Ancient Capital visit

[Day 1]
Pick up from the hotel in the morning and start our journey. Our first stop would be  Elsen tasarkhai. This mini desert is 80 km long and 5 km wide, thus gives you that desert vibe. You will visit the local nomadic family and have local lunch. After lunch you will go riding two humped Bactrian camels among the sand dunes. Drive further to the ancient capital Kharkhorin, visit  Karakorum museum, go to camp for a rest until dinner at the camp.

[ Driving distance – 360 km ,  Driving duration – 5 hours,  Meals – Lunch + Dinner ]

[Day 2]
After breakfast, visit the Erdenezuu Monastery one of the first Buddhist temples built in 16th century. Furthermore, drive to Bilge Khan’s museum, the last khan of Turgik empire. Go to Ugii lake, have lunch at the camp and after some rest continue driving back to Ulaanbaatar city. Drop off at the hotel.

[ Driving distance – 421 km ,  Driving duration – 7 hours,  Meals – Lunch + Dinner ]

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Elsen Tasarkhai The Elsen tasarkhai, which literally translates into “patch of desert” is located in Uvurkhangai province and it stretches 80km and has width of 5 km. This is a spectacular place where you can see the diversity of Mongolian landscape of mountains, sand dunes and forests meet at one place.

Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260, and of the Northern Yuan in the 14–15th centuries. Its ruins lie in the northwestern corner of the Uvurkhangai Province of Mongolia, near today’s town of Kharkhorin, and adjacent to the Erdene Zuu monastery. They are part of the upper part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.

Mongolian camels are two humped Bactrian camels. These camels are native to the steppes of Central Asia. Camels are one of the main five livestock for Mongolian nomads. Since early days, camels have played an important part in everyday lives of their owners. They were the means of transportation before vehicles introduction, especially they were useful when nomads moved from one place to another. Moreover they provide people with milk, wool and sometimes meat.

In the main hall it holds the precious artifacts found in the Orkhon valley belonging to Stone age, Bronze age and ancient empires. Built in 2011

The Erdene Zuu Monastery is probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Located in Uvurkhangai Province, approximately 2 km north-east from the center of Kharkhorin and adjacent to the ancient city of Karakorum, it is part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site.The monastery is affiliated with the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

 Bilge, also spelled Bilga, was the last khagan or khan of the Turgik Empire from 716 until his death in 734. His name literally means “wise emperor” or “the wise one. He was the skillful leader and khan of the Turgik empire that ruled southern Central Asia. Most of his important battles took place around the Orkhon valley. His younger brother Kultegin was the army general and served loyally throughout his reign. Bilge khagan’s museum is located 48km from Kharakhrum city, Uvurkhangai province.

Ugii lake is a fresh water lake located in the center of Mongolia in Arkhangai province. The lake’s average depth is 6.6m. Ugii is abundant with different types of fish and the area is habitat to over 150 rare species of birds, thus it is a popular spot for fishermen, birdwatchers and for people who enjoy spending peaceful time in nature.