Western Mongolia And Gobi Tour - 14 Days
About this tour
We take you to places you’ve never been and gives you access to people and places you might not encounter on your own. This trip includes special activities and places planned exclusively for the group based on their interest and needs. Meeting the nomads and visiting the monasteries and ritual sites the group will enjoy the magnificence of nature and culture in harmony, making this a trip that will have added value and interest to our travelers. The itinerary includes:
● Exploring Potanian Glacier. Potanian glacier is Ice River starts from Altai Tavan Bogd Snow Peaks, and it's the longest glacier in Mongolia which is about 14 km.
● Hike or horseback ride along the Tsagaan gol valley
● Meet local nomads and stay with Kazakh Eagle hunter Family and Tuvan Nomadic family
● Hike or horseback ride along the Yoliin Am (Vulture Canyon)
● Camel trek through the Gobi Desert at sunset to the towering sand dunes of Khongor Sand Dunes.
● Visit the legendary “Flaming Cliffs” where, in 1922, Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen
● And many more . . .
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airport where you will fly to Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii Province. When you arrive in Ulgii, you will meet our English-speaking local guide and driver, and then we will drive to Altai TavanBogd National Park. It covers 630,000-hectare land and it has three large freshwater lakes, 34 glaciers and several waterfalls. Also, it is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. (The drive will take 6-7hours drive) By late evening, we will go to Tsagaan Gol valley through car and stay at Tuvan nomadic family's home. (The Tuvans or Tuvinians are an indigenous people of Siberia/Central Asia. They speak Tuvan, a Turkic language. They are also regarded, in Mongolia, as one of the Uriankhai peoples)
Day 2: Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia to White River, Mongolia
When you arrive in Ulgii, you will meet our English-speaking local guide and driver, and then we will drive to Altai TavanBogd National Park. It covers 630,000-hectare land and it has three large freshwater lakes, 34 glaciers and several waterfalls. Also, it is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. (The drive will take 6-7hours drive) By late evening, we will go to Tsagaan Gol valley through car and stay at Tuvan nomadic family's home. (The Tuvans or Tuvinians are an indigenous people of Siberia/Central Asia. They speak Tuvan, a Turkic language. They are also regarded, in Mongolia, as one of the Uriankhai peoples)
Day 3: White River, Mongolia to Potanin Glacier, Mongolia
In the morning, our horse guide will be waiting for us with horses that we are going to ride. Our luggage and kitchen materials would be on the camel, and then we will ride to the Tavan Bogd for the Potanian glacier. Potanian glacier is Ice River starts from Altai Tavan Bogd Snow Peaks, and it's the longest glacier in Mongolia which is about 14 km. In this day, we will go on horse trekking for 5-6 hours. If you get tired of riding a horse, you can hike some of the time. Tavan Bogd Mountains are considered sacred to local Kazakhs, Tuvans, and Mongolians and using the region for religious ceremonies.
Day 4: Potanin Glacier, Mongolia to Malchin Peak, Mongolia
Today we will hike to the Malchin Peak and back to Tsagaan Gol Valley. Following a glacier exploration, we will climb to the Malchin Peak (4050m) on the Mongolian and Russian border. The Malchin Peak is the lowest of the Holy Five Peaks and takes to 6-7 hours to climb. So, it will take a whole day, and in the evening, we will stay at Tuvan nomadic family's home. Malchin is one of seven peaks that can be climbed without special equipment.
Day 5: Shiveet khairkhan uul, Altay Prefecture, Mongolia to Khoton Lake, Mongolia
Today will drive to ride across mountain landscapes and see many lakes. On the way, we stop to enjoy the exceptional view on the Shiveet Khairkhan range and its snow-covered peaks. We reach Shiveet Khairkhan, a sacred mountain for the Tuvans living in the area. Because the mountain is sacred, it's forbidden to hunt, and you may have a good chance to see an ibex or wild goats early in the morning. Also, there are 150 stone men (balbals), 1500 statues (stone burial markers), 50 deer stones, 6300 ancient graves and tombs, and thousands of petro glyphs. Afterwards, we will head toward Khoton Khurgan Lake and pitch our tents on the shore of the Lake.
Day 6: Road Sagsai, Ulgii, Mongolia
Today we will drive to Sagsai sum (about 4 hours) to visit the Eagle Hunter's family and learn about their regular daily life and feel great hospitality. Household of this Kazakh Family is eagle hunter, so you will be able to experience how eagle hunter trains his eagles. You will also be able to learn how to hold an eagle on your arm. We will stay overnight in Kazakh family's ger.
Day 7: Ulgii, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
In the morning, we will drive to the airport and fly to Ulaanbaatar city. Our driver will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. You can take some rest before your trip to the Gobi.
Day 8: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning. We will drive to South Gobi province (8 hours). First, we will go to Yol Canyon. At the site we’ll visit the local museum to see Gobi wild animal’s taxidermies and dinosaur fossils found from South Gobi. Yol Canyon is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia. The valley is named after the Lammergeier, which is called Yol in Mongolian. The Lammergeier is vulture; so, the name is often translated to Valley of the Vultures or Valley of the Eagles.
Day 9: Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia to Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
Today we will drive around 4 hours to the Khongor Sand Dune and arrive at the Ger camp. After lunch, we will ride a camel by the spectacular sand dunes and river with green grass side for an hour. In the evening we will travel about 2km at the sand dunes. We will also hike to the 195m high sand dunes. This sand hill is called “Singing dunes” by locals which is one of the wonder of Mongolia. We will hear the sound from the sands and learn why it is called “Singing dunes”. This will be worth climbing up to the top and makes you feel you are on the other world. We will stay at a ger camp.
Day 10: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia to Bulgan, Mongolia
Today we will travel to Khavtsgait Valley to visit a nomadic family. We will have lunch with the family. Then we will visit one of the ancient rock arts found in Mongolia. These are a full gallery of arts covering many culture and tradition from both Bronze and Stone Ages. After that, we will visit Meditation monastery. The monastery was restored recently by the initiative of the grandson of the famous Buddhist monk who used to live and meditate here. We will hear beautiful stories about how local people worship and support the monastery and the restoring of it. Here you may find your very own peace and release from stress. In the evening we will drive back to a nomadic family to experience a real nomadic lifestyle to help them with their chores such as making Mongolian traditional food, milking goat, and picking up dung. Then we will watch local people’s mini cultural presentation.
Day 11: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia
After breakfast we drive to Bayanzag, Flaming Cliffs. This is the only place that found first Protoceratops’s skull and rapacious Velociraptor and phytophagous Protoceratops' fighting fossils in 1972. Also a nest of 15 infant Protoceratops fossils was found from here and it is still very important findings of the paleontology science. Here we learn how to distinguish fossil from fossil look Gobi stones. We will walk around the Flaming Cliffs and visit the Saxaul Tree forest. The flaming cliffs of Bayan Zag are a sightseeing destination of their own and provide a spectacular opportunity to view the amazing beauty of the Gobi Desert. Afterwards, we will drive to to Ongi Monastery, which was one of the biggest monasteries of Mongolia constructed in between 1760-1810. At the time, it has over 1000 monks, 28 temples and other buildings. It destroyed in 1939 under the control of Communist party.
Day 12: Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Today will drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire. The Karakorum was established in the 12th century and it became Mongolia’s capital city. Today, the only thing left are ruins and archeologist who have worked for years to discover the city. In 1585 Avtai Sain Khan built the Erdenezuu Monastery on the base of the city. The Monastery was built near the remains of the city. We will visit Karakorum museum and Erdenezuu monastery.
Day 13: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Today, we will go to Tsenkher Hot Springs. We will arrive at the hot springs around lunch time. The Tsenkher Hot Spring is the second hottest spring in Mongolia. The spring is kept in high pressure under the ground flow rate is high, 10 liters per seconds. The water has high mineral content and containing everything from simple calcium, sodium to sulphuric. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons and water is effective for joints, nerve system and considered good for many other diseases. The surrounding area is home of species of medicinal herbs. We will pass our time here while bathing in the spring and rest.
Day 14: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar and drop you off at your hotel.
What's included
All meals on itinerary English speaking Guide Horseback and camel rides Vehicle and driver Sleeping bag All area entrance fee Accommodations on itinerary Snack and water Museums Domestic flight 1-night hotel stays
Travel insurance All personal expenses All kind of beverages Extra camel or horse ride Additional tours to places Pre and post accommodation Note: If you would like to add more activities in your itinerary please contact us. We would love to make customized tours just for you.
What to know
Experience the magic of Mongolian Eagle and its unique adventure. Our journey consists of visiting Bayan-olgii where Kazakh people live, drive to the South Gobi province, ride a two-humped camel, visit the Yol Canyon and lessen the story of ancient munch, visit the Flaming Cliffs where the first nest of dinosaur eggs was found and go hiking around the area. Don’t miss this exploration through the vast land of the endless blue sky.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia