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Starting in Ulaanbaatar, road trip to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, before departing for Uran Togoo to spend the evening with the small community of Khutag Undur.

Travel to the southern shore of Khovsgol Lake and spend two days at the Ice Festival, a celebration of local community, networking and collaboration.

Return to Murun and explore the Ushigiin Uver deer stones before stop at the powerful Selenge River on your way back to Ulaanbaatar.

Book With Confidence

All new travel arrangements benefit from our revised flexible booking conditions, which will remain in place until the end of 2022. If you decide to cancel your trip, by choice or necessity, up to 10 weeks before departure, we will fully refund your deposit (and balance if paid). If you decide to cancel between 10 and 31 days before departure, we will fully refund your balance (if paid), and your deposit will be held as credit to be used on a different trip instead (with no cut off date. This can be transferred to a friend or family member).

Good to know

  • Explore Khovsgol lake by horse sleigh
  • Celebrate the 2-day Ice Festival
  • Homestays with local families
  • Book with flexibility & confidence: advanced Covid-19 protocols in place

What's included

  • Included All meals
  • Included Ground transfers
  • Included Guided excursions
  • Included Equipment
  • Included Accommodation
Days

12

Starting from

$1,370 pp

Contact us now for more information about this trip
Speak to Jess for expert travel advice
Talk to us
Destinations
Mongolia
Activity
Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Overlanding, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Culture, Festivals, Indigenous Tourism, Responsible Travel, Community-led Tourism, Solo Travel
Tour Type
Custom itinerary, Small group tour, Private guided tour
Physical Level
Mild
Season Season
February - March

Detailed itinerary

What you'll see and do

This is a customisable trip

Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Eternal Landscapes travel specialist will be happy to advise.

Discover Ulaanbaatar

Exploring the city through the eyes of a local, the informal city walking tour will give you a contrasting insight into a way of life, compared to that of the rural population.

Included meals: Lunch

Amarbayasgalant Monastery

You'll take a road trip to Amarbayasgalant Monastery, passing through some of Mongolia’s main agricultural land.

The monastery, where the remains of Zanabazar – Mongolia’s first Living Buddha (spiritual head of state) – are interred, was constructed between 1726 – 1736, when Mongolia was under heavy Manchu influence and this influence can be seen today. By the early 1890’s Amarbayasgalant was one of the greatest pilgrimage destinations in Mongolia.

It is situated in a haven of rugged beauty in the cul-de-sac of a long, deep valley backed by Mount Buren-Khaan against which the monastery is built. The valley is well-watered by the Iver River and has long provided an essential water source for nomadic herders and their livestock.

Included meals: Lunch, Dinner

Where you'll stay
Expand
Davisuren Ger Camp
Simple

Davisuren Ger Camp

Uran Togoo Volcano

Depart for Uran Togoo, Tulga Uul, a national protected area consisting of the extinct volcanoes, before continuing onto the small community of Khutag Undur where you will spend the night.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse Trek in Khatgal

Stay with Bambakh, modern ‘malchin’ (herder) and a member of the Darkhad ethnic group, in his wooden house within the hasha – typical fenced compound that belongs to each extended family.

There is nothing planned in advance as not planning in advance leads to a more respectful authentic Mongolian experience. We recommend a full-day horse trek exploring the winter landscapes. You’ll explore the lake and head into the interior mountain and steppe landscapes.

But, if horse trekking is not your thing then there are hills to hike up within the town for remarkable views, go for a spin on the ice with the EL drivers, or you can just relax and enjoy the gentle natural beauty of the area.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Where you'll stay
Expand
Baasanchuluu Homestay
Simple

Baasanchuluu Homestay

Khovsgol Nuur Horse Sleigh Expedition

Explore the frozen surface of Khovsgol Lake by traditional, hand built horse sleighs driven by local herders. The route is entirely flexible and in the hands of your local guides as this leads to a more organic and Mongolian type of exploration. The route will depend on two things; one is the ice and the second the weather conditions.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Khovsgol Ice Festival

Spend two days at the Ice Festival which draws both local Mongolian and western spectators. Unlike tourist versions of festivals, this feels like a party for locals, thrown by locals. there are activities and competitions throughout, but it's more a celebration of local community. There is also usually a shamanist ceremony as well as a musical concert.

