Mongolian Odyssey 12D/11N

Day 1:
Arrive in Ulaan Baatar

Arrive in Ulaan Baatar the capital city of Mongolia to be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for some rest and lunch. Then on to the sights of Ulaan Baatar – the monasteries, the museums, etc… After a traditional art performance in the evening, it’s time for dinner and rest. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar. (LD).

Day 2:
Dalanzadgad

Take a flight out to Dalanzadgad, the centre of Umnugobi province. Land there and head out to the Mukhar Shivert valley, a breath-takingly beautiful place nestled between the beautiful peaks of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. A short trek through the magnificent landscape and we will reach the Ger camp for rest and some traditional Mongolian hospitality. (BLD).

Day 3:
Singing sand dunes

Drive down to the ‘Singing sand dunes’ of Khongor. Walk along these golden sand dunes for some incredible views from the top. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 4:
Ger camp

Visit a nomad family, have a taste of nomadic life in the Gobi as well as a taste of the traditional dairy products made of camel cows’ milk and enjoy some camel riding if you desire. Move back to the Ger camp and stay overnight there. (BLD).

Day 5:
Bayanzag

Drive down to Bayanzag to see the saksaul forest, red flaming cliffs and pedestal rocks formed by the Aeolian effect on the sand and rock over millions of years. This is the place where dinosaurs were lived 70 million years ago, and is internationally famous for its dinosaur remains of complete skeletons, eggs and hatchlings of the Cretaceous Period. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 6:
Ongi temple

Move on to the famous Ongi temple ruins – walk around, explore and meet with the monks at a local temple. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 7:
Orkhon

Drive down to the Orkhon valley, leaving the desert and entering the mountain forest and steppe zone, to visit nomads who mostly breed yaks and horses. Enjoy a close encounter with nomads and understand the differences among life in the different regions. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 8:
Tuvkhun temple

Drive up into the mountains to visit the Tuvkhun temple that will take a short trek after the drive… This is the famous place where Mongolia’s first religious leader saint Zanabazar founded the temple in 1653 and lived, worked and meditated for over 30 years. Late afternoon, head out to the Tsenkher hot spring for a relaxing hot spring bath… Stay overnight in Ger camp. BLD.

Day 9:
Genghis Khan’s

Drive down to Genghis Khan’s ancient capital, Kharakhorum – be awed by the Erdene Zuu monastery, the largest and first Mongolian Buddhist temple complex built on the remains of ancient Kharakhorum city. And then to a local museum for a quick understanding about the history and culture of the Mongols. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 10:
Khustai National Park

Travel to Khustai National Park with an en-route visit to Khar Bukhiin Balgas (the remains of an ancient 10th century town). This National Park is a habitat of resurrected wild Mongolian horses, popularly known as Takhi – explore it to see Takhi horses in the wilderness. Stay overnight in Ger camp. (BLD).

Day 11:
Ulaan Baatar city

Drive back to Ulaan Baatar city for finishing your souvenir shopping and anything else that you may want to explore… Overnight in Ulaan Baatar. (BLD).

Day 12:
Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for departure, with a life-long memory of an immersive Mongolian Odyssey… (B).