TRIP STATUS
*** This trip is now sold out ***
Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert
with an optional excursion to visit the Tsaatan people in Northern Mongolia
July 1 – 15 2018
Summary
A public, one-off trip to Mongolia, one of the few places left on Earth where one can encounter intact cultures, ancient history, and big unspoiled spectacular landscapes. Two weeks of traveling by 4×4 cars to places like the Gobi Desert, Karakorum (the ancient capital of Genkhis Khan), and the Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Lake. The program also includes the option to go an a unique adventure on horseback to visit the remote lands of the Tsaatan people in the far north.
This is not a trip for everyone. It requires people with a sense of adventure, interest in close interaction with local cultures, and a willingness to sacrifice some comfort sometimes in return for the big experience. That said, every effort has been made to ensure we spend some nights in luxury accommodation whenever doable.
The trip is structured such that on Day 9, those who are interested have the option of breaking away from the core group and taking a separate excursion to spend a day with the Tsaatan people, all the way in the north of the country. This requires additional driving and several hours on horseback. The two groups meet again on the last night.
Number of Travellers: 6 to 9 (3 per vehicle in addition to driver).
Accommodation: A combination of 5-star hotels, high-end camping lodges, ger tourist camps, and accomodation with local herding families; we will attempt to balance close cultural interaction and connection with nature with comfort and relaxation.
Transport: In 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers ( in addition to various camel, horse, and reindeer rides).
Expression of Interest
Please see below for prices. As this is a trip that involves a lot of preparation, the final date to sign up is April 15. To reserve your spot, a $700 deposit is requested.
For reservations or more information, please email us
Program Details
Day 1 July 1 Ulaanbaatar
Arrival at the Chinggis Khan International Airport of Ulaanbaatar. Transfer and check-in at the Ramada Hotel; Welcome lunch and tour briefing by our local tour leader. After some rest, we go on an afternoon city tour including the Zaisan Monument, Sukhbaatar Square, and the National History Museum. Lunch and dinner included, locations TBD.
Day 2 July 2 Baga Gazryn Chuluu
Checkout and begin the drive south towards the Gobi Desert. First destination is the beautiful Baga Gazariin Chuluu local protected area, where we explore a temple ruin used by Buddhist monks, a hole with Holy Water for the eyes, and some caves. Take short walks over the rocky granite hills to admire the natural beauty in Middle Gobi, 1760 above sea level and famous for its unique rock formations.
Overnight at the Baga Gazryn Chuluu Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 260 km.
Day 3 July 3 Tsagaan Suvarga
Continue driving to one of Mongolia’s great natural beauties, Tsagaan Suvarga – the “White Stupas”. These colorful cliffs, approximately 100m wide, were part of the sea floor millions of years ago. From the distance they look like shrines and city structures, thus their given nickname. Enjoy an afternoon wondering through this natural beauty with its fantastic color combinations and wide panoramic vistas.
Overnight at the Tsagaan Suvraga Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 240 km.
Day 4 July 4 Gobi and the Three Camel Lodge
Leave Middle Gobi and drive to South Gobi Province, and the starting point of our exploration of the Gobi Desert. The landscapes are varied on this day as we change regions, including deserts, cliffs, salt pans, and oases. We will visit a highlight in the region, the Yolyn Am, or “Vulture’s Mouth”. This is a canyon so deep and narrow that even in the summer months ice remains on the valley floor. This region is also known for its diverse wildlife and endangered species, including Khulan, Ibex, Argali, and Snow Leopard.
We will stay at the world-famous Three Camel Lodge, often listed as one of the best eco-lodges in the world.
Overnight at the Three Camel Lodge (http://threecamellodge.com)
Total driving distance: 265 km.
Day 5 July 5 Khongoryn Els
Leave the Lodge after breakfast and drive towards the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia situated in Sevrei Soum and called Khongoryn Els. Also known as the “singing dunes”, they are up to 200m high, 15km wide and about 100km long. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by the small Khongor River, which is fed by underground sources from surrounding mountains. The South Gobi has approximately 100,000 two-humped camels, and we will visit a camel breeding family to get a glimpse of their nomadic way of life.
Overnight at the Gobi-Erdene Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 200 km.
Day 6 July 6 Khongoryn Els
We will continue on this day to explore this spectacular area and the huge dunes, with opportunities to see more local breeders, walk up the dunes, and take a tour on the camels.
Day 7 July 7 Ongi Monastery via Bayanzag
Begin the drive north towards Ongi Monastery. Along the way, stop at Bayanzag, nicknamed “the Flaming Cliffs” by early archaeologists, and a major site of dinosaur fossils: out of the 330 known types of dinosaurs, 60 come from Mongolia.
Arrive to the ruins of Ongi Monastery, on the banks of the Ongiin River, by late afternoon. This monastery had 28 temples and many stupas some of which are still in good shape. In its heyday, the monastery had about 1000 lamas before it was destroyed during the Stalinist purges in the 1930s.
Overnight at the Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 300 km.
Day 8 July 8 Karakorum
Continue the drive north towards Karakorum, the capital of the Great Mongolian Empire founded by Genkhis Khan in the 13th and 14th centuries. Along the way stop in Arvaikheer, the provincial capital and the only town we will see outside Ulanbaater, for lunch in a local restaurant and to visit the flea market. We reach Karakorum in the evening.
Overnight at the Munkh Tenger Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 280 km.
Day 9 July 9 Karakorum and ErdeneZuu Monastery
This morning we will visit the Karakorum Museum and the Erdenezuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s two largest. The monastery has a complex of 108 stupas and over 10 temples that contain rich displays of Mongolian Buddhism. The Erdenezuu Monastery and ruins of Karakorum were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. We will also visit the Great Khan Monument, the legendary Turtle of Karakorum, and the “phallic rock statue”.
