khuvsgul, hiking
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 4: Uran Togoo Volcano
All four mountain names allude to their volcanic past with designations borrowed from around the fireplace. Uran means “Artistic”, Mongols named it so because its ridge of the crater is one of many examples of circles that arise in nature resembled a nice creature of a craftsman. It was designated as a Natural Monument with an area of 5,800 hectares in 1995. Uran Togoo is widely considered by many who visit it to be one of the most stunning parts of North Mongolia. It is beautiful, utterly wild and unexploited. A paved road spirals around the volcano and visitors can drive up to a parking lot at the rim. Hiking trails circle the rim as well as lead down into the mouth of the volcano. In the area, soil is very fertile and plants of steppe or forest-steppe grow here. Larch dotted forest, asp, aspen and birch trees are grown on the shadow side of the mountains.
The Volcano has breeding populations of various birds: grouse, sparrow, owl, falcon, cuckoo and hoopoe. Deer, argali sheep, reindeer, wild boar, wild goat, marmot, gopher, steppe rabbit live here.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch
- Activities Included – Uran Togoo Volcano
- Accommodation – Herder Family guest ger
Day 5: Ulaanbaatar
We enjoy a morning walk around Ancient Capital of Mongolia souvenir shopping and head back to Ulaanbaatar City. We enjoy our last lunch together on the road arriving at approximately 5pm-6pm.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch
8 days & 7 nights
Arrival Day: Ulaanbaatar!
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar! Zaya drivers can meet you at the airport and happily drive you to your choice of accommodation for additional cost. If you arrive earlier than the indicated date, explore what our lovely capital, Ulaanbaatar has to offer. The big Journey begins with a meeting with Zaya staff at your convenient location the day before the tour begins! Discuss about your travel plans & get ready for the journey.
Day 1: Amarbayasgalant Monastery
It’s an early start today. Get up, prepare your new playlist, pack your belongings, and head to Zaya hostel. After breakfast, meet your guide, driver, and fellow travelers. Settle in a 5-hour drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Myth holds that while searching for a good site to build the monastery, the exploratory group came across two young boys, Amur and Bayasgulantu, playing on the steppe. They were inspired to build the monastery on that very spot and to name it after the two children, Amur-Bayasqulangtu. The literal translation means “monastery of tranquil felicity”. It’s one of the largest & oldest monasteries in Mongolia, standing proud & still after 300 years of age. Continue on your journey to Selenge river, one of the biggest lakes in Mongolia. Take in the wonderful scenery, breathe in the fresh air, feel the burbling water tickle your fingertips. Tonight, spend the night at a local herder family, eat like a local, immerse yourself in the nomad culture, and sleep in a ger, a traditional dwelling for Mongolians. You share the ger with the family. While the ger is small and shared, this is a great way to experience the nomad lifestyle & connect with the people. There are no indoor bathroom facilities, so outdoor toilets are to be expected. Wishing for a clear sky, Mongolian night sky will be the most beautiful thing you will ever see.
- Meals included – Lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Amarbayasgalant
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 2, 3: Khatgal – Khuvgul Lake
Officially Welcome to Lake Khuvgsul! The following 2 days will be full of incredible/delightful experiences that will absolutely tire you. First, take a look at the beautiful Lake Khuvsgul, walk along the shore, and feel the warm breeze. The lake is so clear that you can actually see every little piece of pebbles in it. After strolling through the beach, be welcomed to our hospitable Reindeer herding family and learn all about their unique life and tradition in this special part of the world over some reindeer milk tea and yak curd snacks. Although this part is not included in the trip, it is highly recommended to go ride on a reindeer, as the experience can be truly remarkable. Watch out though, it isn’t simple as it appears!
