Khangai Mountain Trekking

The Naiman Nuur is located in the Khangai mountain range in the Central Mongolia. The area of Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), which was created by volcanic eruptions centuries ago is located 3163m above sea level. The lakes are named as Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Onon, Doroo and Bayan-Uul. The lakes located in a high mountain area with sub alpine mountain meadows and coniferous forests of Siberian Pine and Siberian Larch; flat valley areas with lava stone fields in the north of the protected area and barren mountain tops, and the lakes.

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar

Day 2. Bayangobi

Day 3. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery

Day 4. Tsenkher hot spring

Day 5. Orkhon Waterfall

Day 6. Butuun River/Uurtyn Tokhoi

Day 7. Naiman Nuur Lake

Day 8. Bugat Lake

Day 9. Shireet Lake

Day 10. Bayangyn Pass

Day 11. Orkhon Waterfall.

Day 12. Tuvkhun Monastery

Day 13. Bayangobi/Ruins of Uvgun Monastery

Day 14. Ulaanbaatar

Day 15. Departure.

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel and start city tour in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital, visit Chinggis square, Zaisan Hill; Museum of National History, famous for its exhibition for Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime. Traditional cultural performance with traditional folk songs, throat singing, beautiful melody of horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances and arty contortion.

Day 2. Bayangobi. Breakfast at the camp. Drive to the Statue of Chinggis Khaan on the way back to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch in the city and drive to Bayangobi. It is a unique place with various natural landscape such sand dunes, steppe and rocky mountains. Arrive in the ger camp in the evening. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 3. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery. After breakfast, we visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is located 20 kms from the ger camp. We will have opportunities to visit horse breeder’s family and experience making of airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made by mare’s milk. Hiking, horse and camel riding sessions are available. We will drive to Kharkhorin; an ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and Erdenezuu Monastery. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of Orkhon river in 1220. We will see 800 years old Turtle Rock near the temple. Erdenezuu Monastery is the first Buddhist monastery was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by white walls with 108 stupas. Explore small town Kharkhorin and visit local market. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 4. Tsenkher hot spring. We will drive to Tsenkher hot springs, sulphur springs that emerge from the ground at 85 degrees Celsius. Facilities include outdoor and indoor baths, showers, and accommodations. In the afternoon, we will visit Zayan Gegeen Monastery, founded in the 17^th century, housed over 1000 monks before its closing in 1930s. This monastery included several groups of Tibetan and Manchu style halls. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 5. Orkhon Waterfall. Enjoy breakfast in the camp, we will drive to the Orkhon waterfall which is situated on the Orkhon river, Mongolia’s longest river at 1120km. The local name of the waterfall is Ulaan Tsutgalan and the height is 24m. The waterfall was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes about 20 000 years ago. Overnight in the tent.

Day 6. Butuun River/Uurtyn Tokhoi. Today, we will meet our local team, horses and cattle to carry our luggage and our local guide. Approximate trekking distance will be 18-22km or 5-6 hours per day. On the way, we will see beautiful Khangai mountain scenery with wild flowers and pine tree forests. We will visit Uurtiin Tokhoi, a cold spring with carbonic gas, which lies at the Orkhon River. Overnight in tent.

Day 7. Naiman Nuur Lake. We will trek through the high mountains of Khangai Range. We will see beautiful canyons formed from earthquakes. Our trekking will continue to the Naiman Nuur Lake. There are eight alpine lakes located at 2200m above sea level. Overnight in tent.

Day 8. Bugat Lake. Today, we will trek to the Bugat Lake. The area is extremely remote and you can enjoy total wilderness. Approximate trekking distance will be 15-18km. In some areas we will see extinct volcanic craters. Overnight in tent.

Day 9. Shireet Lake. We will be hiking through forests and grassland with rocks. On the way, we will hike by a few small lakes. The Shireet Lake is a fresh water lake and is the biggest in the area. Overnight in tent.

Day 10. Bayangyn Pass. We will continue to hike to the Bayangyn Pass. This pass is located on the range of Khangai mountain. We will have an opportunity to observe wildlife and wonderful alpine flowers. Overnight in tent.

Day 11. Orkhon Waterfall. Today, we will hike back to the Orkhon Waterfalls where we will meet our drivers and vehicles again. Overnight in tent.

Day 12. Tuvkhun Monastery. After breakfast, we will drive to Tuvkhun Monastery. The first Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar built this monastery in 1651 for his meditation. He created some of his most famous artworks here. The monastery is located at the altitude of more than 2000m, surrounded by mountain larch forests. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 13. Bayangobi/Ruins of Uvgun Monastery. After a late morning breakfast, we drive to the Bayangobi. We will visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is 20 kms drive from our ger camp. The monastery is located in the majestic Khugnu Khaan mountains. Enlightened Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar, a religious leader, philosopher, artist and sculptor; founded the Uvgun and Zaluu temples to honor his religious teacher. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 14. Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar. In the late afternoon we will visit the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 and dedicated to the 8^th Bogd Gegeen, the head of Lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 15. Departure. Our Khangai trekking ends here by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport.