Trip overview

Join us on this 12-day tour to explore the wonders of the Gobi-Desert and Central Mongolia. The trip is designed to give you an extraordinary experience combining the best highlights of both regions. From rugged landscapes of the Mongolian desert to an ancient Buddhist monastic complex, the journey offers an adventurous horseback ride through the Orkhon Valley and a ride on the Bactrain camel in dramatic sand dunes. Whether you are an experienced traveler or seeking a distinctive holiday, this tour caters to all. Delve into the Great Mongolian history and culture of Mongolia, while exploring its diverse landscapes and meeting local nomads along the way.

Highlights

Explore the most visited national park in Mongolia
Stroll through the serene atmosphere of Ikh Gazaryn Chuluu
Climb to the Singing Sands to witness a remarkable sunset
Meet local nomadic communities
Spot the Takhi wild horse in its natural habitat
Visit Kharkhorin town, once a thriving center of the Mongolian Empire

Itinerary

DAY 1. TO GORKHI TERELJ NATIONAL PARK VIA CHINGGIS KHAAN'S STATUE

Welcome to meet with our team and start our trip to one of the most popular national parks in Mongolia, Terelj National Park, located in Tuv province. Upon arrival at the park, you will visit a turtle rock which is naturally formed granite stone, and explore Aryapala Buddhist meditation temple. En route to the Terelj NP, we'll visit Tsonjin Boldog, a historical place related to Chinggis Khaan, in the 13th century of the Great Mongolian Empire. Once we reach the place, you will visit a giant horseback statue of Chinggis Khaan, 40 meters tall and made of 250 tons of stainless steel.

DAY 2. TO IKH GAZARYN CHULUU / VERTICAL GRANITE OUTCROPS /

Continue our trip to Ikh Gazryn Chuluu, one of the interesting attractions in Mongolia, hills of granite in the Gobi Desert with an altitude of 1706m. 30 different species of rare birds, wild goat, lynx and corsak fox are the main habitants of the hills. Once we reach the place, we will set up our tent on a picturesque campsite and hike through the stunning granite hills to explore a small amphitheater and a monument honoring a famous Mongolian traditional long-song singer who was born in this region. The destination offers a remote and less-traveled destination in Mongolia, allowing visitors to escape the usual tourist crowds and fully appreciate the pristine beauty of this hidden treasure.

DAY 3. TO TSAGAAN SUVARGA / WHITE CANYON /

After breakfast, we'll set off on a journey to Tsagaan Suvarga, which lies in the southern desert of Mongolia. Known as the White Stupa, Tsagaan Suvarga is a geological marvel of the Gobi Desert, offering naturally formed sedimentary fissures in various shades of ocher. The relentless winds have sculpted the unique stupa-like formations, while clay deposits embellish them with vibrant layers of pink, red, and orange. This colorful limestone structure rises to a height of 60 meters and extends for 400 meters. During rainfall, the cascade of water descending the stupa resembles a grand waterfall.

DAY 4. TO GOBI GURVANSAIKHAN NATIONAL PARK / YOLIN AM /

Embark on a trip towards Yoliin Am in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, a narrow gorge named after the yol bird that is situated at an average elevation of 2,800 meters above sea level. This protected area covers 64 square kilometers, and a small stream traverses the gorge, which becomes ice-covered during the winter months. In the old days, the gorge was perpetually frozen, but in recent years, the effects of global warming have led to significant melting of the ice. Some steep rock walls rise to heights of up to 200 meters, offering a shaded refuge for respite from the intense heat of the summer months in the Gobi Desert. The gorge is home to several endangered species, including the yol bird, also known internationally as the Lammergeier. This rare bird, endemic to Central Asia, is a protected species in Mongolia and is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters.

DAY 5. TO KHONGORYN ELS / KHONGOR SAND DUNES /

Experience an incredible adventure in the stunning Khongoryn Els in the southern part of Mongolia. Climbing the towering dunes to behold the breathtaking vistas of the Gobi Desert stands out as a key feature of this trip, ensuring a blend of excitement, exploration, and unforgettable experiences. The Khongoryn Els is one of the largest sand dunes in Mongolia, known as Singing Dunes. They produce unique sounds when the wind shifts the sand. These dunes can reach heights of up to 300 meters, stretch 12 kilometers in width, and extend approximately 120 kilometers in length. In this adventure, you will ride a Mongolian two-humped camel across the vast desert and climb to the peak of the singing dune to enjoy a stunning sunset.

DAY 6. TO FLAMING CLIFFS / BAYANZAG /

Travel to the Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, which is situated approximately 100 km from Dalanzadgad city, the provincial capital of South Gobi, Mongolia. This destination gained prominence due to the discovery of the first scientifically recognized fossilized dinosaur eggs in the world, along with various species of dinosaur skeletons, unearthed by the American explorer Roy Andrew Chapman in 1923. This discovery tour allows you to traverse the vast and mystic Gobi Desert, a land of endless horizons and ancient enigmas awaiting your exploration. Experience the stunning panoramic views and beautiful landscape that are unique to Mongolia.

DAY 7. TO ONGI MONASTERY

Today, we'll visit the Ongi Monastery Ruins, which were established in 1660. This monastery was one of the four largest Buddhist educational institutions and housed more than 1,000 monks. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged during the communist purges of 1937. Upon arrival at the site, we will explore a small museum located in a yurt, as well as a reconstructed temple.

DAY 8. 9. TO ORKHON VALLEY NATIONAL PARK & ORKHON WATERFALL

Journey to Central Mongolia to explore the Orkhon Valley National Park, where you can experience breathtaking scenery of verdant meadows, coniferous forests, a beautiful waterfall, and steams. This region is perfect for activities such as fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and photography. Today, you will get a chance to meet yak herding nomads and enjoy a horseback ride near the Orkhon waterfall, which has been uniquely formed by volcanic lava flows and plunges dramatically into a deep canyon.

DAY 10. TO KHARKHORIN & ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY

After a hearty breakfast, we'll head to Kharkhorin village, the historic capital of the Great Mongolian Empire, one of the popular tourist attractions in Mongolia. Upon our arrival, we will explore the earliest existing monastery, “Erdene Dzuu,” which was built in 1586 by King Abtai Sain using stones from the nearby ruins of the ancient Mongolian capital, Kharakhorum. This monastic complex was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, recognized as part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Before proceeding to our accommodation, we will take the opportunity to view various exhibits and artifacts at the Kharkhorum museum.

DAY 11. TO HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK VIA KHUGNU TARNA NATURE RESERVE

Drive to Hustai National Park, where takhi wild horses have been reintroduced from the Netherlands since 1992. En route to Hustai, we will stop at Khugnu Tarna Nature Reserve, a sanctuary for several endangered species, including birds of prey and wolves. This reserve encompasses three distinct natural zones within an area of 49,600 hectares. Afterward, we'll continue the trip to Hustai National Park, where we will receive a brief overview of the takhi horse and the park's rich biodiversity from the park information center.

DAY 12. RETURN TO ULAANBAATAR CITY

After breakfast, we will head to the habitat of the last surviving subspecies of wild horse, known as the "Takhi". Then after, we will return to Ulaanbaatar city after enjoying our lunch.