Mongolia's natural splendors: a 20-day tour

Ulaanbaatar

Tag 1: Arrival & Ulaanbaatar city tour

Arrival in Mongolia at the Chinggis Khaan Airport in Ulaanbaatar. Here, your driver will welcome you for a smooth transfer to your hotel in the city. After checking in and a rest, meet your guide at the hotel for a Ulaanbaatar city tour. First, visit the Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) National Museum to learn about Mongolian history. Find out about this fascinating country’s ancient states, the famous Mongol Empire period and the great Khan’s descendants. Later, take a walk through Ulaanbaatar’s city centre, taking in Sukhbaatar Square and Parliament House.

Amarbayasgalant

Tag 2: Visit a Buddhist monastery

Today, we drive around 350km to the Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Founded in the 18th century, this is the most important monastery in Mongolia and was built in memory of Bogd Gegen Zanabazar, the former leader of Mongolian Buddhism. The complex is set within a beautiful, natural location in the northern province of Selenge. After the visit, we head to our camp for the night. Tonight you will spend your first night sleeping in a traditional Mongolian ger (or yurt).

Uran Togoo

Tag 3: Explore an extinct volcano

Today we visit Uran Togoo, the most striking volcano in Mongolia, set in a beautiful national park. The volcano is long extinct, having last erupted thousands of years ago. But the lava that once flowed here has created a gorgeous landscape with fertile soil and thriving wildlife. This abundance of flora and fauna makes it a joy to explore on foot.

Tonight you'll sleep in a ger at a tourist camp. 

Khuvsgul Lake

Tag 4: Journey to a lake

After breakfast, we set off for Lake Khuvsgul, a journey of 440km in total. Along the way, we visit the famous archaeological site of Uushgiin Uvur, a collection of ancient tombs and burial stones. The Uushgiin Uvur deer stones are considered to be the most well-preserved and clearly carved stones in the country. You’ll see depictions of deer, the sun and the moon, as well as weapons, tools, patterns and horses.

Later we arrive at Khuvsgul Lake National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty where the Central Asian Steppe meets the Siberian Taiga. You'll spend another night sleeping in a traditional ger in this atmospheric setting.

Khuvsgul Lake

Tag 5: Khuvsgul lake by boat

Khuvsgul Lake is located in the heart of the Khuvsgul National Park and is often referred to as the Blue Pearl of Mongolia. Within its shores, Khuvsgul holds almost 70 per cent of Mongolia’s freshwater reserves and it is drinkable without any treatment. Home to many types of bird and wildlife, the lake is a staggering 136 kilometres long and, at its deepest, goes down 262 metres. Today, we take a small boat tour on the lake, as well as exploring its shores on a guided hike and horseride.

Later, we'll return to the camp where you'll bed down in your yurt. 

Dzuun Lake

Tag 6: Mountain journey

This morning we drive south on a dramatic route crossing several mountain passes as high as 2000 metres above sea level. As we travel further into these isolated valleys, the scenery is outstanding.

Later we arrive at the lovely Zuun Nuur saltwater lake, with a small village alongside. The lake is surrounded by a gently rolling steppe covered with wildflowers and is a haven for birds. We’ll spend the rest of the day in this tranquil setting and enjoy a stroll along the shores of the lake before dinner and settling down in your ger. 

Terkhiin Tsagaan

Tag 7: The Great White Lake

After breakfast, we set off by car to the Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park. The park is famous for a beautiful body of water, known as the Great White Lake, as well as the dormant Khorgo Volcano, situated at 2060 metres above sea level. Terkhiin Tsagaan is one of the most stunning lakes in Mongolia and the jewel in the crown of Arkhangai. As we explore the park, look out for chitals, marsh deer, wild boars, ducks and great cormorants 

In the evening, relax in your ger before tomorrow's drive.

Tsenkher Hotspring

Tag 8: Soak in hot springs

Today, we drive from Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park to Tsenkher: a journey of about 270km. We’ll break up the journey in Tsetserleg, a small, friendly village set between the mountains and surrounded by larch forests. Here, we’ll visit the local market to pick up fresh supplies. On arrival in Tsenkher, you can settle into your accommodation in a ger before enjoying a soak in the natural hot springs.

Tsenkher Hot Springs contain a mixture of minerals that are thought to help with all types of complaints, as well as easing muscle soreness and stiffness. 

Orkhon Valley

Tag 9: The nomads of Orkhon Valley

The lovely Orkhon Valley is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has served as the summertime residence for nomads for centuries. It is located along the banks of the Orkhon River, which flows through the central region of Mongolia. Today, we will trek through the Orkhon Valley and ride horses as we make our way to a beautiful waterfall. Here, we will spend two nights in a traditional ger again and experience how Mongolian nomads live today.

