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Our cultural journey begins in Southern Mongolia’s Gobi region, where breathtaking canyons, sandy deserts, and majestic mountains await. We’ll embark on camelback to explore the vast sand dunes, connect with local families, capture stunning canyon vistas, and uncover the region’s hidden gems. Venturing beyond the southern highlights, we’ll delve into history at Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, and visit the Erdenezuu monastery nestled upon its ruins.

Continuing our adventure, we’ll journey to western Mongolia to meet the renowned eagle hunters and witness the age-old tradition of golden eagles in the wild. Here, amidst the rugged beauty of the mountains, we’ll witness nature’s raw power and immerse ourselves in the rich culture of the region.

Throughout our travels, accommodations in Ulaanbaatar and the Gobi will provide modern comforts like electricity, hot showers, and plush bedding in hotel rooms and traditional ger camps. In the western wilderness, we’ll stay with local families, equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including the expertise of our own professional cook.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • White Stupa
  • Biggest Sand Dune in Mongolia
  • Camel Ride in Gobi desert
  • Flaming Cliffs
  • Ongi Temple Ruin
Itinerary

Day 1The White Stupa

You’ll picked up from your accommodation and driven straight to the White Stupa, a journey of about 5-6 hours. Once part of the seafloor, this escarpment resembles a white stupa, earning its name Tsagaan Suvarga (white stupa). Stretching 400 meters in length and rising 60 meters with a sheer 90-degree edge, it’s quite a sight. After rainfall, water cascades down, giving it the appearance of a massive waterfall and creating a surface reminiscent of Mars. It’s the perfect time to leisurely stroll along the White Stupa, capturing stunning photos, including drone shots, especially during the sunset.(B/L/D)White Stupa

Day 2Eagle Valley

You’ll head to the Yol Valley, also known as Lammergeier Valley, in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain National Park /Three Beauties of the Gobi/ for about 3-4 hours. This valley is a beautiful spot nestled in the Gobi desert, with thick ice almost year-round. The cliffs are incredibly high, blocking much of the sunlight, which helps the snow to stick around even in the summer. If you visit before August, you’ll encounter a glacier among the rocky cliffs as you ascend towards the ravine. Exploring the valley usually takes around 2-3 hours. For the remainder of the day, you can relax at the Mongolian Ger tourist camp, where you’ll have access to a hot shower. All the Gers are equipped with comfy mattresses and crisp white blankets.(B/L/D)Eagle Valley

Day 3Khongor Sand Dunes

Embark on a journey to Khongoryn Els, the largest sand dune in Mongolia, towering up to 300 meters high. The drive covers about 200 kilometers, taking roughly 4 to 5 hours to reach the destination.

You’ll visit a local camel herder family, where you’ll also experience riding Mongolian Bactrian camels. As your first experience of Gobi, you’ll explore the Khongor sand dune on the camelback. The dual-humped Bactrian camels offer a smooth riding experience due to their leisurely and gentle pace and our camel guide ensuring a safe journey through the sandy terrain. You’ll also get to discover the beauty of the Seruun-Bulag oasis nestled amidst the dunes.

One of the highlights of the Khongor sand dune is climbing Duut Mankhan, also known as Sounding Dunes, for the sunset. It’s very challenging but quite safe. Climbing up is a blast, as the dune’s steep slope makes your feet slip with each step. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of nature, with unusual vibrant hues of the setting sun.

It’s typical for cloud cover in the desert to be sparse, which keeps the sky clean. This gives you a chance to gaze at the countless stars that adorn the night sky. Overnight at the tourist camp with a hot shower, white blankets.(B/L/D)

Day 4Flaming Cliffs - Ongi Temple Ruin

You’ll drive approximately 160 km distance for about 4 hours and arrive in Bayanzag which is a famous archaeological site with its rich fossil finds, including dinosaur eggs and skeletons, which provide valuable insights into prehistoric life. Its history is deeply connected with paleontological discoveries made by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews in the early 20th century.

You’ll wander through the terrain where dinosaurs once roamed, observing saksaul trees and other typical desert vegetation. The region is also famously known as Flaming Cliffs. The Flaming Cliffs are named for the vibrant red and orange tones that light up the landscape forming a breathtaking visual display.  Flaming CliffsThen, you’ll depart from the Gobi to reach the Ongi Temple ruins, which once stood as one of Mongolia’s largest monasteries, hosting over 1000 monks at its peak. Unfortunately, many sections of the Ongi monastery were completely demolished in 1939 during anti-religious purges. Given the considerable distance between Kharkhorin and the Flaming Cliffs, attempting it in a single day would entail a very long drive. Therefore, you’ll spend the night relaxing at the Ongi temple ruins. Take a leisurely evening stroll through the area and spend the night at a lovely tourist camp.(B/L/D)Ongi Temple Ruins

Day 5Return Ulaanbaatar

You’ll drive to Ulaanbaatar for about 4-5 hours covering 370 kilometers on paved roads. Upon reaching Ulaanbaatar, you’ll embark on a city tour, where you can opt to go shopping for souvenirs or visit various sightseeing spots in Ulaanbaatar, as discussed with your tour guide.(B/L)

Price Includes

  • English Speaking Tour Guide
  • 4x4 vehicles & fuel
  • All accommodation during the trip
  • All meals during the tripWe can also gather for vegetarians and gluten free if required at no additional charges
  • Beverages

Price Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Hotel & meals in Ulaanbaatar
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages

Tour Map