A full immersion journey to discover Mongolia! This tour has been designed to allow you to visit the most beautiful areas of this magical land in less than three weeks. It starts from the Gobi desert to then reach Erdene Zuu, built from the ruins of the capital of Genghis Khan, then proceeds to the valley of Orkhon and the thermal springs of Tsenkher. We continue with a walk to the former volcanic area of ​​Khorgo-Terk and the marvelous Tsagaan Nuur to end at the famous Hovsgol lake, also known as "the blue pearl of Asia".

Read more

A full immersion journey to discover Mongolia! This tour has been designed to allow you to visit the most beautiful areas of this magical land in less than three weeks. It starts from the Gobi desert to then reach Erdene Zuu, built from the ruins of the capital of Genghis Khan, then proceeds to the valley of Orkhon and the thermal springs of Tsenkher. We continue with a walk to the former volcanic area of ​​Khorgo-Terk and the marvelous Tsagaan Nuur to end at the famous Hovsgol lake, also known as "the blue pearl of Asia".

The tour begins on the first day with departure from Ulan Bator in the morning and ends on the last day in the late afternoon. The trip includes 3-4 days in Ger alternating with a day in a tourist camp to access showers and services in common. It is therefore necessary to have a good spirit of adaptation!
The choice to stay in Ger allows to help the nomadic populations to survive over time (it is however possible to apply for accommodation in the tourist camp).

We will end the tour with the traditional games that have remained unchanged in time at Naadam festival in Ulan Bator. In these two days we will stay in the city and we will see the opening ceremony, the archery competitions and the horse race.

Difficulty: Medium (trips by car, climbs to volcanoes and short treks that, in case of untrained people, can become quiet walks and assisted riding on horseback).

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Ulaan Bataar
  • End Ulaan Bataar
  • Countries
    • Mongolia
  • City
    • Central Gobi
    • Yol Valley
    • Khongor
    • Bayanzag
    • Ongi
    • Kharkhorin
    • Orkhon
    • Tuvkun
    • Tsenkher
    • Tsagaan Nuur
    • Shin Ider
    • Hovsgol
    • Uran
    • Amarbaysgalant
    • Ulaan Bataar
  • Theme Meeting local people
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

Expand
  • 1
    Baga Gazar and Tsaagan Survaga
    Day 1 - 2 Transfer by car

    Tsaagan Survaga is also called "White Stupa" and is an incredible canyon resulting from erosions of wind and water that have shaped it over the centuries making it one of the most evocative places in the entire Gobi desert. The gorge is found in Ulziit soum in the Dundgovi province. From afar the area resembles the ancient ruins of a city.
    Time and estimated Km: 320 km - 5-7 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Ulaan Bataar
    • Central Gobi
    • Tsagaan Survaga
  • 2
    Yol valley
    Day 3 Transfer by car

    Today we will head towards the valley of Yol, famous as it is the only place in the world where, although it is desert, it is possible to find an open-air glacier. We will start the tour with the local museum where you can observe the flora and fauna, stuffed animals and some reproductions. Then we will have a few minutes to visit the markets near the museum.
    The actual hike starts walking in the valley for about 3 km until you get inside the frozen canyon. We will visit the area and the shore around the mountains, realizing how spectacular it is to find green valleys, mountains and ice in a desert, before returning to the Ger.
    Time and estimated Km: 180 km - 3 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Tsagaan Survaga
    • Yol Valley
  • 3
    Khongor sand dunes
    Day 4 Transfer by car

    Today we will head to Khongor, famous for its gigantic sand dunes. We will explore the area on the back of the famous Mongolian camel for about an hour and then continue climbing one of the sand dunes up to the top, an enterprise that is not easy. From the top you can see all the unusual green valley of this side of the Gobi.
    Time and estimated Km: 180 Km - 4/5 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Yol Valley
    • Khongor
  • 4
    Bayanzag
    Day 5 Transfer by car

    We will abandon the previous destination to head to Bayanzag site also called Flaming Cliff because of its rocks tending to the color red fire, an immense canyon with stones ranging from sand to red in the desert.
    Time and estimated Km: 200 Km - 4/5 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Khongor
    • Bayanzag
  • 5
    Ongi monastery
    Day 6 Transfer by car

    From the last stop in the desert we will head towards Central Mongolia and the ruins of ancient Ongi monastery almost completely destroyed during the period of Russian supremacy.
    When the sun goes down, the memories are even more suggestive and it is said that ghosts of children and monks occasionally appear to unsuspecting tourists.
    Time and estimated Km: 300 Km - 6/8 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Bayanzag
    • Ongi
  • 6
    Kharakhorum
    Day 7 Transfer by car

    From Ongi monastery we will move towards the ancient capital, Karakhorum. As a first step we will visit a museum where we will see a model representing the splendor of the ancient capital and Erdene Zu monastery before the fall of the Genghis Khan empire. We will continue the visit with some historical information about Mongolia. Then we will head towards the Erdene Zu monastery, the only one in the world surrounded by Stupa where several religions and cultures managed to survive together.
    Time and estimated Km: 120 Km - 3/4 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Ongi
    • Kharkhorin
  • 7
    Orkhon falls
    Day 8 Transfer by car