Tovkhon Monastery

Tag 10: Monastery hike

Today we visit the remote Tovkhon monastery. Vehicles can’t quite reach the Shireet Ulaan hill where the monastery is located, so we will walk the last 5km to Tovkhon. The monastery was first established in 1654, by the 19-year-old Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism for the Khalkha in Outer Mongolia. Zanabazar created many of his most famous sculptural works in this monastery. The monastery is set at 2312 metres above sea level and from its gardens there are wonderful views over the Orkhon Valley.

Ongi Monastery

Tag 11: Ongi monastery ruins

Today we hit the road again for our drive to the historic Ongi monastery ruins. Before the communist forces destroyed the site in 1939, this monastery was among the largest and most well-known in Mongolia. As well as the ruins, you will see a new temple that the local community recently built on the site.

From here, you can also go hiking in the area to explore Yangirtai Mountain and its remarkable rock formations.

Bed down in your yurt for a good night's sleep before tomorrow's adventure. 

Bayanzag

Tag 12: The legacy of dinosaurs

After breakfast, we set off to visit the Cemetery of Dragons on the Bayanzag Cliffs, also known as the ‘flaming cliffs’ because of their deep red and ochre colours. The cliffs and the surrounding forests serve as a reminder of a time when enormous dinosaurs roamed the earth. The first person to find certain dinosaur bones and eggs here was palaeontologist Roy Andrews Chapman in 1922. Some of these treasured findings are now on display in the Natural History Museum of Ulaanbaatar and at other museums across the world.

Later, it's back to camp to relax in the ger.

Khongor Sand Dune

Tag 13: Golden Khongor dunes

Today we take a trip to the amazing Khongor dunes, the most spectacular in Mongolia. These golden dunes extend over an area of 180km and are 20km wide.

On our first day in the region, we will trek to Duut Mankhan Peak. From the top the view is spectacular and beyond the dunes, a vast steppe extends as far as the eye can see.

Tonight your accommodation is in a local guest house. 

Khongor Sand Dune

Tag 14: Gobi Desert camel trek

After breakfast, we begin a camel ride along the banks of the Khongor River. Traveling on camelback in the Gobi Desert is one of the most special experiences you can have. From on top of the hills, you can gaze at the views, taking in camel herders and a glimpse of the remote places of this region.

After trekking, we had back to your guest house. 

Yoliin Am

Tag 15: Land of the snow leopard

Today we trek through the stark beauty of the Yoliin Am Canyon, home of the bearded vulture. As we continue to the bottom of the canyon, it will likely be covered in snow. Due to its steep sides the canyon ice usually only melts away in August.

Yol Canyon is located at a height of 2,500 metres and forms a gorge that is so deep and narrow that in some places only two people can walk side by side. This magnificent area is home to permanent glaciers, indigenous plants and rare animals such as snow leopards, wild sheep and bearded vultures.

Later, we'll head to camp so you can settle into the ger. 

Tsagaan Suvarga

Tag 16: Exploring lunar landscapes

Today we visit one of Mongolia's most desolate regions and the white stupa of Tsagaan Suvarga. Mongolians have worshipped this 100-foot tall rocky mountain in the shape of a stupa for generations.

A few million years ago, the sea completely covered this area and its strange lunar landscapes harbour an abundance of fossils. It’s a fascinating area to explore and, once you have taken in all that the area has to offer, it's time to head back to your ger. 

Baga Gazriin Chuluu

Tag 17: Mountains & mazes

We have more weird and wonderful rock formations to visit today, as we head for the Baga Gazriin Chuluu Mountains. The range is located in the northwest of Dundgobi province in the middle of the Mongolian steppe.

Rising to heights of 1,751 metres, the walls of these granite canyons form polished galleries and a bizarre rocky maze.  

This evening, you'll be staying in a ger next to a local, nomadic family. 

Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Tag 18: Glorious Terelj National Park

Today we travel to Terelj National Park but first, we’ll see a 40-metre tall statue of Genghis Khan on horseback. Following our visit to the museum, which is actually housed inside the statue, we continue on to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. This is a truly stunning park with interesting rock formations carved by erosion, mountain views, great swathes of pine forests and vast plains dotted with wildflowers and intersected by rivers and lakes.

After stopping at Turtle Rock, we will ascend to Aryaval Monastery within the park. After exploring the camp, it's time to head back to the yurts on our camp.  

Ulaanbaatar

Tag 19: Back to the big city

After a relaxed breakfast, we set off on our drive back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a day discovering all the city has to offer.

Chinggis Khaan International Airport

Tag 20: Homeward Bound

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll set off with your driver to arrive at the airport in good time for your flight home.