Five ideas for guided tours in Mongolia

• Ulaanbaatar

  The capital of Mongolia contains more than a third of the country’s population (1.2 million inhabitants.) Ulaanbaatar has developed very quickly and has become a mix of old medieval Mongolian city, old Soviet-era buildings, new buildings and long arteries like the famous Peace Avenue, the main shopping center. The city may seem austere at first but it contains many treasures. To start the visit, the Bogd Kahn museum and its magnificent green palace is a perfect option. You will be able to better apprehend the thousand-year-old history of this country and the people who lived there. Accompanied by a local Mongolian guide, you will survey in an optimal way the two major monasteries of Choijin Lama enriched with a museum tracing the different phases of Buddhism in Mongolia and the cultural heritage of the country and Gandan composed of five temples and also of its own museum with thousands of precious objects
  On the hill of Zaisan was built a monument in honor of the Russian soldiers who died during the Second World War. From this place you will have the most beautiful view of Ulaanbaatar and the Tuul River that runs through it.

• Menen Steppe

  The Menen Steppe is the largest steppe in Mongolia. It is located 60 km west of Lake Buir in the province of Dornod. It is one of the largest intact grassland ecosystems in the world. There is an abundance of flora and fauna, including the largest gazelle migration in Asia. The surrounding area is dotted with gently rolling hills and sand dunes that make it a unique territory. Two slopes stand out. The lowest point on the northern side of Kherlen and the highest point rising to over 800 meters above sea level towards the southern side of Tamsag.

• Khorgo Nature Park

  Khorgo Nature Reserve was created to protect the spectacular scenery surrounding it. Twelve volcanic mountains are present, some of them having lakes on their tops. The highest is the Khanga Mountain at 3,000 meters and the most visited is the Khorgo Crater at 2,200 meters. Clouds of steam escape from its summit and nearby caves where stalactites hang from their walls and ceilings. Lava flows have flooded the area bringing great fertility to the soil and consequently a rich fauna settled in the surrounding woods. Several breeds of wild animals such as goats, deer and an impressive variety of birds. The most beautiful lake of the country is located in this territory, it is Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur. It was formed at an altitude of 2,060 meters by the lava that blocked the course of the Terkh River. A volcanic island was formed in the middle of the water body.

• The sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai

  You will have to drive 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar to reach the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, which are 80 km long and 5 km wide in Uvurkhangai province. One can climb the sandy mounds on camelback and observe the incredible perspectives of this piece of desert in the middle of a green steppe. On this absolutely unique scenery, plantations of shrubs could grow on sandy hills. Because of its proximity to the Mongolian capital, the area is a perfect opportunity for those who want to discover the Gobi desert but lack time. The surrounding area has a lot of historical sites such as Erdene hambiin and Ovgon temples or Senget khad stone statues from the Bronze Age.

• The valley of Orkhon

  The valley of Orkhon is located in the center of Mongolia. Numerous populations have inhabited the banks of the basin since the prehistoric era and indeed the place is strewn with multiple remains. It was the way of passage of all the civilizations of nomads of the Eurasian continent. The first discoveries were made in Moiltiin Am and date back more than 60,000 years. Several ruins can be visited, witnesses of the expeditions of the successive peoples since the Bronze Age. The Huns, the Turks, the Uyghurs who built the royal city Khar Balgas (also called Ordu-Baliq), the Kidans and finally the Mongols who lived in Kharkhorin, the ancient capital founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. The Orkhon valley remains the camp of the nomads who settled there with their families and herds in its green landscape. You will be warmly welcomed and will be able to spend a few days in their camp by sleeping in yurts. All around a great choice of possible hikes on horseback, bicycle or on foot.