Jeep Safari (19 days / 18 nights)
- Region:
- Southern, Central &
Northern part of Mongolia - Duration:
- 19 days / 18 nights
- Dates:
- May 10-28, June 5-23, July 22-Aug 9,
Aug 5-23, Aug 10-28, Sep 1-19 - Note:
- You can arrange your own trip date (with best rate possible) as you request
- Number of travelers:
- Min - 2, Max - 18
Single supplement: $580
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate.
BOOK TRIP CUSTOMIZE THIS TOUR What is Ger Camp? DOWNLOAD ITINERARY AS A PDF
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This tour covers Mongolia from the forest zone through vast grasslands to the arid desert zone. The tour is unique that allows you to see the landscape changes from the north to the south of the country on a comfortable fully equipped A/C SUV.
Tour begins in northern Mongolia featuring Amarbayasgalant monastery or "Monastery of Tranquil Felicity", the third biggest functioning monastery located in beautiful lush green Selenge river valley. It was built by Manch Emperor in 1727-1736 on honor of Zanabazar, the first Bogdo Khan of Mongolia, gifted artist, philosopher, poet and sculptor.
Then the tour follows to the central Mongolia with visiting the 13th century Great Mongol Empire ancient capital city, Kharkhorum, the biggest and oldest Erdene Zuu monastery surrounded with 108 white stupas, Tsenkher hot springs in a pleasant verdant wooded area and the ruins of 71th century Ongi monastery, the gates to the Gobi.
The tour lies further to the amazingly beautiful Gobi desert, featuring the main highlights: paleontological site Flaming Cliffs named by Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews’ expedition due to natural phenomena when the bright sun reflects the sandstone cliffs turning its color into glowing orange; Singing Dunes, magnificent area which beautifully combines green lush oasis and arid terrains of the towering up to 200 meters high dunes; and Yol valley, very wide at the entrance narrowing gradually into a remarkable alpine landscape gorge in the middle of the Gobi.
- Explore Flaming Cliffs Dinosaur Site
- View the largest sand dunes in Mongolia at Khongoryn Els
- Experience a camel ride with local nomads
- Stay in local Ger camps
- Explore Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
- Explore the capital Ulaanbaatar and the Gandan Monaster
- Meet the Tsaatan reindeer herders
- Soak in sensual natural hot springs
- Hike through canyons and to the top of extinct volcanoes
Day 1 ~Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Cultural Tour
Upon arrival at Genghis Khan International Airport, you are met by our tour guide and transferred to the
hotel in the city center. We set out to explore Ulaanbaatar-the capital city of Mongolia-the home to over a
one third of the country's population where the traditional gers and Buddhist temples coexist with
sky-kissing towers! Begin from the Gandan Monastery-Mongolia's most revered religious site-home to more than
100 Buddhist monks with beautiful chapels, courtyards and a giant 75-foot gold gilded Buddha statue.
Next, we stop in the Natural History Museum that showcases the spectacular fossils found in the Gobi
desert. After lunch, we visit the National Museum of Mongolian History and culture that has rich collection
of stone and Bronze Age artifacts, costumes, sacred relics and items related to the nomadic life such as
hunting and fishing tools.
The balance of the day is open for you to stroll the streets of the city on your own.
Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar to Amarbayasgalant Monastery
After breakfast drive to Amarbayasgalant through the Erdene city which is the biggest city in Mongolia make a
short stop there. Late in the afternoon visit with monastery that’s located in Selenge province, northwest
of Mongolia, the biggest monastery in Mongolia after Erdene zuu monastery.
Amarbayasgalant monastery
the monastery was established by order of Manju emperor Enkh- Amgalan Khan, to cherish and give respect
to the Undur Geghen Zanabazar, his skills, wisdom, intellect and accomplishments.
