Arrival in UB and city tour

Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, our local staffs (drivers and guide) will pick you up at the international airport of Chinggis khan. You will be transferred to a centrally located three-star hotel.
At noon, you will be escorted for a guided city tour that highlights the city’s most notable attractions, impressive National History Museum, Sukhbaatar Square and the Parliament building.
As the evening approaches, at 6:00 PM, experience a traditional Mongolian show at Tumen Ekh ensemble, featuring folk dances, contortion, and khoomii, the unique throat singing, followed by a welcome dinner.

Drive to Khogno tarna natural reserve (Bayan Gobi)

Early in the morning, we will visit Gandan Monastery, the religious center of Mongolia, before leaving the city. There, we will have the chance to watch the peaceful morning prayers of the Buddhist lamas.
After this, we will travel to Khogno Khan Reserve, where we can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Mongolia. This area features green grasslands, surprising sand dunes, and impressive rock formations at Khogno Khan. In the evening, we will arrive at the welcoming home of a local family, where we will spend the night and experience their hospitality.

Beginning of 3 days of trek with camels

Today, we will start a three-day hike looping around the beautiful rock formations of Mount Khogno Khan, the ruins of Uvgun Monastery, and the spectacular sand dunes. We’ll enjoy the different landscapes of both steppe and desert along the way.
We will commence our first day of trekking by exploring the captivating rocky mountains, taking a less-traveled path to fully appreciate the beauty of the Gobi Desert. In the morning, we’ll hike up to the Uvgun Khiid Monastery, which is situated on the hillside. After our visit, we’ll continue for another 3-4 kilometers round trip to see the ruins of the monastery. Once an important religious site, these remnants still echo the rich history they embody.
Following our picnic, we’ll traverse a gentle hill pass that leads us into a new valley nestled among the mountains. There, we will make our campsite.

Hiking across the dunes

After a delightful breakfast, we’ll hike down the valley where we camped. We’ll then go over a hill pass into a new valley. At the end of this valley, we’ll find the Bayan Gobi sand dunes and take a break for a picnic. As we walk through the dunes, we’ll enjoy their serene beauty. Once we cross the sand, we’ll set up our camp by the peaceful Tarna River, where we can relax and take in the calm view.

End of the trek In bayan gobi: Camel riding and arrival at the herder family

Today, we will hike deeper into the eastern dunes of Bayan Gobi. After crossing the sand again, we will reach a peaceful lake surrounded by dunes, where we may see migratory birds, such as swans and ducks. We’ll have a nice picnic by the lake.
Here, we will finish our loop through the beautiful dunes. If you’d like, you can end our trek with a camel ride for about 1-2 hours.

Drive to Orkhon valley, nomadic family stay

Today, we drive towards the renowned Orkhon Valley, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical and archaeological significance, which has served as the cradle of nomadic life. Here, fertile pastureland lies along the Orkhon River and the Khangai Mountains, showcasing a stunning blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. This vibrant landscape attracts many nomadic families who rely on livestock for their livelihoods. At noon, we will arrive at a nomadic family who will welcome us into their additional gers nearby. In the evening, we will enjoy delicious local homemade food prepared by our hosts.
During your stay here, you’ll experience local life through activities like milking animals, making traditional dairy products, and rounding up herds etc.

Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfalls, drive to Uuragt valley

After the visit to our Tuvan guides’ family, we will hike to Mount Shiveet and climb a hill to reach a lake. There is a chance to observe wild goats (early in the morning). After passing the hill, we’ll enter the Khar-Salaa Valley, passing by small lakes and the winter camps of Kazakh families. Setting up camp on the banks of a river with crystal-clear waters.

Independent hiking in the Khangai mountains, supported by pack yaks

Today starts our exciting four-day hiking adventure in the beautiful Khangai Mountains with pack yaks and local guides. We’ll travel through lush larch forests, vast marshlands, and serene lakes. The Khangai range, known as the “Central Mongolian Massif,” is over 400 kilometers long and 150 kilometers wide, with peaks rising above 3000 meters.
This morning, we say farewell to our drivers, whom we will meet again at Shuranga’s family ger. We will prepare our gear and pack the yaks with our supplies for the trek.
As we hike through a lovely valley surrounded by mountains, we’ll arrive at a small, calm lake called Tsagaan Azaraga. Here, we will set up our campsite for the night and enjoy the peace of our surroundings.

Entering the Eight Lakes Zone: Hiking through Doroo, Haya, Huis, and Bugat Lakes

We continue our hike and enter the Naiman Nuur Nature Park, a region formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago. Located at over 2,400 meters above sea level, it spans an area of 11,500 hectares. The lakes here are named Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Shanaa, Doroo, and Bayan-Uul, although some of the smaller lakes have completely dried up. This mountainous area features subalpine meadows, Siberian pine forests, flat valleys covered with lava rock fields, and several lakes.
Today, we will hike around Doroo, Khuis, and other smaller lakes before setting up our camp on the shores of Bugat Lake.

Hiking around Khaliut and Shireet lake

We continue our hike through stunning nature and reach the largest and most beautiful lake, Shireet, in the area. Our path to Shireet passes by Khaliut Lake, nestled in a V-shaped mountain, a hidden gem. After setting up camp in the afternoon, participants have free time for relaxation, which includes options to swim in the lake or take a short walk for a scenic view.

End of the Trek and Arrival at a Nomadic Family

Slowly ascending in a zigzag pattern up Shireet Pass, the trek continues into a vast valley. From the top of the pass, the view of the lake is stunning.
Upon arrival at a nomadic family that spends the summer on the banks of the Shuranga River, we will meet our driver. We will bid farewell to our local yak guides and thank them for their assistance.
The afternoon is free for resting and exploring nomadic life. Overnight in a Ger.

To Kharkhorin: ancient capital of Mongol empire

We will start our day early with a four-hour drive, covering a distance of 200 km to Kharkhorin, the ancient imperial city of the Mongol Empire from the 13th century until its destruction by Chinese Ming Dynasty troops in the late 14th century. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Kharkhorin Museum, where we can learn about the rich history of the Mongol Empire and Genghis Khan.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first significant Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded by Abtai Khan in the 16th century. This monastery, surrounded by Buddhist stupas, was partially destroyed during the communist era. We will take time to explore its stunning architecture and tranquil grounds.

(Upon clients’ request, you can stay here for one more additional day to relax and enjoy other activities, such as the calligraphy center and felt workshop. An extension fee will apply.)

Back to Ulaanbaatar

Return to Ulaanbaatar, traveling 360 km through the stunning Mongolian steppe, where you’ll see traditional gers and grazing livestock. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day to explore at your own pace. In the evening, we will come together for a farewell dinner.

Departure: See you next time 🙂

Transfer to International Airport for your journey back home. You can choose your return transfer time based on your flight.