Mongolian Odyssey
Introduction
The most classic of all our journeys in Mongolia, this itinerary covers many of the country’s major highlights. Travel across desert steppes and into the mountain ranges of the Gobi, visiting the ancient capital of Karakorum in the Orkhon Valley—the cradle of Mongol civilization—and Mongolia’s first and largest monastery, Erdene Zuu. In the South Gobi, explore the legendary Flaming Cliffs, the majestic Hongor Sands, and the dramatic Yol Valley in the Gurvansaikhan Mountains, which extend from the Altai range deep into the desert. Overnights are in deluxe gers at comfortable ger camps, with optional upgrades to luxury lodges such as HS Khaan Resort near Hustai and Three Camel Lodge near Bayanzag—both offering en-suite bathrooms, fine dining, and exceptional comfort in stunning natural settings.
| Trip Details |
|---|
| Mongolian Odyssey |
| 9 Days / 8 Nights |
Trip Details
Day 1: Hustai National Park
Morning pickup from your hotel in Ulaanbaatar and drive to Hustai National Park to search for takhi—the Mongolian wild horse. Once extinct in the wild, these horses now roam freely here. Visit a local nomadic family for lunch in their ger and experience traditional herder life. Later, enjoy birdwatching along the Tuul River and an evening game drive to see the takhi as they descend from the mountains to graze. Overnight in a Hustai ger camp.
Day 2: Högnö Khan Mountains
Drive to the Högnö Khan Mountains and check into the nearby ger camp. Visit the small Erdenekhamba Temple and hike to the ruins of Övgön Monastery, nestled in a scenic mountain oasis. Overnight in Hogno Khan ger camp.
Day 3: Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Monastery
Continue to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, and observe daily prayers if available. Explore the excellent Karakorum Museum which chronicles the history of the Khan Empire and it displays many artifacts from the ruined city. Overnight in Secrets of Silk Road ger camp.
Day 4: Ongiin Monastery Ruins
Drive south into the Gobi, where the landscape becomes increasingly arid. Visit the ruins of Ongiin Monastery, set in a dramatic rocky setting near the (often dry) Ongi River. Overnight at the Secrets of Ongi ger camp.
Day 5: Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag)
After exploring the ruins, drive to Bayanzag through saxaul “forests”—hardy desert trees unique to the region. Visit the Flaming Cliffs, a name coined by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, whose expedition found the first ever fossilized dinosaur eggs in the 1920s. Red and orange hues come together to create an awe-inspiring sight. Home to ancient dinosaur fossils, the Bayanzag area is an exciting destination. Overnight in Gobi Tour ger camp near Bayanzag.
Day 6: Hongor Sands
Travel southwest through mountain terrain to reach Hongor Sands, Mongolia’s tallest sand dunes in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Visit the dunes in the beautiful evening light. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 7: Along the Gurvansaikhan Mountains
Journey east along the Gurvansaikhan mountain range, an extension of the Altai with peaks reaching 2,800 meters. The Gurvansaikhan range, literally ‘three beauties’ named for its three subranges, is an extension of the Altai deep into the Gobi dessert. Overnight in Gobi Erdene ger camp.
Day 8: Yol Valley Excursion
Take a full-day trip into Yol Valley, a deep gorge often filled with ice even into summer. Spot Bearded Vultures (lammergeiers), rose finches, and wallcreepers. In the afternoon, visit Muhar Shivert, known for its animal-shaped rock formations and remaining patches of winter ice. Overnight in Gobi Oasis ger camp.
Day 9: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to Dalanzadgad airport for a 1.5-hour domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. End of tour.
Itinerary Map
DATES ex Ulaanbaatar
- Daily mid May to mid September
PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:
2 members: USD 2950 per person
Single supplement (8n): USD 400
Upgrade supplement:
HS Khaan Resort (1n): USD 600 per person
Three Camel Lodge (2n): USD 1500 per person
Practicalities:
Transport: Travel by jeep or minibus depending on group size. Itinerary may reverse during June or September due to limited flights.
Accommodation: Deluxe Gers with ensuite bathroom. Only in Hogno Khan camp with shared bathroom/shower facilities. Luxury upgrades available at HS Khaan Resort near Hustai and Three Camel Lodge near Bayanzag.
Staff: Accompanied by an English-speaking Mongolian guide throughout. Other languages available on request (additional cost).
Meals: All meals provided outside Ulaanbaatar, either at ger camps or as picnics.
Included:
- English-speaking guide
- All meals outside Ulaanbaatar
- Accommodation in ger camps
- All local transport and entry fees
- Domestic flight (Dalanzadgad–Ulaanbaatar)
Excluded:
- Beverages
- Accommodation and transfers in Ulaanbaatar
What our guests say
We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.
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Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung 🙂
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We stayed at Jalman Meadows for three days and wished we had arranged a longer stay. It is very remote and tranquil, all quiet, such beautiful nature, amazing views. We hiked up mountains and on flatlands, rode horses with local nomads for half a day. We also got to visit a local nomadic family in their home with the help from one of the staff who translated, and were able to ask questions about their daily life - so interesting! The gers are cozy, beds very comfortable and we slept like babies. Good food, and also available for vegetarians. Friendly staff.This was the very highight of our trip, we just loved Jalman Meadows.
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