One hundred thousand langs (=3730 kg) of silver from the state fund were used to build a magnificently
styled place for Buddha teaching and practice in honor of Zanabazar. After searching for a suitable place,
the construction works of the monastery called “Amarbayasgalant a palace for God `s meditation, began in the
year of red horse, 1726, and was completed in the year of red dragon, 1736. Out of deep respect the
monastery was then offered to the Undur Geghen.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 Drive to Uran Togoo
After breakfast drive to Uran Togoo, an extinct volcano in Bulgan province. You will have a scenic drive with endless green pastures and deep blue sky.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 Uran Togoo to Khuvsgul lake
Following breakfast at tourist camp, we will drive to Khuvsgul national park (approx. 70 miles). With an area of 1,012 sq. miles lying near the Russian border, Hovsgol is Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake. It is more than 800 feet deep and more than a mile above sea level. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. The lake, also known as the "Dark Blue Pearl" of Mongolia is situated amidst the pristine nature with beautiful forests, mountains and meadows and abundant with bird species and orchids.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 Discover Khuvsgul National park
During whole lovely day, you will have an opportunity to ride reindeer and observe them. We spend the next
two days in walking, hiking, horseback riding in the environs of the lake and the nearby mountains and
visiting the local nomadic families. Optional boating trip is available on request.
Khuvsgul Lake is reckoned among the purest fresh water lakes in the world. Its surroundings right out
of a fairytale. Khuvsgul Lake is the second deepest lake in Central Asia and contains 60% as much water as
Lake Baikal. Depth of Khuvsgul Lake is 262 meters and 136 kilometers long.
Walking and hiking in the lake shores, Horse riding trek near the lake, visiting yak breeding
family and experience their unique lifestyle
Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 Drive to Murun province
In the afternoon, we will drive back to Murun province where will spend for overnight.
Overnight in the local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 Murun to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
We travel to Terkhiin Tsagaan National Park and Khorgo volcano. The lake, birdlife and mountains are now protected within the 77,267 hectare Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. The lake, which was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago, is excellent for swimming, though a bit cold in the morning - try the late afternoon, after the sun has warmed it. There is a horse trips and trekking is available to Khorgo Volcano and trekking.
Overnight in the local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8 Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake 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
Day 9 Tsenher Hot Spring to Tuwkhun Monastery (Talbiun Tourist camp)
In the morning, we drive to Tuwkhun monastery which is founded by Zanabazar. This attractive landscape is
registered as WORLD HERITAGE PLACE from UNESCO.
Tuvkhun Monastery
The creation work temple established by Undur Gegeen Zanabazar in 1654 dedicated to religious study
and art works became the foundation of today’s Tuvkhun Monastery. It is located on a rocky mountain hill
surrounded by forests elevated in 2300 meters above sea level. In 1651, the first religious statesman
Zanabazar built a small stony building and he created Soyombo letters in the building. The monastery is
located in natural rocky landscape where there is a small cave named “Mother’s abdomen”. The Mongols still
protect this unique place as naming it as a “Country of Mahagal”. These monuments were created during the
war between Khalkh and Uuld and the the Door of Great Pleasure is a tunnel dug through the mountain. During
the war the Under Gegeen escaped through this tunnel and intentionally closed the hole by a big stone. The
monastery was taken under the state protection in 1992.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10 Tuwkhun Monastery to Karakorum, Erdene Zuu
Early morning drive to Karakorum and arrive late afternoon, on the way picnic. Ancient capital of Mongolia
Karakorum city was located on the right bank of Orkhon River and on the north-eastern slopes of the Khangai
Mountain and founded by Chinggis khan in 1220, was not only the capital of the vast Mongolian Empire but the
epicentre of trade along the Silk Road. At that time the inhabitants of city were mostly Merchants craftsmen
who came to karakorum from all over the world. Khubilai khan moved to the capital of the Mongolian Empire to
China, establishing the Yuan Dynasty, began losing its importance. In 1379 much of the city was badly
damaged during an attack by the army of the Min Dynasty.
