|
 Mongolia is epic in the truest sense-raw, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful. It’s one of the last truly wild places on Earth, where the landscapes are vast, the traditions are alive, and every day feels like a discovery. This is a destination many of our most intrepid travelers have been asking for - and we’re delivering it in the most cinematic way possible. From the dramatic Altai of Western Mongolia, near the Kazakhstan border, to the vast stillness of the Gobi, you’ll experience a side of the country most travelers never reach—along with rare access to living traditions: time with Kazakh eagle hunters and nomadic families, and a Private Mini Naadam created exclusively for our group.
In Western Mongolia, VEGA’s mobile luxury camp means your private room is waiting wherever the day’s adventure ends. Then we trade peaks for the golden stillness of the Gobi dunes, flaming cliffs, and vast, meditative space where the horizon stretches forever, and wonder comes easily.
Limited to just 16 travelers with all meals included, you’ll come home with a newfound appreciation for Mongolia’s living traditions - a journey we’ve curated for our most intrepid travelers.
Mongolia is one of the most extraordinary places we’ve ever taken our travelers - wild, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful. Join this signature small-group journey where vast landscapes and living traditions create the kind of adventure you feel in your bones. Our small gay group experiences can take you anywhere in the world in elevated style, backed by our trusted network of expert partners on the ground.
Source has curated an experience that blends once-in-a-lifetime cultural moments—like our private Mini Naadam and time with eagle hunters and nomadic families—with iconic natural wonders from the Altai Mountains to the Gobi Desert.
In Western Mongolia, we’ll take nomadic travel to a whole new level of luxury. With the Vega experience, we become luxury nomads - surrounded by sweeping landscapes, immersed in authentic local traditions, and cared for with an exceptional level of comfort. It’s one of the most distinctive parts of the journey: a chance to experience the soul of Western Mongolia in a way that feels both deeply real and wonderfully elevated.
Along the way, we pair true off-the-map discoveries with exceptional comfort, including standout stays in Ulaanbaatar, an unforgettable mobile luxury camp in Western Mongolia, and a celebrated desert lodge in the Gobi.
To keep the experience seamless, all meals are included - so you can stay fully present, relaxed, and connected to the journey. When you travel with us, you can count on an experience where every day is an inspiring adventure - and where the shared journey becomes part of the magic.
Day 1 - Monday, June 21, 2027
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar - Mongolia’s vibrant capital, where ancient tradition and modern energy meet. It’s a city of wide boulevards and Soviet-era history, Buddhist temples and buzzing cafés, with the mountains always hovering in the distance like a promise of what’s ahead.
Our team will meet you at the airport and escort you to the Shangri-La Hotel, a polished, comfortable home base for your first night. Settle in, rest, and begin to acclimate to Mongolia’s rhythm.
This evening, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome dinner - your first chance to meet your fellow travelers and toast the adventure ahead.
Hotel: Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Day 2 - Tuesday, June 22, 2027
This morning we fly from Ulaanbaatar to Mongolia’s far west - where the landscapes grow bigger, wilder, and more cinematic by the mile. On arrival, we trade city streets for open country and begin our overland journey into the Altai region, close to the Kazakhstan border, where cultures blend, and the steppe feels truly endless.
Our home for the next four nights is VEGA - a beautifully designed, all-inclusive camp set in a spectacular, remote setting that lets you experience the wilderness in comfort. Think warm hospitality, cozy private accommodations, and front-row access to some of Mongolia’s most breathtaking scenery.
Settle in, exhale, and enjoy your first evening under western Mongolia’s vast sky.
Accommodation: VEGA Camp, Western Mongolia
Day 3 - Wednesday, June 23, 2027
Wake up in Western Mongolia to that crisp Altai air and a horizon that seems to go on forever. Today is about settling into the rhythm of the far west as we explore the breathtaking Tsul Ulaan Valley - wide-open landscapes, dramatic rock formations, and the kind of silence you feel in your bones.
Midday, we’ll pause for a scenic lunch by the Khovd River, soaking in the views and the stillness before continuing our exploration.
We return to camp later in the afternoon for a relaxed evening—warm food, good conversation, and a sky full of stars.
This is the day it starts to feel like you’re traveling through a film.
Accommodation: VEGA Camp, Western Mongolia
Day 4 - Thursday, June 24, 2027
Today, we go deeper into the Altai for one of the most dramatic days of the journey. Think sweeping valleys, rugged ridgelines, and snowcapped peaks that keep getting bigger as we go—every turn revealing a new, cinematic view.
