route
- 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