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 Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and a culture that evokes images of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Enter the serene land of Mongolia and experience the raw beauty and tradition of this remote region. Hidden from the world, it is hard to imagine that this secluded country was once the largest empire in known history. Explore Mongolia’s untamed landscapes, pristine grasslands, mountain steppes and the otherworldly Gobi Desert.
Enjoy all the experiences that make Mongolia a fascinating place to visit.
Staying in luxuriously appointed traditional gers and meeting local families of Mongolia’s eminently hospitable nomadic people—you will come to know more than a place, but a timeless way of life. Included are cultural experiences, such as a ger camp stay and horse riding, and emblematic places like the Gobi Desert.
Day 1 - Saturday, August 09, 2025
Welcome to Mongolia! You will arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, where your guide and driver will be waiting for you. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can freshen up. Depending on arrival times, your guide can take you on a walk to see Sukhbaatar square, where a sitting statue of Genghis Khan and the parliamentary building resides. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome reception/dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar Hotel , Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Day 2 - Sunday, August 10, 2025
After a hearty breakfast at Shangri-la, we will make our way to the Gandan Buddhist Monastery to see a 105 foot tall copper buddha. After lunch we’ll visit the Mongolia Museum of Natural History to learn all about Mongolia’s tumultuous past.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Day 3 - Monday, August 11, 2025
Very early in the morning, we will catch a flight to the South Gobi and head straight towards the Yol Valley (Yolyn Am). This unique valley doesn’t seem to belong to the desert at all. Containing lush vegetation and cute voles, the valley has a river running through it and remains partially frozen until late June! This area also contains a variety of other wildlife, such as the Altai snowcock, the Bighorn Argali Sheep, the wild ibex ram, wolves, and foxes. Scan the skies and keep your eyes open for the Lammergeier vulture, for which the valley is named. There are even occasional reports of snow leopard tracks in the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Gobi Mirage Lodge, Gobi
Day 4 - Tuesday, August 12, 2025
In the morning, we will continue our journey and head towards the world-famous dinosaur fossil sight known as the “Flaming Cliffs” (bayanzag in Mongolian). Roy Chapman Andrews, whom some say was the model for which Indiana Jones was made after, discovered great amounts of not only intact dinosaur bones, but also the very first dinosaur eggs ever to be discovered at the cliffs. The Flaming Cliffs, so aptly named, are red in color and almost seem to glow in the rising or setting sun. As you wander through here, keep your eyes peeled for any geodes. Fossils here are still being discovered today. Nearby, there is a small stretch of sand dunes named “moltsog els.”/ When we arrive, we will ride Bactrian two humped camels while we take in these golden dunes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Gobi Mirage Lodge, Gobi
Day 5 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
After breakfast, we will head towards Khavtsgait, an area that contains bronze age petroglyphs. We will take a 40 minute walk to reach these ancient carvings (The walk is uphill and it CAN be steep, so we will do another activity for those who are unable to walk uphill). Those that do not want to do not have to). We can explore this area while the guide explains about bronze age life in the Gobi. In the afternoon, we will visit a Nomadic family. We will be welcomed into their home and learn about their lifestyle and what it means to be a modern nomad in this day and age.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Gobi Mirage Lodge, Gobi
Day 6 - Thursday, August 14, 2025
After flying back to the capital, we will head straight to Terelj National Park. This area is known to be the southernmost point of the Taiga forest that extends into Siberia. We will spend the day hiking and driving around the park to absorb the beautiful landscape and take small treks around the park. This area has many unique rock formations, including the famous turtle rock whose name is derived from its uncanny resemblance of a huge turtle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Terelj Hotel & Spa, Terelj National Park, 5*
Day 7 - Friday, August 15, 2025
Today we will climb the 108 stone steps to reach the Ariyabal Buddhist temple, where Mongolian monks that practice Tibetan Buddhism gather to meditate and pray. Afterwards, for those that are comfortable with it, we can take short horse rides on mellow horses around the park . In the afternoon, we will take an hour drive’s out to visit the 40-meter high stainless steel statue devoted to Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan in English) known as Tsonjin Boldog. This is the area that it is said that Genghis Khan found a golden whip while searching for his kidnapped wife. The whip was a sign that he would conquer the world. We will arrange a horse rides near the statue. In the evening, we will return to the capital and check back into Shangri-la hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Day 8 - Sunday, August 16, 2025
After a leisurely morning, we will drive to otherside of Ulaanbaatar to see a mini “Naadam” festival that is arranged nearby that will show off the three sports of Mongolia: Horse racing, wrestling, and archery. The Naadam festival dates back to the times of Genghis Khan, but was stopped during China’s occupation of Mongolia. After China’s departure from Mongolia, this holiday was reintroduced and has become the pride of the country. After the festival, we will head to the beautiful HS Khaan resort.
(The Naadam festival happens in July, but we will organize our own mini Naadam festival)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: HS Khaan Resort Hotel, Khustai National Park, 4*
Day 9 - Sunday, August 17, 2025
In the morning, we will depart from HS Khaan resort after breakfast and head out of the city to Mongol Nomadic camp again.< At this camp, there will be a presentation on the local (and ancient) life of Mongolian herders. This includes how Mongolians break down and transport gers, local music, how they make vodka, how they greet each other after long journeys, and many more activities! We will then head to a HS khaan resort to spend our second night in a luxury ger.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: HS Khaan Resort Hotel, Khustai National Park, 4*
Day 10 - Monday, August 18, 2025
Today, our final day, brings a mix of activities in the capital city. We plan to visit the LGBTQ Center and hear about LGBTQ life in Mongolia and we'll have a visit with the Snow Leopard Foundation. After lunch there will be time for souvenir and Mongolian Cashmere shopping. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a Tumen Ekh throat singing performance, where we'll also have demonstrations of Mongolian Dance, Horse Head fiddle playing, contortionism and more, before our farewell dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri La Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Day 11 - Tuesday, August 19, 2025
After breakfast at the hotel, you are transferred to the airport for your journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
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