Itinerary
- Day 1
Ulaanbaatar
You'll arrive in Ulaanbaatar whenever your flight comes in, and an included transfer gets you to your accommodation. After connecting with your group, there's an orientation walk around the city so you can get a feel for the layout and neighborhoods. An optional welcome dinner is available if you want to kick things off with your fellow travelers.
Included Activities
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
- Orientation Walk - Ulaanbaatar
Optional Activities
- Welcome Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Ulaanbaatar - Day 2
Ulaanbaatar
The Naadam Festival opens with spectacular demonstrations of wrestling, archery, and horse racing at the stadium. You'll take a lunch break midday, then return for the Knuckle Bone Games and more archery and wrestling competitions. The festival grounds are open for you to explore on your own during free time, so you can wander around and take in the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Naadam Festival (Eriin Gurvan Naadam) - Opening Ceremony and Events
Landmarks/POIs Naadam Festival - Day 3
Ulaanbaatar
Head out to Khui Doloon Khudag racing field to catch the finish line of the grueling Naadam Horse Races. The Soyolon Race features 5-year-old horses, and you'll grab traditional Mongolian street food for lunch. Later, stick around for the Daaga race with 2-year-old horses racing across the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Mongolian street food at a local Khuushuur stand)
Included Activities
- Naadam Festival (Eriin Gurvan Naadam) - Horse Races at Khui Doloon Khudag
- Soyolon Race Viewing
- Daaga Race Viewing
- Traditional Mongolian Street Food Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Khui Doloon Khudag - Day 4
Ulaanbaatar to Gobi
Start your morning with a guided tour of the National Museum of Mongolia, where you'll learn about traditional ethnic groups and archaeological artifacts. Then drive toward the Gobi, stopping for a picnic at Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain with nice views. By afternoon you'll reach your first traditional ger camp and participate in traditional Mongolian games with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic at pond-side near Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain), Dinner
Included Activities
- National Museum of Mongolia Visit & Tour
- Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain & Picnic Lunch
- Traditional Mongolian Games - Knuckle Bone Game and Khorol
Landmarks/POIs National Museum of Mongolia Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain - Day 5
Gobi to South Gobi
Drive through Dungobi Aimag region to see the dramatic granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu. You'll hike around the national park and find the ruins of a 17th-century temple hidden within the granite massif. After that, continue south to the South Gobi and check into your lodge for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Baga Gazriin Chuluu National Park Hike
- 17th Century Temple Ruins Visit
Landmarks/POIs Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Day 6
South Gobi
Learn hands-on how to build a traditional Mongolian ger and try your hand at archery. Then head to Gurvan Saikhan National Park and hike through the rugged Yolyn Am canyon, where you might spot ibex, gazelles, argali sheep, and various birds. Back at the ger camp by evening, you'll have time to relax under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nomadic Family Desert Ger Building & Archery Lesson Experience
- Yolyn Am Visit
- Yolyn Am Hike
Landmarks/POIs Gurvan Saikhan National Park Yolyn Am - Day 7
South Gobi
Drive to Moltsog Els Sand Dune and experience the endless waves of sand stretching out in all directions. Visit local camel herder homes and take a walk across the dunes before returning to camp for lunch. Optional activities like traditional massage or a cooking class are available, then in the evening you'll travel by 4x4 to Flaming Cliff for a fiery red sunset and exploration of this dramatic dinosaur fossil site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Moltsog Els Sand Dunes
- Camel Herder Homes Visit
- Flaming Cliffs Visit
- Dinosaur Fossil Site Exploration
Optional Activities
- Traditional Massage by Local Shaman
- Cooking Class at Camp
Landmarks/POIs Moltsog Els Sand Dune Flaming Cliffs - Day 8
Ongiin Khiid
Visit the ruins of Ongiin Khiid, a complex of Buddhist monasteries and universities that was destroyed during communist purges. You'll tour the site and meet with monks who've returned in recent years to restore this important spiritual center, learning about the ongoing reconstruction efforts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ongiin Khiid and Hoshuu Monasteries Visit
