3 Day Tour to Kharkhorin and Mini Gobi with Camel and Horse Ride

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Drive to Kharkhorin, Orkhon Valley. Visit Erdene Zuu monastery, Kharkhorin Museum, and Orkhon valley. Stay in Ger
3 stops
1
Kharkhorin
After our guide and drive meet you at your designated hotel or airport, you'll start your guided tour towards the Karakorum was the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire, dates back to the 13th century. Now, the ruin lies low confronting against time and hiding Chinggis khan’s secrets beneath its name – “black soil”. Visit Kharkhorin museum and see the artifacts collected from the ruins. Next place Magnificent Erdene Zuu - the oldest monastery in Mongolia and the artwork of the Mongol architects.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Erdene Zuu Monastery
We explore the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, established in 1586. After Karakorum—the ancient capital—was destroyed by Ming dynasty forces in 1388 and never rebuilt, the monastery rose from its ruins. Materials from the destroyed city were used in its construction, preserving a piece of the old capital’s legacy. Then you will visit Kharakhorum Museum which offers a comprehensive exploration of the region's rich history, particularly focusing on the Mongol Empire and the ancient capital of Karakorum. Established in 2011 with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese government, the museum houses over 3,000 artifacts spanning from the Upper Paleolithic period to the 14th century.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Kharakhorum Museum
The museum provides an in-depth look into the region’s rich past, with a special emphasis on the Mongol Empire and the former capital, Karakorum. Opened in 2011 with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese government, it showcases over 3,000 artifacts dating from the Upper Paleolithic era to the 14th century. Visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits, including ceramics, bronze items, coins, religious sculptures, and inscribed stones unearthed from nearby archaeological sites. Highlights include a detailed model of ancient Karakorum, a replica of the Güyük Khan letter, and a 1347 inscription chronicling important historical events.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Drive to Mini Gobi sand- Elsen Tasarkhai. Experience Camel and Horse ride. Visit nomadic family. Stay in Ger
2 stops
4
Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune
In the early morning, we set off for Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as the Mongol Els sand dunes. Along the way, we visit a local camel herding family, offering a glimpse into the traditional nomadic lifestyle and enjoy a homemade lunch. Elsen Tasarkhai stretches for about 80 km and is surrounded by gentle hills, rare shrubbery, and a small forest by a river. We take time to walk on the golden dunes and later have lunch at a nearby tourist camp. To the north, the Tarna River flows along the edge of the sands, with Khogno Khan Mountain rising nearby—famous for its striking rock formations and scattered trees. Toward the south lies a mountain marking the geographic center of Mongolia. Thanks to its partial vegetation cover, the dunes here are relatively stable and move slowly. After lunch, you will visit nomadic family and experience camel and horse riding with local guide
8 hours • Admission ticket included
5
In the Khugnu Khan Mountain, the ruins of Erdene Khamba Khiid—an important site in Mongolian Buddhist history—can still be found. This scenic area blends mountains, steppe, fertile pastures, and Gobi desert, and is home to two historically significant monasteries and ancient burial mounds. According to legend, in 842, a Tibetan monk named Lhalambaldorj fled persecution and settled here to meditate. Later, in 1612, the monk Erdenetsorj built a 10-meter-high temple modeled after the 64-room Yamanda monastery, leading to the creation of a complex with 13 temples devoted to the red deity Jamsran Buddha at today’s Uvgun Monastery. The site was destroyed in 1688 during the Khalkha-Oirat war and rebuilt in 1700 with new temples and 200 monks. Sadly, it was demolished again in 1937 during the communist purges, with many monks executed. Today, visitors can still see two surviving temples and the remnants of the "Five Khan" monastery walls.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Morning sand walking and leisure activities. Drive back Ulaanbaatar
1 stop
6
Ulaanbaatar
In the morning, you can welcome sunrise in Mini Gobi, and you may enjoy sand walking and sliding. After breakfast, spend your leisurely morning in Semi Gobi. You can discuss with your guide about your preferred activities. And later you wil drive backto Ulaanbaatar. In the late afternoon, after reaching out UB, you may shop for souvenirs or cashmere in UB.
5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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