Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

Our driver will greet you at the airport/railway station and transfer you to a city center hotel located within 5-20 min walking distance from the central square, museums, attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Day 2: Elsentasarkhai semi desert, experience nomad life and camel riding

The voyage starts to Elsentasarhai, a unique place representing features of the Gobi desert, mountain steppes, and grasslands in a single area. Arrive in Elsentasarkhai by lunchtime and visit a nomad family. After the nomadic lunch, you will ride two-humped camels. Spend the rest of the day learning and experiencing first-hand the nomadic life. In the evening, try authentic Mongolian barbecue cooked with hot stones.

Accommodation: Extra Ger of Nomads
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kharkhorin, Erdenezuu Monastery

Start the voyage to Kharkhorin, formerly known as the Karakorum, which once was the capital of Genghis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the move of the Mongolian capital to Beijing and the fall of the Empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by Min soldiers in 1388. Today, in the broad valley of the Orkhon River, awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious items in the monastery museum, view its stunning architecture, visit Kharakhorum Museum, and discover historical relics left from the destroyed city.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4-5: Khorgo TerhiinTsagaan National Park

Along the way to the National Park, we will visit the dairy product market at Tsetserleg, a central town of Arkhangai, and see the panoramic view of the town from on a hill. Next, break the driving at the Chuluut River, which flows between 30-50 m lava canyons. The Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of flora & fauna. There are several extinct volcanoes within the national park area. The most spectacular and the most accessible one is Khorgo volcano. Astonishingly beautiful clear water Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (known as Great White Lake) was formed when lava flows from the volcanoes block the North and South Terkh Rivers. The lake is renowned for its fish and birdlife, including the Ruddy Shellduck and Great Cormorant. Arrive at the national park in the afternoon. On the following day, we will climb the volcano on stairs and trails. Once you are on the volcano, walk along the volcano rim with outstanding views of surrounding areas, a small village by the volcano, and a sight of the Terhkiin Tsagaan Lake. Next, tour to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake.

Accommodation: Extra Ger of Nomads
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Ulaagchiin Khar Lake

Leave the ger camp early in the morning to travel to picturesque Zavkhan province of different natural zones and landscapes of Gobi Desert, forests, and mountain steppes. Arrive at the beautiful Ulaagchiin Khar Lake late afternoon, relax and swim if you wish. It is one of the unique lakes in Mongolia shored by dunes while the other shore edges with the mountains.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Senjit Rock, Mongol Els dunes and Mukhartiin Gol River

From today on, we will follow the Grand Tour Mongolia trails. Our today’s main destination is the Mongol Els dunes. On the way, you will see the Senjit Khad Rock natural arch on a mountain top, which provides awe-inspiring vistas of the Khangai and Gobi Desert mountains. Have lunch with the view of Mongol sand dunes and a river. Next, we will see the Mukhartiin Gol River sources under the huge sand dunes. Seeing the Mukhartiin Gol River requires us some hiking through the dunes.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Twin Lakes and Bust Lake

Today, you will drive in the transition zone from the Gobi desert to mountain steppes to a forested area and through the lakes’ depression. On the way, you will see the Twin Lakes, followed by a drive to beautiful Bust Lakes. Arrive at Bust Lake in the evening and discover the surrounding.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Creepy Teepee, Boshlai Khad Rock on the Junction of Delger and Beltes Rivers

In the morning, you will see a creepy teepee and a land crack. The landscape changes to more mountainous and forestry areas. You will do scenic driving through mountain valleys and over mountain passes. Late afternoon, arrive at Boshloi Khad rock formation on the Delger and Belts river junction. Camping among the rocky mountains.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Ushir Waterfall and explore Erkhel Lake deer stones and Khuvsgul Lake

In the morning, you will drive up the Beltes River to see the Ushir Waterfall. The journey continues to the world's freshest water lake, Lake Khuvsgul. This 136km-long, 38km-wide lake lies 1600m above sea level in the middle of a Siberian Taiga forest and among majestic sheer rock mountains. The lake and its surrounding area are pristine and have much to offer its guests. Along the way, we explore ancient deer stones spread widely throughout Central Asia. Some 600 deer stones have been found in Central Asia, 500 of them discovered in the territory of Mongolia. Deer stones are the first monuments of humans; the earliest of them belong to the 13th to the 9th century BC, while most of them date to The Bronze Age. On restored, standing stones, pictures including the sun, the moon, belts, knives, and jumping deer were carved fantastically. After settling in at a ger camp conveniently located on the western shore of the lake, you will enjoy free time.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Reindeer Family Visit and Horse Riding at Khuvsgul Lake

