Discover True Mongolia (September)

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our team will greet you at the airport, after you’ve completed the necessary customs formalities, we will transport you in a private car to your hotel for check-in (drive is approximately 90 minutes). For those arriving prior to 4 PM, an early check-in can be arranged.

The remainder of the day is dedicated to rest, allowing you to recover from any jet lag.

For those with extra energy it is suggested you visit the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum, a 10–15-minute walk from the hotel.   Dinner is on your own, but we will provide a list of local recommended restaurants.

Accommodation

• Best Western Tuushin Hotel /standard check-in time is 2 pm/

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel, and then gather at 9 AM  in the hotel lobby to meet your English-speaking local guide. You will have a full day of sightseeing the key sites in Ulaanbaatar. We will visit Gandan Monastery housing 26m statue of a Buddhist deity and see the morning chanting at one of the temples. From there, you'll proceed to the Genghis Khan monument, an iconic symbol situated on a prominent square. A delectable lunch awaits you at a local restaurant, providing a taste of Mongolian cuisine.

After lunch, you'll have the opportunity to explore Bogd Khaan's Winter Palace Museum, offering insights into the history of Mongolia's monarchy. Following this, a visit to Zaisan Memorial hill for the panoramic view of the capital city. As the day draws to a close, immerse yourself in Mongolia's rich cultural heritage with a traditional folklore concert at the Tumen Ekh ensemble. Dinner is on your own. 

Accommodation

• Best Western Tuushin Hotel

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 

Meet at the hotel lobby at 9 am and start the day trip to beautiful Terelj National Park. We travel in a car for 1-2 hr and visit Giant Chinggis Khan statue at Tsonjin Boldog. Afterwards, we continue traveling to Terelj National Park. Upon arrival, lunch at the tourist ger camp. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to Aryapala meditation temple with a short stop by the Turtle Rock. Return to Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Accommodation

• Best Western Tuushin Hotel

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Catch a morning flight to Murun town today. Upon landing, meet our local driver and visit the Uushig Deer Stones, a UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage Site. Following this intriguing visit, we'll have our lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, our path takes us on a picturesque drive from Murun to Lake Khuvsgul, covering a distance of just over 150 kilometers. Along the way, we'll traverse a landscape characterized by lush green hills punctuated by rugged rock formations. We'll encounter river valleys with intricate networks of braided channels meandering through the fertile valley floors, while the skies above are graced by the presence of majestic birds of prey. As we approach the settlement of Khatgal and enter the forested terrain surrounding the lake, the road may become a bit uneven. However, our journey will reward us with the breathtaking sight of Lake Khuvsgul, with our ger camp conveniently located nearby.  We expect to arrive at the camp around 3-4 pm in the afternoon. The remainder of the day offers leisure time by the serene shores of Lake Huvsgul, allowing you to unwind and take in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Accommodation

• Ashikhai Resort

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Start your morning with an optional two-hour hike along the picturesque lakeshore. In the afternoon, relish a two-hour kayaking adventure on the tranquil waters of the lake, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and serenity of this remarkable natural landscape.

Accommodation

• Ashikhai Resort

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Today is a leisure day at Lake Khuvsgul. In the morning, we will arrange an opportunity to meet a Darkhad family the Tsaatan nomads, also known as the Reindeer People and learn about their nomadic life.  After lunch there will be an afternoon of horseback riding.  For those wishing to skip the horseback riding, this is a good opportunity for meditative thinking and strolling by Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake (by volume).

Accommodation

• Ashikhai Resort

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

We leave behind the scenic Lake Khuvsgul and make our way to Murun town, where we'll board a flight bound for Ulaanbaatar. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon landing at the airport in Ulaanbaatar, you will be smoothly transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we will have a short walk to visit the National History Museum. Free time for visiting Galleria Ulaanbaatar shopping mall for the world-famous Gobi cashmere brand store. 

Optional Mongolian cooking class in the evening hosted by Breanna Wilson.

Accommodation

• Best Western Tuushin Hotel

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 

Early morning transfer to the airport for catching a flight to Gobi Desert (07:00-07:55). Upon arrival, meet our driver(s) and start our journey in the arid Gobi Desert. Our journey takes us to the Khavtsgait Petroglyph, nestled within the Dund Saikhan Mountain. Here, we embark on a trek to the mountain, where a captivating natural gallery of rock paintings from the Bronze Age awaits. Continue to our tourist camp and lunch. In the late afternoon, we head towards the renowned Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. Upon arrival, we'll visit the information center, see informative exhibits and a documentary to enhance your understanding of the area. Then, immerse yourself in the wilderness and explore the unique natural formations as you hike along a designated trail. As the day draws to a close, we'll return to our camp in the evening, for a delicious dinner and comfortable overnight stay..

