Active Fun in Mongolia, 7 days

Mongolia is known as the “Land of Eternal Blue Sky” with over 250 sunny days in a year. This leisure trip is designed for a wholesome active experience in outdoor Mongolia. All planned activities are generally suitable for most travellers who want to have a taste of nomadic outdoor.

A landlocked country sandwiched between China and Russia, Mongolia is sparsely populated with only 3 million people. The Mongol Empire was founded by the great Genghis Khan in early 13th century. Explore Khogno Khan Nature Reserve – home to many historical monuments and wonderful landscapes by hiking and riding. Be in awe with the massive amount of wildlife and spot the Przewalski’s horses – the only remaining wild horses in Mongolia in Khustai National Park.

Trip Duration: 7 days

Interested in this trip? < MAKE AN ENQUIRY > and our Active Travel Specialists will get in touch with you.

Itinerary

Key Highlights

~ watch a cultural folklore performance of Mongolian songs, dances and throat singing;
~ hike along the Mongolian steppe;
~ experience life of a nomad;
~ enjoy horse and camel riding;
~ experience Mongolian style simple glamping;
~ opportunity for star gazing;
~ learn about conservation, protection and research of wildlife;
~ take a hike to view wildlife;
~ watch a Mongol Nomadic show, a re-enactment of traditional nomadic life of early 20th century;
~ visit the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue.

Day 1 Arrive Ulaan Baatar

Welcome to the Land of Genghis Khan and Blue Skies. Upon arrival, meet your guide and we shall enjoy an early lunch before embarking on a 2-hour city tour of Ulaan Baatar.

Take a rest in the hotel. Proceed to watch a Mongolian cultural folklore performance of songs, dances and throat singing. There will be a trip briefing during welcome dinner.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Bayangol Hotel or similar

Day 2 Ulaan Baatar – Khogno Khan Nature Reserve

Begin the journey with a drive across vast grassland with rolling hills and rugged mountains in the background. Arrive at Khogno Khan Nature Reserve – a spectacular region comprises of sand dunes, rock formations and majestic mountains.

Hike to explore a mysterious Buddhist temple along the Mongolian steppe and continue to a nomadic family that lives with large herds of sheep, goats, horses and cattle. Our camp will be set up right beside the nomads’ ger.

Spend the rest of the day interacting with the hosts and experience the life of being a nomad through sheep or calves herding, water fetching and helping with dinner preparation. A traditional dinner will be served tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Camping

Hiking Duration: 1.5 Hours

Hiking Terrain: trail walking on undulated Mongolian steppe

note: there will be a mobile toilet and a camping shower with warm water available for this night.

Day 3 Khogno Khan Nature Reserve

Mongolian horses will be saddled up for a 3 – hour journey (with photo and leg stretching stops along the way) to uncover ancient petroglyphs; a thrilling experience few have seen. Make awesome photography stops along the way. After completing the joyous equestrian experience, continue to Mongol Els – spectacular sand dunes that stretch for 100 KM across arid grasslands and dramatic mountains reaching 2,000 M above sea level. Two – hump Bactrian camels (named after a historic region in Central Asia) will be carrying you along the dunes for an hour or so.

Settle in an eco – ger camp where you will be allocated in a suite style gers. Absence of running water is well compensated by hot steamed towels infused with conifer. Comfortable nature toilets with modern sanitary will be set up too. Feel the real sense of access to natural environment and tranquillity as night falls. Star gazing is breath-taking here as the pitch-dark celestial canvas illuminates with myriads of stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Ger Camp

note: no running water and no electricity or phone data will be available at this ger camp. There will be water for washing face (and hair) and brushing teeth. There is a possibility for triple sharing tonight even if you have opted for twin sharing basis.

Day 4 Khogno Khan Nature Reserve – Khustai National Park

Drive to Khustai National Park. In 1993, a small number of last remaining wild horses known as “Przewalski horses” was brought here from several European zoos and re-introduced to their historic homeland after they had been extinct for 5 decades. Arguably, it is the most successful wildlife preservation project ever implemented in Mongolia with over 350 wild horses free roaming in the wilderness and having to withstand predators and harsh climate.