Next morning, take a walk through the valleys, the scenery of the landscapes & the lake is truly awe-inspiring. You have a full day to explore the area, listen to the waves, soak in the views, and at night, be sure to peek through your ger door. There will be a stream of white shadow of the moon, on the beautiful, pitch-black, yet somehow haunting lake Khuvsgul. Spend tonight comfortably residing inside the ger at the camp.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Khatgal town, Lake Khuvsgul and hiking
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 4: Shine-Ider
Get ready road-trip fanatics! Today we will be exploring the wild, southern skirts of the Khuvsgul area. The trip is bumpy, long, and not very comfy, but the destination is very well worth it. It will be a long day of driving & sightseeing with lunch and snack breaks in the middle. Your stop tonight at Shine Ider will help you relax in between the long drive from Khatgal to Central Mongolia. Settle in at the comfy Sine Ider Ger Camp & prepare for the adventure tomorrow.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Shine-Ider town
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 5: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Rise and shine! Today, you will be exploring the most unique attractions in Central Mongolia. Your first stop is White Lake of the Terkh River”, located 2060 meters (1,28 miles) above the sea level. It’s the jewel of Arkhangai aimag and one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. The eruption of Khorgo Volcano, your next destination, explains the presence of the lake. Besides, it’s surrounded by other extinct volcanoes. This area is still wild, you may see chitals, marsh deer, wild boars, ducks or great cormorants. Tonight, you will be spending the nights at a tourist ger camp with an opportunity to take a shower.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Khorgo Volcano
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 6: Kharkhorin
Head to the Ancient Capital of Mongolia, Kharkhorin today. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the nomads. You will be visiting Erdenezuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist Monastery and probably the most important one. The monastery went through periods of neglect and prosperity until finally the Stalinist purges of 1937 put it completely out of business. After the collapse of communism, it became active again, offering a peaceful haven & religious freedom to the ones that seek it. Main 3 temples were destroyed, and most of the monks were purged, but it still stands proud today in the beautiful valley. Next, drive to the Kharkhorin Museum, where you will get an insight into ancient Mongolia, the legendary Chinggis khan, and his empire. Settle tonight in a ger camp, with an opportunity for a hot shower.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorum museum
- Accommodation – Tourist ger camp
Day 7: Elsen Tassarkhai/Mini Gobi- Sand Dunes
The trip may be coming to an end; however, we have an exciting finish! To make it diverse, the Zaya team takes you to the Mini Gobi on the way to UB, offering a chance for you to feel what Gobi is like. After days of rigorous adventure, your day in the Mini Gobi can be very calming. Enjoy your last day hiking up the sand dunes and enjoying the beautiful sunset. Soak it all in! Though not included in the trip, it is highly recommended that you ride a Bactrian camel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. You’ll see nomadic herdsmen and their families watching over goats, sheep, and horses. Get to know their simple, but delightful way of living in this little peaceful corner of the world. Spend your last night in a herder family, share their ger and listen to the stories of their humble life.
- Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities Included – Hiking to the mini sand dunes camel riding
- Accommodation – Herder family guest ger
Day 8: Back to UB
Opt to go for a walk in the beautiful morning dunes & head back to UB.
- Meals included – Breakfast and lunch
Airport pick-up & drop-off
Meals during the trip
breakfast, lunch, dinner
4-wheel car & driver
Accommodation during the trip
tourist ger camp
local family ger
English speaking tour guide
Entrance to parks & monasteries
Deep into Lake Khuvsgul chapter: Reindeerland is available during entire year.
| 1 person | $2174 |
| 2 persons | $1275 |
| 3 persons | $975 |
| 4 persons | $826 |
| 5 persons | $735 |
| 6 persons | $675 |
| 1 person | $2831 |
| 2 persons | $1660 |
| 3 persons | $1250 |
| 4 persons | $1070 |
| 5 persons | $955 |
| 6 persons | $870 |
REVIEWS
Lake Khuvsgul was amazing as well. The scenery is spectacular, the people friendly. The waters are pristine, especially as you go north of the town of Hatgal. Boat rides and horse trekking are readily available
I enjoyed my visit and definitely will return to see rest of Mongolia.
“Thank you Andy for making my trip easy”