Great White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur)

Today, we will explore Ulaanbaatar on a city tour. We will visit Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monasteries, and the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian concert.

Elsen Tasarkhai is an 80 km-long belt of sand dunes, divided by a road into Mongol Els and Khugnu Tarniin Els. Despite the desert setting, the dunes are dotted with vegetation such as willow, elm, and hardy shrubs. We visit the sand dunes and a local nomadic family to experience their traditional way of life.

Kharkhorum was founded in the early 13th century and became the capital of the Mongol Empire in 1235 under Ögedei Khan. The city was enclosed by walls and included a palace and many buildings connected to trade and daily life. People of different cultures and religious backgrounds lived in Kharkhorum, making it one of the most diverse cities of its time. We will visit the Kharkhorum Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery.

The Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape is one of Mongolia’s most important historical and cultural regions and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, the valley has been a center of nomadic life and an important part of Central Asian history. Today, we visit the beautiful Orkhon Waterfall.

Tsenkher Hot Spring is one of Mongolia’s highest-temperature hot springs, reaching around 86 °C (186 °F). This alkaline hot spring rises from deep underground and contains hydrogen sulfide and silicon compounds. After several days of travelling, we will relax and rejuvenate in a natural hot spring.

Set along two of the world’s major bird migration routes, Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur and its wetlands are an important resting place for migratory waterfowl during seasonal movements. Long ago, lava flows spread across the valley, blocking a river and gradually forming a natural dam that gave rise to the lake. Today, the lake stretches about 16 km (10 miles) in length, with clear freshwater reaching an average depth of 20 meters (65 feet).

Khorgo Volcano is an extinct basalt volcano that last erupted approximately 8,000 years ago. The crater spans about 200 meters in diameter and descends 70–80 meters deep, with steep 30–36° slopes. Siberian larch and pine forests thrive along its rim and inner slopes. We will hike around the volcano and experience the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Ugii Lake is a tranquil freshwater lake in central Mongolia, known for its rich birdlife and open steppe scenery. A key stop for migratory species such as swans and cranes, it offers peaceful landscapes and a relaxing natural setting. We arrive at the lake for time to walk and enjoy the surroundings, with a stop en route at the impressive Taikhar Rock rising from the steppe.

We drive back to Ulaanbaatar.