Mongolia – 12 Days Highlights and Treasures

Description:

In the morning it’s back on the road – today you head further south to the imposing cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, translated into English as “White Stupa”, named after its looks. Drive there will take 4 hours, and after arriving, have lunch and venture to the rock formations for some great opportunities for photography.

Travel details: 4-5h/ 240km to Tsagaan Suvarga
Accommodation: Ger alongside a Nomad family
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
After a leisurely breakfast continue your drive south, after 2 hours first stop at the

Dalanzadgad, Provincial centre of Southern Gobi. Take a short tour of the city, including the Gobi Museum of Nature and History and visit the local market. Have lunch and then continue for 50km to the Yol Valley. The vehicle will be left at the gorge’s entrance, from where you will need to venture on foot. Yol Valley is notable for its deep ice field, which is several meters thick by the end of winter and is several kilometres long. In the summer there is usually less ice, but you should still be able to walk on it. The area is also a habitat of ibex and birds of prey and you may be able to spot wildlife on top of the cliffs.

Travel details: 4-5h/270km
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
Today you leave the paved road and venture deeper into the Gobi desert, to the largest sand dunes of Mongolia, Khongor Els. Keep a lookout for gazelles, wild asses and birds of prey as you drive – the scenery is beautiful and populated by a plethora of wildlife. The drive will take off-road, but you will stop for a picnic lunch and photos on the way. On arrival at the encampment have a short rest and venture out to the sand dunes for a spectacular view from the top.

Travel details: 4-5h/ 180km
Accommodation: Guest ger
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:

Before breakfast, if you didn’t see the sunset last night, drive a short distance to the dunes for the spectacular sunrise. Otherwise, enjoy home breakfast in the guest ger. Your camels will be prepared outside and mounted up for a few hour’s ride alongside the dunes. In the afternoon the schedule is flexible: Alternatively, you may want to go for a longer hike in the area, along the river or to the dunes and take amazing photos, or just rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery – discuss your preferences with your guide.

Travel details: A few hour’s camel ride
Accommodation: Guest ger
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:

After breakfast, travel off-road to Bayanzag. During the scenic drive, there might be a possibility to see wild gazelles as they run along – it’s difficult for vehicles to catch up with them! On the way, you will stop at an ancient sacred site of Khavtsgait, where on top of a rocky hill there are hundreds of ancient stone engravings, called petroglyphs. Some of them are as old as 3000 BC and were engraved by hunters while waiting for prey. The site also offers wonderful views over the desert. You will arrive at the guest ger in Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs in time for late lunch. It was here that the first dinosaur eggs were discovered by an American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, and the area remains one of the most famous paleontological dig sites in the world. Stroll for an hour or two among the flaming-red cliffs and explore this unique area where the dinosaurs once roamed. In the evening, weather conditions permitting, enjoy hiking to saxual forest and overlook at the foothills of the Flaming Cliffs with the spectacular sunset backdrop bringing out the red hues from the rocks.

Travel details: 4-5h/170km to Flamming Cliffs
Accommodation: Guest ger
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
Today we will drive to the north of the Ongi temple ruins. You will arrive at the Ongi temples in the afternoon – after lunch at the guest ger, take a walk among the ruins and see the reconstructed temples. Ongi is a ruined and partially rebuilt monastery founded in 1760 to commemorate Dalai Lama’s first visit Dalai Lama to Mongolia, It’s available to see the stupa displaying the names of the victims and perhaps meet the local monks.

Travel details: 3-4h/170km to Ongi ruin
Accommodation: Guest ger
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
Today’s drive will take you away from the Gobi plans and into the rolling steppes and pastureland of the Orkhon Valley. We will have lunch at the local eatery on our way. In the afternoon you will arrive in Orkhon Valley, which is a UNESCO-listed heritage site and the ancestral nomadic heartland of Mongolians. Arrive at a local yak herder family where you will be staying tonight in an authentic guest ger a just mile from the Orkhon Icefall. Enter the gers and experience the nomadic hospitality – you will have the opportunity to try your hand at traditional Mongolian cooking, learn how to prepare Buuz (steamed dumplings) or Huushuur (fried meat-filled pastry) and socialize with your hosts over yak’s milk and milk tea in the evening.

Travel details: 5-6h/300km to Orkhon Valley
Accommodation: Guest ger next to a local family
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
Have a home-cooked breakfast, and if you are up for it, saddle up on a horseback excursion to the nearby Orkhon Icefall. If you would rather walk – it’s fine too. Mongolian horses are small and if you don’t have horseback riding experience your horse will be led by an experienced wrangler. Orkhon Icefall is a scenic cascade on the Ulaan Tsutgalan River, 20m high and 10m wide. After exploring the area return to the family encampment for lunch. In the afternoon get involved in the activities of your family – help with milking yaks and watch the nomads distilled vodka from yak milk and yoghurts. There will be also time for games and perhaps a cooking lesson, discuss your preferences with your guide.

Travel details: 2h horse riding
Accommodation: Guest ger next to a local family
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
After an early breakfast, part with your hosts, perhaps exchanging gifts, and drive off-road to the ancient Mongol capital of Kharakhorum. Upon arrival, enter the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the most important monastery complex in the country, built in 1586 by Altai Khan. Take a guided tour of the temples and hear the monks chanting, which takes place in the late morning. After that have lunch at the hostel where you will be staying tonight, and visit an interesting local museum which showcases the Mongolian past. In the afternoon take a stroll along the Orkhon River or explore the local market. There will also be time to visit the local felt cooperative workshop or art gallery.

Travel details: 3-4h/ 120 km to Kharakhorin
Accommodation: Hostel
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
After a leisurely breakfast board the vehicle for the journey back east to Hustai. The drive will take around 3 hours and on arrival visit first, the park’s information centre where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in the ger camp where you will be staying tonight, located right at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animals’ location, and you have a high chance of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track other animals, such as wild deer or foxes – Hustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. In the late afternoon return by vehicle to the camp, take hot shower and enjoy hearty dinner, before settling into your gers for the night.

Travel details: 3-4h/ 250km to Hustai National Park
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Description:
After breakfast travel to the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex. Once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii. Then have lunch in the complex’s restaurant. After lunch, board the vehicle and drive back to Ulaanbaatar, where you will be dropped off at a location to suit you (we can do multiple drop-offs if required).

Travel details: 2-3hrs/180km to Chinggis Khaan Statue complex; 1hr/60 km to UB

Accommodation: –

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch