12-Day South Gobi and Central Mongolia
WishlistPrice:
$3,390.00
Duration
12 Days
People:
16
Language
English, Mongolian
Tour Overview
This is an adventure of a lifetime, beginning at Ulaanbaatar, the modern capital of Mongolia. This trip leads you through the desert of South Gobi with its dunes, flaming mountains, and captivating canyons, And finally north to the ancient capital of Karakorum, with stops in the ruins of Ongii Temple and the beautiful landscape of Orkhon Valley.
This trip also takes us to the beautiful Ugii Lake near the Karakorum, where we hike the shores of the lake. We even walk in the dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai and stop in the Khustai National Park to see the wild horses, known as Przewalski Horses.
The trip starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar. We will also visit the modern capital city. While in the city, we stay in a decent first-class hotel. For the rest of the trip, we sleep in the traditional Ger tents and use the shared toilet and bathrooms located in the main building. The adventure requires some long drives on rough roads and is not suitable for travelers with health conditions.
Surcharges & Supplements
Surcharges
The tour price is based on a minimum group size of 4 persons. If the group size drops below 4, the trip will till operate but the following surcharges will apply.
3 persons: $200 per person
2 persons: $ 500 per person
Private Single Room Supplement :
$ 570
What's Included
What's Not Included
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
U.S. Citizens don't need a visa for Mongolia for stays of up to 90 days. You get an arrival seal on your passport. After clearing immigration and customs, your guide and driver will greet you in the ground transportation area.
After a brief introduction, we will drive to your hotel in the city, 10 miles away. Check-in the hotel and take rest for the day to rest or explore. If you arrive during dinner time (6-8 p.m.), we will take you for dinner.
Overnight: Ramada Hotel
Meals : Dinner
Day 02: Sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar
Today we explore Ulaanbaatar. The first stop is often the Gandan Monastery, the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia. Here you may experience the monks in worship and see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisig. Next, we can head for Chinggis Khan Square, the central square of Ulaanbaatar. We will also visit the Natural History Museum, famous for its authentic dinosaur skeletons.
Now, we proceed to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, located in southern Ulaanbaatar, on the road to Zaisan Hill. It is now a museum. The palace is the only one left from originally four residences of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who has later proclaimed Bogd Khan, or emperor of Mongolia. The complex includes six temples. On display are many of the Bogd Khan's possessions, such as his throne and bed, his collection of art and stuffed animals, his ornate ceremonial ger, and a pair of ceremonial boots given to the Khan by Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
Time permitting, we can drive uphill to the Zaisan memorial hill to get a fantastic view of the whole city. In the evening, we will enjoy the Mongolian Cultural Program that includes Mongolian traditional dances and songs, including the "throat singing."
Overnight: Ramada Hotel
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Flight to South Gobi. (1.5 hours flight, approximately 2 hours driving)
This morning we have a 90-minute flight to South Gobi, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Our local guide and driver will greet us with a 4WD vehicle for a two-hour drive to the Yol Valley in Gurvansaikhan National Park, situated in the lap of the Altai Mountains. On the way to the camp, we can stop to visit the local Natural History Museum for an insight into flora and fauna of the area.
This valley, nestled deep within the hills, is a haven away from the desert heat. Some areas of the valley are continually sheltered from the hot sun and house huge blocks of ice that gradually melt away during the summer. It is extensive at the entrance and narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. We will get to see wild animals such as ibex and wild sheep and the vulture. We can hike on foot or horseback or camelback around the area to the gorge. (Horseback ride costs US$ 5-7 with the lead, not included in the trip).
Check into the ger camp. In the next three days, we will well spend by exploring the vast Gobi. It is the habitat of the Bactrian Camels, Argali mountain sheep, Golden Eagles, Jerboas (which resemble the Kangaroo rats), Saker Falcons, and more. We might also take a scenic hike through the valley to discover the habitat of the indigenous vulture-like lammergeyers, Altai snow cocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep.
Overnight: Gobi Mirage Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Drive to Hongoryn Els (Flaming Cliffs) (Approximately 4 hours by 4WD, 113 miles)
This morning we set out by 4WD vehicle for a four-hour drive to the towering dunes of Hongoryn Els, which run for 60 miles alongside the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. The sand strip was called the Singing Sands because when there is high wind, it produces the sound like an airplane. These “Singing Sands,” which stand up to 2,500 feet in some areas, are probably the Gobi’s most impressive dunes. Isolated from the rest of the country, the "Singing Sands" has been the best-kept secret for thousands of years in the history of Mongolia. Hiking the dunes is an amazing experience. The dunes seem to stretch on forever like a soft ribbon of sand draped over the desert. From the top, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the area.
Next, we can stop to visit a camel breeding family near the dunes, and perhaps ride a camel to the dune areas. The family might even offer us the fermented camel milk and cookies. You can also rent the camel (double humped) from the family (about $5-7, and not included in the trip) for an hour. There is also a beautiful green oasis known as Seruun Bulag near the Khongor River.
Overnight: Gobi Erdene Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Drive to Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
After breakfast, we leave Hongoryn Els for Bayanzag, about 106 miles away. It's a long day’s drive and can take up to 5 hours. However, it's a scenic journey through the vast land. We will occasionally stop for photography and to watch the birds and the animals of the area.
We first visit the Flaming Cliff. The place was so-named by Roy Chapman Andrews, an American explorer who searched throughout the Mongolian Gobi Desert and found a dinosaur skeleton and eggs for the first time in Asia. The red cliff gleams with sunlight, and you can see from far away. We can take a short walk on the ridge of the cliff and look for the pieces of dinosaur bones. We might drive little further to see the saxaul trees that contributed the name Bayanzag, which means, naturally, “rich in saxaul.”
Our final 32-mile leg takes to our camp.
Overnight: Mongolian Gobi Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Travel to Ongiin Khild (100 miles, 4 hrs.)
After breakfast, we head up north on a four-hour, 100-mile drive to Ongiin Khild, a popular stop on the way to the Harhoryn (Karakoram). On the bank of the Ongiin River, we’ll see the ruins of two monasteries, collectively known as Ongi or Ongiin Temple. Formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, with 1,000 monks and 28 chapels, it was destroyed in the 1939 communist purges. As we visit the ruins and the surrounding area, the views of the river, ger camps, and the nearby hills are spectacular.
Overnight: Secret of the Ongi Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Travel to Orkhon valley (150 mile, 6 hrs.)
Today we will leave the deserts of South Gobi and enter the mountainous and steppe zone on a 150-mile, six-hour drive. Orkhon Valley sprawls along the banks of the Orkhon River in Central Mongolia, some 200 miles west of Ulaanbaatar. UNESCO recognizes Orkhon Valley as the World Heritage List for representing an evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions spanning more than two millennia.
We’ll have at our ger camp in the afternoon. We will have lunch and time to settle into our ger before we proceed for an excursion to the Orkhon waterfall, which is about 30 miles further up. The water doesn’t run all year, and you will be disappointed if you arrive here at the wrong time of the year. The water flow starts only after a good summer rain. The water flow is excellent and scenic in late July and August.
Overnight: Ursa Major Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Travel to Kharakhorum (Harhorin or Kharkhorin) (65 miles, 3 hrs.)
This morning we have a three-hour, 65-mile drive to Kharakhorum, which was the ancient capital of Mongolia established by Chinggis Khan. His son, Ogodei is believed to have built a palace enclosed by walls in the 13th century, but there is nothing to see today. What we can see is the Erdene Zuu monastery, made from the remains of the ancient capital. Before the communist purges in 1937, the monastery complex believed to have 100 temples with more than 1000 resident monks; now, only three temples remain.
We can also visit a museum here that has the collection of the ancient capital. If you are interested, we can visit a workshop of hand-made felt items used by locals.
Overnight: Mukhtenger Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Travel to Ugii Lake (60 miles, 2 hrs.)
A short drive further north – 60 miles in about two hours – brings us to the beautiful Ugii Lake. On the way, we will stop visiting the Khushuu Tsaisam museum that houses the artifacts from the Turkish Empire. This lake covers 27 square kilometers (10.42 square miles) and is rich in perch and pike. Ugii Nuur is a beautiful place for birdlife - cranes and ducks especially. This lake is stunning and would take most of a day to walk around, but it’s also a great place to unwind and reflect. This could be one of your favorite places in Mongolia.
