Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport, you are met by your tour guide and transferred to the hotel in the city center. The first stop is Sukhbaatar Square. This central square is named after Damdiny Sukhbaatar, the revolutionary hero of 1921 who declared independence from China. Next is a visit to Gandan Monastery, the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia. Here you will see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisig and may even have the opportunity to experience monks in worship. Time permitting; you will visit the Natural History Museum, which is famous for its collection of authentic dinosaur skeletons found throughout Mongolia, and then take in a fantastic view of the entire city from Zaisan memorial hill. End the eveningwith a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight 4* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Fly to the Gobi Desert (1.2 hours) and then drive to Yol Valley and Gurvansaikhan National Park

This morning we fly over vast steppe to the Gobi, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi- arid desert. Meet your local guide and driver and then transfer by 4WD vehicle to the Yol Valley in Gurvansaikhan National Park, situated in the lap of Altai Mountains. On the way to our lodge, we stop to visit the local Natural History Museum for an insight to the flora and fauna of the area.
The next three days will be well spent exploring the vast Gobi-the habitat of the Bactrian Camels, Argali mountain sheep, Golden Eagles, Jerboas that resembles the Kangaroo rats, Saker Falcons etc. We may also take a scenic hike through the valley to discover the habitat of indigenous vulture-like lammergeyers, Altai snow cocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep.

Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive to Hongoryn Els (Approximately 4 hours by 4WD)

Following breakfast, we set out on our 4WD vehicle to the towering sand dunes of Hongoryn Els, which run for 60 miles alongside the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. These “Singing Sands,” which stand upto 2,500 feet, are probably the Gobi’s most impressive sand dunes. Isolated from the rest of the country, the Singing Sands are the best kept secret for thousand years in the history of Mongolia. We will visit camel breeding family near the sand dune and will ride camel to the sand dune. The dunes seem to stretch on forever like a soft ribbon of sand draped over the desert. The shifting sand blown by the wind or someone makes sound so it is called Singing Sand Dunes. There is a beautiful green oasis known as Seruun bulag near the Khongor River. Return to the camp for lunch and enjoy feeling silence and a peaceful in the beautiful surroundings Gobi Deserts. Today, we sleep in the traditional Ger Camp

Overnight in in Ger Camp, Gobi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive to Bayanzag (The Flamming Cliffs)

After breakfast, we leave Hongoryn Els for Bayanzag. It's a long day drive today and can take up to 5 hours but it's a scenic drive through the vast land. We will occasionally stop for photography and to watch the birds and the animals of the area. We check in our camp, wash and change and after lunch, we drive to visit the Flamming Cliff. The place was named as 'Flaming Cliffs' by Roy Chapman Andrews, an American explorer who searched throughout the Mongolian Gobi Desert and found dinosaur skeleton and eggs for the first time in Asia. The red cliff gleams with sunlight and can be seen from far away. We will take a short walk on the ridge of the cliff and look for the pieces of Dinosaur bones. We will drive little further to see the saxaul trees that contributed the name Bayanzag. Bayanzag means-rich in saxaul.

Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day trip to Khavtsgait Petroglyphs

In the morning we drive to the site of the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs. The Khavtsgait Petroglyphs from the Bronze Age (4000-3000 BC) are beautifully carved on many rocks on the top of a sacred mountain. It is easy to find the rock paintings there because they are spread on rocks all around. The area is very rocky and can be slippery to climb, but by carefully following a path up the mountain, you can reach the top to see these beautiful rock paintings.
The petroglyphs were carved and painted with motifs consisting of animals, hunting scenes and weapons. They depict various animals related to everyday life of ancient people including deer, bears, wolves and hunters, and wolves with livestock. Other paintings depict more domestic scenes of yaks pulling carts, the wheels and horses flattened sideways like hieroglyphs, and herders on horseback. The engravings vary in size, ranging from two-centimeters to the real life size of horses.

Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive to Ongi Temple

Today you'll drive to the ruins of the Ongi monastery. It was the largest Buddhist center in the Gobi region. There are 2 complexes of temple ruins which were built up in 1780s. During political repression in 1930s’ these two temples were destroyed and many lamas were executed and imprisoned. Visit Ruin of monastery reconstructed parts. On the way visit basin of the Ongi river which is dried out because of mining activity.

Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Ongi Monastery to Karakorum

After breakfast at the tourist camp, drive to Karakorum, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. On the way, you may stop for an optional camel ride in the sand dunes of Mongol Els. Mounted on the double hump camel, you can wander about the sand dunes and visit the nomadic camps in the area.
In Karakorum, we will visit Erdene-Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586. The monastery was built of the remains of the ancient Mongolian capital. Next, we will visit the Karakorum museum and see the Great Mongol state period, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Ancient state period halls.

Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Karakorum to Tsenher Hot Spring

Following breakfast at tourist camp, we will drive to Tsenher hot spring. Along the way we will stop for a break in the small town of Tsetserleg to visit a monastery museum. We spend overnight in a ger camp based at natural hot springs. Soak in hot water; enjoy a hike in the hills.

Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Tsenher Hot Spring to Elsen Tasakhai via Ugii Lake

In the morning, drive out to Ugii Lake with stops at several eighth century Turkish monuments in the Orkhon Valley. These monuments are dedicated to the Turkish Princes Kul Tegin and Bilge Khan, brothers who were famous for their military bravery. Continue on to Ugii Lake, one of the largest fresh- water lakes in Mongolia, known for its migratory birdlife such cranes, ducks, geese, and pelicans and for its variety of fish.
After a lunch break, drive to Elsen Tasarkhai, stopping to pay a visit with a nomad family and learning how they live and make dairy products. You may even have a try at drinking fermented mare's milk.

Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive to Hustai National Park

After a leisurely breakfast, head out on the drive to Hustai National Park , the site of a unique re- introduction of Przewalski's Horse (Equus Przewalskii), called "takhi" by the locals. It became extinct in the wild in 1969 and since 1992, has been successfully re-introduced in Hustai from zoos around the world. This has been an international effort monitored by the Foundation for the Przewalskii Horse, based in the Netherlands and MACNE (Mongoian Association for Conservation of Nature and the Environment.) The park extends through the Khentii Mountains and includes the western edge of the Mongolian steppe. It contains large patches of birch and aspen forests and visible remains of Neolithic graves. Other wildlife found here include red deer, the wolf, and Mongolian gazelle.

Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar

On your drive back to Ulaan Baatar, visit the Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace Museum. The Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace is the home of the last Mongolian King, Javzun Damba Khutagt VII. The museum contains a number of Buddhist artworks and the private collection of Bogdo Khaan, composed of gifts from rulers and kings from all over the world. The artworks displayed here were made by the top Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese master- sculptors of the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the gods of Buddhist pantheon. If you did not have time on your earlier trip through Ulaan Baatar, visit the Museum of National History.

Overnight in 4* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Depart Mongolia

Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination.