There are many exotic destinations that can be experienced in Mongolia. The tour is designed to take you to the most breathtaking natural wonders of the country. You will have a chance to experience landscapes that have gone undamaged by human hands for millennia and places where history of the Nation has been shaped in the past centuries.
Meet with the local team upon arrival in Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Transfer to the city center for welcome dinner and check-in at the hotel for overnight. (D)
In the morning, depart towards Middle Gobi to visit the Tsagaan Suvarga area, which literally translates as White Stupa. The place earned its name due to the way the local cliffs appear from afar. On the way, have short stop at the town of Mandalgobi for lunch.
Upon arrival at the Tsagaan Suvarga, check-in at the local camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. The cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga can be visited in the late afternoon and the next morning. The local soil composition provides different kinds of natural colors that make a great photo-shooting destination.
Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. (B+L+D)
Overnight – Standard ger camp
After breakfast at the camp, we depart towards South Gobi province. Our first stop will be to check-in at our ger camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, we leave for Yol Valley which is also nicknamed as the Vulture Valley. Bearded vultures make their nests atop the tall cliffs that are located more than 2000 meters above sea level. The valley is located in the Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The National Park is home to many exotic wildlife species such as Argali wild sheep, Ibex, snow leopards and falcons. With luck, we may spot some of these animals.
The Yol Valley is also known for its ice glaciers which form in the winter and finish melting in early July.
Enjoy trekking in the valley and photo shooting opportunities.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
The Khongor Sand Dunes are highlight of any Gobi trip. After departing from the camp, drive approximately 220km to reach the next ger camp. Enjoy a relaxing time after lunch at the camp. In the late afternoon, visit a local nomadic family and ride their camels to reach the dunes.
The place is also known as Singing Sand due to the unique sound the sands emit during strong winds and avalanches. Trekking to the top of the dunes provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The dunes stretch across a length of 120km and have a width of 6-12km. Near the dunes, there is also the Khongor River whose flow water provides greenery and support to local life.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
Bayanzag area is normally referred to as ‘Flaming Cliffs’ due to the uniquely, flaming colors the local cliffs gain during sunsets. The Flaming cliffs are a both paleontologically and historically important. On top of being on the path of the ancient Silk Road, it is a place where the World’s first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered.
After a morning drive, we check-in at a camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the local information center where we can learn more about the expedition of Roy Chapman Andrews who also served as inspiration to the character of Indiana Jones. After the information center, trekking and photo shooting opportunities will be plentiful along the Flaming cliffs.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast at the camp, we drive towards the ruins of Ongi Monastery, located in the Middle Gobi province. Ongi monastery was located on the two banks of the Ongi river from which it drew its name. The monastery is considered to have been one of the three major monastic centers in Mongolian history. At its peak, the monastery housed over 2,000 monks and shaped modern art and culture of the nation.
After lunch at the camp, we trek by the monastic grounds which are undergoing a slow, but steady renovation and learn more of its history.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
This day, we drive towards the town of Kharkhorin. The town is located in the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape area where the history of not just Mongolia, but the World has been shaped.
The capital of the Mongol Empire was located in the town of Kharkhorin. Many artifacts that trace their origins to the Mongol empire and dynasties that came before them, can be found in the Kharkhorin Museum.
Another major site we visit is the Erdene Zuu monastery. It is the oldest Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia that traces its origins to the late 16th century. For hundreds of years, thousands of monks have lived in this monastery and contributed greatly to culture of Mongolia. Sadly, the monastery was affected by political purges in the 1930s and much of the wealth has been lost to us. However, the monastic grounds were preserved and there are a number of both old temples and currently functioning temples that can be visited.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast at the camp, we depart towards the Khustai National Park which was formed in 1992 in an effort to re-introduce the wild horse population of ‘Takhi’ back to their natural habitat. Takhi are also known as ‘Przewalsky horses’ and are the only wild horse species that have never been domesticated before. These horses, native to Mongolia, had gone extinct in the wilds by mid-1950s.
Thanks to the efforts led by the Dutch, these horses were re-introduced to Mongolia in the 1990s and their numbers have been growing steadily since.
After lunch at the local camp, we have a relaxing afternoon. In the evening, prior to sunset, we drive deeper into the National Park to witness these horses roaming freely in the nature and further learn about their history and life.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast at the camp, we depart toward Ulaanbaatar city. After lunch at the southern part of the city, we visit Zaisan memorial hill, dedicated to the fallen soldiers of WWII. We will also visit the Sukhbaatar square located at the center of the city. The square is historically tied to two of the three revolutions which happened in XX century Mongolia. Later, we visit the National History Museum which has rich amount of artifacts that cover history of Mongolia from the ancient times up to the Democratic period which begun in 1990.
Transfer to hotel after farewell dinner.
Overnight – Standard ger camp. (B+L+D)
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International airport for international departure
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