Day-1
Semi Gobi /Elsen Tasarkhai/ 280km.
-Elsen Tasarkhai, part of the Mongol Els sand dunes, stretches for 80 km across central Mongolia. Surrounded by steppe, rivers, and forested mountains, it features a unique landscape where sand dunes meet greenery, with the Khugnu Khan Mountains rising to the north. A one-hour camel ride is included.
The tour continues to Khar Khorum, 80 km away. Stay overnight in a Mongolian ger hostel in Khar Khorum. The hostel has an outdoor shower. Day 2: After breakfast, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery and the Khar Khorum Museum. Walk up the mountain for views of the city.
Kharkhorin
The ancient capital of Mongolia in the Middle Ages, Kharkhorum, attracts the most attention of experts. Kharkhorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire for 32 of its 140 years of existence. In the vicinity of Kharkhorum are the remains of Kharkhorum, the capital of the Great Mongol Empire founded by Ögedei Khan. There is also the Erdene-Zuu monastery.
Kharkhorum museum
The Karakorum Museum is a modern archaeological museum named after the ancient capital city of Karakorum. It presents a rich collection of artifacts discovered in the Orkhon Valley and the ruins of Karakorum, offering visitors a deep insight into Mongolia’s early civilizations and imperial history. Built with grant aid from Japan as a symbol of Mongolian-Japanese friendship, the museum officially opened on September 15, 2010, and is recognized as Mongolia’s first museum fully meeting international standards for historical and archaeological institutions.
Erdene Zuu Monastery
Erdene Zuu Monastery is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, located near the ruins of ancient Karakorum. Founded in the 1580s under the order of the Dalai Lama, it once had 62 temples and over 500 buildings. Today, visitors can explore temples such as the West, Middle, and East Zuu, admire the Golden Stupa, and see Buddhist artworks, statues, and ritual objects while experiencing active monastic life.
Drive to Ulaanbaatar
Today we will leave from Kharkhorin to Ulaanbaatar.
On the way, we will observe the beautiful nature and local life, and we will stop for lunch on the way, rest, and then move on. We will also have the opportunity to stop and take pictures at interesting places along the way.