We travel to Noroolog Cliff, where the rock formations rise sharply from the landscape, then continue toward Tsambagarav Mountain, known for its glaciers and wide-open scenery.
We’ll stretch our legs with a beautiful hike and plenty of time for photos, pauses, and pure awe—the kind of day that reminds you how wild and vast Mongolia really is.
Later, we return to camp for a well-earned evening of comfort, warmth, and storytelling.
Accommodation: VEGA Camp, Western Mongolia
Day 5 - Friday, June 25, 2027
Today is one of the signature days of the journey—an intimate window into the living traditions of Western Mongolia.
We begin with a visit to a champion eagle hunter, learning about this extraordinary Kazakh heritage and the deep bond between hunter and golden eagle. It’s powerful, personal, and unlike anything else.
Then the celebration begins: your Private Mini Naadam - a festive showcase of Mongolian culture and sport, created just for our group. Expect colorful pageantry, unforgettable performances, and the energy of a tradition that has been bringing communities together for generations.
We return to camp with full hearts, big smiles, and stories already forming.
Accommodation: VEGA Camp, Western Mongolia
Day 6 - Saturday, June 26, 2027
This morning we say goodbye to Western Mongolia and fly back to Ulaanbaatar.
From here, we head out into the green, wide-open landscapes of Gorkhi–Terelj National Park, where granite formations, rolling hills, and pine-scented air feel a world away from the city.
Terelj is Mongolia’s “backyard wilderness”—a place of easy beauty and quiet moments, with a hint of adventure around every bend. Tonight is about slowing down and soaking in a different side of Mongolia—fresh air, big skies, and a peaceful setting that’s the perfect bridge between the Altai and the Gobi.
Accommodation: Terelj National Park
Day 7 - Sunday, June 27, 2027
Today, we transfer to the airport and fly to the Gobi Desert, where our 4×4 team meets us for the drive to Three Camel Lodge - one of Mongolia’s most celebrated properties, designed in the style of a traditional luxury yurt camp with elevated comfort and warm hospitality.
Settle in, toast the desert sunset, and get ready for a whole new kind of Mongolia.
Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
Day 8 - Monday, June 28, 2027
Today we head out into the Gobi’s wide-open beauty—an ever-changing landscape of sand, stone, and big sky.
Our adventure takes us to the dunes, where you can climb for sweeping views and (when available) enjoy a ride on a Bactrian camel, the iconic two-humped camels of the desert.
After lunch, we visit a local nomadic family for a genuine look at daily life in the Gobi—hospitality, traditions, and the resourcefulness it takes to thrive in this extraordinary environment.
We return to Three Camel Lodge for a relaxed evening, desert air, and that golden light that makes the Gobi feel almost surreal.
Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
Day 9 - Tuesday, June 29, 2027
Today, we explore one of the Gobi’s most iconic landscapes: Bayanzag, famously known as the Flaming Cliffs. The red sandstone glows in the sunlight, and the wide-open desert around it feels ancient and almost otherworldly.
We’ll have time to walk the trails, take in the sweeping views, and learn why this region became world-famous for dinosaur discoveries. Keep your eyes open—this is one of the places where the Gobi’s scale and silence really land, and even a short walk can feel like stepping back in time. As the light shifts later in the day, the cliffs seem to catch fire—one of those moments in Mongolia that feels completely unforgettable.
Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
Day 10 - Wednesday, June 30, 2027
This morning, we fly back to Ulaanbaatar, returning to the energy of the capital after the wide-open stillness of the Gobi. Check in and take a moment to refresh—then enjoy a final afternoon and evening to savor the city.
Tonight is a wonderful time for last-minute shopping, a great dinner, and a relaxed toast to everything we’ve experienced together—an epic journey, shared.
Accommodation: Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
Day 11 - Thursday, July 1, 2027
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for your international departure. As you head home, you’ll carry more than memories—you’ll carry the feeling of Mongolia: vast, timeless, and unforgettable.
