We know you will travel a long way to Mongolia to see and experience as much as possible. Therefore, please be sure this is the best Mongolian itinerary dedicated to a cultural experience seeker, nature lover, new places explorer, jam-packed program lover, and active traveler like you. Following this tour itinerary, you will trek in the lush green mountain valleys of the Gobi Desert, climb tall sand dunes for awe-inspiring scenery and the Gobi desert sunset, explore the world-known paleontological discovery site, and learn recent history while exploring the ruined monastery. Even the Gobi Desert nights are beautiful and calm under countless sparkling stars. In central Mongolia, you will travel along the World Cultural Heritage site Orkhon River Valley National Park to explore well-known natural highlights and cultural artifacts. Two different nomadic family visit allows you to learn first-hand about nomadic life and try authentic Mongolian meals. Attractive Khorgo extinct volcano and fresh-water lake Terkhiin Tsagaan is the northernmost picturesque national park of your trip. Additionally, you will visit town centers and a market and do trekking for more in-depth exploration. Riding two-humped camels and horses are part of your adventure.

Day 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

Your driver will greet you at the airport/railway station and transfer you to a centrally located hotel. Free day to relax and discover the city on your own while staying in a good location central hotel. Accommodation: 3* hotel

Day 2 - Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs

Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at 8:30 AM and start the tour to the Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs in the Gobi desert. The area is one of the most famous attractions in the Gobi Desert, where all visitors wish their pictures taken among this colorful natural formation. Hiking down and up along the trails of the stupa-shaped colorful cliffs takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park and hiking in Eagle Valley

The Gobi Gurban Saikhan means "Three beautiful mountains in the Gobi.” The Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain is a beautiful national park, rich in wildlife and scenic places. Among them, Yoliin Am/Bearded Eagle Valley is one of the picturesque valleys accessible by car. After our vehicle brings us to a designated parking area, we will walk through the resplendent valley into the depths of a sheer rock canyon, which accepts no sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. The hiking continues for 2.5 to 3 hours for travel into the valley and back to the vehicle. Bearded Eagles, elusive wild sheep, and ibexes are indigenous to the valley. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Khongor Sand Dunes, camel riding

Our journey will continue to Khongor, part of the Gobi Gurban Saikhan National Park. After reaching the sand dunes, you will hike along the green stream shore, climb sand dunes, visit a nomad family and ride two-humped camels for an hour. If you can climb one of the tallest sand dunes, spread the sand northwards against the wind to find out why locals call the sand dunes "Singing Sand.” The sunset/sunrise and the views are fantastic from the top of the sand dunes. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Khavtsgait Rock Drawings and the Flaming Cliffs

Our adventure will continue on the northern side of the West Saikhan Mountain to explore the Khavtsgait Rock drawings, which date back to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. You will reach Khavtsgait rock drawing after 2 km of soft trekking in return ways. Afterward, the journey continues to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the remains of dinosaurs, including the first dinosaur eggs ever discovered on earth. The cliffs are picturesque and photogenic at sunset. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Bayanzag Saxual tree grove and driving to Ongi Monastery on the open steppes

7 km north of the Flaming Cliffs, you will see the Gobi desert tree grove covers a vast land. This endemic tree grows only in the Central Asian desert. Next, you drive through slate mountains, followed by 80 km of Ongi steppes heading to Ongi Monastery. Ongi Monastery was one of the seven biggest monasteries in Mongolia. There were two separate monasteries, consisted of more than 30 temples on the north and south shores of the Ongi River, surrounded by the Gobi Desert mountains; socialists destroyed the monastery in the 1930s. Now the ruins of the monasteries cover a large area. Visit a new active temple and a ger museum, explore the monastery ruins and climb a nearby mountain to see the panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall and the Orkhon Valley National Park

Our journey takes place in the transition zone from the Gobi Desert to the mountain steppes heading to Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. Ulaantsutgalan is the central Mongolian largest waterfall, which falls from 24 high lava cliffs. Arrive at the Orkhon River late afternoon. Spend the rest of the day seeing Ulaantsutgalan waterfall and hiking along the Orkhon River canyons. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Hiking to Tovhon Monastery and Tsenkher Hot Spa

You will spend the day exploring the Orkhon River Valley and hiking to Tovhon Monastery. This small monastery was built on 2312 m rocky top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain. Reaching the monastery will require 3 hours of soft hiking up and down the mountain, but not steep. The vista is incredible from the mountaintop. The journey continues along forested mountain tracks and arrives at Tsenkher valley in the evening. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Arkhangai province, explore the nomadic life and try authentic Mongolian barbecue

This day begins with a short tour of Tsetserleg town of Arkhangai province, including the local market visit. Continue the journey to meet a yak-herding nomadic family and relish in an authentic Mongolian barbecue for lunch. Discover more about the traditional nomadic life of northern Mongolian nomads. Next, drive through the picturesque landscapes of Arkhangai with a stop at the Chuluut River canyon. Arrive at Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Explore Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park

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 accessible is Khorgo Volcano. Astonishingly beautiful, clear water lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (known as Great White Lake) formed after lava flow from the volcanoes blocked the north and south water access from the Terkh River. The lake is renowned for its fish and birdlife, including the Ruddy Shellduck and Great Cormorant. Today, you climb the Khorgo Volcano, now extinct for nearly 8000 years. Its surrounding area has several caves and hideouts. That is why the volcano was named “Khorgo,” meaning shelter. This is not the only extinct volcano in the vicinity, but Khorgo is the youngest and most accessible among them. You will see thick basalt covering much of the National Park's territory. Climb the volcano on stairs and trails, and upon reaching the top, walk along the volcano rim with outstanding views of surrounding areas; a small village can be seen from the volcano, as well as a bird’s eye view of Terhkiin Tsagaan Lake. In the afternoon, travel to freshwater Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu Monastery in the Orkhon Valley

Kharkhorin, formerly known as the Karakorum, was once the capital of Genghis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the move of the Mongolian capital to Beijing, and the fall of the Empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed in 1388. Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious items in the monastery museum and view its stunning architecture, followed by a visit to Kharakhorum Museum. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 - Visit nomads, horse riding and return to Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day you spend in the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. On your way to Ulaanbaatar, visit horse herding nomad family and ride horses. You also join the nomads for lunch. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your accommodation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

1 night in a hotel 10 nights in ger camps Van transfers Arrival airport transfer 1 hour camel and 2 hours horse riding English Speaking guide Entry fees to national parks and the museums Daily bottled water Meals as indicated in the itinerary.

Items of personal use International travel Alcoholic drinks & beverages Bar bills, laundry, telephone calls Travel & medical insurance Visa fee Optional activities & additional services Single supplements Gratiuty for the guides and drivers