Mongolia Highlights: Gobi, Orkhon Valley & Ancient Mongolia

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar & Discover the Capital
3 stops
1
Gandan Tegichilen Monastry
Visit Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s most important Buddhist monastery, and learn about the role of Buddhism in Mongolian culture and daily life. Explore the monastery grounds, see traditional Buddhist architecture and religious artwork, and observe local worshippers as they perform their prayers and rituals. Your guide will explain the history and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
2
Sukhbaatar Square
Visit Sükhbaatar Square, the central landmark of Ulaanbaatar and an important gathering place in modern Mongolia. See the statue of national hero Damdin Sükhbaatar and the impressive government buildings surrounding the square. Your guide will introduce the history of the square and explain its significance in Mongolia’s modern history.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
National Museum Of Mongolia
Explore the National Museum of Mongolia and discover the country’s rich history from ancient times to the present day. See archaeological artifacts, traditional costumes, weapons, Buddhist art, and exhibits about the Mongol Empire and nomadic culture. Your guide will explain key periods of Mongolian history and help put the exhibits into cultural and historical context.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Ulaanbaatar to Baga Gazriin Chuluu
1 stop
4
Baga Gazariin Chuluu
Travel into the Mongolian steppe and explore Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a spectacular granite rock formation rising from the surrounding grasslands. Walk among the unusual rock formations, enjoy panoramic views of the open steppe, and learn about the area’s natural and cultural history from your guide. This peaceful landscape offers a first authentic experience of Mongolia beyond the capital.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa)
1 stop
5
Tsagaan Suvarga Mine
Explore Tsagaan Suvarga, one of Mongolia’s most spectacular desert landscapes. Walk along the dramatic white and colorful limestone cliffs, shaped by millions of years of natural erosion. Enjoy panoramic views across the Gobi and learn from your guide about the geological history of this remarkable landscape. Take time to photograph the changing colors and textures of the cliffs as the sunlight moves across the desert.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Yolyn Am Valley
1 stop
6
Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park
Explore the spectacular Yolyn Am Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, where dramatic mountain cliffs rise from the Gobi Desert. Hike through the narrow gorge and enjoy the contrast between the rugged mountains and the surrounding desert landscape. Keep an eye out for birds and wildlife, and learn from your guide about the unique environment of this mountain valley.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Khongor Sand Dunes & Camel Riding
1 stop
7
Khongor Sand Dunes
Travel to the magnificent Khongor Sand Dunes, one of the largest and most spectacular sand dune systems in Mongolia. Experience a traditional camel ride across the Gobi Desert and enjoy the striking contrast between the golden dunes, surrounding mountains, and open desert landscape. Walk along the dunes, take photographs, and watch the sunset over the vast Gobi landscape.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Gobi Nomadic Experience
1 stop
8
Khongor Sand Dunes
Spend a day experiencing the traditional lifestyle of a Gobi nomadic family. Visit a local camel-herding family and learn how people live and work in one of Mongolia’s harshest but most beautiful environments. See how a traditional ger is set up, learn about camel herding and daily life, and taste locally made dairy products when available. Enjoy time with the family and experience the warm hospitality of Mongolian nomads.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs
1 stop
9
Bayanzag Cliff
Explore Bayanzag, known as the Flaming Cliffs, a spectacular red sandstone landscape in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Walk among the dramatic cliffs and learn about the area’s importance in paleontology, where some of the world’s most famous dinosaur fossils and eggs were discovered. Enjoy the striking desert scenery and hear stories about the pioneering expeditions that brought international attention to Mongolia’s dinosaur heritage.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Ongi Monastery
1 stop
10
Ongi Monastery
Visit the historic Ongi Monastery, a former Buddhist monastery complex located along the Ongi River. Explore the remains of the monastery and learn about its history, the spread of Buddhism in Mongolia, and the changes it experienced during the 20th century. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the changing landscape as you travel from the Gobi Desert toward the greener steppes of Central Mongolia.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Orkhon Valley & Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall
1 stop
11
Orkhon Waterfall
Discover Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall, one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in Central Mongolia. Located in the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, the waterfall flows through a dramatic volcanic landscape surrounded by wide grasslands and mountains. Walk around the waterfall, enjoy the peaceful scenery, and learn from your guide about the natural and cultural significance of the Orkhon Valley.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Tövkhön Monastery & Nomadic Life
1 stop
12
Travel into the forested mountains of the Orkhon Valley and hike to the historic Tövkhön Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most peaceful and culturally significant Buddhist sites. Explore the monastery and its surrounding mountain landscape while learning about its history and spiritual importance. After returning to the valley, visit a local nomadic family and experience traditional Mongolian hospitality, daily life, and the culture of the steppe.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Ancient Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Monastery
1 stop
13
Kharkhorin
Discover Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and one of the most important historical sites in Mongolia. Explore the archaeological remains of the former imperial capital and learn how Karakorum became the political and cultural center of the Mongol Empire. Your guide will share stories about the city and its role in Mongolian history.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Return to Ulaanbaatar
1 stop
14
Ulaanbaatar
Travel back to Ulaanbaatar through the vast Mongolian steppe, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. Upon arrival in the capital, your guide will assist with your hotel drop-off or airport transfer, depending on your departure schedule. This marks the end of your 12-day journey through the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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