Contrasts of Mongolia 19 days

  • Size:1 to 15 PAX
  • Moderate
  • Duration:18 nights/19 days

Overview

This journey enables you to explore a wide range of cultural richness and natural wonders throughout the country from South to North. Your tour will begin in the famous Gobi desert. The Gobi desert spans 1.3 million square kilometers, featuring scorching summers and frigid winters. Gobi is famous globally for its fossilized dinosaur eggs and skeletons. In the Great Gobi, we will explore the site where these eggs and skeletons were discovered in the 1920s, the Tsagaan Suvarga limestone formation, towering 300-meter dunes, camel rides across the dunes, and remnants of the ancient Gobi temple. From Gobi, we’ll slowly progress to the Orkhon river valley—UNESCO World Heritage site—where we’ll explore the remnants of the ancient capital city of the Great Mongol Empire and one of Mongolia’s largest Buddhist monasteries. Subsequently at shimmering blue lakes like Terkhiin Tsagaan and Khuvsgul. This journey reveals the true contrast of Mongolia, ranging from dry deserts to lush mountains and lakes

Date:

5 June

26 June

5 July

26 July

5 Aug

25 Aug

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

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

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Baga Gazriin Chuluu

Day 1: Travel to Baga Gazriin Chuluu

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

Day 2: Travel to Tsagaan Suvarga

Day 2: Travel to Tsagaan Suvarga

In the morning it’s back on the road – today you head further south to the imposing cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, translated into English as “White Stupa”, named after its looks. This stunning area is 30 meters 30-meter-high white limestone formation and was created over thousands of years by natural wind. Hike to venture into the sedimented cliffs for some great opportunities for photography.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Travel to Yol Valley – Hiking

Day 3: Travel to Yol Valley – Hiking

In the morning we will drive to Yol Valley (Lammergeier’s Gorge) about 220 km. This picturesque place is nestled between the beautiful peaks of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain and shelters rich wildlife. Visit the Gobi museum and hike through the valley.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Travel to Khongor Sand Dune & Bactrian Camel Ride

Day 4: Travel to Khongor Sand Dune & Bactrian Camel Ride

Travel to Khongor dunes for 180 km. Known as Singing dunes, the Khongor dunes are up to 300ms high, 15kms wide, and 180kms long. Afternoon we will walk through the Golden Dunes. The view is incredible from the top of the dunes. Optional camel riding is available.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Explore ancient petroglyphs and Bayanzag

Day 5: Explore ancient petroglyphs and Bayanzag

Proceed to Bayanzag for 170 km. During the journey, you will pause at the historic holy site of Khavtsgait, where atop a stony elevation lie hundreds of age-old stone carvings known as petroglyphs. A few of them date back to 3000 BC and were created by hunters while they awaited their prey. The location provides stunning vistas of the desert. You will soon reach the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. Here you will find the Saksaul forest in the Gobi desert along with the red flaming cliffs, shaped by the erosion of sand and rock over countless years. This location was inhabited by dinosaurs 70 million years ago and is globally renowned for its dinosaur fossils, including intact skeletons, eggs, and hatchlings from the Cretaceous Period

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:Travel to the temple ruin of Ongi & Walking

Day 6:Travel to the temple ruin of Ongi & Walking

Today we will drive to the north of the Ongi temple ruins. Walk among the ruins and see the reconstructed temples. Ongi is a ruined and partially rebuilt monastery founded in 1760 to commemorate Dalai Lama’s first visit to Mongolia, It’s available to see the stupa displaying the names of the victims and perhaps meet the local monks

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Drive from desert to steppe

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 8: Travel to Kharakhorum

Day 8: Travel to Kharakhorum

Journey for 120 km to Kharakhorum. Kharakhorum is the historic capital of Mongolia, where Chinggis Khan set up his base in 1220. In 1235, his son and successor, Ogodei, constructed a palace surrounded by walls. You will explore a fascinating local museum that highlights the history of Mongolia and the Erdenezuu monastery, the largest and first Buddhist temple complex in Mongolia constructed on the remnants of the 16th-century city of Kharakhorum. Next, we will go to a local cooperative to participate in a workshop focused on crafting felt items by hand.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Travel to Tsenkher hot spring

Day 9: Travel to Tsenkher hot spring

Travel to Tsenkher hot spring and reach the hot spring area. Enjoy taking a bath with hot spring water at +86.5 degrees Celsius with the stench of hydrogen sulphide

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Travel to Taikhar rock

Day 10: Travel to Taikhar rock

Time to relax. Meal at Ger camp. Post-lunch, head to Taikhar Rock. En route, we will stop at Zaya Gegeen Temple located in Tsetserleg town

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Travel to Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan

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

Day 12:Travel to Zuun Lake

Day 12:Travel to Zuun Lake

Travel to the Khuvsgul province. Today we will be exploring beautiful flowers covering the steppe.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13-14 : Travel to Khuvsgul Lake & Walking around the lake

Day 13-14 : Travel to Khuvsgul Lake & Walking around the lake

Visit Murun town, the provincial hub of Khuvsgul. Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, proceed to the pristine lake Khuvsgul. In the late afternoon, we will take pleasure in walking by the lake, where we discover unique medicinal herbs and wildflowers. Additionally, you can ascend a nearby mountain for a sweeping view of the lake

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Travel to Uran Togoo mountain

Day 15: Travel to Uran Togoo mountain

Today we will travel to Uran Mountain, an extinct volcano with a crater of 600m wide and 50m deep and explore the surrounding natural beauty.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16-17 Travel to Gurvanbulag community Ger camp

Day 16-17 Travel to Gurvanbulag community Ger camp

Journey to the community-run Ger camp in Gurvanbulag located within the buffer area of Khognokhan Nature Reserve. Trekking to nearby mountains, relish a sweeping vista of the valley. Horse riding is offered as an option. For dinner, you'll enjoy "Khorkhog," a true Mongolian barbecue cooked with heated stones. Relish classic games during the evening

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: Wildlife Tracking – Wild horses

Day 18: Wildlife Tracking – Wild horses

Travel to Hustai National Park. This beautiful area of 50620ha reserve protects wild Mongolian horses famed as Takhi (Przewalski’s Horse). Visit the Information Center. In the afternoon, you will explore and hike in the park to spot wild horses.

Accommodation:Ger camp
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19: Travel to Ulaanbaatar

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

Backgrounds

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.

Discounts*: Our clients have the chance to take advantage of the following discount options:

A 10% early bird discount applies to reservations made 9 months ahead.

A 5% discount for early bookings is available for reservations made 6 months prior.

Children aged 2 and under can travel for free, those between 3 and 8 receive a 40% discount, while kids aged 9 to 12 get a 20% discount. Age on the final day of the tour. /Children's discount does not apply to adult rates/

*Discounts cannot be combined; each client/group is eligible for only one discount

More information: contact@mongolhorizons.com

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