Itinerary

Sept 3, Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

A driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a centrally located hotel. Free day to relax and discover the city on your own while staying in a good location central hotel.

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Sept 4, Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs

Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at 8:15 AM and start the tour to the Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs in the Gobi desert. The area is one of the most famous attractions in the Gobi Desert, where all visitors wish their pictures taken among this colorful natural formation. Hiking down and up along the trails of the stupa-shaped colorful cliffs takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 5, Day 3: Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park and hiking in Eagle Valley

The Gobi Gurban Saikhan means "Three beautiful mountains in the Gobi.” The Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain is a beautiful national park, rich in wildlife and scenic places. Among them, Yoliin Am/Bearded Eagle Valley is one of the picturesque valleys accessible by car. After our vehicle brings us to a designated parking area, we will walk through the resplendent valley into the depths of a sheer rock canyon, which accepts no sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. The hiking continues for 2.5 to 3 hours for travel into the valley and back to the vehicle. Bearded Eagles, elusive wild sheep, and ibexes are indigenous to the valley.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 6, Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes

Our journey will continue to Khongor, part of the Gobi Gurban Saikhan National Park. After reaching the sand dunes, you will hike along the green stream shore, climb sand dunes, visit a nomad family and ride two-humped camels for an hour. If you can climb one of the tallest sand dunes, spread the sand northwards against the wind to find out why locals call the sand dunes "Singing Sand.” The sunset/sunrise and the views are fantastic from the top of the sand dunes.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 7, Day 5: Khavtsgait Rock Drawings and the Flaming Cliffs

Our adventure will continue on the northern side of the West Saikhan Mountain to explore the Khavtsgait Rock drawings, which date back to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. You will reach Khavtsgait rock drawing after 2 km of soft trekking in return ways. Afterward, the journey continues to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the remains of dinosaurs, including the first dinosaur eggs ever discovered on earth. The cliffs are picturesque and photogenic at sunset.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 8, Day 6: Bayanzag Saxual tree grove and driving to Ongi Monastery on the open steppes

7 km north of the Flaming Cliffs, you will see the Gobi Desert tree grove covers a vast land. This endemic tree grows only in the Central Asian desert. Next, you drive through slate mountains, followed by 80 km of Ongi steppes heading to Ongi Monastery. Ongi Monastery was one of the seven biggest monasteries in Mongolia. There were two separate monasteries, consisting of more than 30 temples on the north and south shores of the Ongi River, surrounded by the Gobi Desert mountains; socialists destroyed the monastery in the 1930s. Now the ruins of the monasteries cover a large area. Visit a new active temple and a ger museum, explore the monastery ruins, and climb a nearby mountain to see the panoramic views of the surrounding areas.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 9, Day 7: Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall and the Orkhon Valley National Park

Our journey takes place in the transition zone from the Gobi Desert to the mountain steppes heading to Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. Ulaantsutgalan is the central Mongolian largest waterfall, which falls from 24 high lava cliffs. Arrive at the Orkhon River late afternoon. Spend the rest of the day seeing Ulaantsutgalan waterfall and hiking along the Orkhon River canyons.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 10, Day 8: Hiking to Tovhon Monastery

You will spend the day exploring the Orkhon River Valley and hiking to Tovhon Monastery. This small monastery was built on 2312 m rocky top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain. Reaching the monastery will require 3 hours of soft hiking up and down the mountain, but not steep. The vista is incredible from the mountaintop.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 11, Day 9: Arkhangai province, explore the nomadic life and try authentic Mongolian barbecue

This day begins with a short tour of Tsetserleg town of Arkhangai province, including the local market visit. Continue the journey to meet a yak-herding nomadic family and relish in an authentic Mongolian barbecue for lunch. Discover more about the traditional nomadic life of northern Mongolian nomads. Next, drive through the picturesque landscapes of Arkhangai with a stop at the Chuluut River canyon. Arrive at Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 12, Day 10: Explore Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park

The Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of its flora & fauna. There are several extinct volcanoes within the National Park area. The most spectacular and accessible is Khorgo Volcano. Astonishingly beautiful, clear water lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (known as Great White Lake) formed after lava flow from the volcanoes blocked the north and south water access from the Terkh River. The lake is renowned for its fish and birdlife, including the Ruddy Shellduck and Great Cormorant. Today, you climb the Khorgo Volcano, now extinct for nearly 8000 years. Climb the volcano on stairs and trails, and upon reaching the top, walk along the volcano rim with outstanding views of surrounding areas; a small village can be seen from the volcano, as well as a bird’s eye view of Terhkiin Tsagaan Lake. In the afternoon, travel to freshwater Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 13, Day 11: Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu Monastery in the Orkhon Valley

Kharkhorin, formerly known as the Karakorum, was once 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 in 1388. Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious items in the monastery museum and view its stunning architecture, followed by a visit to Kharakhorum Museum.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 14, Day 12: Visit nomads, horse riding and return to Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day you spend in the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. On your way to Ulaanbaatar, visit horse herding nomad family and ride horses. Return to Ulaanbaatar between 5 and 6 PM.

Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sept 15, Day 13: Fly to Ulgii town

Fly to and land in Ulgii town after a 2.5-hour drive. Check in at a ger camp. Next, visit Ulgii town and have dinner at a town restaurant. Return to the ger camp after dinner.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 16, Day 14: Visit Eagle Hunter Kazakhs and Ulgii town tour

Today, you visit an eagle-hunting Kazakh family to observe the life of the eagle hunters and communicate with both the eagles and hunters in person. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ulgii Museum and market.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 17 to 18, Day 15 to 16: Golden Eagle Festival

The impressive Golden Eagle Festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters dressed in traditional hunting clothes, riding horses, and holding their eagles in their right arms. Up to 60 eagle hunters are participating in the festival. Those will be 2 full days to see the eagle hunting festival, competitions, hunting techniques, the Eagles’ agility, and ability, besides some nomadic customs.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sept 19, Day 17: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Have relaxing morning. Climb the Zaisan Hill to see the panoramic view of the town, visit handcraft shop and fly back to Ulaanbaatar after lunch.

Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sept 20, Day 18: Departure

The driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Price

Background

On this Mongolia odyssey, you will explore the most exciting attractions and scenic areas of the beautiful and unique Gobi Desert, central Mongolian hilly steppes, mountainous and forested northern Mongolia along with its famous attraction, Khuvsgul Lake.
The final part of the trip highlights the spectacular September Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia, taking return domestic flights. The tour does not include overly demanding physical activities. Traveling in Mongolia always requires long driving through changing landscapes, offering scenic views on vast open steppes. This tour has limited the driving time to as little as possible, with approximate driving times between 4.5 to 6 hours daily. The longest driving day is on day 2, approximately 7-8 hours, including a lunch stop. The itinerary includes some light activities such as 1-3 hours of mild hiking, an hour of camel riding, and 1-2 hours of horse riding with the support of your guide and local guides. The most challenging experience of the tour could be climbing high sand dunes in the Gobi Desert, which is not mandatory, and visitors may opt to climb one of the lower sand hills. Climbing Khorgo volcano on Day 9 could be a bit strenuous for some people as the area’s elevation is 2000 m above sea level; however, the climbing is short and gradual. During the Eagle Festival, you will spend 6 to 7 hours, respectively on 2 days.

Tour meals are included according to the itinerary. In the countryside, ger camps serve both European meals and 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 of the ger camps for breakfast.
For lunch, meals include salads, Mongolian soups and a main course (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers), and dessert and tea.
Salads, a 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. 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 larger bottle (1.5 liters) of water instead of 2 small bottles of water is available upon request. More informarion on Mongolia meals

During the trip, you will stay in the twin rooms in a centrally located 3* hotel for 3 nights and twin gers of ger camps for 17 nights. The gers camps consist of several traditional dwelling gers, restaurants that serve with daily set menus, and shower and WC for sharing with other travelers. More information on Ger camp ger camps

The majority of our company's guides are English speaking. German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese-speaking guides are available upon request. All of our guides are friendly and helpful. The majority of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia. During horse and camel riding, local equestrians will support you.

For group tours, Toyota Hiace or Grand Starex vans are used during the Gobi Desert, Central, and Northern Mongolia trips. The vehicles will be Russian vans in western Mongolia. Private tour vehicles depend on the group size and the client's preference. You may check the travel vehicle details at Mongolia transportation

Absolutely, yes. September is the end of the tourist season, but it is still the best time to travel to Mongolia. The weather will be pleasant when traveling to the Gobi Desert, with slightly chilly mornings and evenings. Though it will be less crowded in the Gobi Desert, it gets even less crowded when you travel to central and northern Mongolia. September's daytime temperatures in the Gobi Desert fluctuate around +20°C, with the highest reaching +26°C. Please expect temperatures between +8 and +20°C when traveling to central and northern Mongolia. The night temperature drops by 5 by 10°C. September receives relatively low precipitation. If it rains, the temperature could drop to near 0 degrees Celsius in the mountainous areas. For your pre-departure preparation, please check the discovery tour packing list.

Rewiews