The Reindeer Tsaatan people live in the depths of the taiga forest. A few reindeer are the primary resource of their livelihood. In the summer months, some reindeer families move down from the Taiga mountains close to the lake to supplement their income. After breakfast, we will visit the reindeer people and take pictures with the reindeer. Then, we will drive back to the ger camp to have lunch and spend the rest of the day riding horses along the lake’s shore, and climb a nearby mountain to see the lake from up.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Urantogoo extinct volcano

Drive to Urantogoo volcano via Moron town. Urantogoo volcano became extinct 800,000 years ago. Trees cover the northern slope of the mountain, and inside of the crater, besides it features a small lake. The volcano summit is accessible after a challenging hike up, but the amazing vista is well worth it once you are on the top.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Along the way to Amarbayasgalant monastery, we will drive via Erdenet, a copper mine city and a central town of Bulgan province. Amarbaysgalant is the second largest and the most stunning monastery in terms of architecture. It was built in Chinese and Mongolian style between 1727 and 1736. The afternoon visit to the monastery features huge statues of Buddha built on the mountains.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Return to Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day to be in the unique and unforgettable countryside of Mongolia. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, check into a hotel and enjoy a restful, free afternoon.

Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Transfer to the airport/railway station

We will transfer you to the airport/railway station.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Price

Background

The Grand Grand Tour Mongolia covers the vast territory of central Mongolia, Gobi Desert, western Mongolia, and northern Mongolia. Thus, you will find yourself in different settings of different regions in beautiful Mongolia. At the same time, altitude and temperature differentiate. You will travel over lands elevated 1300 to 2100 m above sea level. Regarding the activities, the tour does not require physical challenges. There are 1-2 hours of soft hiking on some days. Active travelers can extend the hiking distance and duration, or make it challenging, trekking up hills for more experience and scenery. Local equestrians and your guide will help with the horse and camel riding. All travelers should be prepared for wilderness camping, 4 to 7 hours of daily driving on the paved and bumpy roads, and shared bathrooms in the ger camps. You can stay at private bathroom gers at some ger camps, paying additional charges. Please request the private bathroom ger camps in advance.

Tour meals are included according to the itinerary. In the countryside, ger camps serve occasional European but mainly Mongolian meals. Meat is the main ingredient for meals and is served for lunch and dinner along with vegetables, salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals. A typical breakfast is tea or coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, and sausage. There are some cookies, cheese, cereals, pancakes, and more at some ger camps for breakfast. For lunch, meals include salads, Mongolian soups, and the main course (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers), and dessert and tea. Salads, the main course, a dessert, and tea will be served for dinner. With nomads, you will try authentic Mongolian meals. Different types of meals offered simultaneously are not customary in Mongolian tradition.
The guide will cook the camping meals. Your contribution to the camping meals will be helpful and an experience.
If you are a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance, and we will make arrangements accordingly. We will supply two 0.5L bottles of water a day. Supplying one large bottle (1.5 liters) of water instead of 2 small bottles of water is available upon request. More information on Mongolia meals.

Mongolian tourism depends highly on the season, and seasonal accommodation ger camps are fully open between 15 May and 20 September. During the Grand Grand Tour Mongolia, you will stay 7 nights at standard gers of ger camps, one night in an extra ger of a nomad family, 2 nights in a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, and camping for 4 days. Ger and hotel upgrade is available based on your request. For more detailed information about accommodations, please visit our recommended hotels in Mongolia and Mongolia Ger camps and Nomad family stay

The majority of our company's guides are English speaking. We also have guides who speak German, French, Spanish, and Japanese. They are all friendly, and helpful, and most of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia. During the camel riding, a local guide will support you.

Regarding land transport, most of our tours were designed for four-wheel drive Japanese off-road vehicles driven by experienced, friendly and knowledgeable mechanic-drivers. You may check the travel vehicle details at Mongolia transportation.

The most suitable time to travel along the Grand Grand Tour Mongolia itinerary is between 10 May and 20 September. During this period, the weather will be warm and enjoyable. Mongolia is elevated at least 700 m high above the surrounding Siberian plateau and Chinese territory. Therefore, the weather fluctuates a lot; hourly, daytime, and at night. May, the beginning of June, and September temperatures are unpredictable. There will be occasional chill wind and snowfalls in the mentioned months. Average monthly temperatures are +18 degrees, the highest at 28 degrees during the daytime. The night temperature may drop to +8 degrees at the end of May, June, late August, and September. July could be the hottest or be the wettest. The average day temperature is +28 degrees, the hottest +38 degrees, and the night temperature could drop to +12 degrees. For your pre-departure preparation, you may check discovery tour detailed packing list of the discovery tours and Mongolia travel regulations.

To plan your dream holiday or customize the tour exclusively for you, what to do and see in Mongolia page may help you.

As well as, please check attractions in the Mongolian Gobi and Central Mongolia

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