Day 1. Ulan-Bator

Night: in hotel, lunch at restaurant

Day 2. Ulan-Bator - Khustain Nuruu - Khugnu Khan

Early morning we leave the bustle of the capital to start our adventure through the vast steppe of central Mongolia. In the Khustain Nuruu natural reserve we expect our first Mongolian meeting. This reserve created to protect rare Mongolian species is known for the successful reintroduction of the legendary horses of Przewalski. A walk in the heart of Khustai Mountains, will allow us to see these wild horses in their morning grazing.  Then we join the Khugnu Khan Natural Reserve. This is where the eccentricity of Mongolian nature takes all its sense. Indeed, there is a strange marriage between the green steppe and the huge sand dune planted here as a freak of nature. In the afternoon, a short hike among the strange rocky formations of Khugnu Khan Mountain allows us to reach the ruins of the Uvgunt monastery.
Possibility to do some camel riding in the dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai.

Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive and 2-3 h of hike

Day 3. Khugnu Khan - Kharkhorin

Kharkhorin the legendary city of Chinggis Khan, founded in 1220, lies ahead today. Capital of the Great Mongolian Empire and prosperous center on the Silk Road during the thirteenth century, it played an important role in the world economic, political and cultural life.
Kharkhorin home the important Buddhist monastery Erdenezuu which was built by the initiative of Zanabazar in the late sixteenth century on the ruins of the former imperial capital. Its construction was instrumental in the development and implementation of Lamaism in Mongolia.

Night: in yurt of host family, 3-4 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike

Day 4. Kharkhorin - Tuvkhen - Vallée d'Orkhon

Today, we dive into the heart of the Orkhon Valley, the true cradle of the Mongolian people, declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
First of all, we visit here, the hermitage of Tuvkhen dating from the seventeenth century Built in a mountainside on the bottom of the Khangai range, we reach the site by 3-4 km climb on horseback or on foot. Only when we arrived at its foot that we find the monastery perfectly integrated in its natural environment. Immediately, we feel calm, serenity and contemplation emerging from this sacred place, dedicated to the worship of Zanabazar, the first Buddhist spiritual leader of the Mongolians.  We picnic facing a breathtaking view over the Khangai mountain range and its surrounding valleys. We cross the valley from east to west in order to reach the encampment of our host family, which lives about fifty kilometres at the bottom of the valley. Our slow progress on the damaged track leaves us plenty of time to observe the different scenes of nomadic life.

Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike

Day 5. Ulaantsutgalan

Let's saddle up our horses. The space is ideal to gallop in the vast grassy plains, interspersed with basalt rocks and surrounded by ancient dormant volcanoes. On our side, Orkhon follows-up its banks, furrows between beds of Edelweiss and steep gorges.
Unexpectedly we find ourselves at the edge of the famous Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. A short walk through the canyon to the foot of the waterfall is worth seeing.

Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of horseback trekking:

Day 6. Orkhon valley - Tsenkher

Today, we cross the high forested mountains of the Khangai range to reach the Tsenkher hot-water source springing up to 86.5 °C.  The track we take winds through the high mountains, some mountain passes can reach altitudes of 2 500m. Breaks to take pictures are not lacking in a rapidly changing landscape. We picnic face to wild and beautiful landscape. This water containing hydrogen sulphate is known for its many healing properties. We can enjoy the different basins and the beautiful surroundings to relax us after a long drive. 

Night: in tourist camp, 4-6 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike

Day 7. Tsenkher - Khorgo Terkhi

Today, the Khorgo Terkhi National Park opens its doors at the end of the road, after a stop at Chuluut River Canyon. This park has two protected and classified nature reserves: the extinct Khorgo volcano 2210 m height and the Terkhin Tsagaan Nuur lake one of the finest of Mongolia. A ascent to the top of the crater of Khorgo, offers breathtaking views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.

Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike

Day 8. Khorgo Terkhi - Shine Ider

A long and difficult road separates us from the Khuvsgul Lake. The track we take winds between the high forested mountains of Taiga, now. Some mountain passes can reach altitudes of 2 500m. Breaks to take pictures are not lacking in a rapidly changing landscape.

Night, in yurt of host family, 5-7 h of drive

Day 9. Shine Ider - Khatgal

We continue our road to the north to reach the Khuvsgul Lake. An important historical site of the country will enliven our way: the steles of Uushigt, dating from the Huns Empire. (second century BC).
We will reach in the afternoon, the southern shores of the lake.

Night: in yurt of host family, 5-7 h of drive

Day 10. Khuvsgul Lake

Beautiful award that to arrive at the Khuvsgul Lake! We discover one of the wonders of the world. A huge and crystal alpine lake, as a fresh-water sea, surrounded by dozens of high mountains rising sometimes over 3000m and dressed in pine forests. 
We take this day to relax us in this idyllic nature. Free activities: walk along the wooded banks of the lake, swimming for the least sensitive to cold...

Night: in yurt of host family

Day 11. Khuvsgul - Ikh Uul

We now turn to the last part of our journey: go back to Ulaanbaatar. Several steps enliven our way. Starting with the Selenge River the largest of the country (992 km long), with the bushy banks.

Night: in a tourist camp, 4-6 h of drive

Day 12. Ikh Uul - Uran Togoo

This day will be devoted to the discovery of extinct volcanoes Togoo and Uran, whose sites are unique landscapes because of the fertility of its volcanic soil. In the afternoon, a short hike allows us to reach the top of the Uran volcano. Its crater preserves many surprises...

Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike

Day 13. Uran Togoo - Amarbayasgalant

After Erdenet, Mongolia's second biggest city, a Buddhist architectural treasure awaits us today: Amarbayasgalant Khiid, the "monastery of tranquil bliss." This Chinese-style building was erected in the eighteenth century by a Manchu emperor. The Buddhist center was particularly alive and had several monastic colleges when it's flourishing period. It is one of the few survivors of the great religious repression of the 1937.

Night; in a tourist camp, 4-6 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike

Day 14. Amarbayasgalant - Ulan-Bator

We make our last drive in the heart of the Mongolian steppes before reaching Ulaanbaatar. We'll get there in the afternoon.
Transfer to hotel.
Free time for shopping or some visits in the city. Possibility of visiting the factory stores of cashmere.

Night: in hotel, 5 h of drive

Day 15. Return flght

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