Flanked by the breathtaking high mountain range of Khangai Nuruu, Zavkhan offers some of the most varied landscapes in Northern 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 tour operators in Mongolia to offer adventure trips for travellers keen to explore the unmatched beauty of Zavkhan.
Northern Mongolia tour advantages
A unique itinerary to less-visited parts 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 aloft, D)
Day 2. Elsen Tasarhai
You will start travelling through undulating hills to the west of Ulaanbaatar. Gaze rolling hills and passing herds and nomads. You will arrive at Elsentasarkhai, an arid landscape with sand dunes and a stunning rocky mountain of Kognokhaan, 1967m above sea level. Ovgon Khiid 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. Historic Harhorin
Explore the mystic Orhon 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 Khalkha Mongols in the 17th century and Stalinist purges in the 1930s.
(Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 4. Zayiin Gegeen Monastery Museum and Taihar
We are off to Zayiin Gegeen Monastery Museum in Tsetserleg, the provincial centre town of the Arkhangai 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 5. 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 6. Tosontsengel
Today we will pass through the Tarvagatain mountain range via Solongot pass with another dramatic view of Mongolia’s plateau en-route to Tosontsengel, the coldest spot in Mongolia where temperature drop 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 picturesque 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.
(Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 7. Har Nuur and Bor Hyar Sand Dunes
Today we will journey to a scenic lake, Khar Nuur, trimmed with Bor Khyar 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.
(Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 8. 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 Har 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 9. Uliastai
Uliastai, a peaceful and pleasant town, is wedged in by mountains in all directions. You can view the entire city from Javkhlant Tolgoi, a hilltop that sits in the northern part of the city. We will visit the Zavkhan museum, which keeps the largest collection of artifacts 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.
(Local hotel; B, L, D)
Day 10. The Lake Tunamal
We will continue the overland adventure with an en-route stop at a deer stone monument-a Bronze Age site-prior to crossing Buren Haan Mountains, over 3,000m wooded area. In the evening, you will settle at a pretty small lake- Tunamal, surrounded by wooded mountains.
(Camping; B, L, D)
Day 11/12. The Lake Hovsgol/Walking and Horse riding
Enjoy an adventurous day with strenuous walking around the Lake Hovsgol and explore its wildlife. The riding of a horse in the area will offer you an idea of how pure the lake is. You may spot some wetland birds. Meals are served in the warm and comfortable restaurant of the ger camp — overnight in a ger.
(Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Day 13. Hutag undur via Muron
After leisurely breakfast, we will continue our journey to Muron, the provincial centre town of Hovsgol province. You can briefly visit the local market before we set off to the east. In the afternoon, we will encounter a balbal or stone man dating back to the Turkic period of VI-VIII century near Ih Uul, erecting such a monument used to signifies the importance of his nobility.
(Camping; B, L, D)
Day 14. Amarbaysgalant Monastery
After early breakfast, we will set off for our return leg of the tour. Mongolia’s second most important functioning monastery, Amarbayasgalant, awaits us. The monastery was built between 1727-1737 by Manchu Emperor Yongzheng and dedicated to Mongolia’s renowned Buddhist Zanabazar, whose mummified body used to be kept in the monastery initially. The monastery survived one of the darkest periods of Mongolia’s history- the communist purges in the 1930s. The landscape is dominated by scenic wooded mountains with abundant wildflowers in the summer.
(Camping; B, L, D)
Day 15. Ulaanbaatar
We will drive 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 a great opportunity to learn Mongolia’s modern art. Enjoy Mongolia’s folk concert by Tumen-Eh Ensemble, followed by a farewell dinner.
