18 Days From Gobi Desert to Steppe and Lakes

18 Days From Gobi Desert to Steppe and Lakes

General description
By joining our particularly this tour you will have opportunity cover most of the desired destinations of Mongolia. We will take to the land of dinosaurs, sand dunes, drive you on the rolling hills and endless plains of Mongolia and stopping over by crystal clear lake while you explore, discover, observe and learn history, culture, facts and traditions behind those thrilling natural beauties.

Itinerary

Day 1: Granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu

Stop At: Mandalgovi, Mongolia
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:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/

Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

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 would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would 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: Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia
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 would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would 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 would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: A tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 5: Khongor Sand Dunes

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
• When you are in Gobi, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get on the Bactrian Camels. It’s obviously is one of the remarkable experiences to trek on the camels along the dunes, on the green lush down the foot of the dunes. Our camel riding will last until we reach a small oasis where there are some Gobi bushes and shrubs. Camels are great lovers of Saxaul shrubs and it’s considered as the most precious wood in the desert for its outstanding survival and growth on desert soil. You will surely enjoy the pristine nature and high mountains during the ride.
Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 6: Legendary Flaming Cliffs

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Khongor sand dunes –Bayanzag 150km
• This beautiful alluring red cliff of sheer mud rocks are locally named “Bayanzag” is one of the world’s famous dinosaur site. Thanks to American explorer Roy Andrews Chapman Bayanzag became a cradle of ages old creatures and known to the rest of the world as “Flaming Cliffs”. During their expeditions Chapman and his team were 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.
• Not far from the cliffs there is a so called Gobi forest of Saxaul shrub. These trees are indigenous Gobi plants that are underground water fed and grow on the dunes. When its blossoms, it becomes a favorite vegetation for camels.
• Both of the above mentioned sites are ideal for hiking.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / local family ger

Day 7: Ongi Monastery ruins

Stop At: Mandalgovi, Mandalgovi, Dundgovi Province
Bayanzag - Ongi monastery 150km
• Today we gradually move from South to West, into the territory of Middle Gobi province. Our target destination of the day is Ongi Monastery ruins. Some 200 years ago, on the banks of the Ongi River, there was built huge complex of Buddhist temples. At its peak, it housed more than 1000 lamas and had religious institute, astrology center and traditional medicinal school. Unfortunately as same as many other monasteries, the place were heavily impacted by communist destruction. Later in the mid 2000s, a local with other private funding sources have restored a temple where a special occasion ceremonies are held.
• Take a short excursion around the ruins. Visit the small temple and a ger museum where some belonging and possessions of lamas found from the ruins are displayed.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 8: Historic Orkhon Valley

Stop At: Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
Ongi monastery – Orkhon valley 350km
• Today we will see Orkhon waterfall which is on the confluence of Ulaan and Orkhon rivers. Therefore occasionally locals would refer the Waterfall as Ulaan Tsutgalan, meaning Red Fall. The Orkhon waterfall is counted as the biggest waterfall in Mongolia due to its height and width. In the years of bountiful rainfalls, waterfall becomes majestic creating rainbows over its currents.
• You will have the opportunity to ride a horse in the valley

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 9: Historic Orkhon Valley

Stop At: Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
• Morning at leisure. After lunch we will visit a yak breeding family and learn about their life and try some yak products. Hiking and horse riding opportunities.
Duration: 6 minutes

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

Day 10: Tsenkher hot spring

Stop At: Tsetserleg, Tsetserleg, Arkhangai Province
Orkhon Valley –Tsenkher hot spring 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.
● You will be given a plentiful time to soak yourself in the hot pool.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: ● Stay at the tourist ger camp “Altan Nutag”.

Day 11: Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park

Stop At: Arkhangai Province, Arkhangai Province
Tsenkher hot spring – Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake 260km
• Road to Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park which is located in Arkhangai province and created by a volcanic eruption. The Lake is called White Lake by locals as a symbol respect to the nature and water. There are few kinds of fish were found in the lake.
• Hiking along the shore of the Lake.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 12: Khorgo volcano

Stop At: Arkhangai, Mongolia
• Visit to an extinct volcano Khorgo which is on the height of 2240ms. From the top of the Volcano you will enjoy the amazing lava flows covered with forest and splendid view of the lake. Some thousands of years old lava flow formed an original scene that has never seen elsewhere in Mongolia. During the eruption were also formed different sized caves which later were mentioned in local stories and legends. Stopover by Cave of the Yellow Dog.
• Horse riding opportunities.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 13: Zuun Lake – Shine Ider

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur – Zuun Lake 180km
• Our journey will continue with driving towards the North. Today we will drive over the forested mountains passes, fields filled with colorful wild flowers shifting from one to other beautiful landscapes.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 14: Blue Pearl of Mongolia- Khuvsgul Lake

Stop At: Khuvsgul, Mongolia
Zuun Lake – Khuvsgul Lake 270km
• Arrive at Khuvsgul Lake which respectfully referred as “Blue Pearl” or “Mother Sea “by locals. The Lake is one of the wonders and top destinations of Mongolia. Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northwest of Mongolia near the Russian border, at the foothills of the eastern Sayan Mountains. It is 1,645 meters (5,397 feet) above sea level, 136 kilometers (85 miles) long and 262 meters (860 feet) deep. Khuvsgul Lake is the deepest lake in Mongolia. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia's fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world. Almost hundred springs, rivers and streams flow into the lake when only Egiin Gol River flows out form this gigantic water pool. Plus its water factors, Khuvsgul National Park cover huge percentage of Mongolian forest and primarily Taiga.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 15: Khuvsgul Lake

Stop At: Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia
• Day at leisure. Optional horse riding and hiking. The scenic fields of edelweiss and other colorful flowers, happily grazing yaks and herds of horses will definitely make to wonder around the lake. Upon the advanced request possibilities to visit a local shaman.
Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 16: Uran Togoo extinct volcano

Stop At: Bulgan Province, Bulgan Province
Khuvsgul Lake –Uran Togoo Mountain 250km
• After breakfast, start our excursion around the monastery. To attend a morning chanting ceremony.
• Start to drive towards to Uran Togoo an extinct volcano crater which is located in Bulgan province on the way to Khuvsgul Lake. Uran literally meaning artistic is a crater almost looks like that its ridges has been carved in very fine craftsmanship. Diameter of circled crater ridge almost about 500ms with 15m depth and surrounded with trees will add color to the scenery.
• Optional climbing and hiking
• Pass by Khutag Undur, a small county and visit remains of ancient Uigur capital Baibalik, which existed during 9th century AD.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: nomadic family / tents

Day 17: Amarbayasgalant monastery

Stop At: Orkhon Province, Orkhon Province
• Continue our journey to one of the biggest and well preserved Buddhist Monastery Amarbayasgalant which means a place of “Tranquil Felicity”. This place of pilgrimage was built between 1727-1736 by the order Manchurian King as token of his respect for Mongolian religious leader Zanabazar. The complex consists of 30 temples. During the communist purges, the monastery was able to survive for its great contribution in Mongolian architectural art and invaluable cultural heritage.
• Upon arrival at the site you have opportunities to go for a short hike

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 18: Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
Amarbayasgalant – Ulaanbaatar 365km
Duration: 6 hours

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