Exploring Eastern Mongolia

In the morning, head to the airport for your domestic flight to Choibalsan, a town situated in the Eastern Steppe.

This region of Eastern Mongolia is known for its untouched wilderness steppe ecosystem, which is home to unique wildlife, including the Mongolian white-tailed gazelle and various rare bird species.

Upon your arrival, continue your journey by driving east toward Lake Buir, passing through the renowned Menengiin Steppe along the way.

In the morning, we will resume our journey towards Buir Lake, making a stop at a border checkpoint to obtain our permit for traveling within the special border zone between Mongolia and Russia. Enjoy a packed lunch during the drive.

The eastern steppes represent some of the flattest terrain in the country, with the Menin steppes being renowned as a hallmark of Dornod province. Keep an eye out for herds of Mongolian gazelle that we may encounter along the way.

In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Buir Lake, where we will spend the night in tents along the banks of the Khalkhiin River, one of the largest rivers in eastern Mongolia.

Enjoy a full day on the lake, taking in the beauty of the lakeshore, engaging with local families, and relaxing. Buir Lake features the country's only sandy beaches, and its shallow waters make it ideal for swimming.

Buir Lake lies along the Mongolia-China border, with 92 percent (566 km²) of its area located in Mongolia and eight percent (49 km²) in China. A specific provision was included in a Sino-Mongolian agreement regarding the management of transboundary water bodies, ensuring that separate consultations on fishing in Buir Lake are conducted.

In the morning, we will prepare our packs and set off southeast, where we will pass by Ikh Burkhant, regarded as one of the largest Buddhist heritage sites in the nation. Here, a striking Buddha figure is carved into a hillside, gazing up towards the sky—an extraordinary example of Buddhist architecture in the country.

Our journey will then lead us south to our next campsite, nestled in the stunning valley of the Khalkh River, close to Sumber village.

Today, our adventure continues across the vast and breathtaking eastern Mongolian steppe, where we will have the chance to observe the renowned Mongolian gazelles. Along the way, we will take time to examine the local flora and fauna, and we will make a stop at a military outpost on the Mongolian-Chinese border to secure our travel permissions.

In the afternoon, we will reach the Tashkhai Lakes, a stunning group of lakes that can fluctuate in appearance depending on the annual rainfall, sometimes appearing full and other times drying up.

Today, we journey into Sukhbaatar province, renowned for its swift horses and talented blacksmiths. It is said that every affluent Mongolian should own silver bowls or knife sets crafted in Dariganga.

We will have the opportunity to stop in Baruun Urt, the provincial capital, where we can explore the local museum and take some time to meet with local artisans.

Today, we will explore both geological and human history as we visit several notable sites. Our journey will take us to Taliin Agui Cave, Ganga Lake, and the renowned Altan Ovoo—a small volcano revered by locals for generations. In Mongolian, "Altan" means "golden", and it is said that centuries ago, a piece of gold adorned the top of its cairn.

We will also encounter Shiliin Bogd, another volcano that lost its summit during an eruption. This mountain is considered the holiest in the region, and it was here that the Mongolian Shiliin Sain Ers, or "brave men", rose up against the oppressive rule of the wealthy, vowing to punish the rich and aid the poor.

The Dariganga valley is scattered with ancient volcanic craters. These volcanoes erupted long ago, and over millennia, wind and water erosion have filled the crevices, resulting in fertile soils that support lush grasses for both wild and domesticated animals in the area.

Today, we venture into the Eastern Gobi region. Contrary to popular belief, the Gobi is not merely a desert. We will pause along the way to explore the native flora and search for local birdlife. This area is defined by a distinctive natural grassland that supports herding of livestock and camels. To encounter a true desert landscape and habitat, one must travel quite a distance.

We will then drive into Sainshand, a city located along the Trans-Mongolian railway, which was established in the 1940s and connects to the Trans-Siberian rail line leading to China.

Explore the Hamriin Hiid and the nearby ethnographic museum. Founded in the 1820s by the renowned 19th-century Mongolian lama, educator, and literary figure Danzanravjaa, the Hamriin Hiid Monastery stands as a testament to his legacy.

Danzanravjaa was a vocal critic of the societal norms of his time, challenging the rigid class and gender distinctions that prevailed. He dedicated himself to public education, establishing an inclusive school, theater, museum, and library at Hamriin Hiid Monastery. Locals believe in the positive energies of this site, which has become a destination for pilgrimage. We will also take time to explore the ruins of the monastery.

Today, we will proceed to the Ikh Nart reserve, located approximately 300 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar in the eastern Gobi region. This stunning reserve features a network of granite rock mountains and hills, serving as a habitat for the endangered Argali wild sheep.

Various organizations, such as the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Denver Zoological Foundation, and the University of Vermont, are conducting research projects within the park. We will have the chance to visit one of these project sites and gain firsthand insight into the behavior and ecology of these remarkable animals.

In the morning, we will resume our exploration of the park.

After lunch, we will head back to Ulaanbaatar. Following a farewell dinner, we will spend the night at the hotel.

In the morning, following breakfast at your hotel, we will collect you and take you to Chinggis Khan International Airport.

Looking forward to our new adventures!