Itinerary
- Day 1
Ulaanbaatar
You'll arrive in Ulaanbaatar and get picked up for a transfer to your hotel. After settling in, there's an orientation walk around the city to help you get oriented with the layout and neighborhoods. If you're interested, there's a welcome dinner in the evening where you can meet the rest of your group.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chinggis Khaan Hotel)
Included Activities
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
- Orientation Walk around Ulaanbaatar
Optional Activities
- Welcome Dinner
- Day 2
Ulaanbaatar
Start at the National Museum of Mongolia with your trip leader to see artifacts and learn about Mongolia's different ethnic groups. Next, you'll check out Cafe No Limits, a social enterprise that supports youth with Down Syndrome. Head to Nalaikh Ger Village for lunch with local families and try traditional buuz dumplings. After that, you'll see the massive Chinggis Khan Monument and take an elevator up to the horse's head for views of the mountains. The evening is free for you to find dinner on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local Mongolian lunch with families in Nalaikh Ger Village)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chinggis Khaan Hotel)
Included Activities
- National Museum of Mongolia Visit & Tour
- Cafe No Limits Visit
- Nalaikh Village Family Ger District Lunch
- Genghis Khan Monument Visit
Landmarks/POIs National Museum of Mongolia Genghis Khan Monument - Day 3
Ulaanbaatar to Gobi
Travel by 4x4 to Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia's most important temple complexes, where you'll learn about Buddhism and hear monks chanting. Stop at Zorgol Khairkhan, a sacred mountain, for a scenic picnic lunch. Then continue into the Gobi Desert and arrive at your first ger camp in the afternoon. Tonight you'll try traditional Mongolian games like the Knuckle Bone game and Khorol. Note that much of the drive is on rough roads, and the camp has basic facilities with uncertain hot water and electricity.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic at Zorgol Khairkhan), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Erdene-Ukhaa Ger Camp)
Included Activities
- Gandan Monastery Guided Tour
- Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain & Picnic Lunch
- Traditional Mongolian Games
Landmarks/POIs Gandan Monastery Zorgol Khairkhan - Day 4
Gobi to South Gobi
Drive to the Dundgobi Aimag region in the Middle Gobi to see the striking granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu. You'll hike around this small national park and explore the ruins of a 17th-century temple hidden within the rocks. After that, continue driving to the South Gobi and your next ger camp, which will be your base for the next three days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Dream Gobi Lodge)
Included Activities
- Baga Gazriin Chuluu National Park Hike
Landmarks/POIs Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Day 5
South Gobi
Learn how to build a traditional Mongolian ger with hands-on instruction, then try your hand at archery, a beloved Mongolian sport. In the afternoon, head to the Altay Mountain gorges and Gurvan Saikhan National Park. You'll hike through Yolyn Am, known as the 'valley of the eagles,' where you can look for ibex, gazelles, argali sheep, and various birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Dream Gobi Lodge)
Included Activities
- Nomadic Family Desert Ger Building & Archery Lesson Experience
- Yolyn Am Visit
Landmarks/POIs Gurvan Saikhan National Park Yolyn Am - Day 6
South Gobi
After breakfast, head to Moltsog Els sand dunes to explore the endless waves of sand and learn about this landscape. Return to camp for lunch and free time, or choose optional activities like a traditional massage or cooking class. In the afternoon, drive by 4x4 to the Flaming Cliffs, a rust-colored sandstone area famous for dinosaur fossils. You'll explore the dramatic formations and watch the fiery red sunset before heading back to camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Dream Gobi Lodge)
Included Activities
- Moltsog Els Sand Dunes
- Flaming Cliffs Visit
Optional Activities
- Traditional Massage by Local Shaman
- Cooking Class
Landmarks/POIs Moltsog Els Flaming Cliffs - Day 7
South Gobi to Orkhon Valley
Visit the ruins of Ongiin Khiid, a Buddhist monastery complex that was destroyed during the communist purges. Tour the site and learn about the monks who've recently returned to restore the complex. Then continue to your next ger camp and settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Ger Camp Secret of Ongi)
Included Activities
- Ongiin Khiid and Hoshuu Monasteries Visit
Landmarks/POIs Ongiin Khiid - Day 8
Orkhon Valley
Drive to the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site with rolling hills, pastureland, and archaeological remains. Stop for lunch along the way. Arrive in the evening and settle into camp. You'll have free time to relax or take easier hikes around the camp if you have the energy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Khurkheree Tour Ger Camp)
Optional Activities
- Easier Hikes Around Camp
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Valley 
- Day 9
Orkhon Valley
Wake early to help a local yak herding family milk their animals. Then visit Orkhon Waterfall and walk to the observation point for views of the carved cliff face. Return to camp and learn to make buuz dumplings with the camp chef. In the afternoon, continue with the yak herders to make yak tea, cheese, and yak yogurt. You'll try spinning yarn from yak wool and learn why yaks are vital to Mongolian life. Return to camp for a traditional Mongolian barbecue prepared over hot stones.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Mongolian dumplings (Buuz) made with camp chef), Dinner (Traditional Mongolian barbecue (Khorkhog) prepared over hot stones)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Khurkheree Tour Ger Camp)
Included Activities
- Yak Milking with Herding Family
- Orkhon Waterfall Hike
- Mongolian Dumpling (Buuz) Cooking Class
- Yak Family Farm Experience
- Khorkhog (Mongolia Traditional BBQ)
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Waterfall - Day 10
Orkhon Valley to Kharkhorin
Drive to Kharkhorin and visit Karakorum, Mongolia's ancient capital where Genghis Khan established his headquarters in the 13th century. See the Erdene Zuu Monastery, considered Mongolia's earliest center of Buddhism, and meet with the head monk to hear about the country's Buddhist history. Finish the day at the Karakorum Museum, which has an impressive collection of 13th and 14th-century artifacts and a scale model of the ancient capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Burd Star Ger Camp)
Included Activities
- Erdene Zuu Monastery
- Karakorum Museum
Landmarks/POIs Erdene Zuu Monastery Karakorum Museum - Day 11
Kharkhorin
Drive to Khungu Khan Mountain and hike up to the ruins of the 16th-century Uvgun Monastery, perched atop a boulder-covered mountain. From the monastery, you'll get spectacular views of the valley and sand dunes stretching into the distance. Hike back down and return to camp for free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Burd Star Ger Camp)
Included Activities
- Uvgun Monastery Hike
Landmarks/POIs Uvgun Monastery - Day 12
Kharkhorin to Khustai National Park
After breakfast, drive to Khustai National Park, where the earth's last wild horses, the takhi or Przewalski's horse, roam the grasslands. Meet with park staff to learn about the takhi reintroduction project and watch for these remarkable horses that have never been domesticated. Continue to your last camp and settle into your ger for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Moltsog Els Ger Camp)
Included Activities
- Khustai National Park (Khustain Nuruu) Visit
Landmarks/POIs Khustai National Park - Day 13
Khustai National Park to Ulaanbaatar
Spend a long drive through the Mongolian countryside heading back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving in the early evening. Enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by a performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with traditional Mongolian song and dance performance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chinggis Khaan Hotel)
Included Activities
- Mongolian Cultural Show
- Day 14
Ulaanbaatar
Have breakfast before departing at any time. Head to the airport or onwards to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
