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  • Group price$1750
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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
  • Camel herders in Gobi desert
  • Flaming Cliffs
  • Kharkhorin & Erdenezuu Monastery
  • Genghis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park
Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Ulaanbaatar - 14th May Tuesday

We’ll be there to greet you at the airport when you arrive. Chinggis Khan International Airport is about 50 kilometers from downtown, and the drive to the city usually takes around an hour. The evening rush hour can be quite busy, so if you’re arriving in the evening, expect the drive to the hotel to take about three hours.

For those arriving in the morning or early hours, we suggest exploring some local attractions. We’ll organize a city tour for you, including visits to the Chinggis Khan Museum, which boasts a fascinating collection of historical artifacts, and the Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s top Buddhist destination. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.(D)
Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar

Day 2The White Stupa - 15th May Wednesday

You’ll be 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 3Eagle Valley - 16th May Thursday

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)

Day 4Khongor Sand Dunes - 17th May Friday

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)Khongor Sand Dunes

Day 5Flaming Cliffs - 18th May Saturday

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 during sunrise and sunset, forming a breathtaking visual display. Overnight at the tourist camp with a hot shower, white blankets.(B/L/D)Flaming Cliffs

Day 6Ongi Temple Ruins - 19th May Sunday

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 River

Day 7Kharkhorin -The Ancient Capital of Mongolia - 20th May Monday

Continuing the journey, you’ll head towards the ancient Erdene Zuu monastery, which is roughly a 5-6 hour drive covering approximately 230 kilometers on dirt roads. Kharkhorin, once the capital of the ancient Mongol Empire in the 13th century, is now a historical town located in the Arkhangai province.
Dating back to the 13th century, the construction of Kharkhorum was completed during the reign of Chinggis Khan’s successor, Ogodei Khan. It served as a political and trade hub along the legendary Silk Road, the primary trade network spanning across Eurasia.

Next is a visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Mongolia. Built on the ruins of the ancient capital and using its stones, Erdene Zuu Monastery emerged after the introduction of Buddhism in Mongolia in the late 16th century. Today, it is considered one of the most significant monasteries in the country and operates as a museum open to tourists. You’ll spend the night in a tourist Ger camp.(B/L/D)Erdenezuu Monastery

Day 8Drive back to Ulaanbaatar - 21st May Tuesday

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)

Day 9Genghis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park - 22nd May Wednesday

You’ll picked up from your accommodation and will make your way to the Genghis Khan Statue about 1 hour. The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, part of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, stands at a towering 40 meters, making it the world’s tallest equestrian statue. Visitors can walk through the horse’s chest and neck to reach the head, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Additionally, we’ll visit the small museum downstairs to learn about the history of the Ancient Mongol Empire.Genghis Khan Horse StatueAfterward, we’ll drive to the nearby Gorkhi Terelj National Park where we explore the Turtle Rock and Ariabal Monastery. Unlike the nearby steppes, this area boasts mountains and trees, with large stands of tamaracks that turn golden in the fall. The park features a stunning alpine landscape, numerous rock formations for rock climbers, and includes a well-known landmark called Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) due to its turtle-like shape. Renowned as a sightseeing destination, this gigantic rock formation, sculpted solely by wind and rainwater, sits just off the main road into the park.Terelj National Park & Turtle RockLocated on the hillside of a mountain covered with larches and granite rock, the temple offers a serene setting for visitors. On the path to the temple, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge marked with a sign that reads “the bridge that leads beyond wisdom.” The main temple is dedicated to the Kalachakra philosophy, often referred to as the “wheel of time.” Inside, you’ll find a thangka depicting the myth of Shambhala, a Kalachakra mandala, and various artifacts associated with this belief. On the ground floor of the temple, there’s a “gallery of Buddhist philosophy” featuring 220 original paintings by the artist Bayantsagaan, each representing different Buddhist beliefs and philosophies. Perched atop the hill overlooking the temple is a new Buddha sculpture carved into the rock. At the summit of the cliffs, there’s a meditation hut for those seeking solace and contemplation. When you climb up to the temple you’ll have a picturesque view of the national park from its summit.Ariabal MonasteryThen, you’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar for about 1-2 hours, depending on evening traffic.(B/L)

Day 10Departure - 23rd May Thursday

Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to Chinggis Khan International Airport. We’ll bid you farewell, hoping that we were able to be a part of your unforgettable vacation and add some color to your life.(B)

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
  • Camel riding
  • All permissions and tickets

Price Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel Insurance
  • Room Service Fees
Map