Highlights Of Mongolia
About this tour
On this tour you will have the chance to experience local family life style, hiking, camel and horseback riding climbing sand dunes, visiting temples and musuems, capture a glimpse of a wild horse and visit the ancient Mongolian capital and its museum.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the scarp of Tsagaan Suvarga which is located in Ulziit soum, Dundgobi province. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which form cliffs 30 meters high and 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years the wind has created this amazing structure. It is an excellent site for taking photographs of the beautiful panoramic views.
Day 2: White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia to Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Yoliin Am in middle of the Gobi desert National Park which is a strictly protected area, covering 70sq.kms. The mountains here are the highest in the Gobi Desert and the rocky scenery is quite interesting, especially between June and July while the ice in a gorge remains. Yolyn Am canyon in the Gurvan Saikhan mountains is home to endangered snow leopard, wild sheep, wild goats and Lammergeyers (Bearded Vulture). We’ll walk 2kms through a narrow valley, then return to the minivan again on the same route.
Day 3: Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia to Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes (195kms). The Khongoryn Els is one of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Also known as the Duut Mankhan ”Singing Dunes” from the sound they make when the sand is moved by the wind), they are up to 200m high, 12km wide and about 120km long. We’ll see beautiful views, huge sand dunes and a cold water spring with a river that leads to two small ponds.
Day 4: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
We’ll climb and hike to the top of the biggest sand dunes Duut Mankhan ”Singing Dunes”. There is an oasis near Khongor creek at the northern edge of the sand dune. The dunes make a sound like a plane engine on a windy day so it’s named as “Singing Dunes”. Also, if you wish, you may take a 10km hike alongside the creek. We arrange a camel riding trip on the real sand dunes. You may also have the chance to see a beautiful sunset in the gobi desert.
Day 5: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia to Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia
After breakfast, We’ll travel on to Bayan-Zag (150kms). Bayan-Zag means “rich in Saxaul Shrubs” it is more commonly known as the “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayan-Zag. The American paleontologist Roy Chapman who visited there in the 1920s has made this place famous as the first discovery of dinosaur fossils in Mongolia. This is also a beautiful location at sunset.
Day 6: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia
We’ll drive on to Ongyn hiid, where you can see the ruins of a big monastery on the bank of the Ongiin River. This monastery has 28 temples and other buildings on the southern slope of the Rocky Mountain like Balsa country and stupas which are not broken. This monastery had about 1000 lamas and it was destroyed during the Stalinist purges in 1930s. The Ongyn hiid was one of the biggest temples in Gobi’s area.
Day 7: Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Orkhon Waterfall, Mongolia
We’ll drive to waterfall “Orkhon”, which is great place for taking photos, go hiking through the gorge.
Day 8: Orkhon Waterfall, Mongolia to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Mongolian ancient capital, Kharakhorin, Chinggis Khaan’s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire was governed until Kubilai Khan moved it to Beijing. It served as the capital for 40 years. Following the move, and the subsequent collapse of the Mongolian empire, Karakorum was abandoned. Whatever was left was used to help build the glorious Erdene Zuu monastery in the 16th century. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence.
Day 9: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
After Breakfast We’ll drive to Tsenkher hot spring. You’ll be able relax taking natural hot bath in the hot spring water. Stay in (Tourist camp)
Day 10: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Great White Lake and Khorgo Volcano. Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of fauna and flora. The area has extinct volcanoes, many beautiful lakes, a great number of animals and birds, and is definitely one of the best natural tourist attractions. Khorgo is a unique natural complex (2240 m), National Park surrounded by the Khangai Mountains, which is 3000 meters above the sea level. In the craters some of them are very tiny crystal- clears lakes. The Khorgo crater, situated at an altitude of 2.210 meters with a diameter of 20 meters and depth of 70 to 80 meters, is the most stunning.
Day 11: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
We’ll go hiking to th Volcano “Khorgo” for a day
Day 12: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia to Murun, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Shine Ider village of Khuvsgul province. Further north our route lies through the wooded slopes of Khangai Mountain range and we will see beautiful landscapes of Mongolia.
Day 13: Murun, Mongolia to Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
We’ll drive to the Lake Khuvsgul which is one of the most visited places for both locals and tourists. On the way Khuvsgul lake we”ll visit Khuvsgul province. This is the one of biggest province in Mongolia.
Day 14: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
We’ll go hiking around the Lake Khuvsgul whichis one of the country’s largest and most spectacular protected areas. Lake Khuvsgul’s 380 cubic km of water make it the fourteenth largest freshwater lake in the world and second largest in Central Asia by volume, with over 1% of the world’s fresh water. At its deepest, the lake dives 262 meters. Ninety-six rivers and strearns empty into lake, but only the Egiin River exits the lake. The Egiin flows southeast until it joins the Selenge River, which flows through one of Mongolia’s most densely populated areas on its way to Lake Baikal. The Lake is 1645 meters above sea level and is generally frozen from January until April or May.
Day 15: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
We’llhave a short drive to Toilogt go hiking around the lake Khovsgol. We’ll stay same
Day 16: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia to Erdenet, Mongolia
We’ll drive to Uran Togoo near Bulgan province. Actually we’re heading to Ulaanbaatar.
Day 17: Erdenet, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We’ll drive back to UB.
What's included
Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas English speaking tour guide/cook National park entrance fee Camel riding for an hour or longer regarding on guest’s request Horse riding for an hour or longer regarding on guest’s request Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary 1.5L drinking water a day per person All meal ( breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Accommodation in UB Travel insurance Personal items Tips for the driver and the guide Visa fee Travel insurance Alcohol drinks
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to White stupa, Ulziit, Mongolia