Discover Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Kharkhorin (16 days)

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel.

Take a city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see a huge gold plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival.

And there are other highlights - Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolia - where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to present time.

Excursion to Zaisan Hill Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city.

Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)

Meet our driver in the hotel lobby and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dalanzadgad. Drive to Yolyn Am, or Lammergeier Valley, beautiful and high elevated gorges forming incredible canyons. Gorges are so high thus sunlight never reaches the floor and winter’s snow can be kept good even in summer time.

These areas are situated in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan /Three Beauties of the Gobi/ National park, the most easterly points of the Altai Mountains.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

(Distance 60 km, an hour drive on paved/dirt road) 

Drive to the “Khongoryn els” - the biggest sand dune in Mongolia, reaching a height of 200 meters in some areas.

Explore the dune area on the camelback. The two-humped Bactrian camels are very comfortable to ride as they walk slowly and gently. You will be well supported by their soft, fluffy humps when you ride them. Our camel guide will lead you safely through the sand dunes to explore the Uujim valley on the camelback.

Plus, you will have an opportunity to visit a camel herdsman family to experience their lifestyle, culture and traditions.

Similar to other deserts, the chance of rain/cloud is slim. So that there is a chance to gaze at the billions of stars in the evening. Discuss with your guide about timing when you climb over dunes.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

(Distance 200 km, 5-6 hours drive on dirt road) 

Drive to the Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs, where the first dinosaur eggs were discovered in 1922 by Roy Chapman Andrews. In this huge paleontological site, you will have a chance to walk on the ground where the Dinosaurs once roamed 60 million years ago.

On this day, you will discover not only dinosaur’s but ancient human’s remains too. Khavtsgait petroglyphs and saxual forest are good additions to this trip.

Photo shooting of the flaming cliffs and watching a documentary about this wonderful place is suggested in the evening.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)  

(Distance 160 km, 4-5 hours drive on dirt road)

Drive to Ongi Temple ruins which had about a thousand lamas before the communists destruction in 1937. The temple was founded by a lama named Bari Yonzon and located on a small but panoramic cliff on a bank of Ongi river. On the way, experience how big and vast the Mongolian steppe is.

Secret of Ongi, a high end tourist camp will provide you perfect service after a long drive through the Gobi desert. Relax and enjoy your last day in the Gobi.

Overnight in the tourist camp. (B+L+D)  

(Distance 180 km, 4-5 hours drive on dirt road) 

Continue driving to the north, to the Orkhon valley. Landscape changes dramatically from semi desert into forest steppe. 

Kharkhorin was the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire, dates back to the 13th century. Now, the ruin lies low confronting against time and hiding Chinggis khan’s secrets beneath its name – “black soil”. Visit Karakorum museum and see the artifacts collected from the ruins.

Next place Magnificent Erdene Zuu - the oldest monastery in Mongolia and the artwork of the Mongol architects –  is located near the ruins.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)   

(Distance 220 km, 5-6 hours drive on dirt road)

The Eriin Gurvan Naadam /three manly games/ is our biggest holiday in Mongolia, a symbol of our freedom and unity. It is such a great chance to experience our culture and people’s lifestyle. The festival has its roots in the Mongol army’s unified practice, competition  and celebration that date back more than two thousand years.

Stay around the Naadam court and enjoy wrestling, horse racing, archery and ankle bone shooting. Get soaked into the holiday atmosphere, grab food and enjoy around our traditional culture.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Naadam festival continues on the second day with tournaments of wrestling, horse racing, archery and other traditional games. Take a  drive to Tsenkher hot springs through the land of the yaks. Mineral water rich with sulfur emerges from the ground (300m) at 70 degrees Celsius. Relax in the outdoor bath.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D) 

(Distance 100 km, 2-3 hours drive on paved/dirt road)

Drive deep into the heart of Khangai Mountain Range to explore Khorgo volcanic crater and The White Lake. There are dozens of extinct volcanoes here in a comparatively small area.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake /White Lake/ was created by the lava river when the Khorgo volcano erupted 9 thousand years ago. The lake area is now home to many endangered species of flora & fauna. White lake is a good spot for bird watching and photographing.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)  

(Distance 200 km, 4-5 hours drive on dirt/paved road)

Take a scenic drive to Jargalant hot springs. Similar hot spring emerges from the ground (300m) at 70 degrees Celsius. Relax in the outdoor bath.

We will take you away from the tourist area to a real nomadic grassland.Visit a local horse breeder family and live like a Mongolian Nomad for a day! Get involved in their daily life and take a class on milking livestocks and play ankle bone games.

In the evening, cook a traditional Mongolian barbecue under the instruction of the hostess.

This is a real experience and will be an unforgettable highlight of this tour.

Overnight in the nomadic family. (B+L+D) 

(Distance 120 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt road) 

Drive to Murun town, the capital of Khuvsgul province. Take a city tour of Murun town and visit a local market and town museum. Chance to observe the locals part of everyday life at the market.

Visit the richest bronze age burial site called Uushgi uvur to see famous deer stones.

Relax in a local hotel. (B+L+D)

(Distance 200 km, 5-6 hours drive on dirt road)

The Blue Pearl - Khuvsgul Lake, the deepest and purest lake in Mongolia. The lake is one of the few glacial lakes left from the last ice age. Some people call it “Switzerland of Mongolia”. You have an opportunity to trek to the lakeside & mountain for a better view and photo shooting.

Explore the flora & fauna of Khuvsgul lake area. Optional kayaking activity is available.

In the evening, have fun with a bonfire party and share your feedback of the tour with your group members. 

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)    

(Distance 140 km, 3-4 hours drive on dirt road) 

Our last day in the countryside we have something special for you. Today we will take a boat trip to see reindeers herders. Reindeer are herded for their antlers, a lucrative medicinal material as well as for their milk and meat. You have a chance to take your memorable pictures with reindeers and herders.

In the evening, farewell bonfire party and share your feedback of the tour with your group members. 

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

(Distance 15 km, 30 minutes on boat)

You will be escorted to the Murun city for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival in UB, take a tour of the Chinggis Khaan Statue, the biggest equestrian statue in the world - 40 meters tall stainless steel statue symbolically pointed east towards his birthplace, on the bank of the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog.

Drive to Terelj national park to visit the Temple of Ariyapala and enjoy a stunning view. Explore the famous Turtle Rock and the extraordinary frock formations.

Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey.

Overnight in the hotel.  (B+L+D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)

B – Breakfast                     L - Lunch                D - Dinner