Trekking in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Ulaanbaatar

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 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Travel to Tuul River and the Herder Experience

You will leave Ulaanbaatar early in the morning and travel through a valley surrounded on all sides by forested hills and stunning granite cliffs. Wildflowers and plants blanket the valley, which is home to peacefully grazing herds of yaks, horses, goats, and sheep.

You will arrive at the location of your family stay before noon, with a host family that lives along the banks of the Tuul River and breeds horses. Here, you will spend the afternoon participating in a number of everyday tasks that herders engage in, before bringing the livestock to camp and milking the cattle to create various dairy products in the evening. A skilled horseman can also demonstrate how to use a Uurag – a long wooden stick with ropes attached at the end – to capture horses from a freely running herd.
Overnight Location: Homestay along Tuul river
Distance: 70km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3-5 Trekking in Khentii National Park

For the next few days you will explore the vast and rugged expanse of the Khentii Mountains. The chain crosses the Khan Khentii protected area and includes Burkhan Khaldun, Mongolia’s holiest mountain and the birthplace of Genghis Khan.

You will load your belongings onto pack horses after breakfast, where the hike into the valley will begin at the base of the mountain range. The strength of the tiny but tough Mongolian horses will astound you, and they will certainly be less tired than you throughout the journey!

This three-day adventure will take you across a tundra environment that is home to a variety of wild animals, including deer, wolves, moose, and bears. The dense woodland and rugged mountain scenery found here is characteristic of Siberia, and paints a picture of the harsh, yet beautiful nature of the Mongolian wilderness.
Overnight Location: Camping in Khentii National Park
Distance: 16km of hiking (averagely per day)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Trekking to Gunjiin Sum Temple

Day 6 of the trek will see you visit the ruins of the Princess Monastery, also known as Gunjiin Sum. Surrounded by lush forest, this once-massive monastery was founded by a Mongolian lord in honor of his wife in the 18th century. Sadly, the main temple and a portion of the wall are all that is left today. Accommodation in a tented camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Distance: 15km of hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Trekking to Tuul River

Today you will hike along the Tuul River through quiet pine forests with just the occasional animal call for company. Keep your ears out for woodpeckers and your eyes peeled for golden eagles circling high overhead in search of prey. You will eventually arrive at the camping site after four hours of hiking, where you will settle in for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Distance: 16km of hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Terelj National Park back to Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day of your adventure through big valleys, mountains, and green forests. Enjoy your final day’s trek and the breathtaking view of the valley that stretches out to the Tuul River.

After lunch, you will go on a sightseeing tour of Terelj National Park. Turtle Rock, Aryaval Monastery, and a small meditation monastery at the foot of the mountain will be your first stop. After this, you will visit the museum at Genghis Khan Monument, a massive aluminum statue of Genghis Khan mounted on his horse. It is possible to ascend to the top of the monument, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

The time has come to leave and drive back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. You can use your free afternoon to see as you fit; a great option is to go see lovely cultural exhibitions and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance: 70km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Departure

After waking up and enjoying breakfast, guests will say goodby to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and make their individual departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast