Gobi Desert, Eight Lakes & Naadam Festival:

Our adventure begins in Central Mongolia, traveling through the historic town of Kharkhorin, once the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Surrounded by wide степpe landscapes and rich history, Kharkhorin offers a meaningful starting point, where travelers can explore the famous Erdene Zuu Monastery and experience the cultural heart of Mongolia. From here, the journey continues into the beautiful Eight Lakes (Khüisiin Naiman Nuur) region, a remote and pristine area ideal for hiking and outdoor exploration.

In the Eight Lakes region, forested trails, volcanic hills, and crystal-clear alpine lakes create a peaceful and refreshing environment. Hiking through this area allows for close contact with nature, wildlife, and nomadic life. Nights are spent camping under the stars or staying with local herding families, offering a deep sense of connection to the land and its people.

After the cool highlands of Central Mongolia, the adventure gradually moves south toward the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi Desert. The transition is striking, as green forests give way to open plains, rocky formations, and vast desert horizons. In the Gobi, travelers explore towering sand dunes, colorful cliffs, and hidden canyons, experiencing a completely different side of Mongolia’s natural beauty.

This journey from Central Mongolia and the Eight Lakes to the Gobi Desert showcases the country’s incredible diversity. It blends history, hiking, culture, and adventure into one unforgettable experience—traveling from ancient capitals and alpine lakes to one of the world’s most legendary deserts.

accommodation:Yes duration:15 day 14 nights tour distance:2500km group size:16 tour operator:Idre Tour Mongolia

route

Ulaanbaatar- Elsen Tasarkhai - Kharkhorin - Orkon Vaelly - 8lakes - Khuis Lake - Shireet Lake - Uvurkhangai province - Ongi monastery - Bayanzag Flaming cliffs - Khongor Sand Dune - Yoliin Am Ice Valley - Tsagaan Suvraga - Baga Gazar -Ulaanbaatar