    This day is dedicated to the beautiful waterfalls of the Orkhon Valley, we will have the opportunity to stay nearby and watch them even at sunset. It will also be possible to see the waterfalls and with a short trek down to the nearest shore to observe them from above or continue towards the larger bank with a walk in this immense green valley.
    Time and estimated Km: 120 Km - 3/4 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Kharkhorin
    • Orkhon
  • 8
    Tuvkun monastery
    Day 9 Transfer by car

    From Orkhon waterfalls we will continue towards Tuvkhun monastery. This ancient complex is located at the top of Shiveet mountain at about 2000 meters and was built around the year 1650 for meditative and study purposes. Inside there will be many things to see, such as quarries, footprints carved on the rock, symbols related to independence and representations within the monastery.
    Time and estimated Km: 80 Km - 2/3 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Orkhon
    • Tuvkun
  • 9
    Tsenkher hot springs
    Day 10 Transfer by car

    After breakfast we will go to the thermal baths of Tsenkher. This day is dedicated to rest, we will be accommodated in a spectacular tourist camp with Ger where you can also try various types of massages including Mongolian massage. The hot springs are famous for being considered a cure for rheumatism and skin problems and are used by the Mongols themselves for therapeutic purposes.
    Time and estimated Km: 150 Km - 4/5 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Tuvkun
    • Tsenkher
  • 10
    Khorgo Terkh National Park and Tsagaab Nuur
    Day 11 Transfer by car

    After this relaxing day we will go to Khorgo Terkh national park, famous for its countless volcanic activities. Here we will see the Chuluut canyon which erupted in the prehistoric era creating an incredible landscape. The extinct volcano and Terkh lake also called Tsaagan Nuur are surrounded by very special sandy beaches. In short, this area bounded by 13 volcanoes and rock formations is truly a sight. We will climb almost to the top of one of these volcanoes by walking near the gorge.
    Time and estimated Km: 220 Km - 4/5 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Tsenkher
    • Tsagaan Nuur
  • 11
    Shin Ider
    Day 12 Transfer by car

    Today is dedicated to moving to Murun and Lake Hovsgol, we can admire the view and stop several times during the journey up to the Shin Ider accommodation. The next day we will continue towards Lake Hovsgol.
    Time and estimated Km: 180 Km - 5/6 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Tsagaan Nuur
    • Shin Ider
  • 12
    Hovsgol lake
    Day 13 - 14 Transfer by car

    We will wake up in Shin Ider to continue to Lake Hovsgol where we will stay in a beautiful Ger with lake view just after Khatgal.
    This famous lake stretches between Mongolia and Russia for about 100 km and its basins represent 3% of all water on earth. The area since the end of the 90s has become a national park and boasts a huge variety of plants and animals. An ideal destination for nature lovers. The water in the lake is so clean and clear that you can see the bottom. These two days are dedicated to relaxation, but you can do some extra excursions.
    Time and estimated Km: 260 Km - 5/6 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Shin Ider
    • Hovsgol
  • 13
    Uran volcano
    Day 15 Transfer by car

    After breakfast we will leave Lake Hovsgol and head towards Uran volcano which we will visit in the late afternoon.
    Uran volcano is located within the Uran-Togoo Tulga Uul nature reserve. You can climb to the top of the Uran Uul volcano from the western side and hike around.
    Time and estimated Km: 380 Km - 6/7 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Hovsgol
    • Uran
  • 14
    Amarbaysgalant monastery
    Day 16 Transfer by car

    After breakfast we will leave the volcano to go to Amarbayasgalant monastery also nicknamed "monastery of happiness and tranquility", the third largest in all of Mongolia. The monastery was sacked in the mid-1940s but restored thanks to Tibetan Buddhists, recovering its former glory. We will walk and explore the area around. In the evening it is possible to hike to the stupa that is on the hill near the monastery, which is very suggestive at sunset.
    Time and estimated Km: 300 Km - 5/6 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Uran
    • Amarbaysgalant
  • 15
    Return to UIan Bator
    Day 17 Transfer by car

    From the monastery of Amarbayasgalant we will return to Ulan Bator with overnight in the city.
    Time and estimated Km: 280 Km - 5/7 hours.

    Visited places:
    • Amarbaysgalant
    • Ulaan Bataar
  • 16
    Naadam festival
    Day 18 - 19 Transfer by car

    During these two special days we will attend the famous Naadam festival. On the first day there will be demonstrations of archery and the show presentation of the festival, while on the second day we will see the horse rides 20km outside Ulan Bator. Except for those in Ulan Bator, the events end in the early afternoon, after which it is possible to explore the city in total freedom.
     

    Visited places:
    • Ulaan Bataar
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (except for the last dinner in the capital city)
    • Transfer by jeep /4x4 depending on road conditions
    • Bottled mineral water
    • Park fees and entry tickets
    • English speaking guide
    • Mongolian drive / guide
    Price does not include
    • Personal expenses
    • Travel insurance
    • Air tickets
    • Train tickets