Contact us:
+44 (0) 7810280403
jess@eternal-landscapes.co.uk
+44 (0) 7810280403
jess@eternal-landscapes.co.uk
One of our favourite regions in Mongolia is the stretching wild landscapes of the central Khangai Mountains - one of the three main mountainous regions that dominate Mongolia.
On our Khangai Wilderness Trails you’ll explore the ancient Khangai Mountains range from east to west - the rugged mountains, alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, river valleys and the southern-forested fringes of the Siberian Taiga that make up the area as well as learning more about the way of life for the local people that make their home in the region.
The centrepiece of the experience is five-days trekking off grid in the stunning Tarvagtai National Park. No formal trekking routes really exist here and that’s what makes trekking in this region such a glorious experience – it’s just you, your trek guide/ horse wrangler and your choice of which horizon to explore and discover. Our Khangai trek is led by Monkhoo - together with his family they herd their livestock in the region through which you will trek and know their home area like the back of their hands.
This experience is not about the highlights or ‘must see’ sights. This is about travelling in a Mongolian way - discovering what we call the real Mongolia.
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).
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.
Ulaanbaatar is home to roughly 45% of Mongolia’s population and our free city walking tour will give you a more local introduction to this vibrant frontier style city with a strong Mongolian identity of its own.
Yes, the city is chaotic and loud and not as glamorous as other capital cities but it is the beating heart of Mongolia and the hub of contemporary Mongolian urban life. The reality for many Mongolians takes place in this urban context, in a city they are striving to develop and improve.
Our informal and relaxed city walking tour will give you a contrasting insight into a way of life, compared to that of the rural population. This day is not about museums or shopping – it’s about getting out and about and exploring and discovering.
Today you’ll spend the day in the company of one of my Mongolian trip assistants. The day will include Nogoon Nuur (Green Lake) community project - a community space created for the local population of the nearby Bayangol ger districts by Ulzii - a Mongolian philanthropist - as well as other areas of the city including Gandan Monastery.
Included meals: Lunch
Drive to explore this sacred granite mountain within an area of secluded valleys, fresh water springs, open steppe and the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. Khogno Khan Nature Reserve was taken under state protection partly due to the specialised taiga and steppe plants that grow in this area. The small but vital Tarna River provides an essential water source for the herders in the region.
Explore the hidden interiors of the mountain on an easy 3-hour hike to the small working temple of Erdene Khambiin Khid and the ruined Ovgon Khiid Monastery. A birch bordered path leads to this location and offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of the region.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The Galbadrakh family are a young family - yak herders - that make their home in the district of Tsenkher in the Khangai Mountains. This is a personal friendship that we have built up over the past 13 years. We form long-term local community partnerships throughout the country and work side by side with each family. Our experiences are put together in a way which benefits the families, rather than disrupting their lives.
Galdbadrakh and his family are members of the Cooperative Ar Arvijin Delgerekh - a NGO that works solely with yak herders in Arkhangai Province helping them to produce spun yak down thus helping to sustain and improve the livelihoods of the member herders as it allows them to diversify and increase their income (the herders being paid the full value of their harvest for a higher price than the local market).
You will notice that we don’t detail what you will do on your arrival - that’s because we do things a little differently and leave the plan flexible as this leads to a more respectful experience but there’s plenty of flexibility and options including experiencing the way of life in this river valley or even taking an informal cookery lesson.
En-route, visit Kharkhorin - the ancient capital of Ogodei Khan and the Mongol Empire in the 13th Century. Visit Erdene Zuu - Mongolia’s oldest monastery and visit the excellent Kharkhorin Museum with its clear and updated exhibits based on the history surrounding the Orkhon River Valley and the Turkish and Mongol Empire. Even if history doesn’t really ‘grab’ you, we recommend a visit as it helps to bring the history of the area alive.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Galbadrakh family are a young family – yak herders – that make their home in the district of Tsenkher in the Khangai Mountains. We form long-term local community partnerships throughout the country and work with each family looking at ways we can provide long-term support.
The Galbadrakh family live as part of a ‘khot ail’ – an extended family – and make one of the family gers available for guests to sleep in. You will have to share a ger with 2-4 other members of the group. Hot shower available at the local town shower house – your own private cubicle with plenty of hot water. Queue with the locals and enjoy experiencing a little of their daily way of life.
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Drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur and explore the volcano that created this beautiful area with an alpine lake at its core. Then there's a chance to enjoy the legendary hospitality of our great friends, Batbold and Jargaa.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out to pastures new, get off the beaten track and enjoy the wilderness spaces of this glorious region in the company of a modern day herder - Munkhoo. Our treks are different in that we leave the route entirely flexible and in the hands of your herder guide/horse wrangler as this leads to a more organic type of exploration. So many trekking experiences offered in Mongolia have rigid routes and itineraries and that just seems wrong in a country of such freedom. Instead, the focus becomes getting to meet and know the herder guide/horse wrangler in the areas where they consider home.
The whole area is dominated by wilderness – rugged mountains, alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, river valleys and the southern-forested fringes of the Siberian Taiga. You’ll be trekng in the mountains to the north of Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park including in the remote districts of Jargalant and Galt.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head west into the vast plains of Zavkhan Province – the valleys around this region are magnificent – tranquil and serene. Telmen Nuur is a shallow salt lake with peninsulas, salt marshes and sand dunes. It is one of Mongolia’s 70 Important Bird Areas and has three small islands where water birds such as Ruddy Shelduck can gather in vast numbers. One reason why we love this lake is that it feels a little bit like the lake and its atmosphere resembles the sea.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Through the centre of Zavkhan Province is a series of sand dunes centring around the community of Erdenekhairkhan where you will spend time exploring the landscapes including the spectacular (and surprising) Mukhartiin Gol – although this brief description does not do this remarkable region justice.
Also continue to the glorious Khar Nuur. Zavkhan Aimag occupies a transitional zone between the Khangai Mountains and the Great Lakes Depression. Khar Nuur is a combination of both these zones - an alpine lake surrounded by the Bor Khyarin sand dunes.The contrasting landscapes are completely unexpected.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival into UB, we’ll transfer you to your accommodation and the rest of the day will be yours to create your own experience. Remember you could use our UB guide to help you to explore the urban side of Mongolian life in downtown Ulaanbaatar. Alternatively, one of our trip assistants could be made available.
Included meals: Breakfast
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Not sure when you're travelling yet? Looking for a different date? Contact Eternal Landscapes for more information.
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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.
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.
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.
This itinerary would cost from $2,655 and $3,115 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
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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. |
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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. |
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Guided excursions |
All activities mentioned with a local team of English speaking trip assistants. |
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Accommodation |
A mixture of homestays, family operated ger camps, local hotels and camping. Excludes accommodation in Ulaanbaatar at the start and end of your trip. |
