14 Days The Gobi Desert to Steppe

14 Days The Gobi Desert to Steppe

General description
Mongolia generously welcomes everyone who wants to explore and experience nomadic way of life in its homeland. During this trip you will shift from family to family, destination to another and desert to steppe. Begin with driving to South where Great Gobi desert awaits you with its beauty and specialties. Mongolian Desert proposes you its legendary lunar landscape, high rocky formations, frozen canyons and sand dunes. Later you will continue towards Khangai Mountains where a horse trekking will take you to the remote Eight Lakes through historic Orkhon Valley by offering you the most authentic horse experience like a Mongolian rider.

Itinerary

Day 1: Granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu

Stop At: Mandalgovi, Mandalgovi, Dundgovi Province
Ulaanbaatar– Baga Gazriin Chuluu 250km
• Visit one of the few rocky mountains of Gobi, Baga Gazriin Chuluu where you will find gorgeous looking granite rock formations shaped in different forms eroded by wind and other violent elements of Gobi. During mid 18th century some high ranked and locally respected Buddhist monks lived in the area, as evidence of their existence we will see some temple ruins and inscriptions on the rock. According to some historical sources, Chinggis Khaan also had lived here. It’s a great location for some pleasant hike.


Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: We would prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger (L+D)

Day 2: Great white stupa in the desert

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Baga Gazriin Chuluu – Tsagaan Suvraga/White stupa 220km
• Today we will be driving thru vast and empty rocky desert and semi-arid steppe to reach out White Stupa. Mongolians always have admired and honored this unique natural formation of 30ms height, precipitous, stupa shaped slopes as White Stupa. The place definitely will remind travelers some lunar landscape with its mystery of fossils hidden underneath and stunning color combinations. The area deemed to be bottom an ancient ocean.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger.

Day 3: Three beautiful mountains- Gobi Gurvan Saikhan

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
White stupa – Yoliin am 225km
• Today we will reach Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park which covers some chain of mountain ranges as the southern end of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. Gurvan Saikhan literally meaning “Three Beauties” referred to the highest three peaks of the range which is almost over 2800ms.
• Hiking in the Yoliin Am or Bearded Vulture’s canyon. Regarding the snowfall and shade in the canyon, oftentimes there formed a high layer of ice cover which sometimes will stay till mid July. During our walk, we may either walk on top or bottom, or just see the parts of this ice. The canyon is surrounded with steep Rocky Mountains creating some shade which is pleasant to hike thru during hot days of Gobi desert. During out hike, you may notice some rodents such as pica and ground squirrel along with colorful wild flowers and plants. Although mountains are the home for wildlife like ibex, mountain goat and argali, the wild sheep, spotting these animals will purely depend on fortune.
• Continue driving towards to Dungenee canyon where we can start another beautiful hike along the stream in the canyon.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger / tents

Day 4: Khongor sand dunes

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan - Khongor sand dunes 180km
• Continue driving to west of the park to Khongor sand dunes which are known as the highest and biggest dunes in the country.
• Stop at Khongoriin Els or Khongor sand dunes. These are the most astonishing dunes of Mongolia with extension of over 180kms length and around 3-15kms width and average height is 80ms. The highest dune is 200ms and from the top these dunes you will capture amazing view of Gobi with the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. When you climb the dunes they shift and cause a sound of vibration which very much resembles to the sound of an airplane hence it’s also called Singing Dunes.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 5: Khongor sand dunes

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan - Khongor sand dunes 180km
• Continue driving to west of the park to Khongor sand dunes which are known as the highest and biggest dunes in the country.
• Stop at Khongoriin Els or Khongor sand dunes. These are the most astonishing dunes of Mongolia with extension of over 180kms length and around 3-15kms width and average height is 80ms. The highest dune is 200ms and from the top these dunes you will capture amazing view of Gobi with the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. When you climb the dunes they shift and cause a sound of vibration which very much resembles to the sound of an airplane hence it’s also called Singing Dunes.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 6: Flaming cliffs of Bayanzag and Ongi Monastery ruins

Stop At: Mandalgovi, Mandalgovi, Dundgovi Province
Khongor Sand Dunes – Bayanzag- Ongi Monastery – 300km
• Arrive at the cliffs of Bayanzag, most commonly known as “Flaming Cliffs” for its bister red color which is the cradle of dinosaurs. A Saxaul forest not far from the cliffs and cliffs themselves are true evidences of the time when our planet was still occupied by massive creatures-the dinosaurs. American explorer Roy Andrews Chapman was the first to reveal dinosaur fossils and eggs in 1922 from Bayanzag and other neighboring localities which are today displayed in Mongolian dinosaur museums in Ulaanbaatar and other museums around the world.
• Continue driving to Saikhan Ovoo village of Middle Gobi province. Some smaller rocky mountains are beautifully set along the Ongi River where Ongi Monastery ruins are found. It’s a perfect place to have a time out before entering Khangai regions. Upon your arrival discover the site of Ongi lamasery which was unfortunately heavily destroyed in 1937. In 2002 some local lamas arrived at the once famous Ongi Monastery and began the restoration with very limited resources and much enthusiasm.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / tents

Day 7: Reaching the Khangai Mountains

Stop At: Arvaikheer, Arvaikheer, Ovorkhangai Province
• Day of transition between desert and green mountains steppe natural zones. We will steadily transfer from Gobi desert to green steppe with endless rolling hills and plains that will lead to Khujirt village before stepping in majestic Orkhon Valley. Here we stop for our supplies at the local market.
• Continue driving off road along the thrilling landscape thru the home of yak breeders and speedy horses who will host us at the heart of Orkhon valley.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 8: Horse trekking to Eight Lakes

Stop At: Arvaikheer, Arvaikheer, Ovorkhangai Province
Orkhon waterfall- Eight Lakes approx 4-5 hours horse ride
• Today we will start of journey on the horse to the remote Eight Lakes. The horse trail is pretty rough and notably harsh due to the lava stones which make it more challenging yet beautiful too. As we reach the area, we will be visiting several lakes as the name suggests surrounded with larch forest and rich green meadow. Due to the higher altitude, the area is quite cool and it isn’t a surprise to have snow in August or September.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / tents

Day 9: Hiking to Shireet Lake

Stop At: Arvaikheer, Arvaikheer, Ovorkhangai Province
• Easy day with a mild hike to the biggest of all Eight Lakes, Shireet. We will dismount our horses and continue with hiking in the area to discover its splendors and arrive at Lake Shireet, probably the most beautiful of all. Explore the area.
• Head back to the host family to benefit simple pleasures of nomadic life in nature such as drinking yak milk tea, playing anklebones, enjoying sunset or just stargazing.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight in the tents

Day 10: Horse trekking back to Bodon Pass

Stop At: Arvaikheer, Arvaikheer, Ovorkhangai Province
• Riding our horses and slowly returning to Bodon Pass, where our vans will be waiting for us. Drive to waterfall area.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight with a nomadic family. Tonight you will have opportunity to try Mongolian traditional barbeque.

Day 11: Tsenkher Hot Spring

Stop At: Tsetserleg, Tsetserleg, Arkhangai Province
Orkhon waterfall - Tsenkher hot springs 150km
• Arrive at Tsenkher Hot springs. It is one of the biggest Mongolia’s hot springs, has a temperature of 86 degrees. It’s popular for its healing properties and high content of sulphur. The hot spring is mostly used for relaxing and restoring your health. Here we will have a hot tub outside and enjoy cold beer and beautiful scenery. Optional hiking and a great place for wild flower observers.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight at the tourist ger camp “Altan Nutag”

Day 12: Former capital of Great Mongolian Empire, Kharhorin

Stop At: Arvaikheer, Arvaikheer, Ovorkhangai Province
Tsenkher hot spring– Kharhorin 150km
• A morning drive will take us to Kharhorin, the former capital of Great Mongolian Empire in the 13th century. Although considered as an ancient capital, there are very few remains left from this historic place. We will visit the one of the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery named “Erdene Zuu” which was built upon the ruins and foundations of capital Kharhorin in 1586. Luckily it has survived communist purges in 1937 and was re-opened as a museum. Current Kharhorin is small village type settlement with over 3000 residents.
• Excursion to the local museum of Kharhorin city where you will explore traces of Mongolian history dating from early Stone Age to Great Mongolian Empire. The museum offers great collections of items that were found from various excavation and expeditions around Kharhorin and Orkhon Valley. Following the museum we will stopover by other sites such as phallic rock and Turtle rocks.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / ger guesthouse

Day 13: On the way to Mini-Gobi

Stop At: Bulgan Province, Bulgan Province
Kharhorin - Khugnu Khan 100 km
● Arrive at Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve today which is a combination of all kinds of natural settings such as mountains, forest, steppe, desert, small lake and mineral water spring all in same location forming unique scenery and representation of different natural zones. The area is perfect for hiking, climbing and horse riding.
• Hiking to the ruins of Erdene Khamba Monastery which dates from 17th century with the perfect location of concealing and escaping the wind and cold of the steppe in the granite mountain.
• Visit Dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
• Dinner: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional : Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 14: Back to Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
Khugnu Khaan - Ulaanbaatar 280km
• On the way you see the herds of horses crossing the roads, smokes of gers fading away and never ending hills and steppe.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: we can prepare everything/vegan, vegetarian and meat /
Accommodation included: • Return to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your accommodation.