Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Ulaanbaatar
Your overnight flight gets you to Ulaanbaatar early morning, and hotel staff will be waiting to pick you up. Depending on what time you land, you've got the rest of the day to wander around at your own pace and get a feel for the city's local culture and neighborhoods.
Optional Activities
- Explore local culture and Ulaanbaatar at your own pace
- Day 3
Ulaanbaatar
Start the day at Gandan Monastery to catch the monks' morning chants and learn how Mongolian Buddhism works there. Then head into the city centre for Genghis Khan Square and the National Museum of Mongolia to see what exhibitions they're running. Later this evening, there's a cultural show with traditional songs, dances and music to enjoy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Gandan Monastery with monks' morning chants
- Explore National Museum of Mongolia
- Traditional cultural show with songs, dances and music
Landmarks/POIs Gandan Monastery Genghis Khan Square National Museum of Mongolia - Day 4
Ulaanbaatar to Terelj National Park
You'll leave Ulaanbaatar and head out to Terelj National Park. On the way, stop at the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex, which is the world's largest. Once you reach Terelj, walk around Turtle Rock and visit Aryabal Temple. Back at your ger camp, relax with stargazing and use the sauna facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex
- Walk around Turtle Rock
- Visit Aryabal Temple
- Stargazing at ger camp
- Sauna facilities at ger camp
Landmarks/POIs Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex Turtle Rock Aryabal Temple Terelj National Park - Day 5
Terelj National Park to Gobi Desert (Dalanzadgad)
Fly to Dalanzadgal in the morning and start your Gobi exploration. Check out the local market first, then drive in a 4WD to Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park and walk through the narrow gorge with those tall rock walls around you. Settle into your ger camp for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit local market at Dalanzadgad
- Scenic walk through Yol Valley gorge
Landmarks/POIs Yol Valley Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park - Day 6
Gobi Desert (Khongoryn Els)
Cross the desert plains, and you'll probably see camels along the way. Head to Khongoryn Els, the massive sand dunes, and explore them on foot. If you're up for it, climb to the top for views across the whole Gobi. Dinner happens under the stars at your ger camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dine under the starry Gobi sky)
Included Activities
- Explore Khongoryn Els sand dunes on foot
- Optional climb to top of dunes for panoramic Gobi views
Landmarks/POIs Khongoryn Els - Day 7
Gobi Desert (Khongoryn Els)
Spend the full day at Khongoryn Els walking around the dunes and seeing how the sand contrasts with the green oases nearby. Visit a nomadic camel herding family to see how they live out here. You've got free time in the afternoon to explore more before heading back for a traditional Mongolian dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Mongolian dinner)
Included Activities
- Walk through Khongoryn Els to explore sand dunes and oases
- Visit nomadic camel herding family
- Traditional Mongolian dinner
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon exploration of Khongoryn Els
Landmarks/POIs Khongoryn Els - Day 8
Gobi Desert (Bayanzag/Flaming Cliffs)
Drive to Bayanzag, known as the Flaming Cliffs for those red sandstone formations. Walk through the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery and look for fossils, then take a guided walk to understand the paleontological history of the area. Spend the night at your ger camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
- Walk through Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery
- Guided walk exploring paleontological history
Landmarks/POIs Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery 
- Day 9
Gobi Desert to Ongiin Khiid
Head across the stark Gobi landscape toward Ongiin Khiid monastery on the Ongi River banks. Walk around the ruins of two historic monasteries that were once among Mongolia's largest. Explore the site to learn about the area's past before settling in at your riverside ger camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ongiin Khiid monasteries ruins
- Walk exploring the historic monastery site
Landmarks/POIs Ongiin Khiid Ongi River - Day 10
Ongiin Khiid to Orkhon Waterfall
Leave the desert behind and head north into the green areas of Mongolia. Stop in Arvaikheer for lunch, then continue to Orkhon Waterfall where you'll catch the sunset views. Unwind at your eco camp afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Arvaikheer), Dinner
Included Activities
- View Orkhon Waterfall at sunset
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Waterfall - Day 11
Orkhon Waterfall (Naadam Festival)
Experience Mongolia's traditions at a mini Naadam Festival with the Three Manly Games. Watch wrestling competitions and horse races, try your hand at archery, and hand out medals to the winners. Later, eat an authentic Mongolian stone-grilled mutton feast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Authentic Mongolian stone-grilled mutton feast)
Included Activities
- Mini Naadam Festival with 'Three Manly Games'
- Watch wrestling competition
- Watch horse race
- Learn archery
- Present medals to winners
- Authentic Mongolian stone-grilled mutton feast
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Waterfall - Day 12
Orkhon Valley (Kharkhorin)
Drive to Kharkhorin and explore the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ruins of Karakorum, Genghis Khan's ancient capital, check out the Karakorum Museum, and walk through Erdene Zuu Monastery grounds. Sleep at your ger camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Orkhon Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Karakorum ruins
- Visit Karakorum Museum
- Walk through Erdene Zuu Monastery grounds
Landmarks/POIs Orkhon Valley Karakorum Karakorum Museum Erdene Zuu Monastery - Day 13
Khustai National Park
Arrive at Khustai National Park, where the rare wild takhi horses roam free alongside other native wildlife. These horses were once gone from the wild but have been brought back here. Get settled into your ger camp and take in the steppe landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Khustai National Park
- View wild takhi horses and native wildlife
Landmarks/POIs Khustai National Park - Day 14
Khustai National Park to Ulaanbaatar
Explore Khustai National Park in the morning, then head back to Ulaanbaatar. The afternoon is free to shop for souvenirs or walk around the city however you like. This evening, join a farewell dinner at a traditional Mongolian restaurant with live folk music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner at traditional Mongolian restaurant with live folk music)
Included Activities
- Morning exploration of Khustai National Park
- Farewell dinner at traditional Mongolian restaurant with live folk music
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon shopping for souvenirs
- Wander Ulaanbaatar at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Khustai National Park - Day 15
Ulaanbaatar to UK
Head to the airport and fly back to the UK, arriving home the same day or the day after depending on the flight times.
