Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
You'll arrive at Genghis Khaan International Airport and head to your hotel to clean up and rest after your flight. This gives you time to adjust to the time zone and prepare for the adventures ahead.
- Start point
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (xanadu-travel-mongolia, 09:00)
- Day 2
Ulaanbaatar to Khovsgul Lake
Early morning flight takes you to Murun, then a jeep transfer brings you to Khovsgul Lake National Park before lunch. After checking into your ger camp, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the alpine scenery. You can hike, swim, or simply relax by the lake with forests and snow-capped peaks surrounding you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Khovsgul Lake National Park
- Hiking in surrounding hills
- Swimming in the lake
- Free time to explore the region
Landmarks Khovsgul Lake Khovsgul National Park - Day 3
Khovsgul Lake National Park
Following lunch, you'll saddle up and ride horses through the National Park to meet a reindeer herder family. They'll share their shamanic traditions and explain how they survive in this remote subarctic taiga. The afternoon opens up for more activities like tackling Mt. Ih Uul's mountain trails, trekking to local herding families on horseback, boating, fishing, or simply hanging out at camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Horse trekking to meet reindeer herder family
- Explore reindeer herder lifestyle and customs
- Hiking lakeside mountains including Mt. Ih Uul
- Horse trekking to visit local herding camps
- Boating and fishing
- Motor-boat ride around the lake
Landmarks Mt. Ih Uul - Day 4
Khovsgul Lake to Terelj National Park
Morning flight from Khovsgul takes you back to Ulaanbaatar, then you drive to Terelj National Park with its larch and pine forests and striking rock pillars. After lunch you'll check out Turtle Rock formation, and then hike up to Ariyabal meditation temple at the summit for sweeping views of the entire park before returning to your ger camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Turtle Rock formation
- Hike to Ariyabal meditation temple
- Panoramic views from temple top overlooking Terelj National Park
Landmarks Terelj National Park Turtle Rock Ariyabal Meditation Temple - Day 5
Terelj to Ulaanbaatar
After a light breakfast you'll drive to Ulaanbaatar, stopping at Genghis Khan's Statue Complex to see the world's tallest equestrian statue and take in panoramic views from the top. Lunch happens at the complex, then you continue into the city to check in at your hotel. Spend the afternoon walking through Ulaanbaatar and picking up souvenirs, followed by a farewell dinner at Modern Nomads restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Genghis Khan Statue Complex), Dinner (Dinner at Modern Nomads international chain restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Genghis Khan's Statue Complex
- Explore statue complex and climb to top for panoramic views
- Free time for sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar
- Shopping for souvenirs, cashmere, leather goods, and traditional handicrafts
Landmarks Genghis Khan's Statue Complex - Day 6
Ulaanbaatar to Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Early transfer gets you to the airport for a flight to Dalanzadgal in South Gobi. You'll drive to Bayanzag, also called Flaming Cliffs, and spend the day hiking through the red, yellow, and orange sands. This dinosaur fossil site has been known since the 1920s. After lunch you'll explore the region hunting for fossils before heading back to camp for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike amongst coloured sands of Bayanzag
- Explore dinosaur fossil site
- Free time for dinosaur fossil exploration
Landmarks Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) - Day 7
Bayanzag to Khongoriin Els (Singing Dunes)
Heading west you'll reach Khongoriin Els, Mongolia's largest sand dunes that stretch 200km with heights reaching 300m. Locals call them the 'Singing Dunes' because of sounds the wind creates. After lunch and settling into camp, you'll visit a local camel breeding family to see nomadic life up close and taste fermented camel milk. Evening time is for exploring the dunes and climbing to the highest spots to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit local camel breeding family
- Experience Mongolian nomadic lifestyle
- Try Hormog (fermented camel milk)
- Camel riding
- Explore the Singing Dunes
- Climb to highest points of dunes for sunset panorama
Landmarks Khongoriin Els (Singing Dunes) - Day 8
Khongoriin Els to Yol Valley
You'll drive through Dungenee Canyon and Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park to reach Yol Valley and visit Yolyn Am canyon. The canyon runs so deep and narrow that ice stays on the valley floor year-round even in summer. The area has diverse wildlife including endangered Khulan, Ibex, and Argali sheep on the cliff walls. After exploring the canyon you'll transfer to a nearby ger camp for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Dungenee Canyon
- Explore Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
- Visit Yolyn Am canyon (Vulture's mouth)
- Wildlife viewing including Khulan, Ibex, and Argali sheep
Landmarks Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park Yolyn Am - Day 10
Yol Valley to Ulaanbaatar
Morning flight from the Gobi region gets you back to Ulaanbaatar by midday. After checking in at your hotel and grabbing a light lunch, you'll tour the city starting with Gandan Monastery and its impressive Golden Buddha. Next comes the National History Museum to see Mongolia's story from prehistoric times through the Mongol Empire to the communist era. You'll stop at Sukhbaatar Square for equestrian statues and the Genghis Khan memorial. Evening features a traditional Mongolian song and dance performance by Tumen-Ekh ensemble before your final dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light lunch), Dinner (Farewell dinner at Veranda Mediterranean restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Gandan Monastery
- View Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisag
- Experience monks in worship
- Visit National History Museum
- Explore Mongolia's history from prehistoric times to communist era
- Visit Sukhbaatar Square
- View equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar and Genghis Khan memorial
- Watch traditional Mongolian song and dance performance - Tumen-Ekh ensemble
- Experience Khoomii throat singing, contortionists, and Tsam dancers
Landmarks Gandan Monastery National History Museum Sukhbaatar Square - Days 1 - 10
Departure
Your trip wraps up with a transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you memories from across Mongolia.
- End point
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (xanadu-travel-mongolia, 14:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
