Day 1
We meet you at the international Chinggis Khan airport of Mongolia upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, we will visit the National History Museum of Mongolia close to your hotel and have a short walk around the main Sukhbaatar square.
A traditional Mongolian folk concert with talented throat singers, dancers and a beautiful contortionist show can be seen in the evening.
After enjoying your welcome dinner you will be lead back to the hotel for a good night's rest.
Day 2
This morning we transfer to the airport and take a one hour domestic flight to Hovsgol province in the North. Upon landing, we will be greeted by the Harganat team at the local airport at half an hour drive to Harganat River Lodge. After check- in at the lodge we start exploring the surrounding area covered with bronze age graves and herds of animals grazing.
Day 3
After breakfast we introduce the Mongolian horse and their characteristics. After receiving some instructions how to ride, we go on horseback through the beautiful granite Holy mountains with a 360 degrees panoramic scenery. We go down towards the Deer Stone heritage site with carved deer images on standing rocks from 4000 years ago.
Walking up and down the mountain range by horse, you will be good adjusted to sitting on the saddle. On the way back to the lodge in open area you can feel what it means to ride like the wind in a land without borders.
After the ride enjoy a refreshing swim into the main river or try out the elegant sport of fly fishing.
Day 4
Start the trip driving to the most northern part of the country. The landscape changes from steppe plateau to high mountain ranges. A perfect stop for pictures. Today we conquer 2 big passes over 2000 m Toom and Uliin Davaa. The latter is the gate to Siberia and from the pass you will have a great view on the great lake depression. Take notice of the colorful shrines on the Ul pass. You are now entering the territories of the forest shamans who worship nature spirits. We stay in a hotel in Ulaan- Uul village with view on the beautiful Horidol mountain range.
Day 5
Continuing through the beautiful Darkhad depression. On this day we will visit a nomadic family with livestock in Hogorog River Valley. Take part in the local culture. For the night, we will be staying in a ger – a traditional Mongolian dwelling, built by the nomad family.
Day 6
Choosing horses and start point of riding towards the taiga, the region where part of the Tsaatan communities live. You will be introduced to the amazing world of the reindeer- herding people.
Day 7
Spend this day staying amongst the Tsaatan people and experience their everyday life. Learn of their unique traditions such as milking reindeer and processing milk products like cheese.
Day 8
After breakfast, we ride through the mountain and arrive back at the big river Khogorog. Your mind will be swirling with the incredibly rare experience you’ve just had over the past few days. Stay in a ger near the local family and their farm animals.
Day 9
Drive down to Darhad valley between small lakes, animals and nomad families. Reach Arsai river, a meeting spot where horsemen are waiting for you.
Overnight stay in tent at a beautiful location.
Day 10
Hike slowly up to the top through forest. What a magnificent sight awaits of the ancient deep blue Hovsgol lake. The lake area is a forested national park full of wildflowers in summer, protected and regarded as a transition zone between the Central Asian Steppe and the Siberian Taiga. Hike down to the other side in a few hours to reach the lake. After a whole day hiking refresh into the pristine clear lake. Camping, bonfire and wine under an open sky full of stars. Inhale the fresh, cool air from the ocean mother as the Mongolians call her Dalai Eej.
Day 11
Relaxing morning and walk along the shore in a peaceful place by the lake. At midday we take a boat ride on the open lake seeing all the camps and traffic. Toilogt tourist camp, organizer of the Sunrise to Sunset marathon, receives us in the afternoon to have dinner. There we have a warming hot shower and relaxing sleep over.
Day 12
Drive to Murun airport and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Stroll around in the capital and possibility to purchase some famous Mongolian wool products in cashmere, yak or camel wool.
Day 13
Transfer to Chinggis Khan airport for your international departure with lots of memories to a once in a lifetime trip.
Included:
Hotels on the way (2 nights in Ulaanbaatar, 1 night Ulaan Uul)
Camping in tent and teepee
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guiding team driver, cook & translator - Jeep rides- Horses & horsemen
Domestic flights