Accommodation

• Gobi Mirage camp or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Breakfast at the camp and we head to Khongor sand dunes. Our expedition continues as we make our way to the Khongor sand dunes, renowned as Mongolia's longest dunes. The drive to reach these dunes will span approximately 3 to 4 hours, traversing vast desert badlands that stretch as far as the eye can see. Along the way, remote mountains silhouette the horizon, and solitary gers dot the landscape as nomads travel on camelback or horseback, creating surreal mirages. The desert floor itself is adorned with an array of colorful rocks and rare minerals. It's the Gobi at its most rugged and striking, offering countless opportunities to pause and capture the stunning landscapes and the people who call this place home. Arrive and settle at our next tourist camp and lunch. Later in a day, we'll explore the magnificent sand dunes nestled alongside the Khongor river, gracefully flowing through the sands. You'll even have the chance to enjoy a one-hour camel ride amidst this breathtaking desert backdrop. As the day ends, settle in for a cozy dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Accommodation

• Gobi Erdene camp or similar

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Today, we embark on a picturesque journey to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, a drive that spans approximately four to five hours, allowing us ample opportunities for scenic photography stops. Arrive at the camp and settle. In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a brief drive to reach the enchanting Yolyn Am gorge. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to partake in a one-hour hike from our parking spot, immersing yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty. Eventually, we’ll return to the Gobi Mirage camp, where we’ll spend a night. 

Accommodation

• Gobi Mirage or similar 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Today’s expedition leads us to Tsagaan Suvarga, a remarkable sedimentary formation that harks back to an ancient seabed. Our expedition includes a pit stop in Dalanzadgad, a charming Gobi town, where we’ll explore the newly constructed Umnugovi province museum. From there our journey to Tsagaan Suvarga spans approximately 4-5 hours, punctuated by a short pit stop along the way. Upon our arrival at the camp, you’ll check in and settle in for a rewarding adventure. We’ll embark on an excursion to the Tsagaan Suvarga scarps, where you can revel in a captivating hike amidst the vibrant cliffs, ascending toward the summit for breathtaking views. After this invigorating exploration, we’ll return to the ger camp to savor a delicious dinner and spend the night in comfort.

Accommodation

• Tsagaan Suvarga ger camp or similar 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Our today’s destination is Baga Gazaryn Chuluu, a picturesque and legendary granite mountain. Arrive at Baga Gazaryn Chuluu Mountain and transfer to the tourist ger camp where you stay overnight today. After lunch, discover the area and take a tour around to visit Surtiin Am for the ruin of stone temple, 20 m long cave, as well as ger stone nearby. Return to the ger camp, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

• Khurkhree camp or similar 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

Wake up bright and early as we set out on our journey to the north, heading towards our next destination, the Mongol Nomadic Camp. Arrive and check in at the tourist ger camp. In the afternoon, we travel to Hustai National Park, a home to endangered Takhi wild horses. Visit the information center by the entrance of the park and start the excursion to the park to spot Takhi horses grazing peacefully in their homeland.  Return to our camp, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

• Mongol Nomadic camp or similar 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 
• Dinner

After breakfast, we'll see a captivating 'nomadic show' that highlights the customs of traditional Mongolian nomads, including their seasonal moves, milking livestock, and dairy product production. After the show, we'll have lunch at the ger camp, and travel back to Ulaanbaatar.

After the show, your driver will bring you back to the Ulaanbaatar hotel arriving around 3 pm. This would be a good opportunity to do some last-minute shopping.

For those desiring a Friday departure from Mongolia, there will be the option of going directly to the airport from the tourist camp, but please do not book a flight which departs before 6 PM so we can be sure to get you there in time.

Accommodation

• Best Western Tuushin Hotel

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch 

Following breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to the airport or train station. This marks the conclusion of your tour as you depart with what we hope will be lasting wonderful memories of your adventure.  Of course, we hope to see you return, but until we meet again, we wish you safe travels.

Meals Included

• Breakfast