Spectacular Central Mongolian Tour
Kharakhorum, the Orkhon waterfall, a day on horseback, an eighty-six degree hot spring under the stars, and the wild horses at Hustai on the way home.
The Khangai, the valley and the spring
Central Mongolia is one of the most popular travel routes in the country. It has beautiful landscapes, a unique nomadic culture, a long history and very hospitable people, who have kept their traditions from generation to generation for centuries. In central Mongolia you will see the Khangai mountain range. This tour lets you enjoy the volcanic landscape of the Orkhon valley, historic Kharakhorum and one of the hottest springs in Mongolia, and see the takhi, the Przewalski's wild horse.
Day by Day
Kharakhorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. It was founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220, but it grew into the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 1230s under his son Ogedei. The Mongols had a profound impact on trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. We explore the highlights of the city and visit Erdene Zuu monastery.
The Orkhon valley is one of the most visited places in central Mongolia. It was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, and its volcanic landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its links to the history of the Mongol Empire. The Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, about 20 metres high, falls over the volcanic rock of the valley. There is also a chance to see the nomadic way of life, its culture and its traditions. We start horse riding in the valley.
We ride horses in the Orkhon valley, a place of great historical importance for Mongolians. Along the way we see the highlights of the valley, such as deer stone monuments, rock paintings and volcanic rock.
Tsenkher hot spring lies in a beautiful forested valley. The water comes out of the ground at 86°C and is said to help arthritic joints and other ailments. It is under high pressure underground, so the flow is strong, about 10 litres per second, and it carries minerals from calcium and sodium to sulphur. The water is good for the skin. During the day you can sunbathe, and after dark you can sit in the hot spring and look at the stars.
Khugnu Khan nature reserve covers 46,990 hectares in Rashaant soum of Bulgan province, at the point where three provinces meet. Alongside its mountains, the reserve has a remarkable stretch of sand dunes about 80 kilometres long, and the scenery is a striking mix of desert, mountain, river and green grassland. There are two monasteries in the reserve.
Hustai National Park is one of the best-known protected areas in Mongolia. Since 2003 it has been managed by the Hustai National Park Trust, which works to conserve the park's ecosystems and historical stone monuments, build up the takhi population, and develop eco-tourism that supports local livelihoods. The project to reintroduce the takhi, the Przewalski's wild horse, began here in 1992, and today there are more than 360 takhi in the park. After we have seen them, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
