7-Day Mongolia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Mongolia tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffMongolia travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Mongolia Itinerary, incl. Ulaanbaatar and Kharkhorin

  Central Mongolia reveals itself over 7 days and 1100km, visiting 7 destinations. The route includes UNESCO Orkhon Valley, ancient Karakorum city, Khogno Khan Mountain, and Hustai National Park. Features 6 nights in traditional ger camps with nomadic families.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ulaanbaatar to Gurvanbulag

    Leave Ulaanbaatar at 8:30 AM for a 4-hour drive west to the northern Gobi region. Stop at the 10th-century Khar Bukhiin Balgas fort ruins on your 280km journey. You'll spend the night in a traditional ger with a nomadic family where you can help make milk tea and try fresh homemade yogurt. A previous visitor shared: "Meeting the families and doing the homestays was incredible. Mongolia itself is very beautiful, and the families were lovely and tried to speak English with us."

    
  • Day 2

    Tsenkher Hot Springs

    The drive to Tsenkher takes 5-6 hours covering 200km. The route is challenging but the views make up for it. Bring warm and cool clothing since mountain weather is unpredictable. Your day ends at a ger camp with natural hot springs. Visit the pools around sunset when crowds thin out and lighting is best for photos.

    
  • Day 3

    Orkhon Valley UNESCO Site

    Drive 3-4 hours to reach Orkhon Valley, the traditional homeland of Mongolian nomads. You'll stay with a yak-herding family near the river and can walk to Orkhon Waterfall which drops 20 meters. Join your host family in daily tasks like milking yaks and making dairy products. Good hiking boots are essential since the ground can get slippery after rain.

    
  • Day 4

    Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu

    Travel to Kharkhorin (3 hours/130km), once the capital of Chinggis Khan's empire. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the country's oldest Buddhist complex. You can learn felt-making at a local workshop or browse an art gallery. Get to the monastery before 9 AM to avoid crowds and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere.

    
  • Day 5

    Khogno Khan and Elsen Tasarkhai

    Begin at the Uvgun Temple complex in Khogno Khan. Take the 45-minute uphill walk to see the ruins. Later drive 45 minutes to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. Your night will be spent with camel herders, including a sunset ride on Bactrian camels. A past traveler noted: "The second family we stayed with was wonderful—the food was delicious and they made such an effort to share their culture."

    
  • Day 6

    Hustai National Park

    Head east for 3-4 hours to Hustai National Park. Plan to watch wildlife at dusk when wild Takhi horses are most active. You can combine wildlife spotting with hiking based on your fitness level. Watch for red deer and marmots too.

    
  • Day 7

    Chinggis Khan Statue and Return to Ulaanbaatar

    Visit the impressive Chinggis Khan Statue complex on your final day (2 hours from Hustai). Go up to the viewing platform on the horse's head for sweeping views of the Tuul River and Khan Khentii mountains. It's a 1-hour drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Schedule evening flights to avoid morning traffic.

    

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• 7 Days in Mongolia, incl. Ulaanbaatar and Gobi Desert

  Mongolian landscapes unfold over 7 days across 5 major destinations: Ulaanbaatar, Yolyn Am valley, Khongor dunes, Bayanzag's Flaming Cliffs, and Terelj National Park. Includes 2 domestic flights, 4 nights in Ger camps, and 2 nights at Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Center.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ulaanbaatar

    Begin your adventure in Mongolia's capital. Get settled after your airport pickup and explore the city center. "The day tour to Ulaanbaatar was a bit rush but we got a full visit to all classic sites." Book a hotel like the Ramada in the city center to stay close to main attractions and restaurants.

    
  • Day 2

    Yolyn Am (Eagle Valley)

    Take an early flight to Dalanzadgad (90 minutes) and drive 62km to Eagle Valley. You'll see an impressive ice field that stays frozen most of the year. Wear sturdy hiking shoes for the sometimes slippery gorge trail. Bring binoculars to watch wild sheep and goats on the cliffs. Sleep in a traditional ger camp for your first taste of nomadic living.

