This relatively short tour highlights essential Mongolian experiences, scenic places, attractions, and the world-known historic site Orkhon Valley. On this 5 day trip, you will first travel to the semi-Gobi Desert, climb dunes, ride camels and horses, and sample traditional Mongolian meals cooked by your nomadic host.
On the second day, the journey takes you through a lush green scenic valley and pastureland filled with numerous animals of nomads to reach Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, the headwater of the Orkhon River.
The following day, you will trek through the forest, heading to the spiritual Tovkhon Monastery to reward your soul with awe-inspiring views and energy.
Proved as a settlement of ancient people and all historical Mongol State centers, including the Great Mongol Empire, the Orkhon Valley is a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO; you will admire the vastness of the valley, visit Mongolian oldest monastery Erdenezuu and explore some relics from the 13th century Great Mongol Empire capital Kharakhorum and 5th to 8th century Turkic Era.
Just before returning to Ulaanbaatar, you will stay at picturesque Ugii Lake.
Itinerary
Day 1: Elsentasarkhai semi-desert, horse and camel riding
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your accommodation and start the trip to Elsentasarkhai. Elsentasarhai is a unique place that represents the features of the Gobi Desert, mountain steppes, and grasslands in a single area. Arrive in Elsentasarkhai by lunchtime, visit a nomad family, and sample an authentic Mongolian meal for lunch. Next, you will ride horses and two-humped camels and enjoy the semi-desert scenery.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Uurtiin Tokhoi Cliff and Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall
The journey continues to the beginning of the Orkhon River, passing through a scenic valley covered in basalt. Along the way, you will see the Uurtiin Tokhoi cliffs along the river and have the opportunity to explore the Temeen Chuluu tombs, which date back to the Turkic State (552 to 744) and the Uighur State (744 to 840). In the afternoon, enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall and take a gentle trek in the area.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Hiking to Tovkhon Monastery and Kharkhorin
Considered one of the most spiritual places in Mongolia according to Mongolian beliefs and energy measurement tools, the Tovkhon monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Mongolia. This small monastery was built on the rocky summit of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain, standing at an elevation of 2312 m. Reaching the monastery requires a three-hour soft hike up and down the mountain, but not steep. The vista is incredible from the mountaintop. The Orkhon Valley trip continues to Kharakhorum, the most significant historical site where the world’s vastest land empire capital was established in the 13th century. You will drive up a hill to see how extensive the Orkhon Valley, which used to host the capitals of all Mongol states in history, and see a map of the Mongol Empire extension on another hill.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Khushuu Tsaidam and Ugii Lake
In the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with the modern town of Kharkhorin. Visit an active temple of the monastery and temple museums, where you can also explore some relics from the ancient Kharakhorum city, including Turtle Statues that used to mark the Kharakhorum city boundary. Next, visit to the Kharkhorum Museum. Visiting the Turkic Era Khushuu Tsaidam Museum would be your choice based on your interests and preferences. Late afternoon, you will arrive at Ugii Lake and enjoy the scenery while staying in a ger camp. Walking on the lake’s spit would be scenic and enjoyable.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Today is the last day you will enjoy the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. Leave Ugii Lake early in the morning and arrive in Ulaanbaatar after 5.5 hours of driving. Free time
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Background
Is the Orkhon Valley Tour suitable for you?
This trip is suitable for all age groups, from families with kids up to 75 years old. To explore the Orkhon Valley scenery and artifacts, you will travel 1070 km, driving 5 to 5.5 hours daily. This split keeps your trip enjoyable and prevents tiredness. Bumpy road driving will be around 200 km. Visiting the Tovkhon Monastery requires 3 hours of soft trekking in return ways. If a traveler prefers to see the waterfall from the bottom, they should ascent and descent the river canyon slope. Horse and camel riding is an experience of your choice. Therefore, you can decide if you ride or not. Your guide and local equestrian will help you with the riding.
Meals
Tour meals are included according to the itinerary. The Ger camps serve both European and Mongolian meals. The Ger camps offer European and Mongolian cuisine, with meat being the primary ingredient for lunch and dinner, along with vegetables, salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals, which you will sample for the day 1 lunch.
A typical ger camp breakfast is tea or coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, and sausage. There are some cookies, cheese, cereals, pancakes, and more at some ger camps for breakfast.
For lunch, ger camps serve salads, Mongolian soups, the main course (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers), dessert, and tea.
The ger camps serve dinner without soup.
If you are a vegetarian or have specific dietary requirements, please inform us in advance, and we will make arrangements accordingly. We will supply two 0.5L bottles of water a day. Providing one large bottle (1.5 liters) of water instead of 2 small bottles is available upon request.
Accommodation
The trip includes 4 days ger camp stay in different locations. More detailed information about the Ger camp
Guides
The majority of our company's guides are English-speaking. German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese-speaking guides are available upon request. All of our guides are friendly and helpful. The majority of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia. During camel riding, local equestrians will support you.
Transportation
Depending on the group size, Jeeps or Korean/Japanese vans serve for the trip.
When is the best time to travel to the Orkhon Valley?
The most suitable time to travel along this itinerary is 10 May through 15 September. During this period, the weather will be warm and enjoyable. However, Mongolian weather fluctuates depending on the altitude, hourly, daytime, and night.
May, early June, late August, and September occasionally receive snowfall. The average monthly temperatures are +18°C, with the highest 25°C daytime in May, the first half of June, the last half of August, and September.
On average, +25°C, the highest temperature ranges from +28 to +32°C daytime in June, July, and August. The temperature drops 10-20°C in the evening and at night. The tour is available in the offseason and winter, accommodating local hotels and staying with nomad families.
