Tour Details

Eight Lakes
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Level: Moderate

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

• Arrival and hotel check-in

• Short city tour:

  • Sukhbaatar Square & Chinggis Khaan Monument

  • Gandan Monastery

  • Zaisan Hill for panoramic city view

• Traditional Mongolian folklore concert

• Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Elsen Tasarkhai

• Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes

• Enjoy a walk and 1-hour camel ride across the dunes

• Overnight at tourist GER camp

Day 3: Elsen Tasarkhai – Orkhon Waterfall

• Drive to Orkhon Waterfall (24m tall, in a volcanic zone)

• Explore the connection between Orkhon River and Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall

• Overnight at tourist GER camp

Day 4: Orkhon Waterfall – Eight Lakes

• Scenic drive to the volcanic Eight Lakes region (Naiman Nuur)

• Overnight with a nomadic family

Day 5–7: Immersive Nomadic Experience at Eight Lakes

• Explore Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Onon, Doroo, and Bayan-Uul lakes

• Engage in daily nomadic activities:

  • Milking cows, goats, sheep

  • Making traditional dairy products

  • Horse riding through volcanic valleys

• 3 nights with local herder family

Day 8: Eight Lakes – Tsenkher Hot Springs

• Drive to Tsenkher Hot Springs (1860m above sea level)

• Enjoy relaxing soak in hot spring pool

• Overnight at tourist GER camp

Day 9: Tsenkher Hot Springs – Kharkhorum

• Drive to Kharkhorum, ancient capital of the Mongol Empire

• Visit Erdenezuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist center

• Discover art of Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first religious leader

• Overnight at tourist GER camp

Day 10: Kharkhorum – Khustai National Park

• Visit Khustai National Park to see the endangered Przewalski horses (Takhi)

• Explore sand dunes known as Moltsog Els

• Overnight at tourist GER camp

Day 11: Khustai – Ulaanbaatar

• Return to Ulaanbaatar

• Optional museum visit (Natural or National History, or Bogd Khan Winter Palace)

• Afternoon shopping and relaxation

• Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 12: Departure

• Hotel check-out

• Transfer to airport for international departure

Tour Inclusions

✔ 2 nights in 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin sharing)
✔ 5 nights in tourist GER camps
✔ 4 nights with nomadic families (shared conditions)
✔ All ground transportation
✔ English-speaking guide
✔ Full board during the trip (3 meals/day)
✔ Horse riding in Eight Lakes region
✔ Camel riding in Elsen Tasarkhai
✔ Entry fees for all sightseeing and national parks
✔ Basic camping equipment (mattresses & tent)
✔ 1L bottled water per person/day

✘ International airfare
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Beverages and personal expenses
✘ Camping gear (sleeping bags, personal equipment)
✘ Tips
✘ Any services not specifically mentioned above