    
  • Day 3

    Khongor Sand Dunes

    Drive west to Mongolia's largest sand dunes. Plan to climb the dunes at sunset when the light is perfect for photos and the sand is cool enough to walk on. "We had a chance to experience local herdsman life, ride camels in the desert and enjoy jeep desert surfing." Wear closed shoes for the dune climb because the sand gets very hot during the day.

    
  • Day 4

    Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)

    Visit a local camel-herding family in the morning before the 4-hour drive to Bayanzag. Visit the Flaming Cliffs at sunset when their colors are most dramatic. "We visited the Flaming Cliffs, which looked crimson and blazing." Bring a jacket since desert temperatures drop at night.

    
  • Day 5

    Terelj National Park

    Return to Ulaanbaatar by air and drive one hour to Terelj National Park. See the famous Turtle Rock and go hiking or horseback riding. Pack different layers because mountain weather changes quickly. Your ger camp here offers mountain views instead of desert landscapes.

    
  • Day 6

    Genghis Khan Statue Complex & Ulaanbaatar

    Visit the Genghis Khan statue on your way back to the city. Go early to the viewing platform on the horse's head to beat the crowds. "The Genghis Khan Statue looked so majestic and we learned more facts about Mongolian history with our guide's help."

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Plan extra time for your airport transfer. Ulaanbaatar traffic can be heavy, especially from 8-9:30 AM and 5-7 PM.

    

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• 7 Days in Mongolia, incl. Gobi Desert and Terelj National Park

  

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  • Day 1

    Ulaanbaatar to Tsagaan Suvarga

    Take a 7-hour drive south from Ulaanbaatar to the "White Stupa" cliffs. These striking white limestone formations run almost a kilometer long. Try to arrive around 4 PM for the best photo lighting. Wear sturdy shoes since the chalky ground gets slippery. You'll spend your first night camping in the Gobi under a blanket of stars.

    
  • Day 2

    Yol Valley

    Visit Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, a deep gorge that often keeps ice well into summer. Take a 3-hour morning hike through the canyon. You'll need good walking shoes and warm layers since it's usually 20°F cooler inside. Look up to spot native bearded vultures. Start your hike early to avoid the tour bus crowds that arrive after 11 AM.

    
  • Day 3

    Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes

    Visit Mongolia's highest sand dunes, which tower up to 800 meters. Schedule your camel ride for late afternoon when it's cooler. The sand can get extremely hot at midday, reaching 140°F (60°C). Camel rides cost about $30 for 2 hours. The dune climb takes around 45 minutes. Bring plenty of water and protect yourself from the strong sun.

    
  • Day 4

    Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)

    Visit the red-orange Flaming Cliffs, famous for their dinosaur egg discoveries. Wait for sunset to see the cliffs at their most beautiful. Stay away from the edges since the sandstone isn't always stable. A local guide can show you fossil locations and share the area's history for about $20.

    
  • Day 5

    Baga Gazriin Chuluu

    Head north to explore these sacred granite formations. You'll find natural springs and old temple ruins. Remember this is a sacred site - keep voices low and respect any religious items. The rocks can be tricky to climb, especially in wet weather. Local guides know hidden caves with Buddhist writings.

    
  • Day 6

    Terelj National Park

    Stop at the impressive Genghis Khan statue (40m tall) on your way to Terelj. Take the elevator to the top for $5 to see amazing views of the steppe. In Terelj, climb to Ariyabal Meditation Temple. It's 108 steps up but the view makes it worthwhile. Visit Turtle Rock in the morning for the best photos.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Ulaanbaatar

    The drive back to the city takes about 2 hours. Shop for genuine cashmere at the State Department Store where prices are 30-40% lower than tourist shops.

    

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