The
Alpine Lakes of Naimen Nuur
Exploring the Mountains of Mongolia's heartland
on Horseback |
Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (D)
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Depending on
the time of arrival, we may go on a short sight-seeing tour of
the city. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in
our 4-star hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Mongol Nomads/ Elsiin Tasarkhai
(B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we board our 4×4 vehicles. Today
we drive back in time, to a place that recreates the lives of
Mongolian nomads at the beginning of the 20th century. This was
when Mongolia gained its independence from the Qing Dynasty and
established itself as a reemerging nation under a living
god-king. We shall attend a demonstration of how the nomads
lived their lives during this era, and we shall see a stunning
performance of Mongolian horsemanship. After lunch we head out
west. Marking the northern edge of the great Gobi Desert, Elsiin
Tasarkhai is a sand dune that stretches for more than 130 km
northwards into the heart of central Mongolia. After having
lunch at a ger camp, we visit a family who make a living from
herding Bactrian (two-humped) camels. In the afternoon we go for
a hike along the sand dune, and, if the weather permits, we will
enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dune. Overnight in the ger
camp.
Day 3. Elsiin Tasarkhai/ Tuvkhon Monastery/ Orkhon
Valley (B,L,D)
Leaving the sand dune, we reach the Mongolian steppes. Here
there is a great variety of birds of prey, including eagles and
falcons, constantly on the watch for a meal. Our first stop is
for a 2½- hour trek (the first hour being uphill) to Tuvkhon
Monastery, established during the 1650s by Zanbazar, one of
Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s
wooden buildings are integrated into a natural system of caves
near a hilltop, from which you have beautiful views of the
Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its unique
natural features, this was a perfect location in which the great
religious leader could meditate. Continuing south, we reach the
Orkhon Valley. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 4.
Orkhon Valley/ Red
Waterfall/ Khangai Mountain Range (B,L,D)
Leaving our camp, we take an
hour’s drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon through which the
Orkhon River flows. Here we will take an easy hike along the
canyon floor and end up at the pool at the bottom of the Red
Waterfall. For the brave at heart, a cool swim awaits! From here
we go on to visit with a nomadic family who have a base on
fertile land beside the Orkhon River, spend some time with them,
and learn about their unique traditions and way of life. In the
afternoon we leave our hosts and drive deeper into the Khangai
Mountain Range to camp for the night. Overnight in our camp.
Day 5. Riding to Huis Lake (B,L,D)
Early in the morning we meet our support team for our
forthcoming horse trek. We pack our luggage on the pack animals that will
carry it during our ride, and start climbing up into the Eight
Lakes Protected Area. The steep climb takes us through lush
green pine forests and on through the Bodingiin Davaa (mountain
pass) to Huis Lake, the first and one of the largest lakes in
the Protected Area. Overnight in our camp on the lake shore.
Start
(elevation): 2074 m/ 6805 feet above sea level
End (elevation): 2209 m/ 7247 feet above sea level
Highest point of the day: 2411 m/ 7910 feet above sea level
Approx. 13 km
Day 6. Riding to Shireet Lake (B,L,D)
Today we cross the Eight Lakes Protected Area, lying at some
2500 meters above sea level. On the way we ride past several
small lakes and in the afternoon we reach Shireet Lake, probably
the most beautiful of all the lakes in this nature reserve.
Overnight in our camp on the lake shore.
Start: 2209
m/ 7247 feet above sea level
End: 2446 m/ 8025 feet above sea level
Highest point of the day: 2446 m/ 8025 feet above sea level
Approx. 11 km
Day 7. Riding to the White Stallion Valley (B,L,D)
This is our last day of horse riding in the nature reserve. During
the morning, we explore the surroundings of Shireet Lake and
climb up to an observation point for a panoramic view over the
lake and its surroundings. We then ride to Duruu Lake, on the
western edge of the nature reserve. We leave the Eight Lakes
Protected Area and descend into the White Stallion Valley, with
its dramatic walls hemming us in. Overnight in our camp on the
shore of a small creek in the valley.