Day 1 2026.07.23 – Day 1: Arrival & Ulaanbaatar City Tour (80 km)
We will pick you up at the airport and drive to Ulaanbaatar for breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit Gandan Monastery, the main Buddhist temple in Mongolia. Then we will continue to the National History Museum. After the museum, we will have lunch. After lunch, we will rest for about 3 hours or visit the Bogd Khan Winter Palace. In the evening, we will attend a performance by the Tsagaan Lavai Ensemble. After that, we will return to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 2026.07.24 – Day 2: Elsen Tasarkhai Mini Gobi (280 km)
Travel to Elsen Tasarkhai, a stretch of desert-like sand dunes nestled between forested mountains and grassy steppes. Here you can hike the dunes, ride a camel, or simply enjoy the contrasting landscapes. Nearby is the sacred Khugnu Khan Mountain, rich in wildlife and ancient history. We will visit a local nomadic family, experience traditional hospitality, and learn about their daily life. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family spare ger
Day 3 2026.07.25 – Day 3: Kharkhorin & Naadam Festival (85 km)
We will drive to Mongolia’s ancient capital Kharkhorin (Karakorum), founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It served as the capital of the Mongol Empire for 40 years until Kublai Khan moved it to Beijing. After the empire’s collapse, the city was abandoned, and its remains were later used to build Erdene Zuu Monastery in the 16th century. We will attend the Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s biggest and most joyful national celebration. The festival features the “Three Manly Sports”: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. • 1,024 wrestlers compete without weight divisions • Wrestlers wear traditional boots, zodog (vest), and shuudag (shorts) • Horse races are divided into six categories based on the age of the horses Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tourist ger camp
Day 4 2026.07.26 – Day 4: Orkhon Waterfall (150 km)
We will visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, then drive to Orkhon Waterfall, a beautiful location for photography and hiking through the gorge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family ger
Day 5 2026.07.27 – Day 5: Orkhon Valley Horseback Riding
Today we will enjoy horseback riding and hiking in the Orkhon Valley. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tourist ger camp
Day 6 2026.07.28 – Day 6: Trekking to the Eight Lakes (20 km)
Today we begin trekking to Khuisiin Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and part of the 11,500-hectare Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. We will hike in from the northern side. The eight lakes—Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Duruu, Khuis, and Onon—are located 500 meters to 3 km apart. The area is extremely beautiful, surrounded by conifer-covered mountains and forest clearings full of wildflowers. We will stay at Khuis Lake, the smallest of the eight lakes. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family ger
Day 7 2026.07.29 – Day 7: Shireet Lake & Remaining Lakes (20 km)
Today we will visit all the remaining lakes and spend the night at Shireet Lake, the largest and most beautiful of the Eight Lakes. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tourist ger camp
Day 8 2026.07.30 – Day 8: Shireet Pass & Uvurkhangai Province (10 km hiking / 150 km driving)
We will hike to Shireet Davaa (pass). Our driver will meet us there and drive to Arvaikheer, where we will stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9 2026.08.01 – Day 9: Ongi Monastery & Gobi Desert (180 km)
We will drive to Ongiin Khiid (Ongi Monastery), located along the Ongiin River. This large monastery once housed around 1,000 lamas and was destroyed during the Stalinist purges in the 1930s. It was one of the largest monasteries in the Gobi region. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family ger
Day 10 2026.08.02 – Day 10: Bayanzag – Flaming Cliffs (170 km)
We will drive to Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur fossil discoveries. The name Bayanzag means “rich in saxaul shrubs.” Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 11 2026.08.03 – Day 11: Khongor Sand Dunes (150 km)
We will drive to the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes, some of the largest and most spectacular dunes in Mongolia. We will hike to the top of the tallest dunes. There is an oasis near Khongor Creek at the northern edge of the dunes. On windy days, the dunes produce a sound like an airplane engine, which is why they are called the “Singing Dunes.” We will arrange a camel riding trip along the dunes and enjoy hiking in the area. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family ger
Day 12 2026.08.04 – Day 12: Yolyn Am Ice Valley (180 km)
We will drive to Yolyn Am Ice Valley in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, a strictly protected area covering 70 sq. km. The mountains here are the highest in the Gobi Desert and offer dramatic rocky scenery. We will walk about 3 km into the narrow valley and 3 km back. If time allows, we may hike to another beautiful nearby valley called Mukhar Shivert. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tourist ger camp
Day 13 2026.08.05 – Day 13: Tsagaan Suvraga
We will drive to Tsagaan Suvraga (White Stupa), one of Mongolia’s most unique natural formations. This massive limestone escarpment rises about 30 meters high and stretches 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years, wind and water have shaped it into dramatic, multi-colored layers. Sunset here is especially spectacular. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tourist ger camp
Day 14 2026.08.06 – Day 14: Baga Gazariin Chuluu
We will drive to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, a granite mountain formation (1,768 m) located in Adaatsag soum, Dundgovi Province. The area is known for its unique, almost lunar-like scenery. It contains mineral-rich rocks, crystal formations, natural springs, and ruins of stone temples dating back to the 17th century. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomadic family spare ger
Day 15 2026.08.07 – Day 15: Return to Ulaanbaatar
We will drive back to Ulaanbaatar, visit the Zaisan Memorial, and have time for shopping. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation:
Day 16 2026.08.08 – Day 16: Departure
Departure

PLEASE NOTE:

The difference between a Comfortable tour and a Budget tour relates primarily to the type of accommodation. On a Budget tour, all accommodation is with a nomadic family in their spare ger. A Comfortable tour, by contrast, includes accommodation at ger camps, which are comparable to a 3-star hotel standard. Finally, the Mid-Range tour combines both options: you will stay some nights in a traditional ger with a nomadic family and others in a ger camp.

All price are per person per day

Tour type/number of people 2 pax 3 pax 4-6 pax 6-8 pax 8-10 pax 10-12 pax
Midrange $199 $161 $141 $141 $141 $141
  • Driver + 4WD vehicle + Gas
  • English speaking tour guide/cook
  • National park entrance fee
  • Camel riding
  • Horse riding
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinking water
  • All meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal items
  • Tips for the driver and the guide
  • Alcohol and soft drinks