Nomadic Trails ( 13 days)

Nomadic Trails ( 13 days)

This trip encompasses the many stunning highlights of the world-famous Gobi Desert, as well as the lush, driving south Gobi from Ulaanbaatar, you will pass through the Middle and Southern regions of the desert, allowing you to experience the vastness of this special landscape. Among the rolling sand dunes and hills, activities include riding two-humped Bactrian camels through the desert, visiting a Nomadic family, as well as enjoying the spectacular sunrises and sunsets that are on offer each day. After wandering around the Gobi, we will then head north to Central Mongolia. Here you will enjoy the spectacular and lush greenery, swimming in freshwater lakes and waterfalls, as well as many famous cultural sites.

Itinerary

Day 1: Baga Gazariin Chuluu/ Rock Formation

Stop At: Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Mongolia
Baga Gazriin Chuluu is a zone of granite stone mountains; 15 km long and 10 km wide stone massif; the highest peak is 1700 m above sea level; it is located Middle Gobi. It has been keeping some historical remains such as the ruin of a monastery, ancient tombs, etc. Challenge your imagination seeing unique features of the granite formations in Baga Gazariin Chuluu, discover ruin of the old monastery and captured by the emptiness of the Gobi. Surtiin am is one of many beautiful places in Baga Gazriin stone massif. This is a narrow canyon with asp, birch, white wicker, and an elm tree, as well the ruin of a stone temple and the site of 2 yurts where monks lived and meditated since the seventieth century.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in ger camp.

Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga /White Stupa/

Stop At: Tsagaan Suvarga mine, Мандах, Mongolia
Tsagaan Suvarga means “White Stupa.” It is one of the most famous highlights in the Gobi. Tsagaan Suvarga is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from a distance seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. The strange natural formation of colorful, massive mud cliffs looks like stupas. Hiking through the cliffs and take beautiful pictures.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in a local family.

Day 3: Yol Valley

Stop At: Yol valley, Ice stream, Mongolia
The “Gobi Gurban Saikhan” literally means “Three beautiful mountains in the Gobi.” The national park is one of the biggest and unique national parks in Mongolia. Also, the end of the Altai mountain range. There are many scenic places in the national park. Among them, Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley is the accessible one by a vehicle. After our car parks at an allowed area, we will walk through the beautiful valley into depths of a sheer rock canyon. Bottom of the canyon does not accept sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. People are always amazed when they see such a lush green valley in the Gobi. The hiking takes 2.5 hours in two ways. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife and visit Gobi museum.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local family.

Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes

Stop At: Khongor Els, Mongolia
Our journey will continue to Khongor, the largest sand dunes in Asia. After reaching the sand dunes, go hiking along the green river shore, climb sand dunes, visit a nomad family and have an hour camel riding. If you can climb one of the tallest sand dunes, don’t forget to spread the sand northwards against the wind to find the reason why locals call the sand dunes “Singing Sand.” The views are fantastic from the top of the sand dunes. It has an extraordinary length of approximately 180 km and 12 kilometers wide. There is an oasis near a river Khongor at the northern edge of the sand dunes.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in ger camp.

Day 5: Bayanzag /Flamng Cliffs/

Stop At: Bayanzag Saxual Forest, Mongolia
Our adventure will continue to the Bayanzag, (known as a Flaming Cliffs) where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the cemetery of dinosaurs and the first dinosaur eggs ever discovered in the world in 1922. We will have some hiking through the cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils may found and see the Gobi tree grove named “Bayanzag.” Bayanzag means “rich in saxaul trees.” This tree only grows in Central Asian Gobi. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saxaul trees and another classic desert vegetation.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in ger camp.

Day 6: Khujirt small town and Ongi monastery ( stopover)

Stop At: Hujirt Rashaan Suvilal, Боловсролын Их сургуулийн замын урд талд UBH center -ийн 10 давхарт 1003 тоот, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Driving to Khujirt small town but we will Ongi monastery on the way. The older southern complex consisted of various administrative buildings as well as 11 temples. The northern complex, built in the 18th century, consisted of 17 temples – among them one of the largest temples in all of Mongolia. The grounds housed also 4 Buddhist universities. It was completely destroyed in 1939. Although there is little left, it is interesting to go there to explore the ruins.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in ger camp.

