from$800 pp
Book this tourImmerse yourself in the heart of Mongolia with this week-long journey through its rich landscapes and history! Traverse lush grasslands dotted with iconic round felt gers (yurts) where Mongolian nomads live alongside their herds of livestock. Spend a night with a local family near the “Little Gobi” sand dunes for a true taste of traditional life.
The centerpiece of this tour is the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, a region that once served as the cradle of ancient nomadic empires. Explore fascinating archaeological sites here, including Turkic memorials from the 6th-7th centuries, ruins of an 8th-9th century Uighur capital, and Kharakhorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire.
Highlights of this journey include Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery, the country’s largest waterfall, and a serene hot spring pool nestled in scenic, forested hills. Stay overnight by a lake frequented by migrating birds and discover the rich history and vibrant landscapes that make Mongolia unforgettable.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the bustling capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to a centrally located hotel. After settling into your room, meet your guide in the lobby for a walking city tour to the main square and nearby museums. Then attend an evening show of traditional performances followed by a welcome dinner.
Drive about 300 km west from the city to Elsen Tasarkhai, which is an area with a stretch of sand dunes located in the middle of the grasslands. Here you will stay overnight with a local herder family and learn about the Mongolian traditional culture and nomadic lifestyle. If you want, two-humped camel or horse riding can be arranged. This evening, spend time with the family learning about their daily chores such as animal milking, livestock tending, and cooking traditional food. This evening you will stay in a ger, which is the round-shaped Mongolian traditional felt dwelling.
After breakfast, drive towards Orkhon waterfall, the largest waterfall in Mongolia. On the way, stopover at Kharkhorin, which is a recent town named after the capital of the Mongol Empire that once was situated adjacent here during the 13th century. The main attraction here is the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery center named Erdene Zuu which was constructed in 1585 from the ruins of the ancient Mongol capital. There is also a historical museum worth a visit, displaying artifacts and a miniature model of how the old Mongol capital once looked during its peak. This region is part of the UNESCO inscribed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site. Stay overnight at a tourist ger camp.
Drive towards Mongolia’s most popular hot spring via Tuwkhun monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest and most important monasteries. It was first established in 1648 by the 14-year-old Zanabazar, the first Jebtsundamba, who was the head of Mongolia’s Tibetan Buddhism. Zanabazar was a very influential religious figure who was a gifted artist and teacher. He used the monastery, secluded in a forest, as his personal retreat over the course of 30 years. It was here, where he created many of his most famous works including the development of the Soyombo script. Stay overnight at a tourist ger camp located near the hot spring. The camp has a small pool where you can relax in the natural hot spring water.
The Ugii Lake is a freshwater lake designated as a Ramsar site, known for its fish and birdlife. It is a stopover spot for migrating waterbirds of the Anatidae family.
After breakfast, start the 320 km drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel upon arriving and meet-up for farewell dinner.
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Reserve your place on Escape to the Heartland of Mongolia or ask us to tailor it to your dates.
