Mongolia Group Tours - Gobi Desert, Khongor sand dunes, Eagle valley, Ogy nuur lake - Best of Mongolia

Immerse yourself in the boundless landscapes, vast flat plains to rolling plateaus and extensive grasslands of Mongolia. Price based on two people.

This Group Tour starts in Ulaanbaatar the political, economic and cultural center of Mongolia. We visit the magnificent alpine scenery of Terelj National Park and one of the most untouched, unique, and mysterious places on earth, The Gobi Desert.  Khongro sand dunes, Eagle Valley, Ogy nuur lake and Hustain Nuruu Nature reserve are but a few of the sights where you will find the undisturbed culture, traditions and untouched nature, and wildlife of Mongolia. You will spend 10 nights in various traditional Ger Camps and four nights at the four star Kempinski Khan Palace.

*Nadaam Festival in Mongolia

You may wish to experience the Naadam festival, a test only once a year of courage, strength, daring, horsemanship and marksmanship for the Mongolian people. Originally a test of a nomad’s aptitude, it requires strength, stamina, accurate marksmanship and skilful horsemanship. Given the equine nature of nomadic life, much importance is placed on the horse races. Drawing herdsman from hundreds of miles around, races are staged on the vast steppes covering distances of up to 20 miles. This is available on specific dates marked with an asterisk (*).

For a more detailed itinerary of this tour please send us an email info@sanyachinatravel.com
or phone us on 01256 863030

Day 1

Ulaanbaatar –Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and be met by your English-speaking guide.  Transfer to the Kempinski Khan Palace.

Day 2

Terelj National Park - After breakfast, we drive to Terelj national park, 80km northeast of city. Spend the day touring the area and enjoying the magnificent alpine scenery. There are great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing and horse riding. You can visit a nomad family and explore the unique lifestyle and horse riding. Return to the four star Kempinski Khan Palace hotel.

Day 3

Ulaanbaatar/Middle Gobi – After an early breakfast, we leave Ulaanbaatar. On the way to the Gobi desert, we visit Baga Gazriin Chuluu Lake and the ruins of Sum Khukh Burd Temple. Overnight stay in traditional Mongolian Ger (sometimes called a yurt) at our Middle Gobi camp.

Day 4

Tsagaan suvarga – After breakfast we head to the famous Tsagaan suvarga, this stands about 30m tall. This is a strangely shaped, white limestone rock formation. Your lunch is supplied on the way. Dinner and overnight is again in the ger camp.

Day 5

South Gobi/Eagle Valley – Breakfast at the camp. Enjoy a full day excursion to Yol Valley (Eagle Valley) National Park for hiking and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape. Picnic lunch in the Yoliin Am National Park. Spend the afternoon hiking or relaxing. Return to the camp and overnight.

Day 6

Khongor sand dunes - After breakfast, we drive to Khongor sand dunes known as the Singing dunes. Packed lunch on the way. Visit and possibly clime up to Mongolia’s biggest sand dune. Dinner in Ger Camp.

Day 7

South Gobi/Bayanzag – Have an early breakfast at the camp. Start the drive towards Karakorum. On the way we will take you to explore the world famous Flaming Cliffs (Bayan Zag), the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery and the trail of palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. Visit local camel breeding family and enjoy a short camel ride. Dinner and overnight in the Ger camp near the famous Flaming cliffs.

Day 8

South Gobi/Ongyn Khiid – After breakfast, we drive to the north. Stopping for the night in a Ger Camp near Ongyn Khiid. Visit a local small temple and museum. Dinner and overnight in the Ger Camp.

Day 9

Karakorum –Breakfast is at the Ger Camp and then we continue driving to Karakorum. Arrive at Karakorum in the afternoon, enjoy an archery competition. Overnight at our Ger Camp.

Day 10

Erdene-Zuu –Have an early breakfast at the camp. Visit Erdene-Zuu, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia and almost destroyed in the 1930s. Tour of the monastery grounds and several chapels with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Visit the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. Drive to Tsenkher hot springs. Enjoy a natural hot bath and foot massage at the ger camp.

Day 11

Ogy nuur lake –Drive to Lake Ogy in Arkhangai province. Bird watching by the lake shores and night rest at the Ger Camp located on the shore of the Ogy lake.

Day 12

Hustain Nuruu Nature Reserve – After breakfast drive to Hustain Nuruu Nature Reserve 60km. Drive deep into Nature reserve to search for the wild horse TAKHI. Back to Hustai Nuruu Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 13

Hustai Nuruu Nature reserve/Ulaanbaatar – We have breakfast at the camp, then drive to Ulaanbaatar and transfer back to the four star Kempinski Khan Palace Hotel.

Day 14

Ulaanbaatar - All day free at leisure.

Day 15

Ulaanbaatar/Beijing – Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to railway station or airport for your departure.

*Nadaam Festival

Optional Attend opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival plus a Naadam Gala Dinner and Folk Concert in the evening. The highlight of the Mongolian festival calendar, the Naadam Festival dates back several centuries and takes place each year July 11-13. We highly recommend booking early for our Naadam Festival and Gala dinner. Dates for this tour are 29/06/2011 and 09/07/2011. Depending on which dates you depart the Naadam Festival will be at either the beginning or the end of your tour on the 11th July.

Red - Plane, Green - Train, Black - Automobile, Blue - Boat