10 Days Mongolia Overland Tour: Ancient Capital & Southern Gobi Desert

Welcome to Mongolia! On this day, you will take your scheduled flight to Mongolia, landing at the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (also known as Chinggis Khaan International Airport). After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, our local driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we will meet again at 2 pm to embark on a captivating city tour, exploring the cultural and historical highlights of Ulaanbaatar. We’ll begin at Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chinggis Khaan Square). This iconic square is surrounded by Soviet-era historical buildings and modern skyscrapers, blending Mongolia’s past and present. Named after D. Sükhbaatar, the hero of Mongolia's 1921 revolution, the square is steeped in history. Take a leisurely stroll to admire landmarks such as the Damdin Sükhbaatar Statue, the State Palace, the Chinggis Khaan Monument, and the vibrant surroundings that make this square the city’s cultural hub.

Next, we’ll delve into Mongolia’s rich history at the National History Museum, where you’ll gain fascinating insights into its ancient civilizations, dinosaurs, and flora. Afterward, we’ll visit the Institute of Palaeontology, home to the world-famous “Fighting Dinosaur Fossil”.

Later in the evening, at 7 pm, we’ll gather in the downtown area for a delightful welcome dinner at a local restaurant. During the dinner, your guide will provide a comprehensive tour briefing, ensuring you are well-prepared and informed for the exciting adventures ahead.

Arrival Options for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: International flights to Ulaanbaatar are available from major cities including Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Moscow, Singapore, Istanbul, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Useful Travel Tips:

1. The best time to come to Mongolia is the summer season, during June-August. The temperature will be 20°C ~ 30°Cfor the period. You will have great fun for grassland tour, Naadam Festival. We strongly recommend booking your tickets 1-2 months in advance.
2. The airport is located 18 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar city center, approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour by car.
3. Standard hotel check-in time is 2:00 PM. Early check-in may be available upon request for an additional fee.

After breakfast, we will leave Ulaanbaatar and drive to Hustai National Park. The park is renowned for the successful reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), the last remaining wild horse species in the world.

Upon arrival, we’ll check into our accommodation and enjoy lunch, followed by a Nomadic Show - a vibrant display of traditional Mongolian culture, lifestyle, and heritage. This live performance highlights the everyday activities and customs of nomadic life, passed down through generations.

Later in the afternoon, we will embark on a guided wildlife tour through the park. Here, you may spot herds of the rare wild horses, along with deer, marmots, and a variety of bird species. Take in the serene beauty of the steppe environment while learning about the park’s conservation efforts.

We’ll return to our accommodation in the evening for a peaceful and restful night.

Enjoy breakfast this morning before traveling to Karakorum (300 km, 4-5 hours), the ancient capital of the Great Mongol Empire during the 13th century for about 30 years. Located in the central part of Uvurkhangai Province, Karakorum is now a small provincial town. It was founded in 1220, in the valley of the Orkhon River, by order of Genghis Khan. However, in 1388, after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty founded by Kublai Khan, soldiers of the Chinese Ming Dynasty sacked the city, massacred its population, and destroyed it.

Two centuries later, in 1586, using materials from the ruins of Karakorum, Abtai Sain Khan built Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and the country’s oldest preserved monastery. At its peak in the 18th century, the monastery boasted 62 temples, lush gardens, and housed 1,000 lamas. However, during the communist purges of 1937, much of the monastery was destroyed, leaving only the museum operational, as Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar was the only one allowed to function. After the fall of communism in 1990, Erdenezuu was reconsecrated and once again became a center of religious activity.

As you approach, the 108 white stupas, forming a rectangular wall, will immediately captivate you. These stupas, symbolic of enlightenment and protection, create a breathtaking visual spectacle. Step inside the monastery to explore surviving temples adorned with intricate carvings, vivid thangka paintings, and ornate roofs. Take a moment to observe monks chanting and performing Buddhist rituals, and don’t forget to spin the prayer wheels to make your own wishes.

You will visit the Karakorum Museum, which, though small, is considered one of the best museums in Mongolia outside of Ulaanbaatar. Its impressive collection includes 13th- and 14th-century artifacts, prehistoric stone tools, and other relics from various historical periods. Explore the ruins of Karakorum, the Monument of the Kings atop the hill overlooking the Orkhon River, and learn about the fascinating history of this ancient city.

Accommodation will be in a yurt camp, with yurts for two people (each with two beds). Sanitary facilities are shared within the camp. You’ll enjoy lunch, dinner, and free time to relax.

Overnight at the camp.

Enjoy your breakfast, and then embark on a journey from Karakorum to the heart of the desert, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the nomadic lifestyle up close. Taste fresh milk tea made from cow or goat milk and observe how nomads prepare traditional foods and dairy products. You’ll also get to try airag, a fermented drink made from horse milk, and watch the process of mare milking within the family setting.