Day 7: Orkhon Waterfall

Stop At: Orkhon Waterfall, Orkhon River Valley, Bat Ulzii Mongolia
Orkhon Waterfall, which was formed by volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago, the waterfall cascades from a height of 20 km. It is a scenic, tranquil spot and the surrounding nature is undisturbed, where is hiking. Stay overnight in the Nomadic family. An opportunity to join the nomad family herding and yak milking.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local Family.

Day 8: Orkhon Waterfall

Stop At: Orkhon Waterfall, Orkhon River Valley, Bat Ulzii Mongolia
Orkhon Waterfall, which was formed by volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago, the waterfall cascades from a height of 20 km. It is a scenic, tranquil spot and the surrounding nature is undisturbed, where is hiking. Stay overnight in the Nomadic family. An opportunity to join the nomad family herding and yak milking.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local family.

Day 9: Tsenkher hot springs

Stop At: Tsenkher Hot Spring, Tsenkher, Tsetserleg 65190 Mongolia
Tsenkher hot springs
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in a ger camp.

Day 10: Terkh white lake & Khorgo volcano

Stop At: Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park, Khorgo Mongolia
The Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of its flora & fauna. There are several extinct volcanoes within the National Park area. The most spectacular and the most accessible one is Khorgo volcano. Astonishingly beautiful, clear water lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (known as Great White Lake) formed after lava flows from the volcanoes blocked the north and south Terkh Rivers. The lake is renowned for its fish and birdlife, including the Ruddy Shellduck and Great Cormorant. Rare species of flowers and pine trees grow in the black volcanic soil, and ancient lava flows streak out across the meadow are home to alpine wildlife. Torrents of lava issuing from the Khorgo volcano blocked the north and south Terkh rivers, so forming the dammed lake of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake at an altitude of 2060 meters above sea level. The Khorgo volcano extinguished 8000-6000 years ago. Its surrounding area has plenty of caves and hides outs. That is why the volcano was named Khorgo. “Khorgo” means “shelter.” Khorgo is not only extinct volcano in the vicinity. There are some more, but Khorgo is the youngest and the most accessible one.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the local family.

Day 11: Karakorum ( ancient Mongolian capital)

Stop At: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin 62090 Mongolia
Our today’s tour takes place in the transition zone from the Sand dunes to mountain steppes. Kharkhorin, formerly known as the Karakorum, was once a capital of Genghis Khaan’s Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the move of Mongolian capital to Beijing, and the fall of the Empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by Manchurian soldiers in 1388. Kharkhorum is a small village, has about 18.000 population. Kharkhorum is located at the lower end of the upper valleys of the Orkhon river which is included within UNESCO & World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape Upon arrival in the village, we will visit the museum of the Karakorum and learn about beautiful ancient Karakorum. Then we will visit the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century. Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious articles in the monastery museum, admire its stunning architecture and the Kharakhorum Museum display remnants of the ancient city.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in the nomadic family.

Day 12: Terelj National Park

Stop At: Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Tov Province
Located 55km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, this popular national park is characterized by picturesque alpine scenery. It offers great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, swimming (in icy-cold water), rafting and horse riding. For hard-core extreme-sports fanatics, there's skiing and dog-sledding in the depths of winter. The southern section caters to tourists, so it's hardly pristine (and a bit crowded with Ger camps), but hikers and horse riders can easily get away from the hustle and bustle by trekking further north into the park.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tourist Ger Camp

Day 13: Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar
On the 13th day, we directly go back to the Ulaanbaatar. Today is the last day to be in the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, check-in a hotel and explore some areas in UB. on the way of having lunch. and go shopping. For instance, Gobi Cashreme; Zaisan Hill and many more.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.