Hiking And Trekking Adventure Tour
About this tour
Activities: Camel riding upon guest’s request, trekking in the Gobi Desert and Eight lakes region, visit Erdenezuu temple museum and Kharkhorin archaeology museum, visiting temple ruins as mentioned in the itinerary, loading camels and yaks, experiencing typical Mongolian local family life style and food.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Mongolia
Our trekking trip starts with a full day of driving to the Baga Gazariin Chuluu Ruins (1768 m high granite stone mountain in the territory of Adaatsag soum, Dundgobi province. There are some old temple ruins related to the 17th century. Also, we’ll be able to see a deep narrow hole with water in it, which locals believe in that the water could treat ocular illnesses. We’ll spend the night in a family’s spare yurt.
Day 2: Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia
Today we drive to the scarp of Tsagaan Suvarga, which is in Ulziit, Dundgobi province. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from a cliff is 30 meters high and 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years, the wind has created this fantastic structure. We’ll stay in a family’s spare yurt.
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia to Yol valley, Ice stream, Mongolia
Arrive at a yurt camp that is close to Yoliin Am. Yoliin Am is in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National park, which is the biggest strictly protected area in Mongolia. The mountains here are the highest in the Gobi Desert, and the rocky scenery is quite impressive, especially until mid-July, while the ice in a gorge remains. We’ll spend the night in a yurt camp.
Day 4: Yol valley, Ice stream, Mongolia to Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
In the morning, we’ll drive to Yoliin Am for 30 km, and then we’ll walk 3km in the narrow valley, then 3 km back to the minivans. And then we’ll have lunch in the open air. After that, we’ll drive to Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes (195km). The Khongoryn Els is one of the largest and most spectacular dunes in Mongolia. We’ll spend the night in a family’s spare yurt.
Day 5: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
While the morning light is coming up, the staff prepares our luggage and the camels for our trekking trip (camels are only used to carry all the stuff). We’ll start trekking in the afternoon after lunch and walk west/northwest for about 3-4h until finding a beautiful camping spot.
Day 6: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
Continue our trekking. On the 7th day, we’ll camp near the oasis in the north of the dunes. It’s time to say good buy to the local crew after dinner.
Day 7: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
Continue our trekking. On the 7th day, we’ll camp near the oasis in the north of the dunes. It’s time to say good buy to the local crew after dinner.
Day 8: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia to JUULCHIN GOBI-2, Mongolia
In the morning, we’ll pack everything in the car and walk to the yurt camp after breakfast for a couple of hours. It’ll be our last part of our trek. It’ll be up to the guests to drive or walk. We’ll have a relaxing day after a few days of trekking through the dunes called “Khongoryn Els”.
Day 9: JUULCHIN GOBI-2, Mongolia to Bayanzag, Bulgan, Mongolia
We’ll start driving to Bayanzag flaming cliff. It’s famous for dinosaur fossils found. Bayanzag means “rich in Saxual Shrubs.” Overnight in tents.
Day 10: Bayanzag, Bulgan, Mongolia to Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Today, we drive to Ongi temple ruin. It was one of the biggest monasteries in the Gobi region until Stalinist purge destroyed. There is only a river that goes down to the Gobi.
Day 11: Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Arvaikheer, Mongolia
We head to Arvaikheer. It’s a small town and center of Ovorkhangai province. We’ll stop for lunch on the way. And then late afternoon we’ll arrive at a local hotel to experience it. The hotel facility is pretty basic and don’t get shocked by some shared facilities such as showers. It is a kind of lifestyle in many other parts of Mongolia. And we’ll have dinner from the hotel which will be a great chance to compare the food we cook for you and typical local food.
Day 12: Arvaikheer, Mongolia to Uyanga Zuunbayan-Ulaan, Mongolia
We’ll have a quick drive to the starting point of our trekking. Meet the local crew, prepare the luggage for the trek. Maybe a short walk in the area. We’ll sleep in yurts from the local family.
Day 13: Uyanga Zuunbayan-Ulaan, Mongolia to Shireeteyn Nuur, Mongolia
Load our luggage on the yaks. And then go trekking for 3-5 hours. We’ll take a break and have some snacks like sandwiches. We’ll see Shireet lake and trek a bit further. Camp in the National park.
Day 14: Shireeteyn Nuur, Mongolia to Khuisiin Naiman Lake, Mongolia
Continue trekking. We’ll go trekking about 7-8 hour and will see all other lakes. We'll camp.
Day 15: Khuisiin Naiman Lake, Mongolia to Buureg Camp, Mongolia
Continue trekking. We’ll go trekking about 7-8 hours, and on the last day of our trekking, we arrive at Buureg yurt camp by lunchtime. We’ll have lunch at the yurt camp, then drive to Orkhon waterfall and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Overnight in the yurt camp.
Day 16: Buureg Camp, Mongolia to Khogo Khan Mountain Camp, Mongolia
Drive to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia. Visit Erdenezuu temple museum and Kharkhorin archeological museum. After lunch, we drive to Khongno Khan mountain. Overnight at Khogno Khan yurt camp.
Day 17: Khugnu Tarna, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast, we head to Ulan Bator, but on the way, we’ll stop at Khustain National park to see wild horses taki. We’ll drop you off at your hotel.
What's included
What to know
A Trekking trip in the Gobi Desert and Eight lakes area will let you enjoy the scenery of the landscape and its contrast. Our trekking and overland driving combined tour is one of the best ways to explore and feel the serenity. And enjoy the difference of scenery between the Gobi Desert, steppes, mountains with forest and lakes in Mongolia. We’ll provide camels and yaks to load all your luggage for the Gobi Desert and Eight lakes trekking. It helps to support the local nomadic family’s income. And you’ll have your guide and cook if the group is more than six people. Also, you’ll have local herder guides for the Gobi Desert and Eight lake trekking part to load and look after camels and yaks. So, you’ll have an excellent experience loading camels and yaks, which is unique for you.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Mongolia