After lunch, the group will split. Some will continue on the main itinerary while those wishing to visit the Tsaatan people will take a different route. Both itineraries are listed below.
The core group will drive towards Tsenkher village in Arkhangai province. Visit a local family and stay with them. Our hosts will introduce their lifestyle and prepare a traditional BBQ for dinner. Optional horseback riding around the village.
Overnight in a ger with a nomad family.
Total driving distance: 90 km.
The Tsaatan group will drive towards Hovsgol province and stay at the Jargal Jiguur ger camp next to a hot spring.
Total driving distance: 380 km.
CORE PROGRAMME. (Please see below for Tsaatan group programme).
Day 10 July 10 Nomad Family and Tsenkher Hot Springs
More immersion in nomadic lifestyle in the morning as we particpate in daily activities such as milking cows and yaks, herding livestock, catching horses, and making traditional milk tea and dairy products. After lunch we drive to the Tsenkher Hot Springs to enjoy the open air hot bath in the evening and soothe any tired muscles!
Overnight at the Tsenkher Jiguur Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 15 km.
Day 11 July 11 Horgo and Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Lake
On this day we will visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia, the Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Lake. Sitting in an extinct volcano crater 200 m wide and 100m deep, this lake was formed when lava from the Horgo volcano blocked the Terkh River. The lake is home to many rare bird species.
Overnight at the Maikhan Tolgoi Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 220 km.
Day 12 July 12 Hogno Khan Nature Reserve
On this day we drive east through Bayangobi, where sand dunes, rocky mountains and steppes border and mix in spectacular landscapes. Picnic lunch on the way, and a short trip to Hogno Khan Mountain to visit the Ovgonii temple. We will also visit the Hogno Tarni sand dune and the beautiful small lake in the area. Overnight at the Hogno Khan Ger Camp.
Total driving distance: 360 km.
Day 13 July 13 SUN HS Khaan Resort via Hustai Nuruu National Park
Drive through and visit the Hustai Nuruu National Park which covers 506km2 and has been protected since 1993 to conserve biodiversity and facilitate the re-introduction to the wild of the famous Takhi wild horses. Lunch in the park restaurant before continuing to the luxurious HS Khaan Resort Hotel. Overnight at HS Khaan Resort (http://www.hs-khaan-resort.com/index_en.php).
Total driving distance: 340 km.
Day 14 July 14 Ulaanbaatar
Enjoy a morning of rest and the facilities of the resort, before taking a short drive to the capital Ulanbaatar for lunch and some shopping for cashmere and souvenirs. The two groups will rejoin on this day. In the evening, we will watch a traditional Mongolian song and dance performance before spending the last night at the Munkh-Tenger ger camp close to the airport.
Day 15 July 15 Departure
Check out from the camp in the morning and transfer to Chinggis Khan International Airport of Ulaanbaatar/Departure.
TSAATAN PEOPLE OPTIONAL PROGRAMME- Days 10 -15
Please note that while this program offers direct contact with one of the most remote tribes, it is physically demanding and requires long dirving and several hours of riding on horseback to get there and back.
Day 10 July 10 Jargalant Soum – Tsagaanuur Soum via Murun
On this day, drive to Murun where we stop for lunch, then continue the drive towards Tsagaanuur, where we meet the local nomad guide who will also be our cook for the next few days! Overnight at a local ger camp.
Total driving distance: 440 km.
Day 11 July 11 To the Tsaatan Tribe!
On this day we will drive a further 40 km before starting a 25 km trek on horseback- approximately 4 hours. We will camp in tents close to the Tsaatan people.
Day 12 July 11 A day with the Tsaatan people
We will spend the whole day with the Tsaatan people observing their lifestyle, partiipating in their acitvities, and learning about their shamanistic rituals. Another night in a tent.
Day 13 July 13 Back to Tsagaanuur
Back on horseback then car to Tsagaanuur, and overnight in ger camp.
Day 14 July 13 Ulaanbaatar
Drive to Murun and catch a domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the Munkh-Tenger get camp and join the rest of the group for shopping for cachmere and souvenirs in the city. In the evening, we will watch a traditional Mongolian song and dance performance before the farewell dinner.
Day 15 July 15 Departure
Check out from the camp in the morning and transfer to Chinggis Khan International Airport of Ulaanbaatar/Departure.
Prices
Pricing is based on groups of 3 guests in each car, accompanied by a driver. Final price will vary depending on final group size and option to visit the Tsaatan people.
For a group of 5 all doing the core trip: $4050 per person.
Price Includes
All accommodation on double occupancy and all meals as listed; transport to/from airport, private 4WD vehicle with experienced driver; tea coffee water during the trip; transport in Ulaanbaatar for the city tours; English speaking guide; excursions as per itinerary (Museums and Monasteries) and entrance fees; evening cultural show by Tumen Ekh Folklore Ensemble; local taxes and admission fees.
Price Excludes
International air ticket; visa; travel insurance; any alcoholic beverages; photo and video charges in museums and monasteries; expenses of private nature.
Cancellation Policy
This policy applies on a per-car basis, not based on the overall number of travellers, since cost of each car and its driver are shared by its passengers. If a replacement is found to fill the spot in the care (by the guest or by us) only 10% penalties apply. Every effort would be made to rearrange the number of passengers and cars to minimise penalties.
– 35% penalty upto 20 days prior to departure.
– 50% between 20 and 15 days before departure
– 70% between 10 and 15 days before departure
– 90% 10 days or less before departure
