400 km west of Ulaanbaaatar lies Karakorum (Harhorin), the location of  the capital of the heyday of the Mongol Empire under Ogodei Khan. It was sacked in the 1380s by the Ming armies who had put an end to the Mongol Yuan dynasty of Khubilai Khan at the court at Daidu (Beijing). Some 200 years later, in the 1580s, the remains of Karakorum were used to build the Erdenezuu Monastery. The Hogno Khan Mountains are some rock formations next to the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai, where the small Erdenekhamba monastery being restored.

How to travel there:

The twin destinations of Hogno Khan Mountain and Karakorum are a full days drive west of Ulaanbaatar. If traveling overland, trip length is best at 5d/4n.

It is located on the north side of the Tuul River, about a two hour drive west of Ulaanbaatar. Although located in the central grasslands, Hustai means “with birch” because there are birch and aspen groves in the core area. It is hilly terrain, with the Tuul River forming the southern boundary.

The national park was originally set up in 1993 as a nature reserve for the first reintroduction of the Przewalski’s Horse (Equus Przewalskii) to Mongolia. Today the Hustai Trust runs the park, funded mainly by tourism receipts. The Trust owns the main ger camp at Hustai, and also administers the park, making it the best managed protected area in Mongolia.

The Przewalski’s Horse is called takhi in Mongolian. It became extinct in the wild and was last seen in the Dzungarian Gobi in the late 1960s. It survived only in zoos and private parks around the world. The reintroduction program began in 1992. Horses were selected for maximum genetic diversity and gathered at semi-reserves in the Netherlands. Over a two year period, they formed socially normal herds, each consisting of a stallion and his harem of mares. Then they were flown to Mongolia from Luxembourg airport. These shipments (of 16 horses each time) continued every two years until 2002.

In addition, there are healthy populations of marmots, foxes, red deer (Cervus Elaphus) and wolves at Hustai. The Takhi are easy to see on a game drive in early morning or late afternoon towards the evening. The other mammals species need some patience and are more likely to be seen while hiking on foot around the reserve.

How to travel there:

We are one of few tour companies who recommend a 3d/2n visit to Hustai, which allows visitors time to hike into the interior areas of the park. Hustai is close to Ulaanbaater, only 110 km. If you have limited time or just want to “tick off” the Takhi, a one night stay is possible. Hustai has a winter felted ger camp, so we can offer visits here year round.

Also there is possibility to have a more posh or private experience joining our Hustai in Style trip.

Arburd Sands, the northernmost sand dunes of the Gobi, are a reasonable 4 hour drive south from Ulaanbaatar. Combined with the sacred Zorgol Hairhan Mountain, which is 35 km away, this is a fascinating classical Mongol area, not visited by many tourists. As it is in the Gobi grasslands, the pastures are usually good and support many herding families who live in the area.

The nomadic culture is strong here. Many of the locals are keen horse trainers within the Mongol equestrian tradition, which has passed from father to son for millennia.

How to travel there:

Nomadic Journeys has partnered with a number of community members and is pleased to offer the visitor horse rides and ger camp stays here. Arburd Sands is a 4 hour drive south of Ulaanbaatar.