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13 days tour

Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads

$ 5,130 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $5,130.00

Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads

This tour includes:

Accommodation

We use hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Arvaikheer and ger camps elsewhere. This traditional accommodation is airy and usually contains a central wood-burning stove (in the summer the stoves are not normally needed). The bathrooms are normally shared and all have hot water (due to the remoteness of the camps this can, at times, be erratic). Many of the ger camps now have 24-hour electricity in the ger itself for charging batteries. If there is no charging facility inside the ger, there are charging facilities in the common area (though this may be during limited periods of the day when the generator is turned on). There is normally no more than two people per ger; however, in some cases, due to availability issues, we may need to have triples in the ger. There may also be rare occasions when a single cannot be guaranteed in a particular ger camp.

Transport

We travel in a convoy of 4x4s (four passengers per vehicle) as we make our way around central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. Driving in the wilderness can be hard going on minivans/larger vehicles. They may experience punctures and may need to be cooled down as overheating is common. We use Jeeps as they are much more reliable and able to navigate rough roads better than the larger minivans often used. Although rare, punctures/issues can occur so please come with an open mind. We may also use a coach for getting around Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park. We also use one internal flight.

Guide

We are led by a local tour leader who is accompanied by an experienced Mongolian guide. Other trip staff include drivers and local assistants as needed.

Meals

All meals included. Traditional Mongolian diets are very meat and dairy heavy. While there are opportunities to try some of these products, such as dry curd and fermented mareโ€™s milk, the meals provided in the ger camps are generally Western meals, at times with an Asian influence. There is normally some form of soup and salad plus a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for; if you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements, please inform us in advance. Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are buffets while others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot dish. On some days, a pack lunch is provided, this is often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and is generally from large water containers, so make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is the opportunity to buy snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple of other occasions along the way when we drive through towns or villages.

Not included:

Others

โ€” Travel Insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Ulaanbaatar
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Ulaanbaatar

