Terelj & Chinggis Khan Statue: Day Trip with Nomad Lunch

Summary

From the giant Chinggis Khan statue to sharing tea in a ger, Mongolia’s wild heart opens up

You’ll climb temple steps above Terelj’s green valleys, stand beneath Mongolia’s towering Chinggis Khan Statue, and share homemade food with a nomadic family in their ger. With an English-speaking guide and all entry fees included, this day trip brings you close to local life — and leaves you with memories that stick around long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Chinggis Khan and Terelj Park

• See Chinggis Khan statue and museum
• Pass by typical Mongolian town
• Hike to Aryabal Meditation Temple
• Explore national park and have lunch

Top questions

How long does the Terelj & Chinggis Khan day trip take?

This is a full-day tour departing from Ulaanbaatar and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Terelj National Park tour?

Yes, lunch is included and prepared by a local Mongolian nomadic family.

Are guides fluent in English?

Yes, your certified guide speaks proficient English and understands Western culture.

Is pickup provided for this day trip?

The tour includes pickup; check details when booking for exact arrangements.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers; specialized infant seats are available.

Will we visit both Terelj Park and the Chinggis Khan Statue?

Yes, both landmarks are included on this group day trip from Ulaanbaatar.

Do we meet any locals during the tour?

You’ll visit a real nomadic family for lunch inside their traditional ger (yurt).

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

The reference content doesn’t specify vegetarian options; contact operator directly for dietary needs.

What’s included

Your day covers all entry fees, bottled water throughout, certified English-speaking guide support from start to finish, plus a traditional homemade lunch with a Mongolian nomadic family before heading back to Ulaanbaatar in the evening.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway up the steps to Aryabal Meditation Temple before I realized how thin the air felt — or maybe it was just nerves. Our guide, Baatar, pointed out prayer wheels spinning quietly in the breeze. He told us about local Buddhist traditions as we caught our breath and tried not to laugh at how red our faces were getting. The view over Terelj was wide and green, with clouds moving so fast you could almost hear them brushing past.

I didn’t expect the Chinggis Khan Statue to be quite that shiny. You see photos online, but standing under his horse’s hooves is something else. There’s a little museum inside (Baatar knew all the weird facts), and from the top you can see forever — or at least until your eyes water from the wind. We passed through a small town after that; kids waved at us from behind a fence, and I tried to remember how to say hello in Mongolian (failed miserably, got a big grin anyway).

Lunch was with a real nomadic family inside their ger. The smell of wood smoke and boiling milk tea hit me before I even ducked through the door. We sat cross-legged while our host handed around plates of dumplings — hot, chewy, perfect after hiking. Someone’s grandmother poured more tea than I could drink, but it felt rude not to try. There was this quiet moment where nobody talked much; just spoons clinking and sunlight coming through patched canvas. I still think about that.