Erdene Zuu monastery
Erdene zuu monastery was built by Avtai Sain Khan on the ruin of the Mongolian capital Karakorum in
1586. It was the first great Buddhist Monastery of Mongolia. It is part of the World Heritage Site entitled
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. It is
surrounded by a wall featuring 108 stupas, 108 being a sacred number in Buddhism, and the number of beads in
a Buddhist rosary. The monastery was damaged by warfare in the 1680s, but was rebuilt in the 18th century
and by 1872 had a full 62 temples inside. The Erdene Zuu Monastery was taken to state protection and became
museum in 1944.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11 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
Day 12 Ongi Temple to Bayanzag, Flaming 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 Flaming 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 13 Bayanzag, Flaming Cliffs to Hongor Sand dune
After breakfast, take in the stunning scenery of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range as you transfer to the towering sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, home to the ‘Singing Sands’. These spectacular dunes got their name from the noise made by the shifting sand in the wind. Feel the breeze in your hair as you ride a camel across the dunes before returning to the ger camp. Isolated from the rest of the country, the Singing Sands are the best kept secret for thousand years in the history of Mongolia.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14 Khongor sand dunes
Today we will have a full day exploring the sand dunes and rest after the long drive. 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.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15 Khongor Sand Dune to Yol Valley
In the morning, we drive to Yol Valley. Learn about the local wildlife in the Natural History Museum before taking a gentle hike through the valley to discover their habitats. This valley is nestled deep within the hills and is a safe haven to get away from the desert heat. Some areas of the valley are continually sheltered from the hot sun and house huge, blocks of ice that gradually melt away during the summer. It is very wide at the entrance and narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. You will get to see wild animals such as ibex and wild sheep, and the vulture. You can go horseback or camel riding around the area and go trekking to the gorge. Tonight is your first night in a traditional Mongolian ger camp.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16 Day trip to Khavtsgait Petroglyphs and Nomads day
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 rockson 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, butby 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.
After the rest, we will visit a herder family nearby. We will spend some time there getting to know the family
members and their casual yet unique daily lifestyle. It is a good
chance to see how the family members cooperate together to do their daily even hourly chores such as milking
mares, fencing and milking the goats. If you wish, you are welcome to try some mare's fermented milk and
other dairy products.
Overnight: Gobi Nomad Lodge, Deluxe Ger with en-suite bathroom with shower and air conditioning
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 17 Drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Drive to Middle Gobi is known as Baga Gazriin chuluu (earth stone). You will be reached in the early afternoon, lunch at the camp. There are some interesting granite rock formations, also there eye spa which supposed to be good for sights. There is ruin of ancient small temple, located middle of the rock.
Overnight in Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 18 Drive 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. In the evening you can enjoy a farewell dinner and attend the local folklore dance shows.
Overnight in 4* hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 19 Depart Mongolia
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Single supplement: $580
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate.
| Included | Not included |
| A local Mongolian guide who will escort the group throughout your tour. | International airfare |
| All meals as listed in itinerary | Travel insurance |
| Staying Tourist camp | Beverages |
| Sightseeing as per itinerary | Optional activity cost |
| Accommodation in 4 stars hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin standard room double occupancy) | Excess baggage charge |
| Transportations by 4WD vehicles | Single room supplement |
| Transfers between the airport and hotel | Any additional things which are not mentioned above |
| Daily supply of bottled water | |
| Flight: Ulaanbaatar to Gobi | |
| Tours per the itinerary including entrance fees | |
| Cultural Show |
All airport transfers and sightseeing will be by private cars, SUVs and mini bus. The arrival and departure transfers will be by Sedan Cars which are usually Japanese made Toyota or Honda cars. Sightseeing within Ulaanbaatar will be by an air conditioned minibus. Outside Ulaanbaatar, we provide 4WD Land cruisers or SUVs. There will be 3 to 4 travelers seated in a 4WD vehicle.
