Unchartered Mongolia, Zavkhan Tour | Zendmen Travel Mongolia

Nomadic herder in the Lake Hovsgol area

Horses are nomads' ideal friends and assistants in the wilderness of northern Mongolia.

Senjit Had

Arkhangai

Har Nuur in Zavkhan provience

Dayan uul

Zavkhan Mukhart Sand Dune

Nomadic Lifestyle

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Flanked by the breathtaking high mountain range of Khangai Nuruu, Zavkhan offers some of the most varied landscapes in Mongolia, with our well designed Central Mongolia tour. Travellers will experience vast desert land, serene salt lakes, and incredible sand dunes all within proximity of each other. The sharp contrast in terrain makes travelling in this area unforgettable. This part of the country is still mostly untouched by travellers. However, Zendmen Travel is proud to be one of the first operators in the world to offer adventure trips for traveller keen to explore the unmatched beauty of Zavkhan.

Central Mongolia tour advantages

Less visited part of Mongolia
Authentic experience with Mongolia’s nomads
Locally sourced meals by a private cook during camping trips
Comfortable Thermarest mattresses and North Face or Vango Tents while camping
Ethical tour operation to the place and people you visit

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia’s bustling capital city, Ulaanbaatar, has much to offer its visitors where felt gers coexist with modern high-rises. Explore Ulaanbaatar, where you can spend your time at boutique shops, trendy restaurants, fashion shows, and folk and pop concerts. Buddhist culture has got a strong presence in Ulaanbaatar. Also, you could relax at a world-class golf course at the foothills of stunning Mt Bogd Uul.

(Hotel****; L, D)

Day 2. Elsen tasarkhai

You will start travelling through undulating hills to the west of Ulaanbaatar. Gaze rolling hills and passing herds and nomads. You will arrive at Elsen tasarkhai, an arid landscape with sand dunes and a stunning rocky mountain of Khogno Khaan, 1967m above sea level. Uvgun Hiid is awaiting your exploration. The landscape is predominantly undulating hills with sparse vegetation. Explore the area on foot. Optional horse and camel riding are available at your cost.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 3. Kharhorin

Explore the mystic Orkhon Valley in central Mongolia, a nest of rich historical and cultural sites. The area is full of the history of the ancient statehoods of Central Asia. You will see the remarkable archaeological discoveries of the 13th century Kharkhorum, the capital city of the Mongol Empire. Witness the daily chanting of Buddhist Monks in the stunning Erdenezuu Monastery. Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, Erdenezuu, survived through Mongolia’s troubled past, such as the war between Oirat and Halh Mongols in the 17th century and Stalinist purges in the 1930s.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 4. Tsenher Hot Spring and Horse riding

After leisurely breakfast, you will start driving to the west. A beautiful Tsenher hot spring in the middle of Alpine meadow awaits you today. Enjoy walking and horse riding in the surrounding wooded mountains followed by soaking in an open-air hot spring pool while gazing glittering stars as night falls. Away from light pollution, this is a perfect place to spot constellations and the Milky Way.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 5. Zayiin Gegeen Monastery Museum and Taihar

We are off to Zayiin Gegeen Monastery Museum in Tsetserleg, the provincial centre town of Arhangai region. The monastery museum is located at the foothills of a stunning Bulgan Mountains, a strictly protected area. This was one of the historically important monasteries in Central Mongolia and worth to visit to learn the history and architectural masterpiece. Afterward, a brief visit to a local market in Tsetserleg may broaden your horizon, and you could sample renowned local curds and yoghurt. We will further journey to a mysterious giant rock, Taihar, in the vast valley of Tamir river. Find out the legend of this historic monolith, where ancient scripts were drawn down the ages.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 6. Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur and Horgo Volcano

We will journey to the west via a picturesque canyon of Chuluut River, where we will have our lunch. We will further drive through undulating hills and vast valleys while enjoying the dramatic scenery. Later today, another fascinating lake Terhiin Tsagaan awaits you. The area is famous for its beauty, particularly a dormant volcano Horgo that is the largest volcanic crater in the country with 200 m diameter and 100 m depth. The lake has been created by a volcanic eruption, followed by the lava blockage of Terh river.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 7. Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur

We will be greeted with spectacular sceneries and landscapes en route from Terhiin Tsagaan to Tosontengel. Sunsets over the lake are splendid! The landscape of the area witnesses significant volcanic events. Passing through the Tarvagatain mountain range via Solongot pass offers you dramatic views of the surrounding nature.

(Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 8. Tosontsengel

After a fresh start, we will head to Tosontsengel, the coldest spot in Mongolia, where the temperature drops below -45C frequently over the winter months. The record low temperature of Mongolia (-57C) has been recorded in Tosontsengel. The area is well known for its wild berries and offers some lovely valleys and tranquil spots, which are ideal for camping. Tosontengel is the second biggest town of Zavkhan and has more economical values than Uliastai as it is a timber centre in Western Mongolia.

(Camping; B, L, D)

Day 9 & 10. Har Nuur and Bor Hyar Sand Dunes

Today we will journey to a scenic lake, Har Nuur, trimmed with Bor Hyar Sand dunes. A dramatic wooded mountain will be swapped with arid steppes and barren mountains. Turkic balbals or stone men stand to witness the history of nomadic tribes in Central Asia. The area is a part of a northern corridor of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

(Camping; B, L, D)

Day 11. Muhart - Oasis

Muhart is part of the huge Mongol Els (sand dune) and is uniquely shaped to look like a dam, particularly alike Hoover Dam in Nevada. Hunui river runs from the foot of the dam and meanders through the sand dunes forming an oasis, which is an excellent spot for camping. The sceneries from Khar Nuur to Muhart are indescribable. The varied landscapes change continuously from mountains, lakes, sand dunes, unique rock formations, plains, plateaus, and grassland. An interesting highlight on this part of the overland journey is the Senjit Had – a natural stone arch. This stone arch is located on an elevated plain where surrounding views are breath-taking, and it looks like a doorway to heaven.

(Camping; B, L, D)

Day 12. Uliastai

Uliastai, a peaceful and pleasant town, is wedged in by mountains in all directions. You can view the entire city from Javhlant Tolgoi, a hilltop that sits in the northern part of the city. We will visit the Zavkhan museum, which keeps the most extensive collection of artefacts among the museums in rural Mongolia. Uliastai also has a rich historical past. The town was home to Manchu Embassy until 1921, who used represent the colonial power of Manchu’s who controlled both Mongolia and China between the late 17th and early 20th centuries. Also, the communists used to execute their political prisoners and monks in the town during the 1930s. We will drive to Hairhan davaa for spotting holy Mt Otgontenger (4,021 m a.s.l) in the afternoon.

(Camping; B, L, D)

Day 13. Ulaanbaatar

We will take an early morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. Back to a busy urban setting, you can do last-minute shopping for your loved ones. For those who love art, visiting one of the finest galleries would be an excellent opportunity to learn Mongolia’s modern art. Enjoy Mongolia’s folk concert by Tumen-Eh Ensemble, followed by your farewell dinner.

(Hotel****; B, L, D)

Day 14. Departure

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(B)

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stay in ger camps onlyCamping onlyCamping and family stayCombination of above 3

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CentralNorthernSouthernWesternEastern
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Experiential and Cultural

Visit local festivalsYogaMeditaionRetreatPaingtingThroat singing classesHorse headed fiddle classesTraditional dance classesArchery classesMongolian wrestling classesDocumentary shootingMeeting Mongolian famous artistsVisiting monasteriesVisit and stay with nomadic familiesMeet shamans

Active and Adventure

TrekkingWalkingHorse trekkingCamel trekkingCyclingSkiingRaftingFly fishingKayakingCanoeingDog Sleddging

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Mammal observationBird watchingPhoto SafariAstronomic tourFossil huntingArcheological expeditions

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Travel less and experience moreCover as many places as possible

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Tour Length: 14 days
Tour Dates: May-September
Tour Price: from $2,323
Group size: Max-12 persons
Tour Grade: Moderate
Private tour option: Available

Testimonials

June, 2006. Zavkhan Trip

To me this trip to Zavkhan was a journey of self discovery & self belief…

June, 2006. Zavkhan Trip

I really appreciated the vastness (or space) I had to myself and the fantastic scenery with humbling Mongolian lifestyle I share with my travel mates.

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