Such as chance to discover largest sand dune, dinosaur’s homeland, visit Erdene-Zuu Monastery, once was the capital of Genghis Khan empire, and crystal clear Khuvsgul Lake and the Tsaatan – Reindeer riders. Those are located over thousand kilometer from each each other. But this tour will allow to see them in 10 days. This is comparative quick tour from south to north through central part. Normally similar routes completed in 12 -14 days. But do not worry, this tour not very rush. Driving distance of most of the days are just same as the longer tours. Going to Gobi and coming back from Khuvsgul Lake will use domestic flight which saves the time.
- Great journey through most famous parts of Gobi Desert
- Discover Erdene Zuu, built from the rubble of Genghis Khan’s capital
- Take rest and relax in open bath of Tsenkher Hot Spring under millions star
- Take a very scenic hike across a lava field of Khorgo Extinct Volcano and get to know a bunch of stuff about volcanoes and volcanic activity
- Discover Khuvsgul Lake, one of nature’s miracles – Blue Pearl Of Asia
Length: 10 days
Area: Gobi Desert, Central & North Mongolia
Type: Private Package Tours
Potential dates and weather condition: May – September
Difficulty: moderate (not convenient for elder & child)
Prices
Our company offers 2 different prices for this trip.
Tourist ger camp option
| 3620 USD for 1pax 2250 USD p.p for 2pax 1820 USD p.p for 3pax | 1610 USD p.p for 4pax 1500 USD p.p for 5pax 1440 USD p.p for 6pax |
| Included: 9 nights in tourist ger camp, food service, land transportation, English speaking guide service, all entrance fees and Government charges, all activities costs, mineral water, domestic flight drop off & pick up | Not included: OW domestic flights, gratuities for staffs, personal expenses (extra some drinks, souvenir buying, locals concerts etc), travel insurance Single supplement: 360 USD |
Local ger guesthouse option
| 3200 USD for 1pax 1920 USD p.p for 2pax 1500 USD p.p for 3pax | 1300 USD p.p for 4pax 1190 USD p.p for 5pax 120 USD p.p for 6pax |
| Included: 2 nights in tourist ger camp, 7 nights in local ger guesthouse, land transportation, English speaking guide service, all entrance fees and Government charges, all activities costs, sleeping bag, domestic flight drop off & pick up, food service | Not included: OW domestic flights, gratuities for staffs, personal expenses (extra some drinks, souvenir buying, locals concerts etc), travel insurance |
Detailed itinerary
Day1. Yol Gorge & go to Khongor Sand Dune
Day2. Khongor Sand Dune & Bayanzag
Day3. Ongi Monastery Ruin
Day4. Karakorum
Day5. Tuvkhun Temple & Orkhon Waterfall
Day6. Tsenkher Hot Spring
Day7. Khorgo-Terkh National Park
Day8. Shine Ider sub-province
Day9. Khuvsgul Lake
Day10. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar
Day1. Yol Gorge – natural museum & go to Khongor Sand Dune
We will pick you up from your accommodation (pick up time will be confirmed) & transfer to the airport. Fly to Dalanzadgad town (1 hour flight). After you landed there, our local guide & driver will pick you up & will drive to Yol Gorge (50 km – 1 hour on the paved road). Yol means vulture in Mongolian and the gorge is located in Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range & stretches over 10 km. The narrowest part, only 3 or 4 person can pass in same time, of the valley is completely shaded from the direct sun shine by high cliff walls. Also, the valley is famous for the fact that there is ice created in winter by small stream of the valley present there even during the hot summer months until mid of Jul. We will do an hour hiking there & then also visit to the small natural museum. After lunch time, we will drive to Khongor Sand Dune (190 km – 5 hours on the dirt road). Khongor is biggest sand dune in the Gobi Desert that extend from 5 to 10 km in width, nearly 100 km long, with crests rising 80 to 300m above the surrounding landscape. The booming sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar when occurs windy day. Hence locals called it as Singing Sands. Near Khongor River at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. Overnight there.
Day2. Khongor Sand Dune tour & Bayanzag – famous dinosaur site
After breakfast time, we will ride camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes and explore the area where climbing one of the dunes affords the energetic traveler with an unforgettable experience of endless vistas across a sea of daffodil-colored sand. After lunch time, we will drive to Bayanzag (150 km – 4 hours on the dirt road). American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered this place and named as Flaming Cliffs. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as Protoceratops & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there in first time. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. We will walk around the site. Overnight there.
Day3. Ongi Monastery Ruin
After breakfast time, we will drive to Ongi Monastery Ruin (155 km – 4 hours on the dirt road). It is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1760 and destroyed in 1937 by communist purges. Located on the shore of the Ongi River, the monastery was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Gobi Desert. Raw violence of the destruction at the site was still visible, still palpable, even though it happened over years ago. We will hike to the ruins for visiting to local ger museum displayed survived objects of destroyed monastery and a small lovely and active Buddhist temple. Overnight there.
