Mongolias Treasures: Nomads & Nature Tour 12d
About this tour
The beauty of Mother Nature meets nomadic culture in this 12-day tour of Mongolia! Spend your days exploring the Singing Dunes of the Gobi desert, dining al-fresco at the Flaming Cliffs, exploring the ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum, staying next to a yak herder family in the UNESCO listed nomadic heartlands of the Orkhon Valley, and surveying the majestic landscapes of the southern and central Mongolia. This tour takes you to the best and most spectacular locations in the country and includes accommodation in our hand-picked, characterful ger camps. The Treasures of Mongolia is a tour that is well-paced with plenty of free time in the afternoons for walks, interaction with the locals, and relaxation and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia
Meet your guide at a prearranged location at 08:30 at your hotel or another Ulaanbaatar location of your choice, board the vehicle and the drive south towards the Gobi. Rock formations of the Baga Gazriin Chuluu, located 300km away, are your first stop. After a 5 hours drive enter first your ger camp where you will be staying tonight and have lunch, then venture to explore the caves, streams, and shrines that dot this sacred site. The scenery is beautiful and the area has abundant wildlife unique to the Gobi, both flora and fauna. In the evening return back to the camp, have dinner settle into your ger in the peaceful wilderness of the Gobi. Travel details: 5-6h/ 300km to Baga Gazriin Chuluu Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Lunch; Dinner
Day 2: Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia
In the morning it’s back on the road – today you head further south to the imposing cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, translated into English as “White Stupa”, named after its looks. After arriving, have lunch and venture to the rock formations for some great opportunities for photography. • Travel details: 4-5h/ 240km to Tsagaan Suvarga • Accommodation: Ger camp • Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia to Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia
After a leisurely breakfast continue your drive south, after 2 hours (100km) first stop at the important mining outpost of Dalanzadgad. Take a short tour of the city, including the Aimag museum and visit the local market. Have lunch and then continue for 50km to the Yol Valley. The vehicle will be left at the gorge’s entrance, from where you will need to venture on foot. Yol Valley is notable for its deep ice field, which is several meters thick by the end of winter and is several kilometres long. In the summer there is usually less ice, but you should still be able to walk on it. The area is also a habitat of ibex and birds of prey and you may be able to spot wildlife on top of the cliffs. Travel details: 4-5h/200km Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4: Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia to Khongoriin Els, Mongolia
Today you leave the paved road and venture deeper into the Gobi desert, to the largest sand dunes of Mongolia, Khongor Els. Keep a lookout for gazelles and birds of prey as you drive – the scenery is beautiful and populated by a plethora of wildlife. The 130km drive will take good 4-5 hours, but you will stop for a picnic lunch and photos on the way. On arrival at the camp have short rest and venture out to the sand dunes for a spectacular view from the top. Travel details: 4-6h/ 150km Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5: Khongoriin Els, Mongolia to Khongor Els, Mongolia
Before breakfast, if you didn’t see the sunset last night, drive a short distance to the dunes for the spectacular sunrise. Otherwise, enjoy home breakfast in the camp’s restaurant and afterwards drive a short distance to visit a nomadic family of camel herders who spend the summers near the water springs close to the dunes. Enter one of the gers, sample camel milk and learn about the traditional way of life in those harsh desert regions. Your camels will be then prepared outside and mounted up for a 2-hour ride alongside the dunes. In the afternoon the schedule is flexible: Alternatively, you may want to go for a longer hike in the area, along the river or to the dunes and take amazing photos, or just rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery – discuss your preferences with your guide. Travel details: 2hrs Camel Ride Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6: Khongoriin Els, Mongolia to Bayanzag, Bulgan, Mongolia
After breakfast, travel 5 hours (150km) off-road to Bayanzag. During the scenic drive, there might be a possibility to see wild gazelles as they run along – it’s difficult for vehicles to catch up with them! On the way, you will stop at an ancient sacred site of Khavtsgait, where on top of a rocky hill there are hundreds of ancient stone engravings, called petroglyphs. Some of them are as old as 3000 BC and were painted by hunters while waiting for prey. The site also offers wonderful views over the desert. Have lunch in a village of Bulgan and soon after you will arrive at Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. It was here that the first dinosaur eggs were discovered by an American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, and the area remains one of the most famous paleontological dig sites in the world. Stroll for an hour or two among the flaming-red cliffs and explore this unique area where the dinosaurs once roamed. In the evening, weather conditions permitting, enjoy the an alfresco dinner with wine at the foothills of the Flaming Cliffs with the spectacular sunset backdrop bringing out the red hues from the rocks. Travel details: 4-5h/150km to Flaming Cliffs Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Ongi Monastery, Mongolia