Overnight: Ugii Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Travel to Gurvanbulag Soum (40 miles, 2 hrs.)
After breakfast, leave for Gurvanbulag Soum, a short 40-mile drive from Ugii Lake. Here we visit a nomad family of the Gurvanbulag community. The nomads are always welcoming, with traditional hospitality. We can try unique home-made exclusive dairy products, such as aaruul-dried curds, Mongolian salty milk tea, Suuteitsai, and so on. Gurvanbulag is a small community of families who live in the beautiful natural reserve of Khugnukhaan Mountain. This is a rare chance to interact with nomad people and learn of their lives in this fantastic place.
In the afternoon, we can enjoy a half-day trek to Elsen Tasarkhai, which is a small dune. In the evening, we can get a lesson on a traditional game, “Shagai,” with the family members.
Overnight: Community Ger Camp
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Travel to Ulaanbaatar via Hustai NP (175miles, 6 hrs.)
We have a long day’s drive – about 175 miles over six hours. So, we can stop along the way in Hustai National Park, renowned for the restoration of wild horses, also called Przewalski Horses. We should be able to watch a few herds, and then continue another hour to our hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Farewell dinner and overnight Ramada Hotel.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Depart Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, you will get transferred to the airport.
Service ends.
Meals : Breakfast
Calendar & Price
Land and Internal Air
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FAQs
What travel documents do I need for Mongolia?
You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa, so check the latest requirements before traveling. Most travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and all European Union countries do not need a visa for short stays in Mongolia. Depending on nationality, the visa‑free period is typically 30 or 90 days. Always check the latest entry rules before traveling, as visa policies can change.
All visitors must register with Mongolian Immigration within 48 hours of arrival (your hotel or guide can assist). Travel insurance is strongly recommended, and you may be asked to show return flight details or accommodation confirmations at immigration.
When is the best time to visit Mongolia?
The best time to visit Mongolia is June to September, when the weather is warm, the landscapes are green, and travel conditions are ideal. June–August offer long sunny days and major festivals like Naadam, while September brings cooler temperatures and beautiful autumn colors.
What is the food like on Mongolian tours? Will vegetarian options be available?
All meals on this trip are arranged by our local operator. In Ulaanbaatar, you’ll enjoy a wide range of dining options, including Mongolian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Western cuisine. Meals in the city tend to be modern, varied, and suitable for most travelers, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten‑free choices available in many restaurants.
Outside the capital, meals become simpler and more traditional. Ger camps typically serve set menus featuring hearty dishes such as soups, stir‑fries, rice or noodle plates, and meat‑and‑vegetable combinations. Breakfasts usually include bread, eggs, pancakes, porridge, and tea or coffee. Lunch is often a picnic or roadside stop, while dinners are warm, filling, and comforting after a day of exploration.
Vegetarian and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice, though options are more limited in remote areas.
Will I have access to electricity and charging in Mongolian gers?
Ger camps typically provide electricity in the evenings, either through generators or solar power. Charging outlets may be limited, so bringing a power bank is helpful. Hotels in Ulaanbaatar have full electricity access.
Is Wi‑Fi available in Mongolia?
Wi‑Fi is available in most hotels and some ger camps, though the connection can be slow or intermittent. Outside the city, expect limited connectivity — part of Mongolia’s charm is the chance to disconnect.
Are camel or horse rides included?
Camel and horse rides are optional and paid directly on site, and they cost around $10-$15, negotiated by your guide. Your guide will help arrange these experiences if you’re interested.
Is tipping expected in Mongolia?
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. Many travelers choose to tip their guide, driver, and camp staff at the end of the trip as a gesture of gratitude
What kind of shopping is recommended in Mongolia?
Mongolia is famous for its high‑quality cashmere, leather goods, felt crafts, and traditional artwork. Ulaanbaatar has excellent shops and cooperatives where you can find authentic, ethically sourced items.