Day4. Nomadic family & Karakorum
After breakfast time, we will drive to a nomadic family (200 km – 5 hours on the dirt road). Enjoy the joyful atmosphere and learn the clever nomads’ way of life by taking every chance of taking part in the nomadic life activities like a nomad. Then we will drive to Karakorum (40 km – 1 hour mostly on the paved road). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. After 200 years its sacked by Chinese, Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia and by various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum. We will respectively visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum & other interesting historical sights there. Overnight there.
Day5. Tuvkhun Temple & Orkhon Waterfall
After breakfast time, we will drive to Tuvkhun Temple (110 km – 2 hours mostly on the dirt road). The monastery is located on the peak of the densely forested and picturesque mountain Shiveet at the elevation of 2000m. Mongolian first bogd (head of the Buddhism) Zanabazar’s followers built the temple in 1653 for meditation and art studio purpose. There is several interesting things to see. Meditation caves, foot print of Zanabazar on the rock, first drawn version of soyombe, independence symbol, etc. We will hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top or the monastery (2 hours). After lunch time, we will drive to Orkhon Waterfall (60 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). Over 25 m high and 10 m wide Orkhon Waterfall is the biggest waterfall in the country and one of the most attractive destination in Orkhon River valley, UNISCO World heritage site. The surrounding areas of the waterfall was formed by volcanic activities dated back approximately 20,000 years and covered by over 10 m thick lava layer. After dinner time, we will take a refreshing walk to the waterfall. You’ll hear it before you see it – the sound of tumbling water fills the valley. Overnight there.
Day6. Tsenkher Hot Spring – horse ride & relax
After breakfast time, we will drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring (115 km – 3 hours on the dirt road). It is the most famous pool in the country & one of the most popular Central Mongolian attractions. The water has a perfect temperature of about 36 – 40°C and contains a lot of minerals. In fact, the Tsenkher Spring has now become so popular that in order to it may crowded. After lunch time, we will ride horses there (2 hours). This ride will take you back through the a valley area to the beautiful sights and sounds of Mother Nature for an hour journey up the mountain to view. With no experience required. In the evening, we will stay in the open pool of the tourist ger camp. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day7. Khorgo-Terkh National Park
After breakfast time, we will drive to Khorgo-Terkh National Park (215 km – 4 hours mostly on the dirt road). The volcano erupted in the Quaternary Period and its lava closed the water stream of a river and result of this meeting has created a truly incredible landscape, Khorgo Extinct Volcano and Terkh Lake, large placid lake is ringed by sandy beaches. There is a number of small or big circuit gorges, Shar Nokhoin Tam & Solo Person’s Cave etc, and complete or not complete erupted 13 volcanoes and rock formations with fast flowing rivers and cascades. From the top of the volcano panoramic view is superb. We will climb up to the top of the volcano and walk discover the circuit gorges. Overnight there.
Day8. Shine-Ider sub-province
After breakfast time, we will drive to Shine Ider sub-province (170 km – 6 hours on the dirt road). On the way, we will see picturesque and high Orookh Mountain Pass. Overnight in the tourist ger camp.
Day9. Khuvsgul Lake – reindeer people
After breakfast time, we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake (230 km – 6 hours mostly on the paved road). About midway along border between Mongolia and Russian Siberia, in a gigantic stone bowl nearly 110km long and almost 40 km wide, lies 3% of the all the fresh water on earth – Lake Khusgul. Then we will go to reindeer people. They are Tuvan people who moved to the Mongolia from Tuvan Republic around 1920s to the northern most part of Mongolia. Some reindeer people moved to the lake area for selling hand made souvenir to tourists and brought their reindeer. Overnight there.
Day10. Uushig Deer Stone & fly back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast time, we will drive to Uushig Deer Stone (145 km – 3 hours mostly on the paved road). A complex of 30 deer stones of Uushig Valley and its burial mounts belong to the ancient Huns period and over 3000 years old. The Bronze Age funeral practice, sacrificial ritual and ideology and animal style art, which were spread among ancient nomads, are all together represented through deer stones made by long block of granite. Then we will drive to Murun airfield (15 km on dirt road) & fly back to Ulaanbaatar (1 hour flight). After you landed in the city, our driver will pick you up and transfer to your accommodation.
End time: Depends flight schedule. Usually in the afternoon
Total driving distance: 1900 km (+600, +775)
Information
- Above prices are changeable by changing components (kind of services) of the itinerary.
- This is a private tour and you or your travel buddies will be in the tour.
- Domestic flight companies accept only 10kg-15kg lugguge incuding your carry on bags too for free transfer.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you are in correct pick up location at correct time as stated on your booking form.
- No smoking in travel vehicles or aircraft.
Please let us know should you have further inquiries! We are looking forward to assist you with organizing your stay in Mongolia and answering any questions you might have about this tour. We want your holiday experience in Mongolia to be as amazing as it is possible.
