Essence of Mongolia - 3 Days
3 Days Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar
Visiting: Ulaanbaatar, Gurvanbulag Community Travel, Elsen Tasarkhai, Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
THTB/1904
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 4
Age range:
5-85
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
English , GermanTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
The Essence of Mongolia is an activity-packed tour into central Mongolia. Visit the Khogno Khan Reserve, and the dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai before venturing to the Hustai National Park to see the wild Takhi horses and plenty of other wildlife. This condensed trip lets you experience as much of Mongolia as possible in three days. Overnight, stay at authentic guest gers next to local nomadic families. Learn about your hosts’ culture and traditions, socialize with them, ride horses and Bactrian camels, hike, and visit hilltop temples. This all-encompassing trip contains most of what Mongolia offers, including must-dos and must-sees, and is perfect for those with limited time in the country.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Gandan Monastery - Gurvanbulag - Nomad Family
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Gurvanbulag Community Travel
Accommodation: Homestay, Guest ger alongside the nomad family
Accommodation Name: Ger (Yurt)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
After meeting your guide at 08:30 am in your hotel or another Ulaanbaatar location of your choice board the vehicle for a morning visit at the Gandan Monastery in the western part of the city. Take a guided tour of the temples and see the monks chanting. Then head west to the northern part of the Gobi onto Gurvanbulag, where you will be staying at a guest ger alongside a nomadic family. The drive is mostly on a paved road and should take 4 hours (280km). On arrival, enter the family ger and experience nomadic hospitality — sample milk tea, homemade yoghurts, and curds, learning about the nomadic way of life and your hosts’ traditions. In the afternoon, if you are up for it, ride a horse to the nearby sand dunes — or you can walk if you prefer. The distance is not long, just 3km each way. In the evening enjoy a traditional nomadic meal of Buuz (steamed dumplings) or khorkhog (mutton seared with hot stones) — you can also help with cooking if you want.
Day 2 : Khogno Khan — Uvgun Temple — Elsen Tasarkhai Dunes — Camel Riding
Location: Elsen Tasarkhai
Accommodation: Homestay, HomestayGuest ger alongside the nomad family
Accommodation Name: Ger (Yurt)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a home-cooked breakfast say goodbye to your hosts and drive for 1.5 hours (55km) to Khogno Khaan nature reserve — the site of the Uvgun temple complex. Khogno Khan is an area where taiga meets rolling steppes and north Gobi’s sand dunes. Hike a short distance to the Uvgun temples which were built in the 17th century by Zanabazar but destroyed in the 1930s during communist purges. After coming down to the vehicle drive 25km to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, where you will stay next to a family of camel herders. Settle into your ger and once your camels are ready, mount up for a 1-hour Bactrian ride into the dunes, taking time for photographs from the camelback. In the evening return to your hosts and enjoy a home-cooked dinner, socializing in the evening over fermented mare’s milk with the family.
Day 3 : Hustai National Park — Wild 'Takhi' Horses — Hiking — Ulaanbaatar
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a leisurely breakfast, board the vehicle for the journey back east to Khustai. On arrival visit the park’s information centre where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in a local ger camp located at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animal's location — so you have a high chance of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track wild deer or foxes — Khustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. In the late afternoon return to the vehicle and drive back for two hours (110km) to Ulaanbaatar, where you will be dropped at a location of your choice.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Guest ger alongside the Nomad Family During your journey, you will be staying at authentic guest gers alongside nomadic families in the countryside. Gers are equipped with beds, linen, stoves, tables and chairs and have electric lighting. Showers and bathrooms are usually not available - homestay facilities are the natural basis.
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to Protected Areas, museums
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Fully Guided
At Tour Mongolia, we believe that a good guide is essential to the enjoyment of any trip. Your guide will be English-speaking and handpicked by us to suit your itinerary and requirements. Each guide is personally briefed on all elements of the trip. You will be sent guide details in the confirmation document prior to your tour.
