Day 1  Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be greeted by our company driver at the airport and transferred to your hotel

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Activity Note: Due to the remote locations of this adventure, the itinerary is subject to change. While you will still enjoy all the included features detailed below, frequent updates to local flight schedules may result in a change in the order of your itinerary. You will be sent a personalized letter if your itinerary will be affected by these flight changes.

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Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: None

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Day 2  Ulaanbaatar - City Tour

This morning, we'll review our itinerary in detail, including any changes that may need to occur.

Then we will explore some of most interesting sights of Ulaanbaatar city.

The tour begins with a visit to Gandan Monastery, a large, influential center of Buddhism, built in 1838.

Gandan Monastery is a Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery. Its name means” the big place of complete joy”. Nowadays, hundreds of monks live there. It houses a 26,5-metres (87 feet) gold plated high statue of Megjid-Janraiseg, the Bodhisattva of compassion. As you get acquainted with the complex, admire the tiered-roof architecture and listen for the sound of chanting monks. 

From the monastery, we will head to Bogd Khan Palace Museum, built between 1893-1903. The collections of the museum include unique valuable objects related to Mongolia’s political, religious, and artistic history from 17-th to 20-th centuries. The Zaisan Memorial Hill is our next stop which offers the best views of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding landscape. Until recently, it was only known for the Zaisan Hill Monument a top the hill, a beautiful circular structure with a mural honoring Mongol and Soviet soldiers who fell during World War II. Now, the hill is also home to a sprawling modern complex with plenty of amenities for tourists and residents alike.

In the evening, we will enjoy Mongolian traditional cultural show which is featuring traditional performances by singers, dancers, and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear Khöömii (throat singing) and see some fabulous costumes.
After dinner, transfer to the hotel.

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Accommodations: Hotel 4*​. Meals included: B,L,D

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Day 3  Khustai National Park 

After breakfast , we'll check out of our hotel for our next adventure.

We will drive out of the city to the Khustai National Park. This area is the only place in the world in which you can see the Mongolian wild horse (Takhi), also known as Przewalski's horse in the wild.  It has  a unique landscape that features mountains and steppe.

Lunch and check-in at a tourist camp near the National Park.

In the afternoon, we will visit the information center and learn about the national park and wild horses.

Then we will take a short drive and walking tour to see the horses in their natural habitat. There is a great opportunity to take photos of these endangered horses. If you are lucky, you will see foxes, roe deer, eagles, marmots and other animals and birds.

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 4  Karakorum & Erdenezuu Buddhist Monastery

In the morning, we will head to Karakorum, a small village that is one of the country’s major tourist destinations. Historically known as Karakorum, it was the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan in 1220. Karakorum was also one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road.

In the afternoon, we will visit the museum of Karakorum and learn more about the beautiful ancient Karakorum City and the amazing Genghis Khan.

We will continue to visit the magnificent Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century. Its massive outer wall includes 108 Buddhist stupas. Here, we can listen to monks chanting Buddhist sutras.

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 5  Ongi Monastery 

Following breakfast, we will head to the Delger Khangai Mountains area in the western part of the Gobi Desert to visit the ruins of the Ongi Monastery.

Located in Saikhan Ovoo Soum of Dundgovi Province, it was founded in the 17th century and consisted of two temple complexes on the North and South banks of the river Ongi. At its heyday,  Ongi monastery consisted of over 30 temples and was home to over 1000 monks. 

Both complexes were completely destroyed in 1939 during communist anti-religious purges. Over 200 monks were killed, and many surviving monks were imprisoned or forced to conscript into the Communist-controlled army. Other monks escaped and became herders and common workers. In the 1990s, after democratization in Mongolia, some monks returned to the monastery and began their Buddhist teachings.  At present, one temple has been rebuilt and a small museum. See the ruins and learn the sad history of the place. Explore the ruins of the monastery in the area

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

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Day 6  Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs)

On this day, our trip will continue to Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs) in the heart of the Gobi Desert which is famous for containing exceptional dinosaur fossils. 

We’ll explore the Flaming Cliffs - an archaeological site world-renowned for the vast amount of dinosaur bones and eggs found here. Many discoveries were made by an American Paleontologist, Roy Chapman Andrews and his team, beginning in 1922.  Andrews was the first to discover a dinosaur nest with intact eggs, which made Bayanzag “Flaming Cliff “famous throughout the world.

The cliffs are made of red sandstone.  As the sun sets, these cliffs and canyons glow even redder, offering visitors a scene of breathtaking beauty. Take some time to explore.

 
Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 7  Khongor Sand Dunes

Today, we will drive through the wilderness of the Gobi to the beautiful Khongor Sand Dunes,  one of the largest and most spectacular in Mongolia standing as high as 100 - 300 meters above the surrounding country and stretching 7-20  km wide and 180 km long. The dunes rise up between Altai Mountains to the south and a stream and oases on the north, which are a surprising lush green. Climbing dunes is not easy, but the view at the top is breathtaking and well worth the climb. 

Khongor sand dunes are also known as singing sands; the locals have named it the Singing Dunes because when wind blows over its surface, it creates a sound similar to that of the airplane engine. Once you are up on the top of sand dunes, the view of the desert is gorgeous and the people and the cars at the bottom look like little bugs. The sand dunes will make you feel comfortable and at peace.  You will have a great experience visiting the Mongolian Gobi.

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 8  Yol Valley / Narrow Gorge

Another wonder of Gobi Desert in Mongolia is Three Beauties of Gobi, a massive rocky mountain. This mountain has steep rock walls with a river flowing between them. This area has been the main attraction of tourists for many decades. We will explore the Yol Valley — a narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. It's an amazing place for hiking. Bring stable shoes and warm clothes.

The mountain gorge is named after a bearded vulture which is called Yol in Mongolian. Yol Valley is wide at the entrance, but narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge that is very deep and very narrow. In the winter, a narrow stream in the valley floor creates ice that even lasts during the summer months.

The high cliffs that flank the valley are very impressive. You may be lucky enough to spot wildlife such as mountain goats, grazing high on the cliff walls and birds flying over.

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Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 9  Flight to Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park trip

Early this morning, we will transfer to the local airport for our flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival at  the city airport, we will depart for Terelj National Park. This is one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia well known for its natural beauty, forested alpine mountains and interesting rock formations.

In the afternoon, we will explore the National Park and see Turtle Rock –an interesting rock formation shaped like a turtle. We will also visit the Aryabal meditation temple – that sits on top of the mountain surrounded by scenic mountains and massive rock formations. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking the Terelj National Park.

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 10  Genghis Khan's Statue Complex - Ulaanbaatar City Tour

After breakfast, we will return to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, we’ll visit “Genghis Khan Statue Complex” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. A recreation area, restaurants, and souvenir shops occupy the base structure. From here, you can ascend to the head of the horse using an elevator. There, you have a good panoramic view over the complex area and the scenery beyond. You are now definitely in Genghis Khan’s homeland!

Lunch will be at a local restaurant in the city, then we’ll visit Sukhbaatar square in the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and the post office. There is an equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar and a massive Bronze statue of Genghis Khan with his four warriors in front of Parliament House.

We’ll continue to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History – the museum presents Mongolian history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day and has an extensive display of traditional Mongolian attire.

Then we will have a final dinner together.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L, D

Day 11  Departure

You will be at leisure to rest in your hotel or wander around on your own until being escorted to the airport for your departure.

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