With the spectacular Gobi desert
Energetic pace with more physically demanding activity. Longer walking/hiking tours (more than 3 hours), over uneven and possibly rugged terrain. Expect some longer days. Varying altitudes with some steep ascents/descents. Capable of standing for extended periods of time. Some days may include 5–13 km of walking over the course of the day.
Depart for Ulaanbaatar via Istanbul.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's vibrant capital. After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace, once home to Mongolia’s last religious king, now a museum.
Enjoy a morning drive to the historic ruins of Erdene Khamba Monastery in the Khugnu Khan Mountains, then visit a local herder family before continuing to Karakorum.
Step back in time at Karakorum, once the capital of Genghis Khan’s mighty Mongol Empire. Explore the UNESCO-listed Erdenezuu Monastery, founded in 1586, where ancient walls still stand. Discover echoes of vanished temples and a history shaped by dynasties and dramatic communist purges.
Visit the hilltop Tuvkhun Monastery before continuing south to the Ongi Monastery ruins. Founded in 1660, Ongi was once among Mongolia’s largest monastic complexes, boasting 28 temples across two sites. Destroyed during 1930s purges, its haunting ruins remain a powerful testament to Mongolia’s turbulent past.
Discover Bayanzag, the legendary Flaming Cliffs glowing fiery red beneath the Mongolian sun. Famous since the 1920s for the discovery of the world’s first dinosaur eggs, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve remains a living field of discovery—where breathtaking scenery meets ancient secrets still emerging from the earth.
Today we will experience Mongolia’s iconic Gobi Desert with camel riding, sand dune hikes, and a local family visit. Discover unique wildlife, nomadic heritage, and UNESCO’s vast Biosphere Reserve, preserving this remarkable Central Asian landscape.
We drive to Dalanzadgad to visit the Gobi Museum of Nature, exploring ancient dinosaurs and the history of human civilization in South Gobi. After lunch, we continue to Tsagaan Suvarga, a striking 30-meter limestone cliff
Today we visit Baga Gazaryn Chuluu, a striking granite formation in the dusty plains. The area is home to diverse wildlife, including marmots, ibex, and mountain sheep. We will also see ovoo (sacred stone piles) used in traditional Mongolian rituals, which are often visited by local pilgrims.
We begin the day with a visit to the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue located by the Tuul River, standing 40 meters tall with spectacular panoramic views. We then make our way to a fully sustainable traditional Mongolian ger camp situated at the foot of the Bayanzorik mountains.
Experience Mongolian culture with a variety of activities. Begin with a cooking lesson to make buuz, traditional steamed dumplings. In the afternoon, enjoy a horseback ride through breathtaking landscapes. In the evening, savour a traditional Mongolian barbecue and unwind around a cozy campfire, stargazing under the vast Mongolian sky.
This morning we depart for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s vibrant capital. We begin with a visit to the Zaisan Memorial, honoring Soviet soldiers of WWII, with an optional climb offering panoramic city views. In the evening, enjoy a traditional concert featuring dance, throat singing, and contortion—an art form dating back to the 12th century. Tonight, we gather for a special Farewell Dinner.
Depart Ulaanbaatar and return home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
