Nomadic Mongolia
14 days
from Ulan Bator to Ulan Bator
From
$ 2499
Duration14 days
Long after the reign of Genghis Khan, nomadism remains a way of life in modern Mongolia. But with so much to see and do here, it’s only natural that people would want to move about and explore. This adventure taps into the nomadic lifestyle embraced by almost 40% of the local population, travelling through ruggedly beautiful gorges and sandstone mountains in search of golden eagles, desert gazelles, and the Mongolian horse. And when you’re not moving, you’ll experience local customs up close, exploring rural villages and sleeping in traditional ger tents.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: Ulan BatorPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Ulan BatorAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
Spend a free day exploring this fascinating capital city.
Enjoy the sights of UB and opt to visit to the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace, and Zaisan Hill.
Enjoy the sights of UB and opt to visit to the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace, and Zaisan Hill.
Enjoy a free day exploring the city. Opt to take a morning city tour including visits to Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace, and Zaisan Hill.
Meals: B
Day 3: Ulaanbaatar/Baga Gadzrïn Chuluu
Leave the capital and head south through the steppe to the Middle Gobi.
Visit the Choir Monastery before continuing on to a small ger camp not far from Mandalgovi, the regional centre.
Visit the Choir Monastery before continuing on to a small ger camp not far from Mandalgovi, the regional centre.
Drive to the Dungobi Aimag region – Middle Gobi – stopping at the Choir Monastery on the way. Spend the night at the first Mongolian ger camp.
Gers are traditional Mongolian tents made with wooden frames and layers of felt. The camps we stay at will have 4 beds per ger with mattresses, linens, and extra blankets. They have a central stove to keep the place cozy and a small table and chairs.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Baga Gadzrïn Chuluu/Yolyn Am
Arrive at Yolyn Am — a narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikan mountains. It's an amazing place for hiking. Bring stable shoes and warm clothes, as some places are covered in thick ice year round.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Yolyn Am/Khongoryn Els
Drive to Khongoriin Els. Enjoy the activities the Gobi Desert has to offer— hiking in sand dunes, visit a nomadic camel-herding family and try riding camels.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Khongoryn Els/Bayanzag
Made of red sandstone, these cliffs and canyons offer visitors a scene of breathtaking beauty. Take some time to explore.
Explore the Flaming Cliffs - a world renowned archaeological site for the vast amount of dinosaur bones and eggs found here.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Bayanzag/Ongiin Hiid
Drive to the Delger Khangai Mountains area. Explore the ruins of the monasteries in the area.
Drive through western parts of the Gobi Desert. In the surrounding mountains, visit the ruins of the Hoshuu and Ongiin Khiid monasteries.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ongiin Hiid/Nomad Camp
Enjoy a long drive northwest, leaving the Gobi desert area and heading into the Mongolian steppe.
The nomads here live simple lives and move their cattle along the same routes their great-grandparents travelled hundreds of years ago.
In the evening, have dinner together with your hosts. One of the best things to try is the famous Mongolian barbecue.
The nomads here live simple lives and move their cattle along the same routes their great-grandparents travelled hundreds of years ago.
In the evening, have dinner together with your hosts. One of the best things to try is the famous Mongolian barbecue.
Leave the Gobi Desert and drive through the Mongolian grasslands. Spend the with a local nomadic family, observing how they live. Enjoy a traditional meal with them.
Depending on the size of the nomadic family and their gers, accommodations can be very basic, with minimal to no facilities. In case if nomads can’t provide enough space for our group, we will camp nearby (camping gear is provided).
Enjoy a traditional dinner with your nomadic hosts.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Nomad Camp/Tsenkher
The hot springs are about 30km (18.6 mi) from the Karakorum and are very popular with both locals and travellers.
Stay in a ger camp nearby with options to visit the springs, go horseback riding, or chat with the locals.
Stay in a ger camp nearby with options to visit the springs, go horseback riding, or chat with the locals.
Journey to Tsenkher Hot Springs. Visit the springs and soak in their healing powers.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Tsenkher
Enjoy a relaxing time at the ger camp at Tsenkher Hot Springs. Visit the springs and soak in their healing powers. Opt to go horseback riding or hang out with the locals.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Tsenkher/Kharkhorin
Journey to Karakorum, stopping at the beautiful Erdene Zuu Monastery. Destroyed during the Communist era, this monastery is slowly being rebuilt.
Drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia. Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first centre of Lama Buddhism in Mongolia.
End place: Kharkhorin
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Kharkhorin/Khustai National Park
Start place: Kharkhorin
Stay in Khustai National Park—home of Mongolian wild horses. Here, look for Takhi horses in their natural habitat.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Khustai National Park/Ulaanbaatar
Drive back to the capital for last minute sightseeing. Opt to see a local cultural show, an excellent display of dancing and Mongolian throat singing.
End place: Ulan Bator
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Ulaanbaatar
Start place: Ulan Bator
Depart at any time.
End place: Ulan Bator
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Yolyn Am National Park stay
- Gobi Desert stay
- Ongiin Khiid Monastery entrance
- Mongolian Grasslands stay
- Karakorum monument entrance
- Khustai National Park entrance
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private van, 4x4 vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (3 nts), Ger camps (9 nts, shared facilities), Family stay or tent camping (1 nt, multi-share, no facilities)