After this enriching experience, continue your journey to the ruins of Ongi Monastery (230 km). Along the way, witness how the open grassy steppe gradually transitions into the dry semi-desert landscape. The Ongi Monastery Ruins, dating back to 1760, are the remnants of one of Mongolia’s largest monasteries, which was destroyed during the political repressions of 1937.

Explore the impressive ruins and enjoy the scenic views of the Ongi River, which flows past the archaeological site. At the local museum in a yurt, view artifacts that survived the destruction, and visit a small working Buddhist temple.

Lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay will be at a yurt camp near Ongi, located midway between Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert.

Enjoy breakfast at your yurt camp before setting out for Bayanzag (170 km), famously known as the "Flaming Cliffs". Along the way, you’ll travel along the scenic "Highway of the Gobi Desert" through the Ongi Steppe.

Discovered in 1922, Bayanzag quickly gained worldwide fame. The name Bayanzag translates to "saxaul forest" (saxaul is a type of tree, Haloxylon ammodendron), and the striking red cliffs were formed and eroded by wind and water over millions of years. This site is renowned for its dinosaur remains, including dinosaur eggs and fossils of Protoceratops. The area was brought to international attention by American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who named it the "Flaming Cliffs."

The fiery-red rocks are especially captivating at sunset, glowing brilliantly against the desert landscape. In the evening, take a walk through the red sand dunes at one of the world's most famous paleontological sites.

Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a yurt camp in Bayanzag.

Enjoy breakfast before departing Bayanzag for the Khongor Sand Dunes (150 km). These dunes lie in the valley of the Baruun Saikhan, Sevrei, and Zuulun mountains. The Khongor Sand Dunes are the second largest in Mongolia and among the most impressive, reaching heights of 200 meters, widths of 5 to 10 kilometers, and stretching approximately 130 kilometers in length. Their ridges rise 80 to 200 meters above the surrounding landscape, with the largest dunes located at the northwest end of the range.

In windy weather, the moving sand creates a reverberating sound that can be heard from afar, earning the nickname "Singing Dunes" or "Sand Ovens" from locals. Along the northern part of the dunes lies an oasis fed by the Khongor River, adding a splash of green to the golden desert.

For energetic hikers, climbing to the top of the dunes offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the daffodil-yellow desert and the Khongor River. Reaching the top at sunset guarantees an unforgettable experience as the landscape transforms into a stunning spectacle of colors.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a local family, where you can witness their daily life and, if you wish, try riding a two-humped camel (not on the sand dunes).

Enjoy lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at a tourist camp in the area.

Enjoy Breakfast this morning. Then, it’s time to bid farewell to the vast sand dunes and head to Yolyn Am (190 km). Along the way, enjoy lunch at a tourist camp or in Bayandalai.

Yolin Am (meaning "Lammergeier Gorge" in Mongolian) is a deep, narrow gorge that originates from Mount Zuun Saikhan, part of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. The gorge extends for 10 kilometers within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, which spans an area of 70 square kilometers. In its narrowest section, the gorge allows passage for only 3-4 people at a time, and the high rocky walls create a constant shadow, offering a cool respite.

At the entrance to the national park, there is a small nature museum, where you can explore exhibits such as dinosaur eggs, fossilized bones, stuffed birds, and a white leopard. The area is also home to a variety of rare plants.

You will hike to the ice gorge and stream for which Yolin Am is famous. In winter, the stream freezes several kilometers into the gorge and remains frozen for most of the year, except during late summer (it is still visible in late July and thaws in early August). The breathtaking beauty of the gorge, combined with the refreshing scent of juniper, creates an awe-inspiring experience you won’t want to miss.

Additionally, you’ll have the chance to ride a horse through the gorge, adding a unique perspective to your exploration. Afterward, proceed to the tourist ger camp to relax.

Dinner and overnight at a yurt camp in the Yolin Am area.

Enjoy breakfast, and then leave Yolyn Am Gorge to travel to Tsagaan Suvarga ("White Stupa") - a journey of 200 km (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival, explore the White Stupa and take a walk around the area.

Tsagaan Suvarga was once the ocean floor and is now a stunning series of sheer sedimentary cliffs formed over millions of years. The formations, shaped like stalagmites, feature striking white and pink hues, with the colors representing different geological time periods. These limestone cliffs rise up to 50 meters in height, stretch 400 meters in length, and from a distance resemble an ancient ghost town.

This location is perfect for capturing beautiful panoramic views and serves as an ideal rest stop for travelers moving from the central Gobi Desert to its southern region. Take your time to explore and enjoy the scenery.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay will be at a tourist camp near Tsagaan Suvarga.

Have breakfast at the ger camp. Today, it’s time to drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, you will make a stop at Mandalgovi town.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel to refresh. Conclude your tour with a traditional folklore concert by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble (or a similar group), followed by a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure, or to the train station for your onward journey to explore other parts of Mongolia. If your flight is in the afternoon today, you will have some free time to explore Ulaanbaatar at your own pace.

It is time to end your 10 Days Mongolia Tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Mongolia Tour. We hope to see you again on your next journey!