Mongolia Lakes Tour - The Great Lakes of Mongolia with Naadam festival

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MONGOLIA TRAVEL MAPS - Mongolia Great Lakes & Naadam Festival - Mongolia Nomads Tours

What Could be Better? Visit Mongolia Lakes with a Rural Naadam!

Venture into the mountainous countryside of central Mongolia – as we make our way to all the Great Mongolia Lakes. Visit Khorgo Volcano and the ruins of Erdenezuu Monastery at Karakorum, Mongolia’s ancient capital. Hike through the stunning landscapes of the west, before unwinding at the stunning Lake Khuvsgul. Enter into the spirit of the traditional Naadam Festival at Moron.

After a relaxed day of sightseeing and shopping topped off with a concert of traditional song and dance we will drive out into the wide-open steppe, with rolling hills in the background, to reach the peaceful Erdenezuu Monastery, the main Buddhist centre of Mongolia. Next we will continue driving into Arkhangai, a province of green forests and swift streams, and camp at the Terkhiin White Lake, where once-active volcanoes have formed some beautiful terrain suitable for hiking. Back on the road and driving past Moron, we come to a series of so-called deer stones, a gravesite of nomadic warriors of the 7th century AD. The next destination is Khuvsgul Lake. Spend an idyllic day by the lake, swimming, horse riding, hiking, or just gazing out over the vast expanse of water. We will stay in gers, the traditional circular, white felt tents in which the majority of Mongolians still live.

Drive back to Moron to witness the Naadam Festival where the culture and traditions of nomadic Mongols explode into their full colour and richness. The three ‘manly’ games of horse riding, wrestling, and archery are the highlights of this annual event.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Sightseeing and Welcoming Dinner

On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your 4-star hotel. There will be plenty time for sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar, including Gandan Monastery and the Bogd Khan Palace, which is a series of beautiful traditional buildings in which the last religious King of Mongolia resided. Also visit the National History Museum. There will be some time for shopping before an evening concert of Mongolian traditional music and dance. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants, overnight at a 4-star hotel.

Before Visiting All the Great Mongolia Lakes, We’ll Overland by Jeep to Mount Khogno Khan for Hiking and Rest

You will be met at your hotel at a pre-arranged time by your guide and driver and will head west into the countryside. The scenery is wide-open steppe with rolling hills in the background. We will stop for a packed lunch along the way and reach the mountain called ‘Khogno Khan’ in the late afternoon. It is about a 6 hour drive from Ulaanbaatar. This mountain, at an elevation of 1967m, is perfect for some afternoon hiking and there are some remains of an ancient monastery that should be explored. Dinner and overnight will be at a ger camp. 

Overland by Jeep to Karakorum – Mongolia’s Famed Ancient Capital

After breakfast we will drive on to Karakorum the ancient capital of Mongolia, where there is now a small township. This is about 2 hours drive from Mount Khogno Khan. On arrival, the first and most obvious landmark is that of the massive walls of Erdenezuu Monastery. This Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a vast 400m x 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. We will visit this monastery and then head on to the Karakorum ger camp. Lunch, dinner and the night will be at the ger camp.

Overland to Central Mongolia’s Chuluut River Gorge

Drive into Arkhangai Province and to the Khorgo Volcano crater. This is an extinct volcano crater surrounded by interesting rock formations. This is a long drive, but we will be driving through beautiful green valleys dotted with nomadic gers and herds. We will see the Chuluut River Gorge via the “Tree with 32 branches.” We will have a packed lunch and reach the ger camp late in the afternoon. Dinner and the night will be at the ger camp.

Overland by Jeep to White Lake’s Khorgo Volcano – One of the Great Mongolia Lakes

Today we will visit the volcano in the morning and then hike to the Terkhiin White Lake. There will be an opportunity to visit a local nomadic family today. The vehicles will drive ahead to the White Lake and wait there for us. Meals and the night will be at the ger camp at the lake.

Overland by Jeep towards the next of the Great Mongolia Lakes – Khuvsgul Lake

We will drive north towards Lake Khuvsgul . This is a long driving day through the Khangai Mountain range. We will come to a mountainous valley with forest and a river. We will have a packed lunch and reach the ger camp in the evening. On the way you will have an opportunity to visit nomadic families of this remote area. Dinner and the night will be at the ger camp.

En route to Khuvsgul Lake – We’ll Visit Nomadic Families that are Preparing for the Naadam Festival

Today we will continue driving to Lake Khuvsgul. En route, we will visit local families and see the nomadic herdsmen preparing for the Naadam Festival they hold for the National Holiday. We will arrive in the center of the aimag in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight will be at a ger camp.

Arrival at Khuvsgul Lake – One of Mongolia Great Lakes

After an early breakfast we continue to drive towards the pearl of Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake. There will be ample time for hiking in the surrounding hills, swimming in the lake, or just gazing out over the vast blue expanse of water. Those who want to ride horses can do so here, riding with Mongolian saddles, which are beautifully handcrafted, but are made of wood, so can make for tough riding! Meals and overnight stay at the ger camp by the lake.

Departing Khuvsgul Lake

Today after lunch we drive towards Moron to visit an ancient burial site with Reindeer Stone monuments. On the way you will have a packed lunch. Dinner and overnight will be at the ger camp in Moron.

Attending Moron’s Local Naadam Festival in Khuvsgul Province

After breakfast you will witness the local Naadam Festival. Naadam is the most colourful and enjoyable of all Mongolian celebrations. It is a time when all the country celebrates the three manly sports of horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Horse racing can be spotted before the official opening ceremony takes place at 12:00.Children as young as four years old ride the horses, and the races are run over distances as long as 30km. The real pride of Mongolia is the wrestler. Much skill and training goes into this sport and the winner is revered as a hero by all Mongolians and hence awarded the most prestigious title of the ‘Lion.’ We will have our meals and stay the night at the Dol hotel or a local ger camp in Moron.

Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar

Today we fly back to Ulaanbaatar. The flight from Moron to Ulaanbaatar will take one-and-a-half hours and your guide will accompany you. We will have packed lunch at the airport of Moron. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar you will be taken to your 3-star hotel. A farewell dinner will be held at a local restaurant.

Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the airport for your international departure.

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