Itinerary
- Day 1
Hotel to Gurvanbulag
You'll start with a hotel pickup and drive 280 km through the Mongolian landscape, which takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Gurvanbulag Soum in Bulgan province. Once there, check out the 10th-century fortress ruins of Khar Bukhiin Balgas and walk around the historical site. After lunch, you'll head out on horseback with a local guide to explore the surrounding areas. Later in the evening, you'll spend time learning Shagai, a traditional game played with sheep ankle bones, directly from nomadic people in the area. They'll also teach you Mongolian archery, so you can try your hand at that skill.
- Start point
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (prearranged location, 08:00 - 08:30)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Khar Bukhiin Balgas fortress ruins
- Horseback riding exploration with guide
- Shagai game lesson with local nomadic people
- Mongolian archery shooting
Landmarks Khar Bukhiin Balgas - Day 2
Gurvanbulag
You'll visit a nomadic family's home and learn how they live day to day, including their approach to hospitality and herding. Try traditional homemade dairy products like Aaruul (dried curds) and Suutei Tsai, which is a salty milk tea unique to Mongolia. Take a short hike of 5 to 8 km out to nearby dunes, which gives you a feel for the terrain around the camp. For dinner, you'll taste Khorkhog, a distinct Mongolian barbeque where meat gets grilled using hot stones heated in a fire. In the evening, watch skilled cowboys work with wild horses, catching and taming them using traditional wooden lassos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Khorkhog - Mongolian barbeque grilled with hot stones)
Included Activities
- Visit nomadic family
- Traditional Mongolian dairy products tasting
- Short hike to neighbouring dunes (5-8 km)
- Watch horse catching and taming demonstration
- Day 3
Gurvanbulag to Saikhan Soum
Early in the morning you'll depart on a 280 km drive heading toward Saikhan Soum. When you arrive at the rafting starting point, spend time preparing the boats and getting the necessary gear in order. From there, you'll paddle for approximately 3 to 4 hours on the Orkhon River, experiencing different sections of the water. By evening, the group makes camp right along the river bank where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rafting on Orkhon River (approximately 3-4 hours)
Landmarks Orkhon River - Days 4 - 5
Orkhon River Rafting
After regrouping in the morning and rigging the boats, you'll launch onto Mongolia's longest river into some remote canyon territory. Paddling starts calm, which means you'll have chances to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Then the water picks up and you'll tackle Class III rapids with serious white water, so expect an adrenaline rush during those sections. Each night the group camps near the river, positioned upstream of the gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rafting on Orkhon River with Class III rapids
Landmarks Orkhon River Canyon - Day 6
Orkhon Canyon to Amarbayasgalant Monastery
You'll eat a hearty breakfast, then paddle into the deepest and narrowest part of the canyon where quick Class III rapids keep things exciting. After 2 to 3 hours of rafting mixed with scenic paddling, you'll rejoin the vehicles waiting downstream. From there, the drive heads via Bulgan Town and Erdenet City toward Amarbayasgalant Monastery, a total distance of 165 km. Lunch happens in Bulgan, then you'll continue on to the monastery, one of the three largest Buddhist centers in Mongolia. Your guide will give you an orientation once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Bulgan), Dinner
Included Activities
- Rafting through deepest canyon section (approximately 2-3 hours)
- Visit Amarbayasgalant Monastery
- Guided orientation at monastery
Landmarks Amarbayasgalant Monastery - Day 7
Amarbayasgalant Monastery to Ulaanbaatar
You'll head back to Ulaanbaatar city, traveling 340 km mostly on paved roads, which makes for a smoother drive than some earlier stretches. At the end, you'll be dropped off at your chosen location in the city. The tour finishes here.
- End point
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Location of your choice., 18:00 - 18:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