In the morning board the vehicle for a long drive north towards central Mongolia. You will stop at the Ongi temple ruins, which are located roughly at the mid-point to Kharakhorum. Have picnic lunch en-route and stop for photography – the 5-hour-long drive (350km) is scenic, but you still remain surrounded by the landscapes of the Gobi. You will arrive at the Ongi temples in the afternoon – after refreshing at the ger camp take a walk among the ruins and see the reconstructed temples. Ongi is a ruined and partially rebuilt monastery founded in 1760 to commemorate Dalai Lama’s first visit Dalai Lama to Mongolia, and it was destroyed in 1939 with 200 monks killed in purges. You can see the stupa displaying with the names of the victims and perhaps meet the local monks. Travel details: 5-6h/350km Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 8: Ongi Monastery, Mongolia to Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
Today’s drive will take you away from the Gobi plans and into the rolling steppes and pastureland of the Orkhon Valley. On the way have lunch stopping at the the Temeen Chuluu burial stones that date from first millenium BC. In the afternoon you will arrive in Orkhon Valley, which is a UNESCO listed heritage site and the ancestral nomadic heartland of Mongolians. Arrive at a local yak herder family where you will be staying tonight in an authentic guest ger a just mile from to the Orkhon Waterfall. Enter the gers and experience the nomadic hospitality – you will have the opportunity to try your hand at traditional Mongolian cooking, learn how to prepare Buuz (steamed dumplings) or Huushuur (fried meat-filled pastry), and socialize with your hosts over mare’s milk and milk tea in the evening. Travel details: 4-5h/250km to Orkhon Valley Accommodation: Guest ger next to a local family Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 9: Red Waterfall, Burgaasatayn Hiid, Mongolia
Have home cooked breakfast, and if you are up for it, saddle up on a horseback excursion to the nearby Orkhon Waterfall. If you would rather walk – it’s fine too. Mongolian horses are small and if you don’t have horseback riding experience your horse will be led by an experienced wrangler. Orkhon waterfall is a scenic cascade on the Ulaan Tsuutgalan river, 20m high and 10m wide. After exploring the area return to the family encampment for lunch. In the afternoon get involved in the activities of your family – help with milking yaks and watch the nomads making curds and yogurts. There will be also time for games and perhaps a cooking lesson, discuss your preferences with your guide. Travel details: 2h horse riding Accommodation: Guest ger next to a local family Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 10: Orkhon Valley, Mongolia to Kharakhorum Museum, Harhorin, Mongolia
After an early breakfast, part with your hosts, perhaps exchanging gifts, and drive off-road for 3 hours to reach the ancient Mongol capital of Kharakhorum. Upon arrival, enter the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the most important monastery complex in the country, built in 1586 by Altai Khan. Take a guided tour of the temples and hear the monks chanting, which takes place in the late morning. After that have lunch at the ger camp where you will be staying tonight (summer) or at a local eatery (winter), and visit an interesting local museum which showcases Mongolian past. In the afternoon take a stroll along the Orkhon river or explore the local market. There will also be time to visit the Monument of the 3 Kings on top of a hill. Travel details: 3-4h drive Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 11: Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Khustain Nuruu, Mongolia
After leisurely breakfast board the vehicle for the journey back east to Hustai. The drive will take around 3 hours and on arrival visit first the park’s information center where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in the ger camp where you will be staying tonight, located right at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animals’ location, and you have high chances of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track other animals, such as wild deer or foxes – Hustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. In the late afternoon return by vehicle to the camp, take hot shower and enjoy hearty dinner, before settling into your gers for the night. Travel details: 3-4h/ 250km to Khustai National Park Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 12: Khustain Nuruu, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, Nalaikh, Mongolia
After breakfast travel to the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex near Erdene soum for 200km. Once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii. Then have lunch in the complex's restaurant. After lunch, board the vehicle and drive back to Ulaanbaatar for 120km, where you will be dropped at a location to suit you (we can do multiple drop-offs if required). Travel details: 2hrs/200km to Chinggis Khaan Statue complex; 1hr/60 km to UB Accommodation: - Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch
What's included
What to know
We always advise our clients to bring their own sleeping bags. Also small souvenirs for the locals "if possible".
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia