9 DAYS THE NOMADIC TRAILS OF MONGOLIA

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s vibrant capital, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before checking in to your hotel to unwind and relax.

Hustai National Park to Kharakhorum
Depart this morning for Hustai National Park, home to the rare takhi (Przewalski’s horse), successfully reintroduced to the wild. Learn about ongoing conservation efforts before searching for these remarkable horses on the steppe.

En route, visit the Ongut stone complex in the Tuul River Basin, where ancient Turkic stone figures stand in silent formation, offering a rare glimpse into Mongolia’s early nomadic cultures.

Continue to Kharakhorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire, once a vibrant centre of trade and cultural exchange. On arrival, transfer to your camp overlooking the scenic Orkhon River Valley.

Exploring the Kharakhorum
After breakfast, visit the Kharakhorum Museum, showcasing discoveries from Mongolia’s ancient capital and offering insight into a city that was once a thriving center of art, trade, and culture.

Continue to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s largest, built in the 16th century from the ruins of Kharakhorum. Surrounded by 108 stupas, the monastery has been a center of Buddhist life for over 500 years. Explore the grounds and observe monks at prayer.

In the late afternoon, hike through the Orkhon Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization. Enjoy sweeping grasslands, historic sites, and the enduring traditions of nomadic life.

Scenic Drive to Ongiin Hiid
Drive approximately 5 hours to Ongiin Hiid and explore the ruins of this 17th-century temple set in a stunning mountainous landscape. Once known as the “Pearl of the Great Desert,” Ongiin Hiid was among Mongolia’s largest monasteries before its destruction during the 1939 communist purges. Spend the night in traditional gers, a peaceful stop before continuing your journey into the vast Gobi Desert the next day.

Discovering Gobi Desert
After breakfast, journey approximately four hours to Three Camel Lodge ger camp, perched at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon soaking in the sweeping desert landscapes before visiting the dramatic Bayanzag, or Flaming Cliffs. Famous from the 1920s Central Asiatic Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History, this striking site revealed the world’s first fossilized dinosaur eggs (Protoceratops), offering a glimpse into a prehistoric world amid the Gobi’s otherworldly scenery.

Private Mini Naadam Festival
Experience the beauty of the Moltsog Els Sand Dunes on camelback, riding along the golden ridges and taking in the vast, serene desert landscape.

Return to the lodge for a private mini Mongolian Naadam Festival, featuring the three traditional games of wrestling, horse racing, and archery, celebrated for centuries.

Flight Transfer from Gobi Desert to Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to Dalanzadgad Airport to take a domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar.

The Legacy of Chinggis Khan
Proceed to The Chinggis Khan National Museum, Mongolia’s largest and most modern cultural institution, with over 10,000 artifacts spanning across eight floors, each dedicated to a unique chapter of the country’s rich and complex history. The museum offers a deep dive into the life and legacy of Chinggis Khan, the Great Khans of the Mongol Empire, and Mongolia’s fascinating journey through the centuries.

Cultural Hub of Ulaanbaatar
Visit the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, commonly known as Gandan Monastery, one of the most significant Buddhist sites in Mongolia. Founded in the 19th century, it remains a vibrant center of religious life and is home to impressive statues, including a 26.5-meter-tall gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Spend your afternoon at leisure, you may like to explore museums or enjoy some shopping time before dinner.

Transfer to Airport
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.