Adventure Tour Of Western Mongolia

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar city. Transfer to the hotel and relax. Half-day city tour and enjoy a traditional Mongolian meal for dinner.

(L, D)

Day 2: Uvs Lake

Fly to Ulaangom, Uvs Lake. Uvs Province is situated in the western part of Mongolia. Uvs Province lies in the Great Lakes Depression in the northwestern region of Mongolia, bordering Russia to the north, Zavkhan Province to the east, Khovd Province to the south, and Bayan-Ulgii Province to the west.

Uvs Nuur is the largest lake in Mongolia. It is 84 km long and 79 km wide, covering 3,423 square kilometers, and lies in the northern part of the Great Lakes Basin. There are 362 species of aquatic birds, including swans, snow herons, spoonbills, steppe hazel grouse, ducks, and yellow hazel geese, as well as 72 species of mammals.

Overnight in a tourist ger camp.

(B, L, D)

Day 3: Kharkhiraa–Turgen Mountains (~105 km)

Morning drive to the Kharkhiraa–Turgen Mountain range. The snow-peaked Kharkhiraa (4,037 m) and Turgen (3,966 m) mountains are the main sources of Uvs Lake. The surrounding river valleys are part of the Uvs Nuur Basin Strictly Protected Area (1,390,190 hectares), one of only ten UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in the world.

The Uvs Nuur Basin is an ancient lake bed in Central Asia and a core part of the Altai–Sayan Ecoregion. Its twelve protected areas in Mongolia and Russia that contain nearly all major East Eurasian biomes, including cold desert, desert-steppe, steppe, taiga, alpine tundra, boreal forest, deciduous and floodplain forests, salt marshes, and snowfields.

The Turgen Mountain Strictly Protected Area, established in 1993, covers 22,000 hectares and contains almost 20% of Mongolia’s snow-covered mountains. The Kharkhiraa, Turgen, and Yamaat rivers originate from the snow-capped peaks of Turgen Mountain. The area is home to endangered animals such as snow leopards, Argali wild sheep, ibex, and lynx.

Activities include trekking, horse riding, mountain climbing, and flower watching.

Overnight with a local nomadic family.

(B, L, D)

Day 4: Achit Lake (~263 km)

Achit Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Mongolia, surrounded by the Kharkhiraa and Turgen Mountains at an altitude of 1,464 m. The lake covers an area of 311 km². The Altangadas and Bukhmurun rivers flow into Achit Lake, and the water eventually drains into the Hovd River through the Usankhooil River.

The lake is home to flocks of geese, eagles, and many other bird species.

Overnight in a tent.

(B, L, D)

Day 5: Ulgii (~80 km)

After breakfast, drive to Ulgii, the center of Bayan-Ulgii Province. The aimag is located in the extreme west of the country and borders both Russia and China. Bayan-Ulgii is the highest province in Mongolia.

After arrival, visit the local museum, check into the hotel, and relax.

(B, L, D)

Day 6: Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain (~170 km)

Morning drive to Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, a sacred mountain for the Tuvan people. Visit historical sites along the way. Preparation for upcoming trekking and horse-riding tours.

Overnight in a tent.

(B, L, D)

Days 7–8: Trekking and Hiking

Visit Potanin Glacier, the longest glacier in Mongolia, measuring about 14 kilometers in length. It is located in the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains.

(B, L, D)

Days 9–10: Horse Riding

Horse riding to Tsagaan Gol. The Upper Tsagaan Gol Complex is located in a high, glacier-carved valley in western Mongolia. The valley is shaped by two rivers—Khar Salaa and Tsagaan Salaa—which originate from the snow and glaciers of Tavan Bogd, where Mongolia, Russia, and China meet.

The rivers flow east around the sacred Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain and join to form the Tsagaan Gol.

(B, L, D)

Day 11: Khoton & Khurgan Lakes

Drive to Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. Lake Khoton Nuur is located in an intermontane tectonic depression in the northern Mongolian Altai.

Surface area: 50.1 km²
Average depth: 26.6 m
Maximum depth: ~58 m

Khoton Nuur has one island covered with forest. Together with Khurgan Nuur, it forms the source of the Hovd River, which drains the Mongolian Altai. The lakes were formed by glacial blockages. Khurgan Nuur is the lowest point of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Overnight in a tent.

(B, L, D)

Day 12: Tolbo Lake (~190 km)

After breakfast, drive to Tolbo Lake, a high-altitude freshwater lake with ice-cold water. Enjoy bird and flower watching.

Overnight in a tent.

(B, L, D)

Day 13: Khovd Town (~200 km)

Drive to Khovd Province. The history of Khovd dates back about 240 years. At the north end of town, there is a ruined fort where the Manchu dynasty viceroy once lived with his troops. Mongolian revolutionaries expelled them in 1912.

Trees planted during the Manchu period still line the main streets today. Check into the local hotel and relax.

(B, L, D)

Day 14: Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar

After arrival, check in to the hotel.
(B, L, D)

Day 15: City Tour & Shopping

Breakfast, followed by a city tour including:

Sukhbaatar Square

Gandantegchinlen Monastery (the largest monastery in Mongolia)

National History Museum

Natural History Museum

Friendship Monument on Zaisan Hill

Free time for shopping at Main Street shops, art galleries, and antique stores. Enjoy a National Folk Performance and a farewell dinner.

(B, L, D)

Day 16: Departure

Breakfast and departure. (B)