Mongolia by bus - Nomadays

Mongolia

Mongolia by bus

Accompanied by your guide, you will take a bus to explore the National Terelj park, known for its forests of larsh, rock formations carved by the elements, its tumultuous water courses and green pastures where nomads and herds live in harmony in an exuberant nature. Then, you will leave for the Orkhon Valley, picturesque landscape of Mongolia, which is considered as being the perfect nomadic land.

A circuit for backpackers, wishing to discover the lifestyle of Mongolian nomads and do some trekk...

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Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

Meal and accommodations
Accommodation: Zaya guesthouse

Day 2-4Terelj, ride

Day 2-4Terelj, ride

Ulan Bator - Terelj national park

  • You will catch the early morning bus towards the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

    Arrived at the bus stop, you will meet with your hosts, the local family that will welcome you to their home for this short journey.

  • Journey to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a real gorgeous green setting at the gates of the capital : rocky formations sculpted by erosion, mountains tree-filled with pines, plains scattered with wild flowers and edelweiss, rivers and lakes.

Also
  • Day 2Day 3Day 4

    Stay with breeders who settled on the banks of the Tuul River. You'll discover wonderful landscapes and share the daily activities of the host family. You will be proposed many activities, such as milking the animals or making traditional dairy products. You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue__ that you'll enjoy with your hosts.

  • Day 3Day 4

    Those who wish can leave for a ponytrek along the Tuul River to go deeper in the park. Riding our horses, we'll discover a contrasting landscape made of rivers, steppes and forests.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Zaya guesthouse (2)
Breakfast: Made by your team (3, 4)
Lunch: Made by your team (2)
Lunch: made by the family (3, 4)
Dinner: made by the family

Day 5Back to Ulan Bator

Day 5Back to Ulan Bator

Terelj national park - Ulan Bator

  • In the morning, we can hike again, or stay with the family. We'll have lunch with the family for the last time.

  • Back to Ulan-Bator. Arrival in town and get settled at your guesthouse, where you can rest a few moments. Rest of the day free, accompanied with your guide.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Accommodation: Zaya guesthouse

Day 6-7Visit of Kharkhorin, the former capital

Day 6-7Visit of Kharkhorin, the former capital

Ulan Bator - Kharkhorin

  • Along with your guide, you will get to the Dragon Center, located in the west of Ulaan Baatar, where you will get on the bus for Karakorum.

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

Day 7

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas. Visit of the Museum of Kharkhorin.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Zaya guesthouse (6)
Breakfast: Made by your team (7)
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Yurt for guests with a family

Day 8-12Among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Day 8-12Among nomads in Orkhon Valley

Kharkhorin - Tovkhon monastery

  • Journey to Orkhon Valley. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the valley is a land of nomadism and many breeders set their summer camp there.

Tovkhon monastery - Orkhon valley

  • Visit of Tovkhon Monastery. Vehicles can't go until the top of Öndör Ulaan Hill and we will walk until there to discover Tovkhon Ermitage, where Zanabazar, the first religious leader of Mongolia, created the Soyombo alphabet. The monastery is located 2312 metres (1,44 mile) above the sea level and from that place we'll have a wonderful view of the whole Khangai range. We'll picnic in exceptional surroundings, facing Orkhon Valley.

Day 9

  • Those who wish will go pony trekking along Orkhon Valley, from the camp until Orkhon waterfalls.

  • Visit of Ulan Tsutgalaan falls, white flood flowing on the black stone, transformed in rainbow by a short sunray… These 16-metres (52,49 feet) falls are just magic ! They were formed 20.000 years ago, as a result of a unique combination of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

Day 11

  • If some people wish, we will go for a pony trek until Mogoit hot springs.

  • Bath in the fitted out pools of Mogoit hot springs. The temperature of the springs is contained between 48 and 75°C (118 - 167°F), and they are perfect to recover from the tiredness of the travel.

Also
  • Day 8Day 9Day 10Day 11Day 12

    Stay at herders' from the valley. During your stay, you will discover their way of life and you will be proposed many activities, such as milking, making traditional dairy products, or rounding up the animals with a horse.

    You will also attend the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue that you will enjoy with yours hosts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: made by the family (8, 9, 10, 11)

Day 13back to Ulan Bator

Day 13back to Ulan Bator

Orkhon valley - Ulan Bator

  • It s with a tight heart that we'll say good bye to our nomadic family, who kindly hosted us in their gers. They will take us to the little village of Bat Ulzit, where you will jump on the bus for Ulaan Baatar. Arrival expected early in the evening. Transfer to your guesthouse.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Countryside home stay
Dinner: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Zaya guesthouse
Flight back

Day 14Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 14Have a nice journey and see you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Zaya guesthouse