In the afternoon on your second day, you will return to Murun where you can explore the Ushigiin Uver deer stones complex located close to the Delger Murun River.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Where you'll stay
Expand
Baasanchuluu Homestay
Simple

Baasanchuluu Homestay

Bulgan and Ulaanbaatar

On route back to Ulaanbaatar, travel through Khovsgol and Bulgan Aimags, stopping at at the powerful Selenge River to experience spectacular views.

You’ll spend one evening in Bulgan before arriving back at Ulaanaatar where you could use our guide to help you to explore the urban side of Mongolian life in downtown Ulaanbaatar.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Ulaanbaatar

    Ulaanbaatar

    ...
  • Amarbayasgalant

    Amarbayasgalant

    ...
  • Khutag Undur

    Khutag Undur

    ...
  • Lake Khövsgöl

    Lake Khövsgöl

    ...
  • Lake Khövsgöl

    Lake Khövsgöl

    ...
  • Murun

    ...
  • Bulgan

    Bulgan

    ...

Upcoming departures

Departing Returning      
More dates available     Enquire

Looking for a different date?

Not sure when you're travelling yet? Looking for a different date? Contact Eternal Landscapes for more information.

Enquire

Good to know

Speak to a Mongolia specialist about this trip

Eternal Landscapes

Call one of our travel experts for ideas and trip planning advice.

Talk to us

Where to stay

Some of our sample accommodation.

A mixture of homestays, local hotels, family operated ger camps, a traditional circular tent, with basic amenities.

Expand
Davaasuren's Ger Camp
Simple

Davaasuren's Ger Camp

At Khogno Khan, we work in long-term local community partnership with the Davaasuren family who have lived in the region their whole life...

Reviews

What people are saying about Eternal Landscapes

O
Owen
01/07/2020

We booked a 9-day tour with Eternal Landscapes to the Khentii province, probably the most remote and challenging part of Mongolia. I was researching for a novel I'm currently writing, and my family and a friend also wanted to tag along for the adventure. And what an adventure it was! We traveled over 1,300 kms in 2 Russian Furgon vans, following the footsteps of Chinggis Khan and paying homage to the Mongol homelands. I feel somewhat forever changed on a fundamental level by the experience. We have fallen in love with Mongolia and its wonderful people, who are so resilient, resourceful, friendly and forever helpful.

Booking the trip was a lengthy process as our itinerary had to be custom-designed and the owner, Jess, was immensely patient, informative, and extremely helpful. After looking around at a few different tour companies, we decided with Eternal Landscapes because of this and also because of the philosophy that the company operates with. They are very environmentally conscious, taking measures to minimise waste during our travels. They do everything they can to try to give back to the country and the community, giving work to small local businesses and employing women as trip assistants. In a country where it is difficult for women to find work as guides, Eternal Landscapes provides training and support to those that want the opportunity to work in tourism.

J
Jeny B
01/09/2018

A trip that exceeded all my expectations! I cannot thank Eternal Landscapes (Jess Brooks) enough for blessing us with two of the most knowledgeable, friendly, funny and caring people. Please do not hesitate in booking with EL, you won't be disappointed.

N
Nadja
01/01/2020

We had the most amazing time with Eternal Landscapes. We booked with them because of their ethical and empowering way of working and giving back to the community. If you want to be more than a tourist, we highly recommend them. Jess, the owner was extremely patient and helpful in customising our trip. And even though we never met her, her philosophy and absolutely love and knowledge for the country and its quirks shines through the whole experience.

With such vast landscapes and different way of life, winter is a fantastic way of seeing, appreciating and experiencing the country. And as photographers it was mind blowing. Our tour assistant and driver were both lovely, incredibly accommodating, with a great sense of humour.


How to book

Contact us now for expert advice

Price guide

This itinerary would cost from $1,370 and $1,995 pp.

Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.

What's included

Included All meals

All meals outside of the city of Ulaanbaatar. Mainly prepared and cooked by your local team so they are fresh and it means we offer more flexibility for any dietary requirements.

Included Ground transfers

Transportation to and from the airport on arrival and departure days and all overland transportation throughout the trip. Each vehicle has a charger for cameras and phones.

Included Guided excursions

All activities mentioned with a local team of English speaking trip assistants.

Included Equipment

We provide each traveller with one of our traditional hand made goatskin blankets, used on top of your sleeping bag, and a pair of Mongolian felt boots to wear during your time in Mongolia.

Included Accommodation

A mixture of homestays, local hotels, family operated ger camps. Excludes accommodation in Ulaanbaatar at the start and end of your trip.

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