Itinerary
- Day 1
Baga Gazaryn Chuluu
You'll meet at your hotel and drive out to Baga Gazaryn Chuluu, where granite mountains rise to 1,751 meters in Dundgobi province. The landscape here has ancient temple ruins and petroglyphs carved into the rock. Keep an eye out for ibex, argali sheep, vultures, hawks, and eagles as you walk around the site. The rocky terrain gives you plenty to explore and photograph throughout the day.
- Start point
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)
Included Activities
- Visit Baga Gazaryn Chuluu granite mountains
- Explore ancient temple ruins
- View petroglyphs
Landmarks/POIs Baga Gazaryn Chuluu - Day 2
White Stupa
After breakfast, you'll head to White Stupa to see limestone cliffs colored with bright red and purple mineral deposits. The climb to the top takes a bit of effort, but the panoramic views of the surrounding steppes and badlands make it worthwhile. You can see for miles across the open landscape from up there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit White Stupa limestone cliffs
- View panoramic steppe and badlands landscape
Landmarks/POIs White Stupa - Day 3
Yolyn Am
From White Stupa, you'll travel to Yolyn Am, a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. Walking through the valley, you'll learn about the Lammergeier eagles and vultures that make this place their home. The gorge has historical significance to the local area, and the rock formations create an interesting landscape to walk through.
Included Activities
- Visit Yolyn Am gorge
- Explore valley on foot
- Learn about gorge history
Landmarks/POIs Yolyn Am Gurvan Saikhan Mountains - Day 4
Khongoryn Els
You'll travel to Khongoryn Els, one of Mongolia's largest sand dune systems. The dunes stretch for 100 kilometers through the desert with some reaching 100 meters high. After arriving, you can climb the dunes for views across the sand, ride camels, and visit a nomadic family to learn about their daily life out here.
Included Activities
- Visit Khongoryn Els sand dunes
- Climb sand dunes
- Camel riding
- Visit nomadic family
Landmarks/POIs Khongoryn Els - Day 5
Khongoryn Els
In the morning, there's an optional camel ride around the sand dunes before lunch with your host family. After eating together, you'll climb to the top of the biggest dune to take in the vast desert landscape stretching in all directions. The scale of the dunes becomes really clear from up there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with host family)
Included Activities
- Climb largest sand dune
- Lunch with host family
Optional Activities
- Camel riding around sand dunes
Landmarks/POIs Khongoryn Els - Day 6
Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
You'll drive from Khongoryn Els to Bayanzag, also called the Flaming Cliffs. This site is famous because the first dinosaur eggs were discovered here, along with specimens of Velociraptor and other eutherian mammals. The area has significant paleontological importance and draws visitors interested in Mongolia's prehistoric history.
Included Activities
- Visit Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Landmarks/POIs Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) - Day 7
Ongi Monastery
After breakfast, you'll leave Bayanzag and drive to Ongi Monastery on the banks of the Ongi River. Built in the late 18th century for the first Dalai Lama's visit, the monastery originally had 28 temples and housed about 500 monks. Most structures are in ruins now, though one temple was rebuilt in 1994 and some monks have returned to the site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ongi Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Ongi Monastery - Day 8
Arvakheer
You'll arrive in Arvakheer, a charming town in the heart of Uvurkhangai Province. The Khangai Mountains and rich steppe landscapes surround the area. While you're here, you can explore local culture and history, seeing how traditional Mongolian life exists alongside modern development in this growing town.
Landmarks/POIs Arvakheer - Day 9
Kharkhorin
After breakfast, you'll drive to Kharkhorin with stops for lunch and countryside views along the way. Kharkhorin served as Mongolia's capital for 30 years during the 13th century. You'll settle into a local ger hostel for dinner, then have free time to hike or walk around town. That evening, you can visit Erdenezuu, a major Buddhist monastery built in 1585 by Abtai Sain Khan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kharkhorin
- Visit Erdenezuu monastery
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Kharkhorin
- Wander streets of Kharkhorin
Landmarks/POIs Kharkhorin Erdenezuu Monastery - Day 10
Ugii Lake
You'll spend time at Ugii Lake, a freshwater lake in central Mongolia's steppe surrounded by rolling hills. The waters are clear and the surroundings are quiet and peaceful. You can relax here, do outdoor activities, or look for migratory birds that visit the area. It's a nice break from driving between sites.
Included Activities
- Visit Ugii Lake
Optional Activities
- Bird watching
- Outdoor activities around the lake
Landmarks/POIs Ugii Lake - Day 11
Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, you'll drive back to Ulaanbaatar, marking the end of your trip through Mongolia. You'll have crossed the Gobi Desert, seen historical monasteries, visited nomadic families, and explored mountains and gorges. The drive gives you time to reflect on the diverse landscapes and cultural sites you experienced over the past week.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Ulaanbaatar
