Wonders of Mongolia

You take the road towards the Amarbayasgalant monastery. Built in the 18th century in memory of the first Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar, then head of Mongolian religion, it is considered one of the country's major monasteries. Located north of Selenge province, it enjoys a particularly remarkable setting.

You travel through wheat fields and large cultivation areas before arriving at Erdenet. This city is among the country's main economic centers and is home to a vast open-pit copper mine.

You take the road towards the natural park of the volcanoes of Uran Togoo. Uran Uul, an ancient volcano active 20 to 25 million years ago, today welcomes varied fauna and flora. The ancient lava flows have made the soils particularly fertile, offering a rich and pleasant environment to explore.

You set off on a hiking trail on the heights of Uran Uul to enjoy panoramic views of this volcanic region. The path winds through woodland, among Siberian larches, before reaching the crater. Along the way, you observe a wide variety of plants as well as numerous birds and insects. At the bottom of the crater sits a small lake surrounded by dense vegetation.

Arrival at Khövsgöl Lake, one of the natural wonders of the world. Imagine 2760 km2 of a mountain lake, with water so pure you can drink it, surrounded by a dozen peaks reaching over 2000 meters in altitude and covered with pine forests and lush meadows where yaks and horses graze!

You head east, towards the verdant valleys of Alag Sar, where you settle into a small ger camp located on the shores of the lake.

You visit the site of deer stones at Uushigiin Övör, a remarkable megalithic ensemble decorated with stones carved with animal motifs.

You stop in Mörön to buy fresh food provisions at the market, then have lunch in town before resuming your journey.

You take the road towards the center of the country: the track crosses several passes and descends into isolated valleys where landscapes change rapidly. The altitude exceeds 2,000 meters at the passes.

As you progress, the panoramas become increasingly diverse, inviting you to make multiple stops to enjoy the views and take some photos.

You head towards the Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur natural park located at 2,060 meters altitude. This lake, nicknamed "the great white lake", forms with the volcanic area surrounding it an emblematic site of the Arkhangai province.

You spend the night with a nomadic family, in the mountainous part of the park.

You head out hiking along the shores of the lake, heading Southeast toward the Khorgo volcano, which rises to 2,240 meters. You climb it, an accessible and gradual ascent. From the summit, the view unfolds over the lake and surrounding hills.

Near the volcano, lava flows shape a singular landscape, contrasting with the environments encountered so far.

You continue your journey through the heart of Arkhangai and discover vast steppes where many herding families live and where yaks and other herds graze. You stop at Tsetserleg, a small town set in a landscape of mountains covered with larch trees.

There, you stock up at the local market before visiting the Zayan Gegeen museum.

You arrive at the Tsenkher hot springs, where you can relax in the hot water baths of the camp.

You leave the road to join the tracks and fully enjoy the natural landscapes. The route runs along the Orkhon canyons and the verdant steppe where herds of nomadic families roam. You are then welcomed by a family of herders in the heart of the Orkhon valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the way, excursion to the Tövkhön monastery. The climb to the summit of Öndör Ulaan hill, accessible only on foot, leads to Tovkhon hermitage, where Zanabazar, Mongolia's first religious leader, composed the Soyombo alphabet. Located at 2,312 m altitude, the site reveals a vast panorama over the Khangaï range. You enjoy a picnic in this exceptional setting, with the Orkhon valley below.

Return to your hosts' home then a stroll around the camp area.

Those who wish can set off on a horse trek along the Orkhon Valley from the camp to the Orkhon Falls.

For others, it is possible to reach the falls on a hike of approximately 6 km, or by vehicle according to your preferences.

Route to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongols. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this emblematic city was one of the major stops on the Silk Road. It was from Karakorum that the Mongol empire was administered until the capital was transferred to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, only a few remains of the capital subsist, reminding us of the historical importance of this place marked by the passage of the great khans.

Departure for the splendid rock formations of Khögnö Khan. You discover a park with varied landscapes, between semi-desert steppes, taiga zones, granite massifs and a long band of sand of about 80 km, which earned it the nickname of "mini Gobi".

You take the road back to Ulan Bator. Along the way, the last herds of horses crossing the road and the last yurts glimpsed in the distance accompany you to the outskirts of the capital.

You then arrive in the city center and settle into your hotel, where you can rest for a few moments.

The rest of the day is free. Accompanied by your guide, you browse the city's shops to do your last shopping and enjoy one last time the atmosphere of Ulan Bator.