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Meals – Full Board
Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking. Food choices tend to be limited in the Mongolian countryside, but we are usually able to provide vegetarian, vegan, dairy or gluten-free food. However, religious dietary requirements and exotic foods are often impossible to source, particularly on trips to more remote areas of the country. Meals included in your trip are indicated B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), and D (Dinner) under each day of the itinerary. On most days, all meals are included. Generally, the water quality in Mongolia is good. But as a precaution, we advise our guests to drink bottled water that can be purchased in shops, food markets and kiosks in the capital and many of the provincial centres as well as in tourist Ger camps in the countryside. Mineral water is usually not included in our trips as we aim to produce as little plastic waste as possible, but we do provide plenty of warm drinks such as tea and coffee.
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Local Taxes
All road taxes
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Mongolian Barbecue - Khorkhog
Enjoy a traditional feast of khorkhog - mutton and vegetables seared and steamed with red hot stones from the fire at Nomadic family.
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
On the dust of the desert and mud of the steppe, the Japanese/Korean off-road MPV provides comfort and safety for your trip. These 4x4 vehicles are specifically tuned for the rough off-roading that's inevitable when travelling in the wilds of Mongolia. They provide ample space, and air conditioning and are well maintained while offering ample luggage space, seat belts and speed. All vehicles used in our tours are insured and carefully prepared before departures. Our drivers are also good mechanics and have many years of experience driving on unmarked, unpaved roads in the countryside.
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horse and camel ride fee, local guides
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International flights - Tips - Laundry - Bar bills - Items of a personal nature - Visas - Photography/filming charges at e.g. museums and monasteries
Accommodation
During your journey, you will be staying at authentic guest gers alongside Nomad families. Gers are equipped with beds, linen, stoves, tables and chairs and have electric lighting. Bathrooms and showers are only available at ger camps and hotels or hostels, with homestay facilities being the natural basis.
Ger alongside the Nomadic family stays - 2 nights
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
The maximum group with 6 people.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Guests will homestay at ger alongside the Nomad family in the rural areas. There is no available Wi-fi in remote areas.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Mainly, we provide 4WD Russian minivans (UAZ 452 type) and Japanese minivans (Mitsubishi Delica) in our tours travelling in the remote countryside. Only Japanese vehicles are equipped with air-conditioning.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
A vaccination certificate is required if you are vaccinated with all types of vaccines.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
You can keep Mongolian Tugrug(MNT) during that your tour. It is necessary to buy something from locals and for souvenirs.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa entries are not included in the price of the tour. Visa is required for all, except citizens of the following countries. Visas are available from the Mongolian embassy in your country. If there is no Mongolia embassy in your country, one-month visas can be obtained on the spot once you arrive at the airport or railway station. There will also be a visa fee of $53US.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
kids can be part of the family trip or attend other tour groups with their care-taker.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All entrance fees are included in the tour price such as national park and museum.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Local tour guides speak English.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers aren't included in this tour. However, private arrival and departure are available on request.
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How to get relevant entry visas easily?
Some nationalities can obtain visas at the airport or train station, however, it requires an application through us to the Immigration Authority of Mongolia in advance. Please check the following website for your nationalities requirements. www.consul.mn
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Each person can bring a back sack of 3-5kg and a suitcase of 20kg on that tour.
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Do you require a visa for this tour?
All travellers must obtain a visa before travelling to Mongolia. Some nationalities can obtain visas at the airport, however, it requires an application through us to the Immigration Authority of Mongolia in advance.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We will arrange your pre-and post-tour accommodations upon on your request.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
– EASY: A basic level of fitness is required, the tour is generally easy-paced.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
If you are not fully vaccinated, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip. During your trip you should follow all recommendations and requirements at your destinations including wearing well-fitted mask and staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart from anyone who did not travel with you. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will be sent tour
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Tour Mongolia has been trading their products such as cultural, active and adventure trip since they have established in 2001.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you noticed to your companions in 2 months prior your departure it is available to postponed till your alternative dates or cancel it according to policy.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All accommodations such as hotel, lodge, Ger camp and Ger of local communities are meet with local health and safety regulations.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Tour Mongolia's handpicked and experienced team will be companied with you during on your trip.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 31, 2024 - Jan 02, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 07, 2025 - Jan 09, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Tour Mongolia allows you to make 3 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 7 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Tour Mongolia allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform tour mongolia, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Tour Mongolia requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of tour mongolia charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.