Experience a remote and unique part of Asia!
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 our first Mongolian ger camp, located at the foot of Bayanzurkh Mountai with stunning views of the Tuul River. Enjoy the afternoon relaxing or exploring—take a botanical hike, curl up with a book, or try archery. In the evening, we’ll gather for a warm welcome dinner.
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, visit the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, one of the tallest equestrian statues in the world. Next, head to Terelj National Park, known for its dramatic granite cliffs, lush meadows, and diverse wildlife, including over 250 bird species and rare brown bears. We’ll hike to Aryabal Monastery for stunning views of the park.
Explore Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's vibrant capital. Start with the Zaisan Memorial, honoring Soviet soldiers from WWII, with an optional climb for panoramic views. After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace, once home to Mongolia’s last religious king, now a museum.
Today, explore Ulaanbaatar’s historic Gandan Monastery and Dinosaur Museum. After some leisure time for shopping, board the Trans-Siberian train for an overnight journey to the city of Erdenet.
Arrive and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Amarbayasgalant Monastery, founded in 1779. This beautiful complex is a prime example of Mongolian Buddhist architecture, with 28 preserved structures offering a glimpse into its rich history and spiritual significance.
After breakfast, drive to Ugii Lake, celebrated for its beauty and rich biodiversity. A paradise for birdwatchers, especially during migration seasons, spot graceful Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese, Lesser White-fronted Geese, and majestic raptors like the Steppe Eagle.
We begin at Khushuu Tsaidam, an ancient site with stone carvings and burial mounds from the 7th to 13th centuries, linked to the Mongol Empire. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Karakorum, founded by Genghis Khan, and explore the Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest and most significant Buddhist sites.
Today, embark on a hike to the majestic Mt. Zorgol Khairkhan, known for its breathtaking granite rock formations. Surrounded by verdant landscapes nourished by streams, this biodiverse area is home to wildlife such as red deer, wild sheep, and ibex.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in a mini local Naadam festival, celebrating the "Three Manly Games": wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The festivities will also feature a private concert with traditional dance, throat singing, and contortion performances.
Visit Hustai National Park to see the world’s last surviving Przewalski’s wild horses, once extinct in the wild. Thanks to successful conservation efforts, over 400 of these horses now roam the park. Afterward, explore the Ongot monument, ancient Neolithic graves, before heading to our nomadic ger camp for the night.
Today, we’ll experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle, where locals rely on livestock and carts for daily living. Half of Mongolia’s population still embraces this way of life, despite its challenges. Afterward, we’ll return to Ulaanbaatar for a farewell dinner, celebrating the unforgettable journey we’ve shared together in the heart of Mongolia’s steppes.
Depart Ulaanbaatar and return home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 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).
