Gobi Desert And Altai Tavan Bogd
About this tour
If you want to explore Mongolia with adventure way, experience the nomadic lifestyle and meet people, sleep in a ger, stay with an eagle hunter family, ride horses, see and enjoy different landscapes such as White Stupa, Yoliin-am, Khongor sand dunes, Flaming Cliffs, Ongiin Khiid monastery in the Gobi desert, as well as the snow-capped mountains of Altai, the Potanin glacier and the beautiful lakes of Khoton and Khurgan, the Baga Turgen waterfall in western Mongolia, then we invite you to join our 18-day tour.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia
Day 1. White Stupa. Starting our tour from Ulaanbaatar, we will go to the Gobi desert. Driving about 455 km (7-8 hours drive) on an asphalt road, we will stop at a place called White Stupa (Tsagaan Suvarga) The multi-colored cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga are 60 meters long and 400 meters high. Millions of years ago, this rock was under water. After the sea, dried up due to wind and other natural forces, they eventually changed their shape and color. Different colored layers indicate different time periods if you look at it far from the fact that it looks more like an ancient ruined city. Closer to sunset photo shots. Overnight in ger camp. L.D.
Day 2: White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia to Yolyn Am Valley, Bayandalai, Mongolia
Day 2. Yolyn Am. Today we visit the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the Yolyn Am valley.(215km). Yolyn-Am is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan-Saykhan-Uul mountains of the Umnugobi aimag, in the south of Mongolia. The valley is named after the lammergeier; this is also why the pad is sometimes called the Valley of the Vultures or the Valley of the Eagles. Yolyn Am is also famous for the abundance of living creatures and "snow in the desert". In these places, due to the proximity to the Gobi Desert, there is very little rainfall. However, in the depths of the Yolyn Am tract, one can find ice and snow cover. The thickness of such an ice field reaches several meters, and even several kilometers by the end of winter. And the ice in summer remains until the end of June due to the shade from the high rocks. The Vulture nests and lives on the top of the cliff and is visible to visitors walking along the valley. The area is also a habitat for ibex and you can see them on the cliff tops. At the entrance to the valley, the Natural History Museum is open to everyone, showing the park's wild games, dinosaur fossils, and various types of vultures. The canyon can be reached by car. We park in a permitted area, go through a beautiful valley into the depths of a steep stone canyon, which almost does not receive the sun's rays, so it is always very cool in it. The hike lasts 2.5 to 3 hours on both sides. Overnight in ger camp. B.L.D.
Day 3: Yolyn Am Valley, Bayandalai, Mongolia to Khongoriin Els, Mongolia
Day 3. Khongor Sand Dunes. Today we are drive to the Khongor Sand Dunes. (200km, 6-7 hours drive) Khongoryn Els also called Duut Mankhan, commonly known as "The Singing Sands". It is located in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park in Mongolia. The sand dunes extend over an area of over 965 square kilometers. Khongor is the second largest sand dune in the country, which stretches along the northern part of the Sevrey and Zolun mountain ranges. Its width ranges from 5 to 10 km, its length is about 100 km, the ridges rise 80-300 m above the surrounding landscape. The booming sound made by masses of moving sand can be heard from afar, especially in the early morning hours before sunrise. Tourists, hearing the sound, think that it is the sound of a flying plane. Hence the locals called it Singing Sands. There is an oasis near the Khongor River on the northern edge of the dunes. When we travel to the Gobi Desert we meet a lot of camels, as this place is a habitat for camels. Therefore, we will have the chance to visit the family and get to know their daily life. Resting after a long journey. Overnight in ger camp. B.L.D.
Day 4: Khongoriin Els, Mongolia
Day 4. Khongor Sand Dunes. Before breakfast, before sunrise, we drive a short distance to the dunes and can climb to the top of the highest dune (about 300m) (it takes from 40 minutes to 1 hour) to enjoy the stunning sunrise. And closer to sunset, you can optionally ride a camel, or take a walk to the dunes and take amazing photos. Overnight in ger camp. B.L.D.
Day 5: Khongoriin Els, Mongolia to Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia
Day 5. Flaming Cliffs. Today we will drive to Bayanzag. About 130 km, (3-4 hours drive). Bayanzag, lit. "Rich in saxaul", or Ulaan Ereg - red rocks) - an area of the mountain range of the Gobi desert, in the Umnugovi aimag, Mongolia. Important fossil finds have been discovered here. This area is best known for finding dinosaur eggs. In English literature, the name Flaming Cliffs is common, derived from the bright orange rock of the rocks, and assigned by the American paleontologist Roy Andrews, who visited here in the 1920s during the expedition of the American Museum of Natural History. The Mongolian name refers to the saxaul that grows abundantly in these places. Sandy rocks, especially at sunset, are bright red or orange. Bayanzag, a saxaul forest and an area of red rocks "Bayanzag", which were formed from the erosion of sand and rock over many thousands of years. We will explore the area and takes stunning photos just before sunset. Overnight in ger camp. B.L.D.
