Exploring Gobi & Central Mongolia

Day1:

Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff- colorful earth wall and rock drawings

In the morning, we will pick you up from your accommodation and drive to Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff (470 km) on the paved road. It is sheer slope and was an old seabed with sedimentary structure created by millions years and the different colors of the ground represent different times. The formation is over 50 m in its highest point and continues 400 m and looks like a ancient ghost city form a distance. There is no clear date of geography research work and it is good spot take rest and overnight place driving to South Gobi. Around the site, there is Khevtee Bosoo Cave. We will do some hiking around the site and see the cave. Overnight there.

Day2:

Yol Valley – horse ride & Bayanzag Flaming Cliff – famous dinosaur site.

After breakfast, we drive to Yol Valley (195 km) on the paved road. Yol means bearded vulture in Mongolian and the valley begins from Zuun Saikhan Mountain and 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 end of July. The beauty of the valley, combined with the smell of juniper creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder. There we will ride horse through the valley. An hour hiking is also a nice activity there if you not like horse ride.

As well, we visit to local natural museum of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Then we will drive to Bayanzag (101 km). Bayanzag means saxual forest in English and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the water and wind over many millions of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as Protoceratops & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there in first time. American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered this place and named as Flaming Cliffs. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. It is an interesting place to wander about to get a closer look at one of the world’s most famous paleontologist sites. In the evening we will walk around the site. Overnight there.

Day3:

Khongor Sand Dune- oasis tour & climb up

After breakfast, we will drive to Khongor Sand Dune (152 km). 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 Khongor Oasis. Walk on the meadow and taste mineral water from the sand foot. Overnight there.

Day4:

Khongor Sand Dune – a day camel trekking

After breakfast, we will do camel trek in full day. The two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as they walk slowly and gently and we will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Our camel man will take us to the sand-dunes. After that we will visit to camel herder family who lives around the Khongor Oasis. Taste dairy products of camel milk and drink milk tea. Overnight in the camel herder family.

Day5:

Ongi Monastery Ruin- hiking

After breakfast time, we will drive to Ongi Monastery Ruin (299 km). Ongi Monastery Ruin is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1660 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 Mongolia. Raw violence of the destruction at the site was still visible, still palpable, even though it happened over years ago. It is a good place for overnight of traveling between Central Mongolia and Gobi. 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.

Day6:

Eight Lakes – horse trek & camping experience.

After breakfast, we will drive to Eight Lake (250 km – 6 hours off road). A well-known volcanic origin lake Eight Lakes, (there is eight small lakes) are located in the caldera depression of Khangai Mountain in 2400 m. This unique Crater Lake is fed solely by falling rain and snow, with no inflow or outflow at the surface, and hence is one of the clearest lakes in the world. Large coniferous trees and rich, lush black forest, the home of many exotic birds and wild life, surround the lake. Tourists usually do a day horse trek there between Orkhon Waterfall & Eight Lakes area

We will start the horse trek in the afternoon. The horseback riding enthusiast will experience an unforgettable excursion through timbered ridges and mountain meadows. We offer horse pack trips suited for all ages and abilities with rides varying in length. Horse pack trips allow you to reach deep into the southern Siberian wilderness. Overnight in the tent.

Day7:

Orkhon Waterfall & Tuvkhun Monastery

After breakfast, we will ride horses to Orkhon Waterfall. 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, UNESCO 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 with interesting shapes of bubbles which created smaller waterfalls with 4-5 m heights.

There we will meet with our car again & drive to Tuvkhun Monastery (55 km – 2 hours 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 soyombo, independence symbol, etc. We will hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top or the monastery. We will hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top or the monastery. Overnight in the tent.

Day8:

Karakorum- former capital of Chinggis Khan

After breakfast, we will drive to Karakorum (265 km). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. In the history, the city of Karakorum was founded in 1220 in Orkhon River Valley by order of Genghis Khan and after collapsing of Yuan dynasty of Khubilai Khan Min state’s invaders sacked the city and massacred its inhabitants in 1388 and ruined it. After 200 years, 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. At its peak in the late 18th century the complex of ornate gardens and 62 temples was home to over 1000 lamas. But in 1937, by communist purges the whole monastery completely destroyed. We will visit to Karakorum Museum, Karakorum Ruin Open Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery Complex respectively. Overnight there.

Day9:

Khustai National Park- wild horses and nomadic family

After breakfast, we will drive to Khustai National Park (340 km). National Park Khustai where re-introduction of the wild takhi horses (Przhevalsky’s horses) has taken place since 1992. Takhi is last wild horse subspecies surviving in the 21st century. It was discovered in western Mongolia in the late 1870s by the Russian explorer N.M. Przhevalsky.

Several expeditions since 1969 have failed to find this horse, which probably crossed with half-wild domesticated horses and lost its distinct features. Specimens have been kept and bred in zoos, and Mongolia in the late 20th century attempted to reintroduce them into the wild. We will reach to the research center and drive further for looking wild horses and shoot their pictures. On arrival you will have lunch at the nomads’ ger.

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. Experience the milking cows or goats. Watch how they produce tasty and nutritious dairy products. Then, participate in the nomads’ daily chores – prepare dried dung from a nearby mountain for the family’s household use for making fire. Overnight in the nomadic family.

Day10:

Drive back to UB

After breakfast time, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar city (75 km). After arrive in the city, you will be transferred to your accommodation and end the trip.

What Includes:

Accommodation: Hotel***,* ger camp, tented camp
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals
Transport: vehicle 4×4 or minivan
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
local guide
Horses
Camping equipment

Not Includes:

International airfare
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement
Alcoholic drinks
Sleeping bag
Travel Insurance