Eg-River – Fascination of the North 21 days – 15 days Canoeing from Khovsgol lake through cedar and larch forests, steppe and mountains
This is our second longest trip and it will take you to another time and another space. The measured rhythm of nature, huge expanses of forest, steppe and mountains and the leisurely pace of the Mongolian nomads by the river. We will spend 14 days on the river and pass through all Mongolian landscapes except the desert: We start at the clear, deep waters of Lake Khovsgol. Here the Eg river is almost “alpine” in character and the landscape is mountainous. There is a lot of forest and we will see Mongolians living in log cabins, while tending their herds. After five days the landscape changes, the valley opens up and we pass the only village on our way. A day in swampy terrain follows where the river makes endless bends and then the Ur river comes in from the North. This is a mighty river, much bigger than the Eg and from now on we will head straight south. We first pass several days through mountains with dense forests of Siberian cedar, birch and larch and after that we come into a wide valley were Nomads graze their animals by the riverside. But the river changes again. There are another two days of mountains ahead of us and just when the valley opens up again there is our pick up point. From there we drive 8 hours to Amarbayersgalant Khiid, the most beautiful of Mongolia’s monasteries where we spent the night and the next day we return to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Canoeing experience would be preferable for this trip, but is not an absolute requirement. Just normal fitness.
Price
- Min. Group: 2
- Max. Group: 10
- Min. Price per Person: 1992 $
- Max. Price per Person: 2424 $
- Single room supplement: 80$
Price includes:
- All accommodation (twin shared)
- internal transportation
- arrival & departure transfers
- meals as indicated (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- sightseeing & environmental fees
- camping equipment
- dry sacks and life vests
- English speaking canoeing guide
Price excludes:
- Travel insurance
- departure taxes
- excess luggage fees on internal flights
- items of personal nature
- meals not indicated
- gratuities
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to a cozy hotel within easy walking distance of downtown. After a short briefing we explore the vibrant city of Ulaanbaatar, the Palace of the Last Mongolian Buddhist King followed by an hour of Folk Dance and Song performance. (L,D).
Day 2
After breakfast we transfer you to the airport, to board the plane for the two hour flight to Moron, the capital of Khovsgol province. The plane will either be an Airbus 320 or a Dutch made Fokker turbojet. Your guide will accompany you on the flight. At the airport our driver will pick you up and you´ll have lunch at a scenic spot. Late in the afternoon you will reach the vast, blue Khovsgol lake. This lake is almost 300 meters deep, 134 Kilometer long and 39 Kilometers wide. It belongs to the same watershed like Lake Baikal and that is where the Eg river, the only outlet of the lake, will ultimately bring its waters.
We spent the night by the lake and marvel at the huge star-studded sky. (B,L,D)
Day 3
The sun will wake us early in the morning unless it is one of the rare rainy days and then our adventure begins. We will first have to check the water level of the Eg which in dry years mysteriously disappears almost right after lake Khovsgol. Should that be the (rare) case we will drive on to a place where the Eg river just as mysteriously reappears and start from there. (B,L,D)
Day 4–5
We are travelling through a wide, green valley with immense herds and many gers. In the evening our driver is wating for us. (BLD)
Day 6- 7: The “alpine” phase of the Eg river
Here the Eg is a crystal clear, slightly blue and cold mountain river as we pass through high, rocky hills and numerous, but easy rapids. There are herders by the river but differently to most of Mongolia, quite a few of them live in log cabins. We are bound to meet some of them while traveling and in all likelihood there will be occasion to sample their “white food” that is all the different milk products in which this country abounds. In the evening of day 6 we will be without the driver but the next evening he will again wait for us(B,L,D)
Day 8
Going by 4WD around a difficult passage. In the evening we come to where the Ur river meets the Eg river. Here the driver says good by. From now on it will be just us and the canoes. (B,L,D)
Day 9-10
Through steep, wooded hills
Day 11-16
The hills recede, the valley opens up and for miles around there is treeless steppe. Huge flocks of animals graze by the river, there are numerous white yurts and children will wave to us from the river bank. (B,L,D)
Day 17
This is our last day on the river. Now the mountains have come near to the river again, its flow has accelerated and sometimes the valley gets so narrow that the sun can´t reach the valley floor. But at the end of this almost canyon like stretch the valley opens up again and we see the huge herds of the days before. We reach the mighty Selenge river that is where our driver is waiting for us.(B,L,D)
Day 18
After breakfast we drive eight hours (stopping for lunch in between) and at around six we reach Amarbayersgalant Khiid, which is widely regarded as the most beautiful monastery of Mongolia. We pitch our tent nearby.(B,L,D)
Day 19
After breakfast we visit the sprawling monastery and before noon head off towards UB which we reach by six o´clock in the evening. After checking into our hotel we meet for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.(B,L,D)
Day 20: Leisure day in Ulaanbaatar
This is a spare day to be spend for shopping and self-exploration. You may refer to recommendations of our team in order to make the most out of it. In the evening we meet for a farewell dinner in an international restaurant. (B,).
Day 21: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B).