Day 6: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Ongiin Khiid, Mongolia
Day 6. Ongiin Khiid Monastery. Today we are go to the Ongiin Khiid monastery.(180 km, 4-5 hours drive). Ongiin Khiid - is a Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, in the Saykhan-Ovoo village of the Dundgov aimag. It is currently in ruins. The only functioning temple of the monastery was restored in 2004. The monastery is located on the slope of Mount Saykhan-Ovoo on the banks of the Ongiin-Gol River. It was built in the period from 1760 to 1810 under the leadership of the hutukhta Ishlhundev and his student Bragri Lama Damtsagdorj. During this period, over a thousand lamas lived in the monastery, there were 28 temples in it. the monastery was completely destroyed in 1939. About 200 monks who remained with him were killed, and the rest were arrested, forcibly removed from monastic dignity and drafted into the army. Get to know this historic monastery, visit the temple and the small historical museum. Overnight in ger camp. B.L.D
Day 7: Ongiin Khiid, Mongolia to Bayankhongor, Mongolia
Day 7. Bayan-Khongor aimag. 440 km. (270km asphalt road)( 7- 8 hours). Today we leave for western Mongolia, stop closer to the city Bayan-Khongor. Overnight in ger or tent. B.L.D.
Day 8: Bayankhongor, Mongolia to Govi-Altai, Mongolia
Day 8. Gobi -Altai aimag. Today we continue our long journey to the west. 525 km.(asphalt road) (8-9 hours). Visit the camel herders family. We will try camel milk. Acquaintance with the family and life .Overnight in the tent. B.L.D
Day 9: Govi-Altai, Mongolia to Khovd, Mongolia
Day 9. Khovd aimag.Today we will go to the city Khovd and visit the Mongolian nomadic family. We will try traditional Mongolian meals and dairy products. Acquaintance with the family and life and tradition of the Mongolian peoples. In the evening, close to sunset, we have a throat singing concert with the Mongodian national musical instrument Morin Khuur. Overnight in tents or with the family. B.L.D.
Day 10: Khovd, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
Day 10. Olgii. Today, after a long road from the Gobi Desert, we finally visit my family in the city of Olgii. We drive about 220 km with an asphalt road (3-4 hours drive). Today you spend time in the city, visit the local museum, the local black market, and souvenir shops, and another special place for guests of the city is “ Friendship Hill”, where you can see a view of Olgii. Overnight in the my home. B.L.D.
Day 11: Ulgii, Mongolia to Sirgali National Park Ranger, Mongolia
Day 11. Altai Tavan Bogd national park. Sirgali valley, Big lakes Khoton and Khurgan. Visit the Eagle hunter’s family. Acquaintance with the family and life and tradition of the Kazakh people. Acquaintance with the unique tradition of the Kazakh people hunting with golden eagles. By sunset or whenever you wish, photo shots of the hunter. Eagle hunters family homestay. B.L.D.
Day 12: Sirgali National Park Ranger, Mongolia to Baga turgen khurkheree, Mongolia
Day 12. Horse riding to the Bagа turgen waterfall. Today you can learn more about the Kazakh yurt. Comparing with the Mongolian it has a higher domed shape roof. In the Kazakh yurt, the long arched pole - "uyk" is different from the Mongolian one, which has a bend at one end, like a ski, so the Kazakh yurt is high. The interior decorations of the Kazakh yurt and the Mongolian are also different. Usually, the person entering into a rich yurt enters into the unique world of the ornament. The floor covered with carpets "syrmak". Colorful carpets - "tuskies" distinguished by the richness of color combinations and the harmony of patterns, were hanged on the walls. Eagle hunters family homestay. B.L.D.
Day 13: Baga turgen khurkheree, Mongolia to Khoton Lake, Mongolia
Day 13. Eagle hunters family homestay. Today we will drive to the Khoton lake and visit to the small mountain, which is covered with petroglyphs. Great sandy beach, with a beautiful view of the Mongolian Altai. Overnight with eagle hunters family. B.L.D
Day 14: Khoton Lake, Mongolia to Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia
Day 14. Drive to the Tsagaan gol (White river)valley, which is the summer camps of the Tuvan people. On the way we will see historical monuments like Stone Man from Turkic age. Visit the Tuvan family and get acquainted with their daily life, traditions and try milk vodka, which is distilled from yaks milk. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D
Day 15: Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia
Day 15. Horse riding to the Potanin Glacier- the largest glacier in Mongolian Altai. (20 km long) and see the snow-covered peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd means “The Holy Five”. They are the Mongolian highest peak Huiten (4373 m ), Naran, Burged, Nairamdal and Machin peaks. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D
Day 16: Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia
Day 16. Today after breakfast we will hike to the Green lake. One more day to experience the nomadic lifestyle. Overnight in Tuvan family. B.L.D.
Day 17: Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
Day 17. After breakfast we drive back to Ulgii. The final diner of our tour we will treat you with Kazakh national dish “Beshbarmak", which every hospitable Kazakh people treat their most honored guests. After that you will enjoy the mini concert with the Kazakh national musical instrument Dombira. Overnight in the my home. B.L.D.
Day 18: Ulgii, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 18. After breakfast, transfer to Olgii airport and take a flight to Ulaanbaatar. Free day. Overnight in the Guesthouse.
What's included
Price included: • Guide+ cook; driver; • 4×4 transport + petrol; • Domestic flight from Ulgii to UB; • 3 meals per day; • Camping and kitchen equipment ( tent, sleeping bags, matts, folding beds, shower tent) • Overnights at the ger camp for 6 nights; • Overnights with local families for 9 nights; • Overnights in my home 2 nights; • Overnight in the Guesthouse in UB; • Eagle Hunters; • Horse riding; • Camel riding; • Border and national park permits; • Toilet paper and antibacterial hand cleanser;
Price excluded: • International flights; • Travel insurance; • Visa, extra hotel charges; • Excess baggage costs; • Alcohol drinks; • Personal needs.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia