Essence of Mongolia

This morning, let’s kick off our tour with a private car ride to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It houses the country’s largest copper statue: the 26.5-meter-tall (87-foot-tall) gilded Avalokitesvara statue, holding precious Buddhist scriptures and traditional medicines. We may also have a chance to witness the morning chanting rituals.

Next, make our way to Hustai National Park, home to the "Takhi", Przewalski's horses, the world's last remaining wild horses. After arriving at today’s ger camp, enjoy lunch and have some rest. In the evening, follow your guide to the park's small ger museum for an overview of the park and its species. The wild horses usually live in herds, with a herd of 5-20 horses, and mares and foals are under the leadership of a stallion. Young horses leave to form new groups once they mature. While males may form bachelor groups, young mares often join existing herds easily. After exiting the museum, your guide will accompany you on an observation drive deep into the park, where you may have a high chance of spotting wild horses, as they usually descend from the hills to drink water in the evening. Wild animals tend to keep their distance from humans, so binoculars are recommended. If lucky, you might even witness a stallion chasing off rivals, the herd resting in the shade of boulders, and other wildlife such as Mongolian gazelles and marmots.

Enjoy a stay at a local ger camp tonight. While gers may not be as luxurious as city hotels, they offer an immersive grassland experience. Bring your own necessities, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, as gers usually only provide towels.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hustai Ger Camp or similar

Today, your guide and the driver will accompany you to the country’s first UNESCO-listed site, Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. This lush, expansive valley was not only the birthplace of several empires, including the Huns and the Turks, but also gave rise to the Kerait tribe, a powerful ally and rival of Genghis Khan during his unification of the Mongols.

At midday, we’ll reach the first highlight of the day: Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire (1206-1368 AD) at its height. Genghis Khan did not establish a fixed capital when he founded the empire, but he later recognized Karakorum’s strategic value near the western frontiers during the first westward expansion (1219-1224 AD). The second khan, Ogedei, officially made Karakorum the capital in 1235 and initiated a large-scale construction. It served as the heart of the empire during the two subsequent westward expansions (1235-1242 AD and 1252-1260 AD), backing the conquests that reshaped the world. Following internal strife in the 1260s, Karakorum gradually declined and was destroyed in 1387, leaving only its foundations. To better understand Mongolia’s glorious past, follow your guide to the Museum of Karakorum and glimpse the model of the ancient capital and remnants preserved beneath glass floors.

Afterward, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, surrounded by a white enclosure featuring 108 stupas. You’ll also see a row of preserved prayer wheels. Buddhists usually perform daily prayers by turning wheels containing scriptures, with each counted as one recitation. At the end of the day, your guide and the driver will escort you to your ger camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Urgoo Tourist Camp or similar

Today, prepare for a 6-hour private transfer with your private guide to the Ongi Monastery complex. Only seasoned local drivers can navigate these genuine winding roads when traveling across the open steppes and undulating hills. En route, stop for lunch at a local canteen, and then continue our trip. Upon arrival, hike through the hills to explore the sacred site. At its peak in the 18th century, it was two large architectural complexes on the banks of the Ongi River, but it suffered severe damage during the Great Purge in 1929, and many monks perished. Amidst the rubble are a modest shrine and a stupa rebuilt by aged monks who were once novices here. And the stupa features a memorial plaque bearing the names of the monks who died during the persecution. We’ll also catch sight of the artifacts hidden away by the locals, like thangka scrolls and scripture that survived the catastrophe in the nearby museum. After the visit, your guide and the driver will escort you to a nearby ger camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Secret of Ongi Tourist Camp or similar

Today, we’ll travel to Bayanzag, aka the Flaming Cliffs, to admire the stunning red sandstone cliffs and uncover dinosaur secrets! Upon arrival, check into the ger camp, enjoy lunch, and unwind to beat the heat. Before sunset, your guide will accompany you to experience the most breathtaking moment of the cliffs. Ascend to a higher vantage point to see the reddish-brown cliffs blazing like fire, or trek at the base for a close-up look at the granite strata. At sunset, admire the crimson rocks stretching to the horizon in a breathtaking display.

Bayanzag is also famous for the discovery of dinosaur eggs dating back more than 70 million years. During explorers’ discoveries, an amusing blunder once occurred: due to a misunderstanding from a 1923 expedition, a male dinosaur discovered atop a nest was misnamed "Oviraptor," which means “egg thief.” And it wasn’t until 1994 that scientists realized the dinosaur was actually brooding its own eggs, as this type of dinosaur was usually hatched by the male. Before dark, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your ger camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mongol Gobi Ger Camp or similar

This morning, let’s head west to explore the "singing" Khongor Sand Dunes, which produce humming sounds when the wind blows. Lying at the foot of the Altai Mountains, these dunes span 180 kilometers (112 miles) from east to west, creating a dramatic contrast between solid peaks and flowing sands. Upon arrival, your guide will accompany you to climb to the top of one sand dune to appreciate the amazing views. It is advisable to wear high boots and bring protective bags for digital devices to keep the fine sand out.

