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Trekking in the Central Mongolia: Ulaagch Lake and the Eight Lakes

Trekking in the Heart of Mongolia: Ulaagch Lake and the Eight Lakes

Adventure Tours

This tour includes six days of trekking in central Mongolia. We’ll visit Ulaagch Lake, where sand dunes meet the water, and the Eight Lakes region, where we’ll hike through forests and mountains. Along the way, we’ll also visit central Mongolia’s main sights and experience local nomadic life. If you enjoy hiking, lakes, and spending time in nature, this tour is a great fit.

Ulaagchiin Khar Lake is a beautiful lake in the semi-desert area. The northern shore of the lake is lined with impressive sand dunes and its southern reed shore and islands are magnet for migratory waterfowls. The lake is 30 km long, 10 km wide and 48 m deep. Nearby mountains are home to rare wild habitats.

Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur) are located in central Mongolia at an elevation of around 2,400 m above sea level. The eight lakes lie close to one another and are connected by underground channels. Surrounded by larch and cedar forests and remnants of ancient volcanoes, the area reflects its volcanic origin. In the distant past, volcanic eruptions blocked the flow of nearby rivers, which led to the formation of these eight separate lakes.

Accommodation:yes duration:14 days, 13 nights tour distance:2000 km group size:1-16 tour operator:Idre tour Mongolia

Itinerary

Tour price

Included

Not included

Route

Kharkhorin - Great White Lake - Ulaagch Lake - Great White Lake - Tsenkher Hot Spring - Orkhon Valley & Orkhon Waterfall - Arvaikheer Province - Elsen Tasarkhai (Mini Gobi) - Ulaanbaatar

Day 1 Kharkhorin & Erdenezuu Monastery
We’ll drive to Mongolian ancient capital, Kharkhorin, Chinggis Khaan's fabled city, founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire was governed until Kubilai Khan moved it to Beijing. It served as the capital for 40 years. Following the move, and the subsequent collapse of the Mongolian empire, Karakorum was abandoned. Whatever was left was used to help build the glorious Erdene Zuu monastery in the 16th century. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in the 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence.
Day 2 Great White Lake
Today, we will drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (Great White Lake) and Khorgo Volcano, two of Mongolia’s most remarkable natural attractions. Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park was established to protect the region’s spectacular mountain scenery, unique ecosystems, and endangered plant and animal species. The area features extinct volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and a rich variety of wildlife and birdlife, making it one of Mongolia’s most impressive natural destinations. Khorgo Volcano, standing at approximately 2,240 meters above sea level, is a remarkable natural landmark surrounded by the scenic Khangai Mountains, whose peaks reach around 3,000 meters. The volcanic landscape includes distinctive craters and small, crystal-clear lakes. The Khorgo crater is one of the area’s most striking geological features, offering impressive views of the surrounding volcanic terrain.
Day 3 Ulaagch Lake
Ulaagchiin Khar Lake is a beautiful lake in the semi-desert area. The northern shore of the lake is lined with impressive sand dunes and its southern reed shore and islands are magnet for migratory waterfowls. The lake is 30 km long, 10 km wide and 48 m deep. Nearby mountains are home to rare wild habitats. Today, we will begin our three-day trekking adventure in the beautiful Ulaagch Lake region. Pack a small bag with everything you will need for the next three days, as horses will carry our luggage during the trek. We will spend the nights camping in tents.
Day 4 Trekking around Ulaagch Lake – Day 2
Today is the second day of our trekking around Ulaagch Lake.
Day 5 Trekking around Ulaagch Lake – Day 3
In the morning, we will continue our trekking adventure. In the evening, we will reach the point where our van is waiting for us.
Day 6 Great White Lake
We will stay at Great White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake) before continuing to our next trekking destination.
Day 7 Tsenkher Hot Spring
Tsenkher Hot Spring is the second-hottest natural hot spring in Mongolia. After several days of driving and exploring, we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the hot spring..
day 8 Horse Herder Family in the Orkhon Valley
Today will be a full day of driving. We’ll arrive at the horse herder’s family in the evening and prepare for our three-day trek. Pack horses will be arranged to carry your luggage during the trek. Please leave your large suitcases in the van and prepare a smaller bag with everything you’ll need for the next three days of trekking.
Day 9 Trekking to the Eight Lakes
Today we begin trekking to Khuisiin Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and part of the 11,500-hectare Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. We will hike in from the northern side. The eight lakes—Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Duruu, Khuis, and Onon—are located 500 meters to 3 km apart. The area is extremely beautiful, surrounded by conifer-covered mountains and forest clearings full of wildflowers. We will stay at Khuis Lake, the smallest of the eight lakes.
Day 10 Horse trekking to the remaining seven lakes
Today, we will visit the remaining lakes. We will spend the full day horse trekking to the remaining seven lakes and return to Khuis Lake in the evening.
Day 11 Uvurkhangai Province - Arvaikheer Soum
Today, we will complete our trekking adventure and drive to Arkhangai. Mongolia is administratively divided into the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and 21 provinces, known as aimags. Uvurkhangai is one of these provinces. Today, we will drive to the provincial center, where you can experience everyday life in a smaller Mongolian city and gain insight into local culture and the lifestyle of its residents.
Day 12 Elsen Tasarkhai (Mini Gobi)
We'll drive to Mount Khogno Khan Nature Reserve in the afternoon. On reaching the mountain after a couple of hours you will arrive at a nomadic family ger in front of this beautifully forested rocky mountain. The mountain is home to hundreds of birds, deer, and gazelle. You'll be able to go hiking around the area or to the small sand dunes nearby called "Elsen tasarkhai.”
Day 13 Ulaanbaatar City Tour
Today, we’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving in the afternoon.
Day 14 Ulaanbaatar City Tour
First, we will visit Gandan Monastery, the largest and one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. We will then continue to the Chinggis Khaan National Museum to discover Mongolia’s rich history and cultural heritage. After the museum visit, we will enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace, the former residence of Mongolia’s last spiritual leader. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian cultural performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble before returning to the hotel.

Tour Price

ALL PRICE ARE PER PERSON PER DAY

The difference between comfortable tour and budget tour relates primarily to the accommodation type. Within a budget tour all accommodation will be with a nomadic family in their Ger. While a comfortable tour includes accommodation at Ger camps which are similar to a 3-4 star hotel standard. Finally the Mid-Range tour mixes Comfortable and Budget, where you will stay some nights in the traditional Ger with a nomadic family and others in a Ger camp.

Mid-Range

Per person pricing

From $160
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $160
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $230
Private 3 guests $182
Select package
Most Popular

Comfortable

Per person pricing

From $186
Join Group / Private 4+ guests $186
Private 1-2 guests (1 billed as 2) $249
Private 3 guests $210
Select package
  • Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas
  • English speaking tour guide/cook
  • National park entrance fee
  • Camel riding
  • Horse riding
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinking water
  • All meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Accommodation in UB
  • Travel and Medical insurance
  • Personal items
  • Tips for the driver and the guide
  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • DURATION 14 days, 13 nights
  • From $2240 USD
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