Start: 2446
m/ 8025 feet above sea level
End: 2137 m/ 7011 above sea level
Highest point of the day: 2446 m/ 8025 feet above sea level
Approx. 28 km
Day 8. Riding to Amgalan Lake (B,L,D)
We begin the ride through the White Stallion Valley. We
then emerge from the valley into the vast plains of the Khangai
Mountains, where nomadic families graze their herds beside clear
blue streams in the lush green steppes. In the afternoon we
arrive at Amgalan Lake. Overnight in our camp beside the lake.
Start: 2137
m/ 7011 feet above sea level
End: 2050 m/ 6727 feet above sea level
Highest point of the day: 2137 m/ 7011 feet above sea level
Approx. 16 km
Day 9. Riding to Uliastai River (B,L,D)
Today we cross a low range on our way to the Uliastai River. On
reaching the river, we cross it and then ride along it to the
point where it flows into the Orkhon River. Overnight in our
camp on the river bank.
Start: 2050
m/ 6727 feet above sea level
End: 1894 m/ 6214 feet above sea level
Highest point of the day: 2228 m/ 7310 feet above sea level
Approx. 16 km
Day 10. Uliastai River/ Gyalaan Valley/ Tsenkher Hot
Springs (B,L,D)
In the morning we board our 4×4 vehicles and head north,
crossing the Khangai Nuruu Mountains through a series of passes
to the trailhead where we begin our day’s hike – a truly
enchanting walk up a stream, where we hop from one stone to
another, to the top of the hill for an amazing view of the
surrounding valleys. We then reach the area Mongolians call ‘the
paradise of the horse herders’ because of its lush grass and
open valleys. We drive to the Tsenkher hot springs, where water
flows out of the ground at 82° C (180° F) and where we can enjoy
a relaxing soak. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 11. Tsenkher Hot Springs/ Kharkhorin/ Hustaiin Nuruu
Strictly Protected Area (B,L,D)
Built by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin – better
known as Karakorum – was famed throughout Asia as the capital of
the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city,
kings were chosen, laws were made and the fate of the next city
to be conquered was determined. We will visit the ruins of the
old city, the Erdene Zuu monastery, and other historical
monuments in the area. After lunch we head back eastwards. In
the late afternoon we arrive at Hustaiin Nuruu Strictly
Protected Area (SPA). The SPA was established as part of a
unique project to reintroduce the world’s last surviving wild
horses to their natural environment. On the brink of extinction
during the 20th century, the very few takhi, or Przewalski’s
horse, that remained were kept in European zoos. This graceful
steppe horse was returned to Mongolia, and today, thanks to this
special project, two herds again roam the Mongolian steppes.
Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 12. Hustaiin Nuruu/ Terelj National
Park (B,L,D)
We leave Hustaiin Nuruu and head towards Terelj National Park.
The park features unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a
winding river, and restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in
the park itself, where they find good grazing for their animals.
On arriving at the park, we take an easy hike to the famous
Turtle Rock, a symbol of wisdom and longevity for the Mongolian
people. We then continue hiking to Ariabal Temple. The temple
has been recently reconstructed because the original one was
destroyed during the communist purges of the 1930s. A site of
great tranquility, it functions today as a meditation center for
Buddhist monks. After lunch we take a horse ride through the
vast meadows of the park. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 13. Terelj/ Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
After breakfast in the park, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We
begin the day with a few hours exploring the Black Market. This
huge market contains every single item that Mongolians might
need, whether they are nomads or urban apartment dwellers. Goods
brought from all corners of Mongolia are on sale here. A visit
to the market is a colorful experience which gives the visitor
an insight into the everyday life of the people of Ulaanbaatar.
After lunch we visit the National History Museum, which has a
permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have
risen and declined in the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric
times to the present day. The exhibition includes a significant
display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire.
There will be free time for shopping in the afternoon. Mongolia
is world renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this
and many other souvenir items in the city. In the evening we
enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a visit to Zaisan Hill for
a view over the city at night. Overnight in our 4-star hotel in
Ulaanbaatar.
Day 14. Departure from Ulaanbaatar (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Chinggis Khan
International Airport for our departure flight.
Click here for a list of recommended gear for
this trip
|