Discover True Mongolia tour 2023

Upon arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you`ll be welcomed by your guide & driver & transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to get over jet lag and take a good rest before your wonderful Mongolia tour. Hotel in Ulaanbaatar is not included in the package, but you can check our suggested hotels here.

The city tour of Ulaanbaatar takes you through some of the principal sights of this unique city. You visit the Gandan Monastery, housing a 26 meter high gilded statue of the Buddha. Welcome lunch in a Mongolian restaurant. Your tour also takes you to the Sukhbaatar square, Museum of National History and Zaisan memorial hill where you can get a panoramic view of the whole city. Hotel in Ulaanbaatar is not included in the package, but you can check our suggested hotels here. L

Early morning on this day, we will hit the road to start our great Mongolia adventure. Today`s destination is Gun Galuut Nature Reserve, located 3 hour drive from the capital. On the way, you`ll visit the Giant Chinggis Statue, one of the must-see sights in Mongolia.

Arrive at Gun Galuut and set our tents at a scenic spot in the Kherlen river valley. Afterwards, pay a visit to nomadic family and have a first-hand experience in nomadic lifestyle, followed by a short hiking to the wetlands to spot endangered White Napped Crane (only 3000 left in the world).  Return to the campsite, enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by tour chef and stargaze in the Mongolian wilderness. Tented camp L+D

Gun-Galuut is a home to many endangered species including the Argali wild mountain sheep and many more. In the morning, we hike through the Baits Mountain or optional horse ride to try viewing Argali wild sheep. Lunch at our new campsite, south of mighty Baits Mountain. Free time for leisure-optional hiking, fishing etc. In the evening, attend a cooking session by our chef and learn to make Mongolian dish for dinner. Overnight at tent. Tented camp B+L+D

Breakfast and we continue our travel to Gobi Desert with stop at the Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a picturesque granite mountain in the steppes. Although far from the forest steppe zone, the area is rich in asp, birch, white wicker and elm tree. Upon our arrival in the ger camp, enjoy lunch. Free time. Ger camp B+L+D

Today we travel to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) in Central Mongolia, a natural wonder which is considered to be an ancient seabed. Arrive at our next tourist ger camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, we take a tour around and visit to Khevtee Bosoo cave. The cave has wider entrance and it gets narrow as it is closer to the other end. Continue to Tsagaan Suvarga scarps and enjoy hiking around the colorful cliffs as you make your way toward the top. Return to the ger camp, dinner and overnight. Ger camp B+L+D

Today we travel to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Park with a four to five hour drive, stopping for breathtaking views and photo opportunies along the way. Arrive at our next tourist ger camp (2050 m above the sea level) in Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. In the afternoon, we visit Yolyn Am gorge and enjoy hiking in the beautiful gorge for 1-2 hours. Visit local natural history museum to learn about Gobi Desert endemic flora and fauna. Transfer to ger camp, dinner and overnight there. Ger camp B+L+D

In the morning, we check out from the ger camp and travel to Khongor sand dunes, aka Singing dunes by the locals. Visit the beautiful sand dunes by the Khongor river streaming through the sands. In the afternoon, we take a tour to Seruun Bulag, a natural cool spring between Khongor river and sand dunes. Then we visit Gobi family and ride 2 humped Bactrian camel through Singing dunes (1 hour). Optional climbing to the dunes by the sunset and one will enjoy breathtaking yet surreal scenery of the dunes and its surrounding landscape. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp.  Ger camp B+L+D

The drive to the Bayanzag, aka the Flaming cliffs due to its fierce reddish color at sunrise or sunset, takes between 3 and 4 hours, passing through vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon. Lone gers and nomads on camel or horseback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks. Arrive at the ger camp and enjoy lunch (and a cold beer if you wish!). Rest of the day will be spent enjoying the wilderness and unique nature formations of this strange land where the ancient dinosaurs roamed freely. Try and view the sunset over the Flaming Cliffs and you`ll be rewarded with an unforgettable sight to last you for a lifetime. Ger camp B+L+D

On this day, we will drive north to Ongi Monastery ruins by the Ongi river. Our drive takes 4-5 hour, passing through wide open Ongi steppe. Arrive at our ger camp and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the ruins of historical Ongi Monastery (built in 18th century) with some short hiking. Return to the ger camp and rest. Optional sauna or massage available. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. Ger camp B+L+D

Today, we will become guests at a Mongolian nomadic family for authentic experience and interaction. Our drive takes 4-5 hour through the Gobi steppes to central Mongolia steppe. Arrive at our host family and enjoy a Mongolian countryside lunch. The rest of the day is spent with nomads and participating in various unique activities, such as making cheese and curds, milking mares, making Airag (the fermented mare`s milk), herding the lifestock and many more. Enjoy your stay at the nomads’ summer campsite. Nomadic family stay B+L+D

