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)

The Khongor Sand Dunes is one of the top attractions in the Gobi Desert, offering an exhilarating experience like riding Mongolian Bactrian camels and climbing up the impressive 250-meter-high Sounding Dunes. 

We’ll leave White Stupa earlier in the morning and drive towards Khongor Sand dunes for about 5-6 hours. Will have lunch at the Bayandalai village on the way and arrive in Khongor sand dunes around afternoon.

We’ll settle our luggage in the tourist camp. Then will embark on a challenging climb to the Sounding Dunes for the sunset. The ascent is demanding due to the steep incline; with each step up, your feet will slide down with the sand. However, reaching the top rewards you with a breathtaking view of the Khongor Sand Dunes and Sevrey Mountains, bathed in the unique colors of the sunset. The descent is a breeze, thanks to sliding down the dunes.

Return to the tourist camp, where each ger we stay in is equipped with showers and toilets. Enjoy a relaxing hot shower before dinner. The Khongor Sand Dunes is renowned for offering an unparalleled view of the clear night sky adorned with billions of stars. Overnight.(B/L/D)

In the morning, will meet a local camel breeder family and we’ll enjoy camel riding through the sand dunes and have sleds on hand for sliding down the slopes.Will have our lunch at Khongor sand dunes area then our journey takes us to the Flaming Cliffs.

This is the site where U.S. scientist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs in 1920. The name “Flaming Cliffs” derives from their appearance, resembling a fiery landscape during the sunset with an incredible view. We’ll hike approximately cliffs during the sunset. Overnight in tourist camp with facilities.(B/L/D)

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)

We’ll move to the heart of Orkhon valley to meet a local nomadic family to experience their daily lifestyle. The drive will take around 5-6 hours from Ongi temple ruin to the Orkhon valley and we will arrive at the Mongolian nomadic family’s dwelling. We will be greeted with warm hospitality, and in accordance with Mongolian tradition, enter their ger. They will extend their kindness and offer food. During this time, we will acquaint ourselves with the family members. 

Furthermore, you’ll get involved in the cultures. Our English-speaking tour guide will facilitate communication between you and the local inhabitants. We will spend the night at the ger.(B/L/D)

Today is a special day because you will learn about the unusual nomadic lifestyle, how nomads spend their days, and how they keep their traditions, and culture even in the present period. Generally, nomads are hardworking people, and daily tasks doing like processing milk products, milk livestock, cleaning cattle sheds, searching for high-productivity of pastures, and so on. 

One of the interesting jobs in processing dairy products from a mare called Airag. Fermented horse milk is a traditional beverage, well-known in central Mongolia since it is a little more familiar than other areas. Every two hours, a mare is milked by a herder, who also confines or separates the foals. For nomadic families, using a lasso to catch foals is considered one of the most interesting activities. Furthermore, there are other activities to perform to fence cattle off at night when milking cows, the next morning. It will be the best experience when you participate in it.  Traditional homemade dairy products will be instructed by the family members. Visitors will pay attention and have a chance to experience impersonally milking yak, processing milk, fermenting horse milk, making dried curd, and yak skim as well. Furthermore, there will be a mini-tournament to test your skill against locals and fellow travelers once a pre-start Khalkha archery course is given, one of Mongolia’s traditional sports. After lunch, transporting drinking water from two to three kilometers away on the mini truck can be fun.

Due to extreme weather causing climate change and drought reducing the power and endurance of both wild and farmed animals, the use of motorcycles in nomadic herding has increased instead in recent years. To feel adventurous, you can also sit behind the motorcycle and ride around the middle Mongolian plateau like the wind while herding cattle from the foothills of the mountains.

As mentioned above, adults process milk products while preparing dinner, while kids spend every evening playing knuckle-bone, horse racing, and other traditional games to have fun. After that, we gather in a circle for a conversation over a cool beverage, Airag, and traditional games.

Dinner and Overnight with nomadic family.(B/L/D)

We’ll journey to the picturesque Tuvkhun temple at the mountaintop by riding horses through a stunning forested area, immersing ourselves in the serene atmosphere. We’ll arrive at a small open meadow in front of a towering rocky cliff. As we get closer to the mountaintop, the terrain becomes a bit steeper. The monastery sits on that cliff, so we’ll ascend to it using rocky steps. On the way, you’ll encounter three small temples. While exploring the monastery, you’ll come across various meditation caves and a small cave known as the “mother’s womb.” Local beliefs suggest that rolling in the womb can cleanse your body, much like being reborn. At the mountaintop, you’ll also find several ovoos and monuments dedicated to natural deities. This experience is definitely worth a try, as it offers a breathtaking display of nature from the mountaintop. Afterward, we’ll ride back to the family. Overnight.(B/L/D)

We’ll drive towards north to see ancient Erdene Zuu monastery. Kharkhorin was the capital of ancient Mongol Empire in 13th century, now one of the historical town of Arkhangai province.

Dates back to the XIII Century, contruction of the “Kharkhorum” was completed at the time of Chinggis Khaan’s successor Ogodei Khaan and it was a political and trade center through which passed the legendary Silk Road, the main commerce network of whole Eurasia.

Then we’ll visit Erdenezuu Khiid – the oldest monastery in Mongolia.

Erdene Zuu Monastery has been built on ruins of ancient capital using its stones after introduction of Buddhism in Mongolia end of XVI century. Now Erdene Zuu Khiid is considered by many to be the most important monastery in the country and a museum that is open to tourists. Overnight in a tourist camp.(B/L/D)

 You’ll depart from Kharkhorin in the morning and drive to Khustai National Park for about 3-4 hours, arriving at noon. Known for its successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse, also known as the Mongolian wild horse or Takhi, into its native habitat, Khustai National Park boasts diverse landscapes including vast grasslands, rolling hills, and rocky outcrops. These provide habitats for various wildlife species such as deer, marmots, and more, in addition to wild horses.

 Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, and learning about conservation efforts in this beautiful protected area. Afterward, we’ll head back to Ulaanbaatar on a paved road for 100km.(B/L)

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.Afterward, 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.Located 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.Then, you’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar for about 1-2 hours, depending on evening traffic.(B/L)