Western Mongolian Tour

Karakorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. Although founded by Genghis Khan in 1220, Karakorum’s development as capital of the Mongol Empire occurred in the 1230s under his son Ugudei. The Mongols had a profound impact on the history of trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. We will explore the highlights of the city. Then we head to hot spring.

Khorgo volcano crater is situated at an altitude of 2210 m, 200 m wide and 100 m deep. Near the crater there are dozens of small caverns with stalactites hanging from their ceiling and walls. Because of volcanic eruption, the nature has very unique formation. One of them was deep ground cave with ice inside, which is called “Yellow dog’s hell”. Next to the Yellow dog’s hell there is an icy cave. The ice is left even in the hottest summer of the some years. Some of 13 stone shelters reach 1.7 m high, are formed with the lava flow. We will hike around the beautiful Great White Lake.

Telmen Lake is a saltwater lake in Zavkhan. Three islands are located in the lake, which is a gathering point for migratory birds. The water salinity is 6.49-7.61%. Average temperature ranges from -32 oC in January to 12 oC in July. From 6,210 to 3,960 years ago, as determined by radiocarbon dating, Lake Telmen was between 15 and 20m shallower than it is at present.

Khyargas Lake is situated in Uvs province. There is Airag Lake next to it. Khyargas is one of the biggest lakes in Mongolia and its length is 75km, width 31 km, average depth is 47 meters and maximum depth is 80 meters. Water volume is 66034〖km〗^3. The most beautiful part of the lake is Khetsuu khad (Difficult rocks) which are piles of huge rock white rocks and water birds make their nests on it. Several of fish including the rare Mongolian grayling lives in Khyargas Lake.

Uvs is a highly saline lake in an endorheic basin – Uvs Nuur Basin in Mongolia with a small part in Russia. It is the largest lake in Mongolia by surface area, covering 3,350 km² at 1759 m above the sea level. The northeastern tip of the lake is situated in the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation. The largest city near the lake is Ulaangom. This shallow and very saline body of water is a remainder of a huge saline sea which covered a much larger area several thousand years ago. Uvs Lake has a length of 84 km and a width of 79 km, with an average depth of 6 m.

Uureg Lake is between the Turgen and Tsagaan Shuvuut mountains. The lake stretches over 19.5km for 18 km width for 65.5km shoreline length. In total 12 rivers and streams flow into its water. Water temperature ranges between 14-15°C at the mouth of the lake with Kharig River, and is 12-13°C in central part. During winter time, from October to May the lake freezes with 1,2-1,5 meters thick layers of ice. Uureg is a semi-desert region with arid vegetation, reminding the region of Gobi. It is the home of threatened species such as Swan Goose and Pallas’s Fish-eagle.

Tsambagarav Mountain National Park is situated along the border of Khovd Province. This Park has many snow -capped peaks and glaciers. It is houses of a number of wild animals on the southern slope there are small patches of larch which are coniferous trees. This Park is filled with beautiful valleys and gorges making it a very spectacular destination.

Altai Tavan Bogd is near the triple border with China and Russia. Its highest peak, the Khuiten Peak is the highest point of Mongolia at 4374 meters above the sea level. The Tavan Bogd massif is located mostly within the Bayan-Ulgii Province of Mongolia; its northern slopes are in Russia’s Altai Republic, and western, in China’s Burqin County. There are 3 big glaciers on it. The Altai Tavan Bogd national park covers 6,362 km². It includes the lakes Khoton, Khurgan, and Dayan. The protected area offers a home for many species of alpine animal, such as the wild sheep, Ibex, deer, beech marten, moose, snow cock, snow leopard and Golden eagle. We will hike to the Glaciers, visit Kazakh families and see all highlights of Altai Mountain.

The culture of the Kazakh majority is strongly influenced by Islamic traditions. The mosque of Ulgii also houses the Islamic Center of Mongolia. It is placed at an unusual angle within the fabric of the city, because the building was oriented exactly towards Mecca. Today we will visit eagle hunter family and explore their way of life.

After breakfast, we will take flight to Ulaanbaatar.