      The adventure begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Anyone who arrives early can explore some of the city sites, including Sukhbaatar Square (the main square), the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store. A group welcome briefing is held at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: To Khustain Nuruu National Park; Trek To See Przewalskiโ€™S Horses; Overnight In Ger Camp (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: To Khustain Nuruu National Park; Trek To See Przewalskiโ€™S Horses; Overnight In Ger Camp (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Before leaving UB, we visit the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia and the seat of Buddhist studies in Mongolia. Here we may see monks praying and a 65ft (20m) tall gold-and-bronze statue of Migjid Janraisig. We then drive on the main road westwards towards Karakorum, making a detour to Khustain Nuruu National Park, two hours west of Ulaanbaatar. Khustain Nuruu is famous for the re-introduction of Mongoliaโ€™s wild horse. The Przewalskiโ€™s horse (also known as the takhi horse) is native and almost became extinct earlier in the 20th century. Through the efforts of several Mongolian and international organisations, these magnificent wild horses now roam in the steppes of the national park once again. We visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses. Tonight is our first night staying in gers, traditional Mongolian felt tents. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 3 Day 3: Drive To Little Gobi Desert; Visit Khogno Khan Mountain; Opportunity For Bird And Wildlife Watching (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Drive To Little Gobi Desert; Visit Khogno Khan Mountain; Opportunity For Bird And Wildlife Watching (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue our journey westwards towards Karakorum along an asphalt road, travelling at an easy pace. Todayโ€™s destination, the Mongol Els (or Little Gobi Desert) is a unique belt of dunes in the steppe. Arriving at lunch, we check into a ger camp before exploring the surrounding region. Bactrian (two-humped) camels wander the desert dunes as horses graze on green steppe nearby โ€“ an incredible sight. We visit nearby Khogno Khan Mountain and the small temple at its base. This region is also renowned for its birdlife, including steppe eagles. We return to camp in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 4 Day 4: To Karakorum; Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: To Karakorum; Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we have a 56mi (90km) drive to Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. It was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongol power base until Kublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery was the largest monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital. Much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalinโ€™s purges of the 1930s, but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and several temples remain. After lunch, we visit the monastery, the modern Karakorum Museum and the surrounding area. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 5 Day 5: Morning Visit To Monastery; Along Northern Edge Of Gobi Desert To Arvaikheer Via Shankh Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Morning Visit To Monastery; Along Northern Edge Of Gobi Desert To Arvaikheer Via Shankh Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue along the paved road to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. On the way, we visit the Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theologist Zanabazar. We should arrive at Arvaikheer mid-afternoon and check into our hotel. We have time to visit the local museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts and possibly go to a local market. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 6 Day 6: To Bayan Gobi Via Ikh Bogd Mountain (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: To Bayan Gobi Via Ikh Bogd Mountain (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today is a long day as we head properly off the tourist route into some of the wilder parts of the Gobi Desert. After an early breakfast, we start our journey and rapidly leave the paved road. The landscape changes as we head deeper into the Gobi, while the majestic Ikh Bogd Mountain, the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai mountain range, should be visible in the distance. After about nine hours of travelling (with stops) we arrive at our ger camp in the wilderness. This is the longest day of driving but is also a highlight of the trip as we pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in Mongolia. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 7 Day 7: See Rock Paintings; Explore Region Of Bayan Gobi (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: See Rock Paintings; Explore Region Of Bayan Gobi (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      After going over a desert pass and visiting the quartz-rich White Cave, our journey continues through classic Gobi Desert scenery of flat stony plains mixed with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch on the way, with views of Arts Bogd mountain to the north. We head off to the Kongoriin Els dunes and arrive in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 8 Day 8: Visit The Singing Dunes, The Largest Dunes In Mongolia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Visit The Singing Dunes, The Largest Dunes In Mongolia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We have a full day to explore the dunes and surrounding area. The Khongoriin Els stretch for 125mi (200km) and are as high as 985ft (300m) in places. They are known as the Singing Dunes, because of the beautiful sound that resonates through them on a windy day. The South Gobi has 100,000 camels, typically used by herders for transportation of their gers. We have the opportunity today to visit a camel-breeding family and learn about the life of the local nomadic herders. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 9 Day 9: Travel Through The Rocky Plains Of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Travel Through The Rocky Plains Of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      This morning, we drive through the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means โ€˜Three Beauties of the Gobiโ€™ and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai range. The park landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, saltpans and oases. We visit a spectacular natural sight, Yolyn Am (Vultureโ€™s Mouth), a canyon so deep and narrow that winter ice can remain on the valley floor even in the height of summer. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species live here, including Mongolian wild asses, argali sheep and the elusive snow leopard. We visit a museum and explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp for the night. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 10 Day 10: Hiking Around The Flaming Cliffs Of Bayanzag (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Hiking Around The Flaming Cliffs Of Bayanzag (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we have time to relax in our luxury ger camp. Either in the morning or afternoon, we take a 43mi (70km) drive to Bayanzag. Known as the Flaming Cliffs, the red-ochre colour can be striking and we have the opportunity for a short hike among colourful sands of red, yellow and orange. Bayanzag is also a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, discovered in the 1920s by Mongolian and American palaeontologists. We are free to explore the region and may even be lucky enough to spot dinosaur fossils. We later return to our ger camp. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 11 Day 11: Fly To Ulaanbaatar; To Terelj National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Fly To Ulaanbaatar; To Terelj National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We leave the Gobi Desert and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, weโ€™re picked up by our bus and drive to Terelj National Park. Though itโ€™s only about 37mi (60km) away, traffic is the main determining factor as to how long this journey takes. Terelj National Park is a large, protected area of green mountain meadows filled with edelweiss and other wildflowers. The contrast to the Gobi Desert is striking and it feels like being in a different country. We then have our final night in a ger. Accommodation: Ger camp

  • Day 12 Day 12: Terelj National Park; Genghis Statue; Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Terelj National Park; Genghis Statue; Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      This morning, we visit the Tibetan-style Aryabala temple, a meditation centre on a mountainside with sweeping views over the national park. As we follow the walk up to the temple, we can read inspirational sayings on placards every few steps. The climb to the temple is not difficult but does involve many steps and can be tiring. We later visit the giant Genghis Khan statue at Tsonjin Boldog. Standing 130ft (40m) tall, it depicts the Mongolian ruler astride his horse and sits on top of the visitor centre (itself 33ft/10m tall). It is possible to climb up onto the horseโ€™s head to get a closer look of Genghis Khanโ€™s face. We finally make our way back to Ulaanbaatar. This evening, we have the option of attending a local song and dance performance at the National Academic Drama Theatre (US$10) before our last meal together. Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13: End In Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: End In Ulaanbaatar (Breakfast)

      The tour ends after breakfast today and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share.

+10
Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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