Trekking around Eight Lakes

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar

Meet at the airport upon arrival and transfer to the hotel or hostel.

Day 2. Khogno Khan Mountain National Reserve (290km)

After breakfast, drive to the Khogno khan Uul Natural Reserve and Ovgon Khiid. Red Rock Mountains formed with granites stand 270 km to the west of UB. The altitude is 1967m above sea level. The mountain is actually in Bulgan province, but it is easily accessed from the UB-Kharakorum road. Spend the night at the ger camp. (BLD)

Day 3. Orkhon Waterfall (250km)

After a relaxing morning at the camp, we will drive to the Orkhon Waterfall. The waterfall was formed by a unique combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes about 20,000 years ago .The falls are most impressive after a heavy rain. The Orkhon Waterfall is the biggest waterfall of Mongolia. We will have dinner and spend the night with a family who breeds horses. (BLD)

Day 4. Waterfall-Khorgoi Khurem Valley - Bodon Pass (10km)

Our first day of trekking to Bodon pass begins after a short driving to Khorgoi Kurem valley. Today’s hike is easy, and the road to Khorgoi Khurem Valley is smooth and flat. We hike upstream of the Bituut River and see the volcanic lava that is found throughout this valley. On the way we will enjoy the sound of streams and birds singing. We will have a packed lunch in the woods. Dinner and camp overnight in the foot of Bodon pass in tents. (BLD)

Day 5. Bodon Pass- Lake Khuis (10km)

We’ll start our trekking early in the morning after a sumptuous breakfast. Today we will walk about 18 km. First, we continue through Khorgoi Khurem Valley to Bodon Pass, a densely forested area where many wild berries grow. This part of the hike is pretty strenuous. We’ll follow a horse path through the forest. After a picnic-lunch in the woods, we continue our hike up to the pass. We’ll see the first lake Khuis (Navel) Lake after crossing several streams. Dinner and camp overnight nearby Khuis Lake. (BLD)

Day 6. Khuis Lake-Shireet Lake-Shanaa Lake (14km)

After breakfast we will continue southward to Lake Shireet. Shireet is the largest and most picturesque of the eight lakes. After lunch on the shoreline of the Lake Shireet, we will turn back and continue our hike to the Shanaa Lake via Bugat Lake. Dinner and camp on the north slope of Bugat Mountain. (BLD)

Day 7. Shanaa Lake-Khuis Lake-Boorog (14km)

In the morning we leave the beautiful forestry slope to travel north via Khuis Lake. After a picnic lunch we will continue north and go through Bodon Pass .We will have dinner and camp overnight in tents when we reach Boorog Valley. (BLD)

Day 8. Boorog-Khorgoi Khurem Valley-Ulaan ereg Cliffs (12km)

Today's hike is short and easy. Have a picnic lunch in the Khorgoi Khurem Valley and continue to the strangely formed Ulaan Ereg Cliffs, where we will stay overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 9. Ulaan Ereg-Waterfall (5km)-Kharkhorin (100km)

Today is our last day of trekking. After breakfast, we will hike to the family located next to waterfall. Here we will meet our drivers. After having a relaxing lunch with the family, we will drive to the town of Kharkhorin. Spend the night at the ger camp. (BLD)

Day 10. Kharkhorin –Khustai National Reserve (280km)

Kharkhorin, situated on the Orkhon River, is the former imperial capital chosen by Chengis Khan in 1220. It served as Mongolia’s political, cultural, economic and social capital for 40 years and was replaced when Kublai Khan moved the capital to Khanbalik, the modern day Beijing. After the collapse of the Mongolian empire, the city was abandoned and fell into disrepair. With what remained Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery was built in the 16th century, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Outside the monastery walls are two ``turtle rocks``. Four of these “turtle rocks” once marked the boundaries of ancient Kharkhorin. After visiting the monastery we will drive to Khustai National Reserve and spend the night at a ger camp. (BLD)

Day 11. Ulaanbaatar (110km)

After having breakfast and visiting a research center of re-introduction in the camp, we will drive deep into the National reserve to see re-introduced Thakhi wild horses known as Prejivalsky Egus. After lunch we will drive to the city of Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Spend the night at the hotel. (BL)