Safe travels, and until the next Epic Journey.
|
|
• Travel across Mongolia’s most cinematic landscapes - from the capital to Western Mongolia’s Altai region and the legendary Gobi Desert
• Experience a Private Mini Naadam celebration, created exclusively for our group
• Meet Kazakh eagle hunters and connect with Mongolia’s living nomadic traditions
• Explore the dramatic Altai: sweeping valleys, rugged ridgelines, glaciers, and big-sky wilderness
• Overnight in Terelj National Park, Mongolia’s “backyard wilderness” of granite formations and open landscapes
• Discover the icons of the Gobi golden dunes and the famed Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag)
• Stay in exceptional accommodations throughout, chosen for comfort, character, and a true sense of place—from a luxury mobile camp in the Altai to a celebrated desert lodge
• Enjoy a seamless experience with all meals included (dietary requests accommodated in advance)
• A gay group host throughout and English-speaking guides
• Limited to a small group of just 12-16 intrepid LGBTQ+ travelers
• Small group journey limited to 12-16 LGBTQ+ travelers
• 11 days / 10 nights of curated touring across Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar, Western Mongolia/Altai, Terelj National Park, and the Gobi Desert)
• All meals included throughout the journey (dietary requests accommodated in advance)
• All scheduled domestic flights within Mongolia per the itinerary
• All private ground transportation and airport transfers (including 4×4 vehicles in remote regions)
• Expert local guides, drivers, and on-the-ground team support throughout
• All planned sightseeing and experiences per itinerary, including:
• Private Mini Naadam cultural celebration
• Eagle hunter cultural visit
• Altai valley, cliffs, and glacier region excursions
• Terelj National Park highlights
• Gobi Desert dunes excursion and nomadic family visit
• Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) excursion
• Accommodations as outlined (Ulaanbaatar, Western Mongolia, Terelj National Park, and the Gobi Desert)
• Entrance fees/permits for included activities and park visits
• Source Journeys tour host traveling with you
• International airfare to/from Ulaanbaatar
• Passport and visa fees (if applicable)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Gratuities (recommended $400 per person) for guides, drivers, and lodge/camp staff
• Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase; not included at Three Camel Lodge; inclusions may vary by other lodges/camps)
• Optional activities and experiences not listed in the itinerary
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, spa services, minibar, laundry where not included, etc.)
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, 5*
Your stylish home base in Mongolia’s capital, the Shangri-La, pairs five-star comfort with an unbeatable location—perfect for arriving smoothly, adjusting to the time change, and easing back into the city at the end of our adventure. Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar is set in Ulaanbaatar, 700 metres from Sukhbaatar Square.
Expect sleek, modern rooms, warm service, and all the little details that make travel feel effortless: a great breakfast, inviting public spaces to gather with fellow travelers, and a calm, polished atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the wild landscapes we explore beyond the city. It’s the ideal place to land, recharge, and toast the journey—both at the beginning and at the end.
Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and features a flat-screen TV with satellite TV. Rooms include a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower. Extras include bath robes, slippers and free toiletries.
VEGA Camp, Western Mongolia
VEGA is unlike anywhere we’ve stayed before—a mobile luxury camp designed for true exploration in Mongolia’s far west. You’ll sleep in one of VEGA’s Personal Mobile Spaces—a private “room on wheels” that moves ahead during the day, so your accommodations are already set up and waiting when the adventure ends. It’s the rare combination of off-the-grid scenery and effortless comfort: warm hospitality, all-inclusive ease, and front-row access to the Altai’s wide valleys, rugged ridgelines, and big-sky sunsets—without the hassle of packing and unpacking each day.
With our special mobile rooms, you can reach the unreachable. Experience the world’s hidden wonders in unparalleled comfort and ease.
VEGA Camp seamlessly combine the thrill of adventure with the comfort of premium accommodations, offering an exceptional travel experience.
Three Camel Lodge, Gobi Desert
A true icon of the Gobi, Three Camel Lodge is an award-winning eco-luxury retreat where the desert feels vast and timeless—yet you’re wonderfully cared for. Accommodations are in beautifully crafted, yurt-style gers with hand-painted furnishings, a wood stove for warmth, and private en-suite bathrooms (including a stone-finished shower). Evenings here are part of the magic: quiet, candlelit comfort, warm hospitality, and some of the most spectacular star-filled skies you’ll ever see—an unforgettable home base for exploring the dunes and Flaming Cliffs.
Three Camel Lodge enchants guests with luxuriously appointed classic ger. Cozy wool carpets, thick camel-hair blankets, and furniture carved and painted by hand adorn each ger with authentic comfort. Heated by a wood stove and offering either a hand-painted, handmade king or two twin beds, every ger features a private bathroom.
The simple elegance of the gers blends with the Gobi’s remarkable landscape, dotting the wild expanse. All of buildings have been constructed according to traditional Mongolian design using natural stone and local materials.
|
|
