Trip overview

Welcome to join us for the Mongolia discovery tour, offering an unforgettable experience for travelers. This journey uniquely blends the vastness of the Mongolian Gobi Desert with the ancient practice of eagle hunting by Mongolian eagle hunters. The spectacular place in the western part of Mongolia is a must-visit for every tourist, offering the chance to explore the Potanin Glacier, the majestic five peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, and ancient rock art that showcases the earliest expressions of human creativity. Join us for an extraordinary 17-day adventure trip to Mongolia, where you will have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes of the epic Gobi Desert and experience the fascinating tradition of eagle hunting in Mongolia.

Highlights

Interact with the legendary golden eagle hunters in the western part of Mongolia
Experience horseback riding in the majestic Altai Mountain
Explore Chinggis Khaan's Equestrain Statue
Enjoy the warm hospitality of the local nomadic communities
Witness a stunning sunset over the Singing Dunes
Travel through remote places in Mongolia
Visit the authentic nomads of Mongolia on this unforgettable trip

Itinerary

DAY 1. FLY TO ULGII & TO ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to the tour of the Gobi Desert and eagle hunting experience. Today, we will take a flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii. Upon our arrival at Ulgii Airport, our local team will greet you and transport you to the far western region of Mongolia, where we will explore Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. After reaching the Tsagaan Gol, a ranger station in the park, you will have the opportunity to meet the Tuvan people, one of the ethnic groups of Mongolia. In the evening, we will organize our belongings in preparation for a three-day horse-trekking adventure to the Grand Altai Mountains.

DAY 2. TO POTANIN GLACIER / BASE CAMP /

Start our horse-trekking journey that begins at the White River and leads to Mongolia's five stunning peaks, as well as the largest glacier in Mongolia, which spans 53.5 square kilometers. This adventure will take you on an unforgettable excursion to the Potanin Glacier, where the ice river originates from the snow-capped Altai Tavan Bogd peaks. Strolling along the river provides an excellent opportunity to view the breathtaking, untouched landscape and serenity of Mongolia's western frontier.

DAY 3. TREKKING TO MALCHIN PEAK

After an early breakfast, we'll start our trek to climb Malchin peak, the smallest of the 5 majestic peaks. It'll be a hard challenge to climb up steep and rocky terrain, and it requires some experience for going mountaineering. However, upon reaching its peak, one is rewarded with stunning views of the glaciers beneath and of Russian territory as the ridge overlaps with the borderline.

DAY 4. A JOURNEY BACK TO WHITE RIVER

After breakfast, we'll continue our horse-trekking journey back to the White River (ranger station). The highlight of today’s adventure will be navigating the rugged terrains of the western part of Mongolia on a Mongolian pony. Upon reaching the destination, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and interact with local nomads.

DAY 5. VISIT EAGLE HUNTERS

Travel eastward to visit Sagsai village, where you can spend the night with a Mongolian Kazakh family to experience their unique lifestyle and customs. A key highlight of this journey is the opportunity to meet the Mongolian Eagle Hunters. During your visit, you will gain insights into the rich culture of the eagle hunters and will have the chance to capture a memorable photograph with a Golden Eagle while dressed in a traditional garment, enhancing the overall experience of your trip.

DAY 6. TO TSAMBAGARAV NATIONAL PARK

Continue the trip to Tsambagarav National Park, which covers 1,190 square kilometers in a glacial region, which includes Tsambagarav Mount, a permanently snow-capped mountain which has an elevation of 4,193m, straddles the border between Khovd and Bayan-Ulgii province. The journey to Tsambagarav Mountain will guide you through rugged hills and picturesque small lakes, providing a view of some of the most stunning landscapes in the western region of Mongolia.

DAY 7. TO KHOID SENKHER CAVE

Travel through the ancient wonders of Mongolia with a trip to the Tsenkher Cave, also referred to as Khoid Senher, which is reasonably attractive because of its approximately 15-year-old history. There are numerous passages to explore, with the largest cave being about 15m high, with the floor measuring around 12m by 18m. It is interesting that both ostriches and mammoths are depicted on the walls, proving that both lived in Mongolia up to approximately 15,000 years ago.

DAY 8. VISIT A NONE-TOURISTY NOMADIC FAMILY

Due to a long travel distance from Senkher cave to Burkhan Buudai Nature Reserve, today we'll spend the night along the way with a none-touristy nomadic family, and it will be a good chance to experience an authentic nomadic herding lifestyle.

DAY 9. TO BURKHAN BUUDAI NATURE RESERVE

Set off on a journey to Burkhan Buudai Nature Reserve, situated in Biger village, Gobi Altai province. This remote place is not so touristic and a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, offering wonderful views and great opportunities to explore the wilderness of Mongolia. Once we reach the destination, we'll set up our tent and explore the surroundings. From there, a little hiking excursion awaits, leading travelers to the stunning Ulaan Yabar, a beautifully formed cliff colored with orange and red hues.

DAY 10. TO BUUN TSAGAAN LAKE

After breakfast, continue the trip to Boon Tsagaan lake, which is the largest saltwater lake in the Mongolian gobi desert, situated in Baatsagaan village, Bayankhongor province. The lake is fed by the Baidrag river with prolific birdlife, notably relic gulls, whooper swans and geese. Set up our tent on its scenic eastern shore and hoping to view birdlife. The lake has been designated as a Ramsar Site, recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, and it is the perfect destination for a peaceful retreat to nature.

DAY 11. TO IKH BOGD MOUNTAIN & OROG LAKE

Head to Orog Lake, a salt water lake, also referred to as Shar Burd Lake, which is surrounded by small sand dunes, and it is a good place to watch rare waterfowl. It is nestled in the foothills of Ikh Bogd, a snow-capped mountain with an altitude of 3957m in Bogd village, Bayan Khongor province.

DAY 12. 13. TO KHONGORYN ELS / KHONGOR SAND DUNES /

Travel through the epic Mongolian desert to reach Khongoryn Els, the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia that stretch for an extraordinary 120km, 3-20km wide and more than 300m high. Here we'll spend two nights exploring a part of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park on this adventure trip through the Gobi Desert. On the following day, you'll experience the Mongolian two-humped camel riding through endless golden sand dunes, and in the evening, ascend to the peak of the singing dune to witness a breathtaking sunset and enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding oasis.

DAY 14 TO GOBI GURVAN SAIKHAN NP / YOLYN AM /

Continue our journey to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park to explore Yolyn Am, a deep and narrow gorge with steep rock walls situated within the Gobi Three Beauties mount range in the southern part of Mongolia. The gorge derives its name from the Mongolian word for vulture, "Yol." The gorge is also referred to as an ice canyon. The thickness of the ice field reaches over 3 meters deep by the end of winter, and extends several kilometers in length.

DAY 15. TO TSAGAAN SUVARGA / WHITE CANYON /

Visit Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Canyon, situated in Ulziit village, Dundgobi province. The site is remarkable for its interesting formations that, when viewed from afar, resemble the ruins of an ancient city, oriented towards the east. Over millennia, the forces of wind have sculpted this extraordinary landscape in the Mongolian desert. This area was once an ancient seabed, featuring sedimentary structures that have developed over millions of years, with the varying hues of the earth signifying different geological periods.

DAY 16. TO BAGA GAZAR / GRANITE OUTCROPS /

After a hearty breakfast, we'll head to the northeast to visit "Baga gazaryn chuluu," a remarkable landscape distinguished by granite rock hills that span an area of 15 kilometers by 10 kilometers, situated at the junction of the Gobi Desert and the Steppe zone. The area is adorned with numerous small stacked rocks on flat granite surfaces, and visitors can discover various attractions, including a mineral spring believed to enhance eyesight, remains of an old temple surrounded by birch trees, and small caves. This location is perfect for rock scrambling and hiking.

DAY 17. RETURN TO ULAANBAATAR VIA CHINGGIS KHAAN'S STATUE

Today is our last day of the 17-day trip, and we return to Ulaanbaatar city through Tsonjin Boldog, a site of historical significance, where we will explore the Equestrian Statue of Chinggis Khaan.