ROUND TOUR: Introduction of the great Gobi

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 : Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Tour begins: At the airport in Ulaanbaatar you will be met by our vehicle. Transfer to hotel. City orientation tour, visit Gandan Monastery. Dinner at the Modern Nomads restaurant /Mongolian national food, modern and comfortable/. Free time. Overnight in **hotel. (D)

Day 2 : Day 2: South Gobi-Eagle Valley, Gurvan Saikhan Uul

Early morning fly to Juulchin gobi-1, Omnogobi Province (580km, 1.20 hours). On arrival at the airstrip in the Gobi you will be met by our driver and jeep and taken to the ger camp for lunch. After lunch sightseeing and walking at the beautiful Eagle Valley or Yoliin Am, Gurvan Saikhan Uul. This is about 40 km from your ger camp and will take about one hour drive. The valley is a about 10km long and is completely shaded from the sun in some parts due to the high cliff walls. It is possible to walk through the valley and out the other side.  Also full of soaring eagles hunting for prey. At the opening of the valley is the afternoon will be leisure in the Gobi for exploring the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. (B,L,D)

Day 3 : Day 3: Khongorin els (sand dune)

After breakfast drive to Khongorin els (180km). Sightseeing and walking at the Khongor els (sand dune). Next day trekking to Bayan burd and Khongoriin gol (river). Overnights in ger camp. (B,L,D)

Day 4 : Day 4: Khongorin els (sand dune), camel riding trip

Visit a camel breeding family and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. Camel riding trip. Admire the beautiful Gobi landscape. Drive back to ger camp. Overnights in ger camp. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Day 5: Flaming cliffs “Bayanzag” – Dinosaur’s native land

After breakfast drive to South Gobi (250km). On the way visit the Flaming cliffs (dinosaur excavation site). Bayanzag is an area of red cliffs, which formed from the erosion of sand and rock over many thousands of years. It also the site of several successful dinosaur excavations. Overnight at the tourist camp. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Day 6: Middle Gobi

Today we drive to Middle Gobi (about 250km). Next Stop is the Ongi Cloister ruin. Overnight in the ger camp. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Day 7: Waterfall and visit nomad family

After Breakfast, drive west to ‘’Ulaan Tsutgalan’’ waterfall. During the road visit “Shankh Monastery”, which was built in 1650s. Which was damaged during Stalinist purge and reconstructed. See a beautiful river valley named “Uurtiin tokhoi” which has cold sour mineral spring and it is used as medicine. The Waterfall is situated in the Orkhon Valley and this valley is known as the cradle of the Mongolian civilization as many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its borders. The area surrounding the waterfall is green and forested. Visit a nomad family and share a Mongolian meal. Visit a horse breeding farm and try ’Airag’’, the Mongolian fermented drink made from mare’s milk. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Day 8: Kharakhorum, Erdenzuu closter

After breakfast drive to Kharakhorum (250km). After breakfast will be visit the Erdenezuu monastery. This Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m-x 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. Mongolia´s ancient capital Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan´s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the ORKHON Valley, at the crossroads of “The Silk Road”. It was from there that the Mongol Empire was governed, until Kublai Khaan moved to Beijing. Meals will be at the Ger camp. Overnight near Ger camp Kharakhorum. (B,L,D)

Day 9 : Day 9: Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast drive back to Ulaanbaatar (100km). Today will be a day of guided sightseeing in UB, shopping Cashmere house and free time. In the evening we'll have exciting performance in Tumen Ekh Chuulga to see traditional folklore such as dance, song, Buddhist ritual mask dance. Overnight in **hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 : Day 10: Terelj National Park and horse riding one day

Starting is from Hotel. Set from Ulaanbaatar to tourist camp 98km. Turtle Rock and the dinosaur statues are the main attractions. Arrival in the Princess Lodge. Relax in national Ger in the beautiful Khan Khentii Mountain. You will spend 2 nights in princess ger camp in the mountains. (L,D)

Day 11 : Day 11: Visit Princess temple and horse riding one day

Breakfast. Preparations for the journey. Starting journey. Ride an Ox-cart like a nomadic Mongol to Princess Temple. We ride and walk 8kms through spectacular valleys and across small rivers surrounded by highly–eroded rock formations of the Khan Khentii Mountains. Cafe breaks on picnic at a site chosen for its spectacular setting. Visit the ruins of Princess Temple, was built in 1740. Return to the camp. Free time. Sauna and shower time. Evening programs of interest and bonfire. Dinner and overnight at the camp. (B,L,D)

Day 12 : Day 12: Visit nomadic family

After breakfast drive to Ulaanbaatar. On the way visit nomadic family. Learn their daily life and how do they live, breeding horses. Taste milk products. Free time Overnight in **hotel. (B,L)

Day 13 : Day 13: Journey Home

Tour ends: After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to the train for departure. (B)