Say farewell to our host family and we drive to ancient capital Karakorum. We visit legendary monastery Erdene Zuu, the first Buddhist monastery in Central Mongolia, founded in 1586 and its surroundings, including the Turtle Rock and the Phallic stone etc. In the afternoon we will visit the newly established Museum of Karakorum which gives a good introduction to Central Mongolia and its’ history as well as the UNESCO world heritage site Orkhon river valley. Continue our travel to Tsenkher hot springs where we will stay overnight. Arrive at our ger camp after 3-4-hour travel. Enjoy relaxing in the natural curative hot spa. Ger camp B+L+D

Check out from our camp and we continue our journey to the northwest. Visit historical Zayiin Gegeen temple museum at Tsetserleg town. Next stop is at mythical Taikhar rock which keeps around 150 inscriptions engraved on the cliff written in Turkic, Uyghur, Mongolian, Tibetan, Manchu and Chinese, but most of them are barely visible now. Picnic lunch along the way.

Our afternoon drive brings us into Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan - the 'Great White Lake’ area. The lake lies calmly in the arms of tall hills, its water extremely clear and lined with long sand beaches. The road winds along the shoreline, past Shamanic piles of black lava, before it cuts a short distance inland towards the Khorgo Volcano. At around 10,000 feet up, the volcano is now extinct, but still revered by the nomads of the region. A short walk takes you to the crater rim, where red-stained rock descends into a deep chasm surrounded by sacred Ovoo mounds. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp by the lake shore. Ger camp B+L+D

Today we take a path northward, passing Orookh pass and continuing into the astounding Huvsgul Mountains. The mountains themselves vary in character, from stark outcroppings of dun-colored rock to steep green slopes that rise far over the river valleys and isolated ger encampments. The drive takes 6-7 hours with picnic lunch along our way. Our next stop is the amazing & off-beaten Five river valley, a confluence of 5 rivers: Delgermurun, Bugsei, Chuluut, and Ider river combines into Selenge river. Arrive at our ger camp by the riverside. Short hiking toward to Borivt mountain where you will have panoramic view of the surrounding including the view of the river confluence. Optional fishing or kayaking are available on the river. Overnight at this piece of tranquil heaven in a cozy Mongolian yurt, Ger camp B+L+D

Enjoy breakfast, then drive towards Lake Huvsgul. We visit Uushig Deer Stones before heading to Lake Huvsgul, known as Blue pearl of Mongolia. Lunch at the ger restaurant and in the afternoon, we continue our journey toward the lake. The drive from Murun to Lake Huvsgul covers slightly more than 150 kilometers, passing across a landscape of green hills studded by rock outcroppings, river valleys with braided channels which crisscross the lush valley floors and skies dominated by fierce raptors. The road can get bumpy as it passes the settlement of Khatgal and enters the forests surrounding the lake, before emerging on the banks of Lake Huvsgul itself with your ger camp close at hand. Remainder of the day at leisure on Lake Huvsgul. Ger camp B+L+D

In the morning, enjoy 2-hour horseback riding along the lake shore. The rest of the day is spent in leisure activities and sightseeing on Lake Huvsgul and its surroundings - there are a number of ways to spend the day, including optional boat journeys, gentle walking, visit to Darkhad family or fishing. Enjoy 2-hour kayaking on the calm lake and find your inner peace. Ger camp B+L+D

We depart from Lake Huvsgul and start our journey toward the Khangai region where one can truly admire the nature beauty of northern Mongolia. Khangai region is beautiful mountainous area rich in forest, wildlife and rivers. Picnic lunch along the way and optional nomadic family visit. We arrive at our ger camp near Uran Togoo Mountain (extinct volcano). Short drive to Uran Togoo and enjoy hiking into the ancient volcano that was active 20-25 thousand years ago. Return to the ger camp, dinner and overnight. Ger camp B+L+D

Today we head to the east to magnificent Amarbayasgalant monastery located in Baruun Buren, Selenge. Our road trip, passes by Bulgan town as well as the industrial town of Erdenet where one of Mongolia’s largest copper mines is located. In the afternoon, we visit renowned Amabayasgalant monastery, established between 1727 and 1736. The monastery was dedicated to Undur Gegeen Zanabazar, a well-known religious leader and genius artist. Return to the ger camp, dinner and overnight. Ger camp B+L+D

Today we drive toward Ulaanbaatar with the early start from the ger camp. Our drive takes 7-8 hours with lunch along the way at the local restaurant. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. Optional shopping for souvenir if time allows. In the evening, enjoy a traditional folklore concert by Tumen Ekh ensemble where you will see Mongolian traditional performances such as contortion, throat-singing, long-song, horse-fiddle performance and much more. End the day with a delicious farewell dinner with your travel companions in a local restaurant. Hotel in Ulaanbaatar is not included in the package, you can check suggested hotels here. B+L+D

This morning, you will conclude your once-upon-a-lifetime journey across Mongolia and will be transferred to the airport/train station.