Gobi - Kharkhorum
Overview: The Gobi Desert is a vast, arid region in southern Mongolia. Its known for its dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels. In the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the Khongoryn Els sand dunes are said to sing when the wind blows. The park also features the deep ice field of Yolyn Am canyon. Dinosaur fossils have been found at the red Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag. Also youll visit ancient city Kharkhorin. Kharkhorin is located at the lower end of the upper valley of the Orkhon River which is included within UNESCOs World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. The location marks the easternmost foothills of the Khangai Mountains, where they meet the rolling steppe of central Mongolia.
Length: 13 days / 12 nights
Area: Central Mongolia
Potential dates and weather condition:
Distance: 2102 km
Type: Car trip
Accomodation: Shared double middle class hotel, countryside in Mongolian gers.
Highlights of tour:
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival day
Day 2. Trip to Baga gazriin chuluu
Day 3. The rocky formation of Tsagaan suvarga (White stupa)
Day 4. Yoliin am (Gorge of bearded vultures)
Day 5. Khongor sand dunes Singing sands
Day 6. Bayan zag Flaming cliff
Day 7. Ongi Monastery
Day 8. Kharkhorum city
Day 9. Erdene zuu monastery, semi desert Elsen tasarkhai
Day 10. Erdene Khamba monastery, excursion to Hustai National park. Przewalkis horse
Day 11. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar city
Day 12. Sightseeing city tour
Day 13. Departure day
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival day
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar city.
Welcome dinner at local restaurant. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel. (D)
Day 2. Trip to Baga gazriin chuluu
After breakfast start trip towards to Dundgobi driving 247 km (187 km on paved road, 60 km on unpaved road).
Arrival at Erdene Ukhaa tourist camp. Lunch at tourist camp.
After lunch drive to baga gazar granite stone massifs (15 km long, 10 km wide).
Driver back to camp, dinner at camp.
Over night at camp. (B, L, D)
Day 3. The rocky formation of Tsagaan suvarga (White stupa)
Destination today is Tsagaan suvarga. Tsagaan suvarga is located in Ulziit soum Dundgovi province. Impressive legendary cliff which is eroded by natural phenomenon. Having 10 million years history, the cliff indicates different times by its colored layers.
After breakfast drive 70 km driving into Mandalgovi city. Stop by grocery store.
Drive towards to Tsagaan suvarga ger camp, check in.
After 2 hours free time after lunch, trip continuous around Tsagaan suvarga cliff.
Overnight at camp. (B, L,D)
Day 4. Yoliin am (Gorge of bearded vultures)
After breakfast our crew will driving towards to Yoliin am canyon in Gurvan Saikhan National park on the way stop by Dalanzadgad city for lunch at local restaurant. Sightseeing tour round Dalanzadgad city. Grocery shopping. (Such as bottled water, gum, snacks)
Drive to Yoliin am canyon start hiking in the canyon.
Afternoon drive to Khanbogd ger camp and check in.
Overnight at camp. (B, L, D)
Day 5. Khongor sand dunes Singing sands
Our destination for this day is Khongor sand dunes known as Singing sands for locals. One of the largest sandy area of Mongolia.
The famous sand dunes of Khongoryn Els (Light Red Sands) south of the Gurvan Saykhany ridge range extend 185 kilometers, of which the highest dunes stretch 120 km. These impressive sand dunes with a width of 3 to 15 km are the largest and highest in the Mongolian Gobi, their height reaches 100-300 meters, attract travelers from all over the world.
After early breakfast 120 km driving towards to Gobi erdene tourist camp. Arrival at camp, there is an opportunity for a camel ride trail.
Lunch at Gobi erdene tourist camp, one hour rest at ger camp after lunch.
In the afternoon climbing to the top of sand dunes. Photographing in the impressive white sand dunes, enjoying the view of Desert from the top of sand dunes.
Overnight at ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Bayan zag Flaming cliff
Bayan zag well known as Flaming cliff where the first nest of dinosaur eggs found in 1922. Famous site for the remains of dinosaurs which lived 60 million years ago.
After breakfast our crew will drive 130 km to Bayan zag.
Arrival at ger camp watch short film, have lunch at ger camp.
After lunch you can walk around see saksaul trees and other desert vegetation.
Overnight at camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7. Ongi Monastery
Ongi monastery is the collective name for the ruins of two monasteries that face each other across the Ongi river in Saikhan ovoo soum Dundgovi province in central Mongolia.
Today we will drive to Ongi monastery which had about thousand lamas back in times.
On the way visiting nomadic family, experiencing nomadic life, culture, traditions. It is a ruins of big monastery on the bank of Ongi river.
Lunch and dinner at Ongiin nuuts ger camp.
Overnight at ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 8. Kharkhorum city
Ancient Kharkhorum city was capital city of Great Mongolian Empire once back in 13th century until 1270s.
Its located at the lower end of the upper valley of the Orkhon river. Valley of Orkhon is indicated within UNESCOs WORLDs HERITAGE site Cultural Landscape.
Stones from the near ruins of the Kharkhorum city were used for constructing of Erdene Zuu monatery 16th century.
Excursion to Kharkhorum city after breakfast. Today we will have lunch as picnic on the edge of steppe zone and mountain zone.
Visiting Kharkhorum city and Kharkhorum museum.
Arrival at Kharkhorum urguu ger camp.
Overnight at camp. (B, L, D)
Day 9. Erdene zuu monastery, semi desert Elsen tasarkhai
After breakfast at ger camp visiting to Erdene Zuu, one of the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
Visiting horse breeding family and drive around town of Kharkhorum.
Lunch at local restaurant in Kharkhorin soum.
Afternoon drive towards to Khugnu khan mountain on the way stop by Elsen tasarkhai semi desert (There will be opportunity for horse and camel riding trek).
Later afternoon check in to ger camp. Overnight at ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 10. Erdene Khamba monastery, excursion to Hustai National park. Przewalkis horse
As usual trip starts after breakfast to Erdene Khamba monastery in Khugnukhan Mountain in the morning.
Drive towards to the Hustai National park.
Check in to Hustai National park ger camp. Watching short film about horse and National park, visiting information center.
Lunch at Hustai National park ger camp.
One hour rest at camp after lunch, start driving deep into National park core zone.
Searching for good spot to closer look for Worlds last surviving wild horses in the afternoon. Overnight at camp. (B, L, D)
Day 11. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar city
After breakfast drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. Check in to hotel. Afternoon free at hotel. (B, L)
Day 12. Sightseeing city tour
After breakfast our city tour starts from Gandan monastery continuous to Parliament house, Sukhbaatar square and National history museum of Mongolia.
Lunch optional.
After lunch visiting State department store, Zaisan hill and Cashmere outlet.
Folklore concert and dinner at Mongolian BBQ restaurant.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 13. Departure day
Transfer to airport or train station. End of tour. (B)
|
2 pax |
1810$ |
|
3 pax |
1620$ |
|
4-6 pax |
1450$ |
Services included:
-Shared double accommodation in good middle class
-Countryside accommodation in Mongolian gers
-All transfers
-Entrance fees
-English speaking guide service
-Food as listed on itinerary
-0.5 liter bottled water per day
Services not included:
-Such as alcoholic drinks
-Telephone calls
-Optional activities
-Sightseeing and or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
-Travel insurances (all clients are recommended to get travel insurance before traveling)
