TOUR ITINERARY DETAILS:

 

Day 1: Arrival in UB

We will meet at either the train station or the airport and first head for your hotel. Once you’re settled in, we’ll give you a basic orientation in UB and talk through the plans for the trip. Depending on the time of day and your energy level, we can go for a walking tour of downtown UB or head for one of the local coffee shops. We like to go out for dinner together on your first night in UB, unless you are too tired of course. In any case, we’ll be leaving early tomorrow so everybody will be turning in rather soon.

 

Day 2: Baga Gazriin Chuluu

After breakfast, we pack our cars and start our journey southwards. Our first destination is Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Literally translated "little rock place", the area features impressive rock formations, valleys and the hidden ruins of a Buddhist temple. After a day of exploring the area, we spend our first night in a Mongolian Gher camp.

 

​Day 3: Tsagaan Suvraga

 

Today the trip takes us back on asphalt roads for a while, until we break off the road towards Tsagaan Suvraga. These cliffs are a colorful sight and make for some beautiful hiking. Once on top, the view over Middle Gobi is breathtaking. We will be able to see the mountain range of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan in the distance, which will be our destination for tomorrow.

 

Day 4: Yolin Am

Yolin Am, or vulture valley, is the most famous gorge in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. Apart from vulture nests, we will see countless small animals living in the valley. The stream cutting through the mountain usually stays frozen even late in summer, so watch your step. We reach Yolin Am around noon and after a day of hiking spend our night in a nearby Gher camp.

​

Day 5: Bayanzag

Bayanzag, about 2h drive north of Yolin Am, was the site where the first fully fossilized dinosaur eggs were ever found. The cliffs of Bayanzag overlook a vast plane, a protected area where Gobi trees are planted to fight desertification. Every evening, the red clay of the Bayanzag cliffs turns into a fiery spectacle in the light of dusk. We spend our night in a camp closeby.

 

Day 6: Khongorin Els

 

To reach Khongorin Els, we are driving over rough terrain for a while. The reward is Khongorin Els, a single sand dune stretching over 100km in length and 200m in height. We will ride camels into the sandy landscape and in the evening scale the highest point of the dune to enjoy the sunset. Once the sun is gone, we spend our night at our Gher camp and take in the night sky.

 

Day 7: Ongiin Khiid

 

Today we are driving a bit longer, leaving Gobi and reaching the central provinces shortly after mid-day. Our destination is Ongii, formerly a center of Mongolian Bhuddism that was destroyed during the mid 20th century and now, as a ruin, serves as both a museum and reminder of that time. The ruins and our camp are nestled in a beautiful valley next to a meandering river. Take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on your own or just relax by the riverbank. It's all in walking distance here.

 

​

 

Day 8: Karakorum City

Today, we will explore the ruins Karakorum city ruin, it was the ancient capital of Great Mongolian Empire built during Ugudei Khan's rein in 1220s. In the center of town youwill find Erdene Zuu monastery. The four stone turtles that originally marked the boundaries of ancient Karakorum still exist nowadays. After visiting the actual site, we will explore the modern Karakorum museum which exhibits many artefacts of the Mongol Empire era, as well as information on Mongolian history and everyday life in Karakorum.

​

Day 9: Return to Ulaanbaatar

We begin our journey back to UB. Along the way, we will stop for lunch. The road to UB has improved considerably over the past few years, so we should reach UB in the early afternoon. We check back into the hotel and enjoy the comforts of civilization.

​

Day 10: City Tour - Half day and rest of the time is for you to chill out in UB

​

While Mongolia is famous for its countryside, many people overlook the treasures hidden in its capital city. Our city tour will cover the main sights, from Sukhbaatar square, National Museum and Gandan temple to the soviet era Zaisan Hill Monument. The second half of the day is free for you, to chill in UB, check out one or two coffee shops and just see Mongolian people of all ages go about their day.

​

Day 11: Departure day - Airport / Train Station Drop Off

​