Mongolia Highlights & Gobi

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital and the largest city of Mongolia! Our locally based driver will wait for your arrival ahead of time at Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Ulaanbaatar Railway Station, holding a sign which can be easily recognized. After picking you up, the driver will then transfer you to the hotel by a clean and comfortable private car. There is no sightseeing arrangement during the rest of the day, so after finishing the check-in procedure, you may take a stroll around and have the first impression of the country by yourself.

Suggested Activities: 
Chinggis Khan Square is the landmark of Mongolia. It is the most favorite place for locals to get together in free times, to talk with friends and to have fun for kids. Almost every couple take their wedding photographs here. Walk there and feel the happy atmosphere of local people. Not far from the square, about 10 minutes walking to the south, there is restaurant called Grand Khaan Irish Pub located in Seoul Street, delicious steak and lamb chops with a glass of beer may revive yourself from the long flight.

Accommodation: Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Center (4 stars)

Our Mongolia tour will officially start today. After breakfast, the driver will send you to the airport and help you board the flight to Dalanzadgad Airport, where our local experienced bilingual guide will welcome you and later escort you to hike the Eagle Valley, known as Yol Am. Also called Yolyn Am, this narrow valley lined by rocky cliffs is covered by ice almost all around the year. Even though, animals like camels and eagles survive one generation after another. Tonight, we will book a ger nearby for you to stay in, meanwhile experience the life of local herdsmen.

How Long Does the Hiking Take along the Yol Am?
It may take 4 hours for a round way to hike through the valley, most parts are mild, but the last 500-meter hike on the rock surface is a little challenging, and sometimes you need to jump over the flowing streams, or ice surface when the temperature is low. Our experienced guide will remind you and will keep you safe. There is no doubt this pleasant hiking matches better with comfortable outdoor shoes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Juulchin Khan Bogd Ger camp

Today, our guide will accompany you to move on to Khongor Sand Dunes by private car. It is also called the "Singing Sand" because dunes here can make sounds when the wind is blowing. The highest dune reaches up to 800 meters (2,600 feet). While traveling through the wild sand dunes, you will see the dunes' color and shape changing at different times of a day. If interested, climb to one of the peaks to admire the wonderful scene of “sea of sand dunes”. At the end of the day, also check in a ger for overnight stay.

★ The Privilege of Taking Our Tours:
You will ride a Bactrian camel to enjoy the colorful sand dunes, they are considered the gentlest animal to ride on. As they move forward slowly with the guidance of herdsman, the two hump support you and keep you sitting in between comfortably. Do remember to wear dust-proof clothes and put on thick sunscreen. This activity is usually scheduled in the afternoon, avoiding the hottest hours and also avoiding strong ultraviolet rays.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Gobi Discovery Ger camp

The first escorted stop of today will be the home of local herdsmen. There, you can learn how they live their daily lives and take photos with camels raised by them. After that, take the private car to Bayanzag. It is also called Flaming Cliffs, because crimson precipices there make it exactly like a firing valley. It becomes widely known to the world due to the first discovery of dinosaur eggs as well as numerous dinosaur fossils lying under the cliffs.

What to Eat During the Camp Stay: Traditional food or buffet
Mongolia traditional food will be served, and the western buffet is available at the travel high seasons. Mongolian tradition dishes: Steamed dumplings, fried dumplings, hot stone barbecue, tsuivan (stir-fry of meat, pasta, potatoes and other vegetables) and fresh seasonally vegetables. Our guide always inform the camps to prepare something different for you, and an advanced notice about your diet requirement helps us make a better arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Mongol Gobi Ger Camp

Our tour today will be extended to Ongi Monastery. It used to be one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia gathering over 1,000 monks at its peak time. However, the architecture complex has been destroyed in 1937. In 2004, some monks built a small temple alongside with pillars and other materials collected from the ruins. Not far away, the flowing Ongi River adds some vitality to the debris. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp

After breakfast, we will continue driving to Karakorum, also known as Kharkhorin, which used to be the capital of Mongolia. In middle 13th century, it was the center of the world when most parts of Asia and Europe was under its powerful influence. In late 1940s, lots of ruins of walls, palaces, streets and houses were found. In 2004, the ruins and its surrounding views were listed as the first UNESCO world culture heritage of Mongolia.

Next, the guide will lead you to visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the largest and first Buddhism monastery in Mongolia. There are 108 white pagodas built on its surrounding walls, with a distance of about 15 meters (16.5 yards) one from another. Besides, you will have a chance to appreciate lots of precious paintings, house decorations, embroidery, manuscripts and wooden books of the 15th - 17th century inside. Following, admire the historical relics in Museum of Karakorum. 

After that, you will be given some free time to wander around before being sent to the nearby ger.

A Story Behind: Why Mongolian Changed Their Capital?
Karakorum is a legendary city built in 1220 and soon became the center of politics, economy and culture. In 1260, Khubilai Khan ascended the throne in Kaiping City, and his younger brother ascended the throne in Karakorum. He defeated his brother in 1261 and then moved southward gradually to expand the territory until the Mongolian capitated in Beijing. Karakorum was completely destroyed by Ming troops in 1380 but only left the historical sites tell the glory of the dynasty at that time. Even now, we can't deny that Karakorum have always been the pride of the Mongols in history.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp

At the appointed time, we will leave for the first stop of today by car, Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune, where you can see a unique but harmonious scene of trees scattering among the sand dunes with Tarna River flowing through. 

Then will come the highlight of today’s tour, Hustai National Park. It is home to wild takhi horses. Besides, birds, fish, amphibians, and lush trees make it quite different in this landlocked country. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hustai Ger Camp

Today, the guide will accompany you to visit another famous national park in the country - Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Here, the lush grassland and thick woods are all primitive, with white gers scattered among and horses running freely. The guide will also lead you to visit the Ariyabal Meditation Temple and Turtle Rock resembling like a giant turtle there.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Terelj Lodge Ger camp

According to the tour plan, we will make our way back to Ulaanbaatar today after breakfast by car. On the way, make a stop at Genghis Khan Statue Complex, where the world's largest Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is set, with a height of 40 meters (130 feet). He is sitting on a horse with the golden whip in his hand, ready to go to the battle field anytime. There is an escalator leading you to the head of the horse, where you can overlook the great scenery of the surrounding grassland.

After, continue driving towards Ulaanbaatar. Before sending you to the hotel in downtown, our guide will accompany you to a local market for you to buy some local specialties and souvenirs. In the evening, we will serve you a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, making a perfect conclusion to this Mongolia tour.

★  What Makes Us Different?
Before sending you to the hotel in downtown, our guide can accompany you to a local market to buy some local specialties and souvenirs if you need. In the evening, we will serve you a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, making a perfect conclusion to this Mongolia tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Center (4 stars)

According to your flight schedule, our guide will transfer you from the hotel to the airport on time and help you with the boarding formalities. We wish you a nice journey home and are looking forward to serve you again in other global destinations!  

Meals: Breakfast