Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia

9-day Trip

Overview:

This tour offers the traveler 9 days from Gobi to Central Mongolia, Karakorum, Khustai National Park and finally ending Terelj National Park. Throughout the tour, you will explore natural beauty places: White Stupa, Yol Canyon, Khongor Sand Dunes, Flaming Cliffs/Bayanzag/ and experience the authentic Nomadic lifestyle in Khustai and in South Gobi, continuing to discover history and culture in Karakorum musuem, Erdenezuu Monastery, Genghis Khan statue, Khavtsgait petroglyphs, and Ariyabal meditation temple.

Duration: 9 days, 8 nights

Trip type: Cultural

Difficulty level: Moderate 

Best season: June to September

Vehicle: Ground transportation by 4WD

Meals: breakfast, lunches, dinners

Cost: Starting from $2,430 per passenger

Day 1: Drive to White Stupa

Our driver and guide will pick you up at an arranged time. Drive to Dundgovi province where the first fun begins. We will explore White Stupa- formation of rocky cliffs or a big limestone escarpment with a height of 200m and a length of 400m.  It is well worth the climb to the top during the sunset as it provides you with excellent views of the cliffs that are composed of different ores that when exposed to oxygen turn different colors.

Pictures will come out wonderfully as if you were on a different planet.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: L, D

DAY 2: Hiking to the Yol Canyon

Today’s adventure is Yol Canyon - the bearded vultures canyon with many rocky cliffs. It is located at a height of 2500 meters (8202 feet), and is very wide at the entrance but narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. We will:

Visit the small museum which will provide you with the information on wildlife around the valley.

Hike for an hour to enjoy the beautiful scenery. If we are lucky, you may discover permanent glaciers, endemic plants, rare wild animals such as argalis, Siberian ibex, and other predators.

Accommodation: Ger camp

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 3: Camel riding on the Khongor Sand Dunes (200 km)

Ready for another highlight of the trip! Khongor sand dunes are the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia standing as high as 200 meters above the ground, 7-8 km wide, and 180 km long. They are also known as a singing dunes by the locals as when it is windy the grains of sand rub each other making a unique sound.

Ride a two-humped camel, and take pictures with the magnificent dunes.

Hike up the dunes / about an hour/ to see the impressive view on the top.

Enjoy the beautiful sunset on the top and hear the singing dunes

Accommodation: Guest house

Meals: BF, L, D

Day 4: Drive to Khavtsgait valley, Nomadic family homestay

Experience a real nomadic lifestyle when you visit Amaraa’s family. We will feel great hospitality and participate in many activities during our stay here. Also, visit some of the beautiful attractions around the village. Activities will include:

Visit Buyan Lama’s meditation monastery standing on a high hill. You can release from your stress and find a great peace around the refreshing and appealing view. Explore the ancient petroglyphs that depict the culture and traditions from Bronze and Stone Ages. Help the family with their daily chores such as herding sheep on horseback or motorcycle, milking cows or goats, picking up dungs, getting involved in making dinner and enjoy your very first Mongolian dish prepared by your own hands. Show night /The family will teach you traditional Mongolian song /

Accommodation: Guest Ger
Meals: BF, L, D

Day 6: Drive to Karakorum

Today we will take you to the famous city Karakorum, the ancient capital of Great Mongolian Empire. It was one of the stops along the legendary Silk Road for 140 years. We will visit the following historical places to learn more about Mongolian history.

Karakorum museum - The exhibits include dozens of artefacts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries that were recovered from the immediate area, plus others that were found from archaeological sites in other parts of the provinces, including prehistoric stone tools.

Erdenezuu Monastery - The oldest monastery with rich history and beautiful 108 stupas. You will learn more about Buddhism as you explore the famous monastery.

Kings’ monument - It comprises three colorful mosaic panels that each represent the empires of the Hunnu, Turkic and Mongol periods. We will see the panoramic view of the town.

Phallic Rock - A large statue of a penis raised on a platform on the steppe and has dual functions; primarily it is a reminder to the monks to remain celibate, but it is also a symbol of fertility and human life.

Accommodation: Ger Camp
Meals: BF, L, D

Day 8: Drive to Terelj National Park and Genghis Khan Statue

Today, we will drive to Terelj National Park. On the way, we will stop by the largest statue of Genghis Khan in the entire world. Its height is 40 meters (130 feet). From the visitor’s center, the top of the statue is accessible by elevator. Here we learn how and why Mongolians conquered the World in 13th century.

Turtle Rock- the largest, animal shaped Rock with an interesting legend behind it.

Ariyabal Meditation Temple - A very well-known old temple standing in the middle of mountain and view from temple is just amazing. The local people visit the center to offer their prayers and good wishes and dreams.

Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: BF, L, D

Day 9: Back to Ulaanbaatar

Today, is the last day of the tour, and will be spent heading back to Ulaanbaatar (about 100 km away).