► Special Treat: Nomadic Family Visit & Camel Riding

After descending, visit a local nomadic family. Herders dwell on the dunes’ northern edge and move with their gers and livestock to warm, fertile grassland in winter. The family will greet you with traditional Mongolian dumplings and milk tea. With permission, you can also try on the traditional clothing called ‘deel’, including a vibrant robe, belt, boots, and accessories. For a classic Gobi experience, enjoy a camel ride through the dunes in the late afternoon. Bactrian camels are an icon in the Gobi Desert, known for their gentle nature and ability to adapt to harsh climates. Relax while swaying on the camelback to its rhythm, see its moon-shaped footprints left on the canvas-like sand slopes, and admire the changing light and shadow of the dunes at sunset. Camels rise and kneel with a strong jolt, so hold on tight. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you to your ger camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Gobi Discovery Ger Camp or similar

Can you imagine that there are ice fields in the arid Southern Gobi Desert? That’s exactly what you can find in the deep, narrow Eagle Valley, aka Yolyn Am or Yol Valley. Today, take a private transfer to this hidden gem and embark on a 2-hour hike through the valley, or ride a horse if you prefer. It should be noted that the ice may melt during the sweltering summer months of July and August. Lace up your waterproof shoes, as we’ll step on stones to cross streams or walk directly on the thick ice. During the hike, you may spot agile Siberian ibex scaling the cliffs or adorable pikas poking their furry heads out of their burrows! After the adventure, your guide and the driver will escort you to your ger camp.
► Tips:
1. It is better not to wear bright colors, as they may scare off wildlife from a distance.
2. The valley can be windy and cool even in summer, so bring a jacket.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Juulchin Khan Bogd Ger Camp or similar

After breakfast, enjoy a comfortable private transfer to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, your local guide and the driver will pick you up and start today’s adventure.

Answer the call of Terelj National Park and immerse yourself in the rolling slopes and vast grasslands with the Tuul River meandering through. Admire the iconic Turtle Rock, a natural granite boulder standing out near the entrance. You can ascend to the top via a hidden path for a panoramic view. Legend has it that after the Dzungar Khanate (1634-1755 AD) lost a war in the 17th century, the Khan hid his treasure here, earning it the nickname "Money Rock." There are also caverns strewn around where armies and herders once took shelter during wartime.

We’ll also visit the Ariyabal Meditation Temple perched on the mountain slope. Buddhists believe that reciting a mantra with each step when climbing the 108 stairs helps cleanse past misdeeds. There is a pavilion with a fortune wheel in the temple; turn the wheel, and you’ll get two numbers, which can be deciphered by finding plaques with the same numbers along the way. Locals also offer photo opportunities with eagles and horse rides with a small fee. If interested, you can try it at your own expense. At last, your guide and the driver will take you to your ger camp in Terelj.
► Note: The sightseeing plan for today may be adjusted based on the flight schedule.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Terelj Lodge Ger Camp or similar

Today, your guide and the driver will escort you back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, we’ll stop by Genghis Khan Statue Complex to behold the 40-meter (131-foot)-tall equestrian statue, the world’s largest of its kind. From the viewing deck, following Genghis Khan's gaze westward, you’ll see a statue of his mother. When Temujin was a child, his tribe abandoned him and his family after his father died. While fleeing, he once killed his half-brother for food. His mother was so outraged and used the legend of "five arrows bound together that cannot be broken" to teach him the importance of unity. This lesson stayed with him throughout his life, guiding his unification of the Mongol tribes. Later, he even made unity a legal requirement.

Then, hit the road to Ulaanbaatar. After arrival, your guide will accompany you to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History, whose collection of over 50,000 items, including ancient stone inscriptions, traditional costumes, and ancient tools and weapons, displays Mongolia’s prehistoric history, the Mongol Empire, China's Qing Dynasty's rule over Mongolia, ethnography, and the history of the 20th century. Afterward, take a stroll around Sukhbaatar Square, home to the equestrian statue of the revolutionary hero Sukhbaatar. Grand events are often held here, such as the Ger Exhibition in May or the Nauryz Festival for the Kazakh community in March.

► Special Treat: Enjoy a Brilliant Mongolian Music & Dance Show

In the evening, your guide will accompany you to enjoy a captivating gala of Mongolian folk art. Appreciate the soulful melodies of the horsehead fiddle, the graceful yet powerful dances reminiscent of horses and eagles, and the haunting throat singing, all of which show how Mongolian art draws inspiration from nature. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel Ulaanbaatar (4 stars) or similar

Your 10 days Mongolia package tour from Ulaanbaatar has come to an end today. Your guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the airport according to your flight time. We’re honored to have accompanied you on this journey, and we wish you a pleasant trip home!

If time permits, you can browse the State Department Store near Sukhbaatar Square by yourself, where you can find traditional clothing, fridge magnets, beautiful ornaments, and premium Mongolian cashmere goods like gloves and woolen carpets. Want to prolong your trip to explore China's 5,000-year-old civilization or take an epic train ride along the Trans-Siberian Railway to enjoy the Eurasian elegance? Feel free to contact us, and we'll tailor a hassle-free trip for you!

Meal: Breakfast