TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Ulaanbaatar - The capital city
The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, a city with a long and rich history. Set in the rolling foothills of the Bogd Mountain range, on the banks of the majestic Tuul River, Ulaanbaatar is the gateway to Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar, historically known as Urga, was originally established in 1639 as a nomadic encampment, which shifted from place to place until it settled in its present location in 1778. The city, situated at an altitude of 1,351 meters above sea level, stretches from east to west across the Tuul River valley. It has a population of around 800 000 and a surface area of 135,800 hectares. Holy mountains surround it; the Bogd Uul Mountain to the south, the Songino Mountain to the west, the Bayanzurkh Mountain to the east and the Chingeltei Mountain to the north.

Hovsgol lake
Hovsgol province, located in the Hangai mountain range in northwestern Mongolia, is unique compared with other parts of Mongolia. Many ethnic groups live in Hovsgol: Mongols, Darhad, Hotgoid, Urianhai, Buriyad, and it’s the Motherland of the Reindeer Families ‘Tsaatans’. It’s the place where Heaven and Earth worshiping Shamans are still very powerful. There are almost 400 small and large rivers, in addition to big rivers such as Selenge, Ider, Tes, Delgermuren, Eg, Shishigt, and Chuluut. There are also over 50 hot and cold springs. The average temperature in winter is minus 18-32C, in summer plus 15-30C. There are many wild and rare animals such as reindeer, elk, argali, wild sheep, ibex, brown bear, wolf, Siberian roe deer, fox, marmot, corsac, antelope and many different type of fish such as Taimen, Siberian white fish, lenok, grayling, pike, ect, abundant in the lakes and rivers. There are about 300 large and small lakes, the biggest known as the ‘Dark Blue Pearl,’ Lake HOVSGOL. Lake Hovsgol is located in the northern part of Mongolia. The lake itself is one of the natural wonders there are a deep blue, and unlike its sister Lake Baikal, its waters are pure and unpolluted. Steep rocky mountains climb up both the Eastern and Western sides. It is a magnificent place to relax or psursue your own daily pleasures.

Gandan Monastery
Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia and one of Ulaanbaatar's most interesting sights. Built in the mid 19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued during the communist years. Temples are flocked by visitors during religious services that start at 10 a.m. and last until mid day. Most important part of a monastery is the Megjid Janraiseg temple.

Winter Palace of Bogd Khan
Built between 1893 and 1903, the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan was the home of the Mongolia's last king Javzun Damba Khutagt VIII. This complex of temples and houses contains a number of Buddhist artworks and the private collection of the Bogd Khan, composed of gifts from rulers and kings from all over the world. The artworks displayed here were made by the top Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese master-sculptors of the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the gods of the Buddhist pantheon.

Sukhbaatar Square
This large and famous landmark is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange and many other important establishments are concentrated. It is named after Sukhbaatar, the famous patriot, whose statue is the main attraction on this square.

Terelj National park
Located 70 kilometers north east of Ulaanbaatar, Gorkhi Terelj National Park (Terelj) is one of Mongolia’s most popular destinations. Gorkhi Terelj National Park is in Hentii mountain range and borders the Khan Hentii Strictly Protected Area. Terelj is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, interesting rock formations. There are a number of tourist accommodations, some of which stay open year-round, and the area offers excellent hiking, fishing, rock climbing, horse riding opportunities as well as rafting through the Tuul rive that flows towards Ulaanbaatar from the national park.

Karakorum resort
Kharakhorum is a destination not to be missed for those visiting Mongolia. In the 13th century it was the capital of the Mongolian Empire. This town is close to Erdene Zuu monastery, built in 1586 using the stones from the ruins of Kharakhorum. It was the first Buddhist center in Mongolia and it housed 10,000 lamas(monkis) in 62 temples. In 1930’s it was badly damaged by the Stalinist purges and only since 1990 has become an active monastery again. Two Turtles Carved from rock marked the boundaries of the complex. Nearby is Shanhiin Hiid(monastery) and Orkhon waterfall. Because of its proximity to Ulaanbaatar, Erdene Zuu and Kharakhorum can easily be a part any trip.

Erdene Zuu Monastery
In 1586 when the Mongolian Khan Abtaisai returned home from his long pilgrimage to Tibet, he founded the first Buddhist monastery for it?s beauty it was named Erdene Zuu or Hundred Treasures. Erdene zuu was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia It is surrounded by a monumental wall with 108 stupas measuring 400x400 meters. Each of the four sites of the wall has a tower gat. In 1792 there were 62 temples. 500 buildings with about 1000 lamas inside the surrounded wall. It houses considerable historical and cultural values statues of deities, ritual masks and costumes, canvases on religious motifs, samples of mural and ceiling painting, articles, made by crafts men. Erdene-Zuu's temples were destroyed by the anti religious campaign of Stalin of the 1930s and an unknown number of monks killed. The monastery remained closed until 1965 when it was permitted to reopen as a museum.