Mongolia Quest | 16 Days Tour

On your arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport or railway station, you will assistance by Himalayan Wander Walkers’ representative. Our Guide and driver will help you to arrange your luggage in the vehicle and drive to the Hotel. Later you will have some rest at the hotel and tour briefing. If your flight arrival is in the morning then you will have sightseeing in the city.

Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan at 3* hotel.

In the morning we will fly to South Gobi. After landing we will drive to Yol Valley (Vulture Canyon). The Vulture Canyon, which nestles between the beautiful peaks of Gurvan Saikhan known for “Three Beauties”. After arrival at the canyon, we will take a 2-hour hike through the canyon and maybe able to see parts of a glacier left over from the winter months.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Today you will explore Khongor sand dunes which take 3 and 4 hours by driving. En route, you will see vast desert badlands that span out into the furthest distances, where remote mountains line the horizon. At the same time, you will get the opportunity to stop and take photographs of the landscapes and people. Typical Gers and nomads on camelback hang suspended in the mirages, whilst the desert floor is strewn with a range of colorful rocks and unusual minerals. Visit the beautiful sand dunes and the Khongor River streaming through the sands. And you will experience camel riding along the Khongor sand dunes. The two-humped Bactrian camels are very comfortable to ride as they walk slowly and gently, and you will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. 

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Visit the Bayanzag area Known as a Flaming Cliffs "Cradle of Dinosaurs" this is where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922. A site is famous for the remains of a dinosaur that lived here 60 million years ago. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saxaul trees and other classic desert vegetation.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

This monastery, with its temple Damba Darjaalan Sum, was built in the late 18th century to commemorate the first-ever visit to Mongolia by a Dalai Lama. The monastery was once the largest monastery in South Mongolia and was used by about 500 monks. It was the only monastery out of nine in the immediate vicinity to survive the Stalinist purges - by becoming a warehouse and shop. The monastery was reopened in 1990 and the current Dalai Lama visited in 1992.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Today you will drive to Orkhon valley, registered as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005, this Orkhon River valley. There are many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its basin. And there is Orkhon Waterfall, also called Ulaan Tsutgalan was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago. It cascades from a height of 22 meters and is 10m wide. Here we will visit a nomadic family and make horse riding for an hour. 

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Drive to the Karakorum in the morning and visit to Erdenezuu monastery. The Karakorum is the ancient capital of Chingis Khaan’s Mongolia and was established in 1220 and served as the capital for 140 years. The Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m X 400m wall. Only a few temples remain standing after the communist purges of the 1930s. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for daily worship.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

You will drive to Tsenkher hot spring, take a relaxing hot spring bath. We will walk in the surrounding steppes; there are plenty of options for independent treks depending on how to fit you are feeling. 

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

After breakfast, we will drive to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur via Tsetserleg town. You will visit the extinct Khongo volcano crater which once spewed hot lava (7,000 years ago).  Next, we will proceed to tour Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, which was formed when Khongo volcano lava dammed the Suman River, cutting a large gorge through the basalt. 

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Travel to Shine-Ider province across rolling steppes which are covered with wildflowers in spring and early summer. Zuun Nuur a small, beautiful saltwater lake that is a haven for birds. After the lake, we will continue to drive about 10kms and reach the camp.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Today we will drive to Khuvsgul Lake, close to the Siberian border. Here you have the opportunity to truly understand the Mongolian way of life. Lake Khuvsgul is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, after Lake Baikal so be prepared to be impressed.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Free day to explore the area. We will make some hiking and see some reindeer.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

You will drive to the spectacular area of extinct volcanoes covered in coniferous woods. This extinct volcano has spectacular red rock formations and is surrounded by coniferous woods and wildflowers. There is an opportunity to trek on the volcano.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

Travel by road to Amarbayasgalant. Built between 1727 and 1736, one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. The Journey travels across the southern approaches of Siberia. The monastery is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River Valley at the foot of Burenkhan Mountain. It has amazing art and decorations and the incredible architectural construction makes it one of the most magnificent monasteries in Asia.

Overnight accommodation is set with AP Plan at nomadic family yurt (Ger Camp).

After breakfast, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We will have lunch at a local café on the way. We will transfer you to the hotel. We will do some shopping.

Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan at 3* hotel.

Our team is saying goodbye as your journey to Mongolia comes to an end today. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 2 hours before your scheduled flight guide from Himalayan Wander walkers will take you to the airport. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure with Himalayan Wander Walkers.

*AP (American plan) = Meal includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

*BB (Bed and Breakfast) = Meal includes only breakfast.

* MAP (Modified American Plan) = Meal includes Breakfast with only one meal either lunch or dinner.