Contrasts of Mongolia 19 days

Overview

This journey takes you across Mongolia from south to north, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage and dramatic natural contrasts. We begin in the Gobi Desert, a 1.3 million sq km region known for extreme seasons and world-famous dinosaur fossils. Here you will visit the discovery sites from the 1920s, explore Tsagaan Suvarga, climb towering 300-meter dunes, enjoy camel rides, and see the remains of ancient desert temples.

From the Gobi, we continue to the Orkhon River Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—where you’ll explore the ruins of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and one of Mongolia’s largest monasteries. The journey then leads to shimmering blue lakes such as Terkhiin Tsagaan and Khuvsgul, revealing Mongolia’s full contrast—from arid desert landscapes to lush mountains and crystal lakes.

Excludes:

International transportation to and from Mongolia
Hotel stay in Ulaanbaatar
travel insurance
alcoholic drinks
Tips and gratuities

Tour price:

Pax 2 $4600
Pax 3-4 $4300
Pax 5-6 $4100
Pax 7-8 $3800
Pax 9-10 $3600
Single supplement for Ger camp stay $530 pp

Includes:

Ger camp stay (18 nights) in countryside
English speaking guide service
Entrance fees to Protected Areas and sightseeing costs
All transfers by 4WD Japanese minivan in the countryside
Daily bottled water

Date: 5 June, 26 June, 5 July, 26 July, 5 Aug, 25 Aug

Your service team will collect you from your hotel at 8:00 am, get you aboard the vehicle, and head south toward the Gobi. Rock structures of the Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a scenic peak rising to 1,751 meters in Mongolia's Granite Belt. Following a 5-hour journey, first arrive at your ger camp where you'll have lunch and spend the night, then set out to discover the caves, streams, and shrines that are scattered throughout this sacred location. The landscape is stunning, and the region is rich in wildlife that is exclusive to the Gobi, including both plants and animals. Relish trekking for 2-3 hours

Accommodation:Ger camp

Meals:Lunch, Dinner

"White Stupa" is the meaning of Tsagaan Suvarga. It is among the Gobi's most well-known attractions. The bizarre natural phenomenon known as Tsagaan Suvarga is made up of enormous, colorful mud cliffs that resemble stupas, which are mound-like buildings that are home to relics. There is an opportunity to snap breathtaking pictures while hiking through the cliffs. Ger camp lodging; breakfast, lunch, and dinner

"Three magnificent mountains in the Gobi" is what the Gobi Gurban Saikhan signifies. Rich in biodiversity and picturesque locations, the Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain is a stunning national park. Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley is one of those that can be reached by driving. We will stroll through the picturesque valley and into the depths of the vertical rock canyon, which is shaded from the sun, after parking our cars in a designated spot. It has ice until the end of June as a result. The two-way hike lasts between two and three hours. The valley is home to ibexes, bearded eagles, and timid wild sheep.

Day 4: Sand Dunes at Khongor and riding a two-humped camel

We will proceed to the tallest sand dunes, Khongor. Once you arrive at the dunes, you will trek along the verdant riverbank, ascend a dun, go to see a nomadic family, and ride two-humped camels. Discover why the locals refer to the sand dunes as "Singing Sand" by spreading the sand northwards against the wind if you are able to scale one of the tallest sand dunes. From the summit of the sand dunes, the views are breathtaking.

Day 5: Flaming Cliff

Travel to Ongi Monastery by first driving via slate mountains and then on the 80-kilometer Ongi steppes. One of Mongolia's seven largest monasteries was Ongi Monastery. On the banks of the Ongi River, encircled by the mountains of the Gobi Desert, were two distinct monasteries with over thirty temples. During the 1930s socialist crackdown, the temples were demolished. The monastery' ruins now cover a large region. See the remnants of a monastery, climb a nearby mountain for a bird's-eye perspective, then see a new, active temple and a ger museum.

Day 6: Travel across the vast steppes to Ongi Monastery.

We will continue our journey to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs ever found as well as the dinosaur graveyard. As you hike along the cliffs, you may come across dinosaur fossils and the "Bayanzag" grove of Gobi trees. "Rich in saxaul trees" is what Bayanzag implies. Only the Gobi Desert in Central Asia is home to this tree.

Day 7: Drive from desert to steppe

Today you will journey to Orkhon Valley in approximately 5-6 hours, covering around 280 km. Take in stunning views of the valley, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site and the traditional nomadic homeland of the Mongolian people. Hiking to explore Orkhon Waterfall, a picturesque cascade on the Ulaan Tsutgalan River, stands 20m tall and 10m wide

Accommodation:Ger camp

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Drive to Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park, visit Eagle Valley

Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Travel to Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan

Visit Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, a remarkably stunning lake created by a dam of lava flows from a volcanic eruption long ago. Along the route, we will encounter Khorgo Mountain, an extinct volcano situated to the east of Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. The mountain's volcanic crater measures 200 meters in width and 100 meters in depth. The northern slope is blanketed with Siberian larch trees

Accommodation:Ger camp

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private tour: This journey can also be arranged as a private tour, and you have the option to schedule it on any day that suits you and your loved ones. Simply email us your suggested dates and the size of your group for a price quote

Occupancy: you have the option to stay in a single, twin, or double room/ger/tent (if available). During the Naadam festival (July 5th -15th), single occupancy might not be available at ger camps. At community-based camps and ger homestays, individual occupancy depends on availability. An additional supplement is required for single and twin/double occupancy at ger camps, as indicated in the table above.

Day 19: Travel to Ulaanbaatar

Travel back to Ulaanbaatar for 100kms. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. End of the service.

Accommodation:None

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch