Monasteries and Desert
Inclusive of famous destinations, private with your own driver and a guide, the tour paced to your liking but too long for the ruggedness, Monasteries and Desert is the best pick. Tour starts with an introductory day in Ulaanbaatar city and head towards Gobi via middle Gobi. Two-night at the most panoramic landscapes of Middle Gobi while driving through the vastness of the steppe, arrival at the renowned Valley of Yol for a pleasant hike and bird watching.
Trip continues to the different spectaculars of the Gobi land with an impressive sand dune that sings and changes its color, the Flaming cliff that looks like a burning fire in the sunset and Ongi, the energy centre. Driving further up north, Karakorum has quite some to offer: Erdenezuu Monastery with its over hundred stupas and the traces of ancient Karakorum, the capital of Mongol Empire. The countryside tour ends after a night stop by the Hustai National Park for the wild horses. Packing and shopping in UB for the last day.
Duration: 8 day
Itinerary
Day 1. Baga gazariin chuluu
Pick up from the hotel and start driving to Baga gazariin chuluu. You will start driving into Middle gobi. Upon arrival have lunch at the camp. Drive into the Baga gazariin chuluu and start short trekking through the interesting rock formations. Transfer back to the ger camp. Overnight in a ger camp. (L/D)
Day 2. Tsagaan Suvraga
After breakfast at the camp start driving to Tsagaan Suvraga. Upon arrival have lunch in the ger camp. Drive to the Tsagaan Suvraga and short trekking around the area. Drive further to Del uul also known as the ancient rock painting gallery. Transfer back to the ger camp. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 3. Valley of Yol
Breakfast and start drive to Valley of Yol. En-route make a stop at the Dalanzadgad, the administration of South Gobi province. Drive to the ger camp and have lunch. Visit local museum and start short trekking inside the Valley of Yol. Transfer back to the ger camp. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 4. Hongor sand dunes
Breakfast and start driving to Hongor sand dunes. Have lunch and drive to the sand dunes. Visit camel breeding family. Optional camel riding. Climb to the sand dunes. Transfer back to the ger camp. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 5. Ongi Temple via Bayanzag
Have an early breakfast and start driving to Bayanzag. Visit the Flaming cliff and Bayanzag the saxaul tree forest. Have lunch in the ger camp nearby and continue drive to Ongi Temple. Upon arrival visit the temple. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 6. Kharakorum
Breakfast and start driving to Kharakorum. On this day you will notice how fast the landscape changes as you will drive from Middle Gobi to Khangai Mountains. Upon arrival have lunch at the ger camp. Visit Erdenezuu monastery and Kharakorum museum. Visit the three empire statue for a view of Kharakorum city and Orkhon valley. Visit horse breeding family. Optional horse-riding. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 7. Elsen Tasarhai
Breakfast at the camp and start driving to Elsen Tasarhai. This day is a more relaxing day with a beautiful landscape which includes sand dunes, steppe, mountains. After lunch at the camp visit Uvgun temple near the Khugnu Khan Mountain. Overnight in a ger camp. (B/L/D)
Day 8. Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast drive to Ulaanbaatar. (B)
- Accommodation in ger camp;
- Meals indicated as the itinerary;
- National park entrance fees
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Guide speaking (English /German /French /Italian )
- Drive with Mitsubishi Delica 4x4
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
