Kharkhorin and Elsen Tasarkhai Tour (3 days)
What to expect
Elsen Tasarkhai,
Elsen Tasarkhai, marvellous oasis with sand dunes, vegetations, lake and birds, is located close to Karakorum.
Karakorum Exploration
Full of history and wonder, Karakorum is one of the highlights of our tour and a favorite of many of our clients
Karakorum Exploration
Full of history and wonder, Karakorum is one of the highlights of our tour and a favorite of many of our clients
- Kharkhorin City is an essential part of the famous Silk Road and once served as the capital city of Mongolia.
- Visit the Erdene Zuu monastery, which is the oldest in Mongolia. There is a museum operating there filled with history and mystery.
- The city has historic statues and other artifacts that speak of the fabulous history of the Mongolian people.
- This is one of the most significant religious and cultural cities in Mongolia. Experience the rich history when you visit.
- Go to the fabulous Elsen Tasarkhai oasis and ride atop a camel just like the ancient nomadic Mongolians did.
- Shared accommodation at Ger camp
- Private transfers
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Camel ride
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Overview
Once served as the capital of the Mongolian Empire and an essential station of the Silk Road, Karakorum city has much more to share than its current physical appearance. Mongolian largest and the historically most significant religious and cultural center – Erdene Zuu monastery – is operating as a museum there. Different stone relics and other ancient artifacts are standing around the city to reveal the history and stories dated back to hundreds of years ago.
The price per person will depend on the size of the group as shown below.
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Really nice tour, lots of driving through the Grasslands, make sure to bring present for kids in the Ger
I want to start by saying that this company and its tours offer incredible value for money. The accommodation, food, sights visited, everything was excellent. Mongolia is an incredible country and I could have easily extended this tour.
However, I am saying this with full knowledge that Mongolia has a patriarchal family structure and society, our tour guide seemed intent on letting me know this at every opportunity possible. I fully respect other cultures ways of life but this tour guide (who had lived in the US before) made very sure that I was aware that myself as the youngest female of the group had no status. He didn’t even learn my name after 4 days with a group of 5 of us. He let me know that I was beyond my prime and would never be able to marry in Mongolia. He also addressed all questions and information to the eldest male in the group without asking us how we felt. He also made sure that the eldest man was always sitting at the head of the table at dinner as he was the ‘leader’ of our family (we weren’t family). It was almost like I wasn’t there at times. When we were visiting sites that had female tour guides he interrupted them constantly and would pat them on the arm and say good girl.
Besides all of this he showed very little interest in any of us and never took the time to learn who we were or what our interests were.
Discover Mongolia was amazing. The driver and tour were awesome. I was just a bit let down to what the tour guide offered us.
We enjoied the seven day tour Karakorum - Gobi . Our guide Kishi was very responsive and eager to show the beauties of her Country.
Itinerary
After meeting in Ulaanbaatar, drive to Kharkhorin, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586.
Then visit the Kharkhorin museum and see the Great Mongol state period, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Ancient state period halls.
Overnight in tourist camp by Orkhon River. (B+L+D)
In the morning, drive to Elsen Tasarkhai - Gobi type area with huge sand dunes.
After lunch in a tourist camp, there is an opportunity for a camel ride trial through the sand dunes.
In the evening, we will play traditional games and stay overnight in a tourist camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, drive back to Ulaanbaatar and finish the trip. (B)
Good to know
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