Landmarks/POIs Ongiin Khiid Hoshuu Monasteries - Day 9
Orkhon Valley
Drive to the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site with rolling hills, pastoral communities, and archaeological remains scattered throughout. Arrive at camp for lunch and settle in. You'll have free time to relax or take easier hikes around the camp before an early start the next morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Easier Hikes Around Camp
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Valley - Day 10
Orkhon Valley
Get up early and help a local yak herding family milk their yaks. Later, visit Orkhon Waterfall and walk to the observation point for great views of the landscape. A cooking class at lunch teaches you how to make buuz dumplings, and then you'll return to the yak herders to learn traditional methods of making yak tea, cheese, and yogurt. You'll also practice spinning yak and sheep wool before finishing with a traditional Mongolian barbecue prepared over hot stones.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buuz - Mongolian dumplings prepared during a cooking class with local family)
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 11
Kharkhorin to Karakorum
Drive to Kharkhorin and explore Karakorum, Genghis Khan's ancient capital established in the 13th century. Check out Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia's earliest center of Buddhism, and meet with the head monk. The Karakorum Museum holds impressive artifacts from the 13th-14th centuries and a scale model of the ancient capital. You'll have a relaxed drive back to the ger camp in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Erdene Zuu Monastery
- Erdene Zuu Monastery - Meeting with Head Monk
- Karakorum Museum
Landmarks/POIs Karakorum Erdene Zuu Monastery Karakorum Museum - Day 12
Uvgun Monastery
Drive to Khungu Khan Mountain and hike up to the beautiful Uvgun Monastery perched atop a boulder-covered peak. You'll get spectacular views of sand dunes stretching into the distance and see summer flowers blooming along the mountain springs. After hiking down, return to the ger camp where you'll have time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Uvgun Monastery Hike
Landmarks/POIs Uvgun Monastery Khungu Khan Mountain - Day 13
Khustai National Park
Travel by 4x4 to Khustai National Park, home to Przewalski's horses (takhi), some of Earth's last wild horses. Meet with park staff to learn about the successful reintroduction project that brought these stocky, coffee-colored horses back from near extinction. Watch for these ancient, never-domesticated horses roaming the grasslands, then settle into your ger for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Khustai National Park (Khustain Nuruu) Visit
- Takhi Reintroduction Project Meeting
Landmarks/POIs Khustai National Park - Day 14
Khustai National Park to Ulaanbaatar
Spend the day driving through Mongolian countryside back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving by early evening. Stop along the way to stretch your legs and browse locally produced cashmere souvenirs. You'll visit Cafe No Limits, a social enterprise supporting youth with Down Syndrome, for refreshments. Finish with a memorable farewell dinner featuring traditional Mongolian song and dance performances.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cafe No Limits Visit
- Mongolian Cultural Show
Optional Activities
- Locally Produced Cashmere Shopping
Landmarks/POIs Cafe No Limits - Day 15
Ulaanbaatar
Visit Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia's most important temple complexes, where you'll learn about Buddhist history and watch monks chanting. Travel to Nalaikh Ger Village for lunch with local families featuring traditional Mongolian buuz dumplings. See the impressive statue of Chinggis Khan and take an elevator up to the horse's head for panoramic views. Return to Ulaanbaatar for a final farewell dinner with your group and CEO.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch of Mongolian buuz dumplings with Nalaikh Village families), Dinner (Farewell dinner with group and CEO)
Included Activities
- Gandan Monastery Guided Tour
- Nalaikh Village Family Ger District Lunch
- Genghis Khan Monument Visit
Landmarks/POIs Gandan Monastery Nalaikh Ger Village Genghis Khan Monument - Day 16
Ulaanbaatar
Head out from Ulaanbaatar at whatever time works for your departure. You'll have breakfast before making your way to the airport or continuing on to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
