Highlights tour of picturesque Mongolia

Chinggis Khan Airport - Ulaanbaatar

Day 1: Welcome To Ulaanbaatar

Upon arriving by train or plane into Ulaanbaatar, you'll be met by your local driver and taken to your centrally located hotel for check-in. Freshen up and relax, there's nothing on the itinerary for today. If you're looking to begin exploring, the city rests on your doorstep.

Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city of Mongolia, originated as a seasonal migratory abode of the Mongolian princes and in 1639 finally attained permanence on the present site with the construction of Da Khure Monastery.

When Mongolia was declared a people’s republic in 1924, the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar, which means “Red Her”.

Ulaanbaatar - Chinggis Equestrian Monument - Ulaanbaatar

Day 2: Stroll through Ulanbaatar's City Streets

Meet with your tour guide this morning to begin an Ulaanbaatar city tour.

Today, we will visit the highlights of the city including the Gandan monastery – home to the 26m gilded statue of Megjid Janraisag, the National Museum of Mongolia, and walk the Main Square.

The Square is occasionally used for rallies, ceremonies, and even rock concerts, but is generally a revered place. As you face North from the statue, the large gray building is State Parliament House, commonly known as the Government House.

After a welcome lunch at an excellent Mongolian restaurant, we'll drive for 1hr to visit the Giant Genghis monument – an impressive 46m statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, the largest equestrian statue on earth.

Ulaanbaatar - Elsen Tasarkhai

Day 3: Journey to Bayan Gobi Desert

We'll meet early this morning and pack our vehicles before beginning the drive to the beautiful Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes.

The Bayan Gobi (rich desert or the mini Gobi) is officially called the Khugnu Khan National Park and is about 280km from Ulaanbaatar. The landscape consists of large rock formations and cliffs shaped by erosion, which overlook vast semi-desert plains and home to huge sand dunes which contrast against the green grasslands on the border.

Upon arrival, and after lunch, we'll visit the Erdene Khamba monastery ruins in the picturesque Khugnu Khaan Mountains, for some hiking. Afterward, we'll visit a horse breeding family to have a close look at the daily life of nomads and taste traditional dairy products.

Elsen Tasarkhai - Kharkhorin

Day 4: Find Serenity in Karakorum

After breakfast, we'll drive to Karakorum, whereupon arrival and check in to a Ger camp, you'll be treated to a delicious lunch.

The Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260, and its ruins lie in the northwestern corner of the Övörkhangai Province, part of the upper part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.

In the afternoon we will visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia founded in 1586, where you’ll have a chance to take part in the morning chants on next day.

Then it's onto the Museum of the Karakorum, which displays some interesting findings from Karakorum ruins by a Mongolian-German joint expedition.

Kharkhorin - Saikhan Ovoo

Day 5: Bathe in the Mysticism of the Steppe

Early this morning, we'll depart for the Ongi Monastery ruins journeying through semi-desert steppes.

In a good summer (when there is a lot of rain and pasture goes deep green), the steppe is covered with many kinds of wild grass including allium polyrhizum and Mongolian chives and the steppe looks more beautiful and the Ongi river flows all the way to the South Gobi.

During the drive, you’ll have a few short stops for leg stretching, lie on the grass, and look up at the blue skies. We'll also visit a nomadic family depending on time.

We'll have a picnic lunch along the way and arrive at the Ger camp nearby the Ongi monastery ruins, where we will have dinner and rest for the night. Enjoy an evening walk around the monastery ruins and along the Ongi River.

Saikhan Ovoo - Bayanzag

Day 6: Bathe in the Sunset over the Gobi

This morning, we'll visit the Ongi monastery ruins, before driving to the Bayanzag Flaming, where renowned American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found dinosaur eggs.

We'll visit the red cliffs on foot or by car and enjoy the wilderness and unique natural formations of the area. Explore dinosaur remains and walk in the saxaul forest. You can even find real dinosaur bones and eggs yourself!

In the later afternoon, we'll drive to the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs and visit a nomadic family to see their lifestyle and learn to cook a Mongolian dish which you'll have for dinner.

Watch the inspiring Gobi sunset over the Flaming Cliffs in the evening before transferring to a Ger camp for the evening.

Bayanzag - Sevrei - Bayanzag

Day 7: Traverse the Dunes of the Gobi

After an early breakfast, we'll drive to the Khongor sand dunes – Mongolia’s largest and most beautiful sand dunes that stretch over 200km in the arid Gobi Desert.

The drive to the dunes at Khongor takes some 3 hours, passing through vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon.

Lone Gers and nomads on camelback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks and unusual minerals.

This is the Gobi at its stark best - there are many opportunities to stop and take photographs of the landscapes and people.

Arrive lunch, we'll visit the sand dunes, for climbing and photo opportunities and enjoy a short camel ride at the sand dunes before returning to the Ger camp in the early evening, for dinner and rest.

Bayanzag - Yol Gorge - Bayanzag

Day 8: Discover the Majestic Yoi Gorge

Enjoy watching the Gobi sunrise and after having breakfast at the Ger camp, we'll drive to the glacial Yoliin Am Gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains, the eastern end of the majestic Altai Mountains.

Visit the national park museum that informs guests about the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National park, its flora, and its fauna as well as dinosaur remains. Very wide at the entrance, it narrows gradually into a remarkably beautiful gorge with a spring 3km long winds its’ way through the valley

Then walk to the beautiful narrow Yoliin Am Gorge with occasional views of rare wildlife before visiting the Khavtsgait petroglyph in the afternoon. 

Dalazadgad - Ulaanbaatar

Day 9: Journey Back to Ulaanbaatar

This morning, we'll drive an hour to Dalanzadgad airport for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Upon arrival, we'll embark on a half-day city tour including a visit to the Bogd Khan’s Palace Museum and a Mongolian folklore concert featuring Khoomei – famous throat singing and contortion performance followed by farewell dinner.

If you want, there's an optional visit to the Zaisan Memorial Hill for a panoramic evening view of the budding city of urban nomads.

The Tummen Ekh Ensemble performance is not to be missed. This small but fantastic ensemble performance lasts for 1 hour and includes the very best of Mongolian music and arts such as the khoomei throat singing, contortion, long songs, dances, Morin khuur performance as well as the Tsam masked dancing.

Ulaanbaatar - Chinggis Khaan Airport

Day 10: Say Farewell to Mongolia

This morning you’ll have some free time to spend it your own pace and leisure, enjoying everything that this quaint city has to offer.

Depending when your flight is, you may need to head straight to the airport.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end but we hope you have enjoyed your time exploring the very best that Mongolia has to offer. The rich natural beauty, storied history and the people that makes the countries what they are.

We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!