Impressively, the park is also home to 220 species of birds, 1,200 Red deer and 20,000 marmots. On arrival, we will be introduced to the park’s activities such as conservation, protection and research of wildlife.

Take a leisure hike through lush grassy valleys alternated with rocky ridges that shelter patches of birch growth to see wild horses, red deer, marmots and birds not limiting to Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon and various smaller falcons.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Ger Camp

Hiking Duration: 2 Hours

Hiking Terrain: generally flat with gentle undulation on minor sections on established tracks

note: tented – built or communal bathrooms with warm shower will be available. These bathrooms will be separate from the ger camps which will be furnished with beds. There is a possibility for triple sharing tonight even if you have opted for twin sharing basis.

Day 5 Khustai National Park – Ulaan Baatar

This morning, watch the Mongol Nomadic show which is a re-enactment of the traditional nomadic life of the early 20th century. See a seasonal migration on yak carts, process of making felt used for covering Mongolian gers and other scenes of daily life of nomads. You may ride the yaks and try on traditional Mongolian fur/dresses.

We embark on a final hike before the return journey to Ulaan Baatar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Bayangol Hotel or similar

Hiking Duration: 1.5 Hours

Hiking Terrain: trail walking on undulated Mongolian steppe.

Day 6 Ulaan Baatar

Visit a gigantic statue of Genghis Khan. The great Khan is depicted in probably his 50s looking in the direction of his birthplace and resting his right hand on a golden whip he found here, as legend suggests. It was conceived as the centerpiece of a colossal construction comparable to and in some aspect resembling the Chinese “terracotta warriors”. An observation deck on the horses’ head allows panoramic views of vast steppe and rolling hills. A view to behold.

This afternoon, you have some free time at leisure in the city. A great farewell dinner awaits in the evening. Savour specialties of traditional Mongolian cuisine as we reminisce those awesome nomadic adventure over the last few days.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Bayangol Hotel or similar

Day 7 Depart Ulaan Baatar

Rest and relax for the day until your departure transfer to the airport. Official check out time is 12 pm.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 3 nights hotel accommodation (ensuite bathroom);

~ 1 night camping in glamping – style (shared bathroom);

~ 2 nights Ger camp stay in twin or triple sharing (shared bathroom);

~ return group transfers;

~ 6 breakfasts; 6 lunches & 6 dinners;

~ admission fee to shows, attractions and National Parks;

~ horse and camel rides;

~ service of an English-speaking Guide;

~ chauffeured driven in air-conditioned vans as overland transportation;

~ water for enroute consumption.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ visa fee (if applicable);

~ tipping for the Mongolian support team;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ beverages during meals;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

Important Notes

~ A non-refundable deposit, 20% per person is required upon booking. Full payment is required 2 months prior to departure.

~ Only book your air ticket to Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia when you have been informed to do so. Should Travel Wander fulfil your air ticket booking, additional deposit or full payment may be required to confirm the booking.

~ Should you require a visa to enter Mongolia, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require it.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the travellers. Therefore, inclusion of the itinerary may be altered by the Guide due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book-out, the skill levels of the participants and/or other unexpected circumstancesbeyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue the trip.

~ Because hiking requires certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Participants must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ All participants are required to wear covered shoes with good sole grip when hiking.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ During the night on day 2, there will be a mobile toilet and a camping shower with warm water available.

~ No running water and no electricity or phone data will be available at the ger camp on day 3. There will be water for washing face (and hair) and brushing teeth. There is a possibility for triple sharing in ger camps even if you have opted for twin sharing basis.

~ During the night on day 4, tented – built or communal bathrooms with warm shower will be available. These bathrooms will be separate from the ger camps which will be furnished with beds. There is a possibility for triple sharing in ger camps even if you have opted for twin sharing basis.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	Hiking, More Interest
Country	Mongolia
Hiking Grade	Grade 2 – Beginner
Season	06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September

Active Fun in Mongolia, 7 days