This 15-day jeep tour takes you from Mongolia’s capital to the unexplored corners of the Gobi Desert, following the trails of dinosaur hunters. This remote and inaccessible region is home to wild asses, wild camels, and desert gazelles, and offers visitors a stunning variety of colors and landscapes. Hiking, camel riding, and horseback riding are the main activities. The tour also includes a visit to the magnificent Khovsgol Lake and its surrounding cultural area.
Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan Airport in Ulaanbaatar, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you will explore Ulaanbaatar, starting with an impressive performance of traditional music and dance at 6 PM. The captivating sounds of huumii (throat singing) and the cherished two-string horse-headed fiddle, or morin khuur, will create lasting memories. A welcome dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants will follow.
Our next stop in the Middle Gobi Province will be the White Stupa, a limestone formation approximately 30 meters tall and 100 meters long, shaped by wind and water erosion over thousands of years. From a distance, it resembles the ruins of an ancient city. At dawn, it offers a magnificent view with rainbow colors. We will also visit a cave known for its unique horizontal and vertical formations. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
We will visit Gurvan Saikhan National Park in the South Gobi. At the entrance, we will explore a small Natural History Museum to learn about the park's flora and fauna and view some dinosaur bones and eggs found in the region. We will then drive to the parking area and embark on a pleasant hike through Yolyn Am (Lammergeyer Valley), leading to a gorge that holds ice for most of the year. This valley is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and the surprising sight of thick ice amid the Gobi desert. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
In the early 1920s, an American expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews in search of ancient human remains accidentally discovered dinosaur fossils and eggs at Bayanzag, a site known locally for its saksaul trees. The western world recognizes this area, known as the Flaming Cliffs, for its abundant dinosaur remains. Even today, white fossilized bones are still found.
We will continue west to the extraordinary sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, one of the most scenic areas in the province. In the evening, we will climb the Singing Dune, one of the highest dunes, to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and slide down using a plastic bag if you have one. The shifting sand creates a distinct sound, similar to an airplane, which is why this dune is called the "Singing Dune" or "Sounding Dune." Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
We will spend another day at the Sand Dunes to explore this magnificent place on camelback. Mongolia is home to two-thirds of the world's two-humped Bactrian camels, known for their gentleness, calmness, and extraordinary patience. They can go without water for up to a month, making the Khongor Sand Dunes an ideal location for camel riding. Riding a Bactrian camel is more comfortable than riding a Dromedary camel, found in the Sahara, India, and the Middle East. The two humps provide support on both sides, and the gentle pace may even make you feel drowsy. However, stay awake to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding area. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
Drive to Ongi Temple for sightseeing. Ongi Temple, or Ongiin Khiid, is a significant historical and spiritual site located in the Saikhan-Ovoo district of Dundgobi Province, Mongolia. It sits along the banks of the Ongi River, nestled within the Gobi Desert's stark yet beautiful landscape. Visit a nomadic family to explore their culture. Overnight stay at the site. (BLD)
Early morning drive to Karakorum, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. Kharkhorin was Mongolia’s capital for 140 years and the Mongol Empire’s capital for 32 years. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 on the site where Kharkhorin once stood. The monastery covers 400 square meters and is surrounded by a stone wall with 108 stupas. Stone columns, blocks, and sculptures excavated from the city ruins were used in the construction of this monastery, which began in the 16th century and continued until the 19th century. Overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.
Today, we will drive through Arkhangai Province, known as the "Switzerland of Mongolia" for its stunning landscapes, including mountains, cliffs, rapid rivers, and tranquil lakes. We will visit a hot spring with a temperature of 86.5°C, rich in minerals beneficial for treating injuries, wounds, radiculitis, fatigue, and depression, which locals and visitors use with great respect.
Relax in the bath under the starry sky, and visit a nomadic family to observe their way of life and the process of making dairy products. Taste airag (mare's milk), milk-based vodka, and experience horse riding. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
We will explore Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. The crater of the extinct volcano, covered with basalt, is located in the eastern part of Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, which is an excellent spot for swimming and fishing. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.
Experience the beautiful larch forests and thermal springs. The granite pinnacles at 2,260 meters above sea level in the Tarvagatai Mountains offer stunning views of the endless mountain range. Overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.
Lake Khovsgol is one of the most scenic spots in Mongolia. This gorgeous alpine lake is surrounded by high mountains, meadows, and forests, offering a complete contrast to the rest of the country. Over 90 rivers and streams flow into the lake, but only a single river flows out—the Egiin Gol, which ultimately reaches Lake Baikal in Siberia. Numerous activities are available here, including excellent fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, and horseback riding. We will explore the surrounding area on horseback and visit a family of reindeer breeders. Enjoy photography and a mini horse trek around Khovsgol National Park while taking in views from the high mountains. Overnight at a tourist ger camp.
Drive to Bulgan Province in northern Mongolia. We will explore a Mongolian volcanic area and see natural sights around Khovsgol along the way. Overnight at a tourist ger camp.
We will return to Ulaanbaatar and visit a souvenir house. This tour is optional. Overnight at the hotel after the farewell dinner.
We will go back to UB and visit a souvenir house. Overnight at hotel after a Farewell dinner.
