Exploring Mongolia With Family – 9 Days

General Information 

Duration: 9 Days/ 8 Nights
Tour Route: Ulaanbaatar, Khustai National Park, Gurvanbulag, Khar Bukhiin Balgas, sand dunes of Ikh Mongol; Kharakhorum, Erdene Zuu, Tsenkher hot springs, Ugii Lake
Intended Travel Date: Optional (Available all time)
Pick-up/Drop-off: Ulaanbaatar
Tour Style: Natural and Landscape, History and Culture
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private First-class Air-conditioned Vehicles

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Khustai National Park
Day 2: Mongolian steppe wildlife, Khustai National Park
Day 3: Gurvanbulag, Khar Bukhiin Balgas
Day 4-5: sand dunes of Ikh Mongol, experience nomad lifestyle, camel riding
Day 6: Kharakhorum, Erdene Zuu
Day 7: Tsenkher hot springs
Day 8: Ugii Lake
Day 9: Return to Ulaanbaatar

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Visit the Khustai National Park

We will drive 200 kilometers to Khustai National Park, which will take us about 3-4 hours. We’ll go to a reservation area that protects wild horses, or Takhi. Takhi were nearly extinct, but thanks to numerous European zoos that were able to breed the Przewalski’s horse, they were able to repatriate the majority of the wild horses to Mongolia. After an hour of rest, your family will go to the Information Center for a short lecture about the park and its wildlife life.

Ending the first day of the trip by spending the night at a ger camp.

Day 2: Participate in Wild Games

This is the day to learn more about Mongolian steppe wildlife. Your driver will take you about a half hour to reach a trail where you can see wild animals. Look for wild horses and herds of horses in the pasture. Your family will enjoy a 3-3.5 hour walk through the forest and mountain hills, encountering wild deer, gazelles, marmots, and other small creatures. The Khustai National Park is a 50620ha reserve that protects not only wild horses but also many other kinds of wildlife, birds, and plants. In the forest, you will have a picnic lunch. On the route to the next camping place, your children can enjoy a variety of wild flowers and the fascinating life of butterflies.

Stay in an authentic guest ger camp next to a local family for the night.

Day 3: Get to Know Nomad Community Herders

We will pick you up from your accommodation in the morning and go 100 kilometers to Gurvanbulag sum (a local administration unit) in Bulgan province. The scenery is breathtaking. On the way, we will stop at Khar Bukhiin Balgas, which are stronghold remnants from the 10th century. Kitans employed it as a defensive position against their opponents at the time. Have some rest and refreshment after lunch at Gurvanbulag eco camp. Take a walk to the nearest hillside.

We’ll spend the night in the Gurvanbulag community ger camp.

Day 4-5: Enjoy Living as Nomads and Ride Bactrian Camels

Begin the day with a nomadic breakfast. Observing the way a nomad lives. You may be able to milk dairy animals such as cows and mares. You kids can play with nomad kids and teach them amazing kid activities. There are numerous Mongolian games that require involving intellectual and mental abilities to develop the thinking skills of both children and adults. For example, children can play building their own miniature gers out of natural stones in order to learn the steps to erecting the real Mongolian ger. Late in the afternoon, take your children on a walk over the sand dunes of Ikh Mongol. For one hour, your family will enjoy camel riding. Everyone has the opportunity to ride this giant, but very quiet, animal. It depends on how much you enjoy camel riding, therefore you can prolong your time on the sand threedecker.

In addition, all kids will participate in a lesson on “Shagai”, or the traditional game involving sheep and goat ankle bones. There are numerous shagai game activities that will keep your child entertained for a while. Close communication with nomads will familiarize you and your children with their nature-loving, one-of-a-kind lifestyle. In the evening, our tour leader will organize a fun competition of “solving riddles” for both families. 

We’ll spend the night at a nomad family’s community ger.

Day 6:  Exploring Cultural Heritages

Today, we’ll drive 100 kilometers to Kharakhorum. We will visit Erdene Zuu, the largest and earliest Mongolian Buddhist monastery, which was established on the ruins of the Great Mongolian Empire’s historic capital city. Then we’ll go to a local history museum dedicated to the city’s past. We can explore fascinating sights near Kharakhorum after visiting the major attraction. 

We’ll spend the night at a ger camp.

Day 7: Having a Relaxing Time in Tsenkher Hot Springs

We will go 120 kilometers to Tsenkher hot springs. Today you will hike around the Tsenkher hot springs, taking in the scenery. The hot spring is particularly popular in the area, with water blistering at +86.5 degrees Celsius and the scent of hydrogen sulphide. The surrounding area mainly grassland, with some woody areas along the hills. Relax in a hot spring bath while chatting about trivial matters. 

You will spend the night in a ger camp.

Day 8: Visit Ugii Lake

We’ll be traveling 60 kilometers today to Ugii Lake. The fresh water lake, which has a surface size of 25 square kilometers, is teeming with waterfowl and a variety of fish. Walk along the lakeshore to see the local bird species and listen to the ambient sounds of a peaceful waving lake pushed by a light wind combined with birdsong. You can enjoy swimming and sunning in Ugii Lake with your family. 

You will spend the night in a ger camp.

Day 9: Return to Ulaanbaatar

We will drive back to Ulaanbaatar for 360 kilometers, primarily on paved roads. When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, we will take you to your hotel. End of the trip. Thank you for making your Mongolia trip with Go Mongolia Tours!