We have an early flight to Zavkhan province’s Uliastai. The Zavkhan province (aimag) is located in a transitional zone between Central Mongolia’s fertile Khangai mountain range and the harsh Great Lakes Depression to the west. Zavkhan, sandwiched between two distinct regions, has its own climate and landscape, ranging from snow-capped peaks to steppes and lakes surrounded by sand dunes. In the morning, after a two-hour flight lands, we will land at “Donoi valley airport.” Our local transportation will pick you up and take you to the Ulaagchinii Khar Nuur beaches. In the afternoon, we’ll meet our camel breeding family.
Our jeeps will pick us up near Uliastai and transport us along the Bogd River through the Donoi Khundii open valley to the start of our trek at Mod Tolgoi.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll continue trekking for two more days in the direction of Otgontenger Mountain to meet the Otgon Hot Spa.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll start our journey along the Chuluut River today.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We will arrive at Otgontenger’s glaciers after some more trekking. Batar Khundaga Lake, on the lower slopes of Otgontenger Mountain, is close by.
Otgontenger Uul is Mongolia’s 5th highest mountain and the highest peak in the Khangai Nuruu range. Its highest point is 4020 meters above sea level.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll hike for the next three days, passing by Khurh Nuur Lake on our way to Nart Lake.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
The scenic valley of Ulaagchinii Khar Nuur, which runs alongside massive sand dunes, is simply breathtaking. To the east of the Great Lakes Depression, the lake is located in a dale in the Khangai Mountains. It is about 1000 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city. The freshwater lake is bordered on the north by massive sand dunes and on the south by mountainous terrain.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll continue to Senjit Rock, which is perched atop a hill. The rock used to be whole, but over millions of years, a powerful wind carved the gate into its current shape. The gate is 6 meters wide, 3.5 meters tall, and it adds to the natural beauty of the region. We’ll stay near the stone arch for the night.
(Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll cross this 15-kilometer-wide sand dune and finish the day along a small river that runs south of the sand dune. We’ll pitch our tents between the sand dune and the Mukhart Oasis. Several sand dune locations are home to small or large rivers. The most intriguing is Mukhart River, which rises beneath the sand dunes and flows through the desert before joining the Zavkhan River. (Tented Camp B, L, D)
We’ll return to Uliastai today to catch our flight.
(Hotel B, L, D)
The time has come to leave and fly back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. You can use your free afternoon to see as you fit. You could always go see the lovely cultural exhibitions and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.
(B)
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