See Also: Part 1 – In Pictures: 14 Days in Central & Northern Mongolia
Day 7
After having breakfast, we started off the day with a short drive to Khorgo Volcano for our first hike. Khorgo is the last active volcano in Mongolia with its last eruption over 8000 years ago.
Closer to the volcano itself, the land was very barren due to the lack of soil. Black volcanic rocks were seen scattered all over during the hike up.
Drive back to Ger camp
We stopped by a shore filled with cairns of different sizes. Locally known as Ovoos but instead of being constructed out of the usual rocks or sticks, these were constructed from black volcanic rocks.
Afternoon around the camp
We decided to take it slow for the day lying outside under the Sun.
A short while later, I went back into the Ger to continue reading in the comfort of the bed but a surprise was waiting for me.
The resident kitty had snuck into our Ger and decided to take a nap on my bed.
One last hike at the White Lake
Timelapse Sunset by White Lake
Day 8
We bid goodbyes to the beautiful White Lake and began our 500 km road trip to Khovsgol Lake early in the morning. The journey took us a total of 2 days.
Day 9
While en route to Khovsgol Lake, we stopped by the town of Murun for lunch and shopping at an open air market. It was great being in a developed town with modern amenities (Did someone say WiFi?!).
Breaks along the way to answer the call of nature & stretch our legs
Arrival at Khosvgol Lake
Khosvgol Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Mongolia. It holds almost 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world.
Fun fact: Mongolia Navy’s armada consisting of a single tugboat, the Sukhbaatar III is located here.
Upon arriving, the first thing we did was run towards the shore to check it out. Similarly to the White Lake, the water was way too cold at this time of the year for a comfortable swim. We did eventually jumped into it the following day though amid girlish screams.
Day 10
Woke up in the morning to find 3 local merchants setting up shops to ply their wares a couple of steps right in front of our Ger.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much things to do around the area with most of the businesses closed as it was almost the end of the tourist season. We went exploring on foot looking for ice cream but gave up after walking over 3 km and not finding any shops opened.
Shortly after lunch, our guide managed to arrange a horse riding trip up into the nearby mountain!
Day 11
Sunrise at Khovsgol Lake
We began our journey back towards Ulaanbaatar early in the morning. Stopped by Murun once again for lunch and shower in a public bath. The rest of the day was pretty much spent on the road.
We arrived at our camp for the day somewhere near the city of Bulgan. This was the only accommodation we stayed at during the entire tour where it wasn’t a Ger but a 2 storey wooden house along the highway.
They had a beautiful garden and basketball court which we spent the rest of the evening playing at with the host.
Day 12
Uran Togoo Volcano
Left the camp in the morning to continue the drive southwards back to Ulaanbaatar. Stopped by the extinct Uran Togoo Volcano for a short hike.
Stopped in the city of Erdenet next, the second largest city in Mongolia for lunch and shopping.
Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Arrived at our Ger camp located within walking distance of Amarbayasgalant Monastery late in the afternoon. Our guide, Bilguun brought us to check out the monastery upon arriving. Following which, the rest of the day was spent checking out the many Buddhist monuments around the area.
Monuments and altars on the surrounding hills
Day 13
Left the camp by Amarbayasgalant Monastery and continued the drive down south towards Terelj National Park, located just 37 km east of Ulaanbaatar. It had no lack of scenic valleys, hills, rivers, forest and rock formations. We stopped near the tourist packed entrance to check out the gigantic Turtle Rock.
Terelj National Park
The rest of the evening was spent playing with the animals around camp, chatting with one another and reminiscing about the past week.
Day 14
Hiked over to Aryabal monastery from our camp in the morning before leaving Terelj National Park.
Aryabal monastery
Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
Leaving Terelj National Park sometime after noon, we had one last adventure at the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue. This giant stainless steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, located 54 km east of Ulaanbaatar was built in 2008.
Statues of Genghis Khan’s warriors on horseback can found in the surrounding area. A museum about the Mongolian empire is located inside the building which Genghis Khan’s statue sits on. It is possible to climb out and come out onto the horse’s head for a panoramic view.
And with that, we started the journey back to Ulaanbaatar. It is hard to believe how fast the 14 days went by. Mongolia, the memories and friends made during the trip will always occupy a special place in my ❤.
