Trekking in Kharkhiraa & Turgen Mountains

Guests will be greeted upon arrival at the airport, before being transported to a convenient, centrally located hotel. A 4-5 hour city tour can be arranged depending on your arrival time, which includes Bogd Khan's Winter & Summer Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings in which the eighth Living Buddha and the last king lived.

You will also explore the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, which is the largest and most important monastery within Mongolia, before visiting the magnificent 82-foot high statue of Migjid Janraisig. You will finish the city tour atop Zaisan hill for a view of the whole Ulaanbaatar.

In the evening, your tour guide will give you a short briefing about the coming trip and answer all your questions, before taking you to a famous Mongolian restaurant for a first taste of Mongolian food.

On the second day of your adventure you will fly to Ulaangom, the capital of the western Uvs province. After a 3-hour flight, you will be met by your guides and briefed on the journey ahead.

Your 8-day trek to Mount Kharkhiraa and Mount Turgen covers about 120 kilometers and involves two high passes at elevations of 2930 and 2944 meters. A moderate level of fitness is required, but even at the higher levels, the hike is not too strenuous. Even though it is summer, the weather in the mountains is unpredictable, and we must be prepared for everything, including snow.

You will head to the Blue Lake, the starting point of your trek, after a quick tour of the Aimag's capital city.

Day 3 of your Mongolian adventure will see you load your belongings onto the camels and horses after a hearty breakfast.

Afterwards, you will begin the trek along the Blue Lake's shores, making your way through several small passes. The Blue Lake is a lovely small alpine lake with sparkling clear water.

The next two days will see you leave the shores of the Blue Lake behind in order to trek upstream alongside the Kharkhiraa River. Here, you will trek through a rocky mountain valley, leaving the lush open pastures behind as you make your way towards Kharkhiraa Mountain.

Today you will cross a pass in order to reach the vast expanse of the Kharkhiraa plateau, which is ringed by glaciers. Here, you will also see a number of smaller lakes. The Kharkhiraa River, which you had previously hiked alongside, is fed by the glaciers that you will see throughout this portion of the journey.

Day 7 of the tour will see you trek to Turgen Mountain after passing through the glaciers. To get to the Yamaatiin Valley, you will have to cross the Kharkhiraa Mountain Pass, which is 3000 meters above sea level. The pass is situated between the 4000m high Kharkhiraa and Turgen glaciers. We'll have amazing views of both valleys on either side of the pass, as well as the breathtaking white glaciers.

Continuing on with your journey, you will arrive at the 110 lake region after some more hiking. This picturesque valley features beautiful flora and geological formations that are in stark contrast to previous landscapes that you have encountered so far on the tour.

Today you will continue descending through the Yamaatiin Valley. Eventually, you will arrive at Damjig Canyon, where you will spend some time hiking and exploring the rugged canyon landscape.

Day 10 of the tour will continue with a trek that leads to Goojuur Waterfall. This beautiful cascade is 17 meters high and drops down a rock face into a serene pool below, making for an excellent scene against the rocky, mountainous backdrop.

On the final hiking day of the tour, you will make your way through some rugged terrain to Shaazgay Lake, where you will meet up with the vehicles to continue on the journey.

You will head to Uureg Lake today, which is close to the Russian border and the vast expanse of Siberia. It's a big, stunning, slightly salty lake that is surrounded by majestic mountains and some snow-capped peaks that rise to 3000 meters or higher. Summer gers of nomads line the valley's mouth, which leads into the lake. Overnight accommodation in tents.

The time has come to leave and fly back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. You can use your free afternoon as you see fit; a good option is to go see the lovely cultural exhibitions and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.

After a filling breakfast, guests will say goodbye to Ulaanbaatar and make their individual departure.