Stages

STAGE 1

ELSEN TASARKHAI DUNES

The great adventure will begin in the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes (Bayangobi desert) that stretch about 80 km long and 5 km wide. Touring Elsen Tasarkhai (literally means “a piece of isolated sand”) we will enjoy a small sequence of true desert in the middle of green steppes. Some wooden buildings will catch our attention … they are shepherds’ huts. Elk, wolves, deer and foxes will mark our steps although the different species of camels will control our walk. Little Gobi will not leave us indifferent.

STAGE 2

UGII LAKE – ORKHON VALLEY

The stage begins on the shores of Lake Ugii, famous for being an important waterfowl breeding area; About 150 types of birds gather annually in its waters. We will enjoy the views bordering the great blue lake, we will leave the old Orkhon river on our left, we will cross the bridge of the Orkhon river to enter the valley of the Orkhon river. A lot of free animals will move at our own pace … horses, sheep, camels and goats will make us forget the great cormorants. Finally, the small and colorful town of Ugii will welcome us with open arms. 

STAGE 3

TSETSERLEG – TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS

With the memory of the Galdan Zuu temple with its 7-meter Buddha and the Zayiin Khuree Khiid museum we begin the third stage following the Tamir river and leaving the city of Tsetserleg on the right. We cross the river by a long wooden bridge also used by yaks and then enter the first wooded areas where you can see ancient trees of a unique beauty. In the valleys we meet hundreds of animals … jaks, horses, sheep … vultures and eagles stalking their possible prey. After several hills we reach the Tsenkheriin valley where we find the camp with natural hot springs.

STAGE 4

TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS – TSAGAAN SUMIIN RASHAAN VALLEY

Open forests, gentle valleys and small highlands. We will feel going back in time; a few nomadic families will greet us as we pass … “Сайн байна уу”. Trails and tracks will lead us to cross multiple rivers … some small and others not so much. We will feel the cool on our knees while the yaks wonder what we do out there. Later we will pass by the Mirror Lake … don’t forget to keep an eye on your hairstyle! Look at the zigzagging rivers from a hill. Stop for a minute amidst the wildlife. Finally … nothing better than a large NOMAD BARBACUE to lower the pulsations. 

STAGE 5

NOMADIC WINTER STATION – KHARKHORIN

In the queen stage it is time to enjoy the mountains and the impressive views that accompany our walk. We will see large eagles throughout the tour. We will pass through a small lost town where a large number of children live. When you have no strength left, stop to observe one of the many Ovoos (they serve as places of worship, to honor the mountains and the sky; they are made of wood or rocks). We will return to the Orkhon River Valley, a new gift for our senses. Finally, from above we will see the colorful city of Kharkhorin on multiple occasions.

STAGE 6

KHARKHORIN – KARAKORUM

A huge abandoned ship will surprise us a few meters from the start. From the monument to the Heroes we can observe the roofs of Karakorum, the winding Orkhon River and dozens of street vendors waiting for us… We will border the city through emblematic sites: the Turtle monument, the penis rock, the “great hall” archeological site, among others. The Mongolia Trail Run will finish in the emblematic 16th-century Buddhist monastery Erdene Zuu,  considered by many to be the most important monastery in Mongolia, as it couldn’t be otherwise. We will get to know it and visit Kharkhorin (Хархорин), the ancient capital in the 13th century known as Karakorum.