Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Highlights of Mongolia From Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Desert
Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar - Orkhon Valley - Gobi Desert
Begin in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital. Here, you’ll be introduced to Mongolia’s incredible history, visiting temple complexes, marvelling at magnificent statues and wandering varied museums.
Next, enjoy a whirlwind stop in Hustain Nuruu National Park to meet some wild horses before heading to a beautiful ger camp near Karakorum, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. Enjoy a few days of hiking the Orkon Valley and visiting local monasteries and museums before continuing to the next showstopping landscape: the Gobi Desert.
After mornings filled with camel rides and evenings punctuated by shimmering sunsets and dinosaur hunting (yes, really), it’s back to Ulaanbaatar for one last historic hurrah. You’ll return home ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your trip – complete with a slideshow of photos, of course…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your adventure to Mongolia begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some snacks in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital. With a speedy stopover, the journey will take around 14 hours, so make sure you have some great reading material at the ready.
When you arrive in the capital the next morning, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your centrally located hotel. Check in, drop your bags and spend the rest of the day settling in, whether you’d rather relax at your hotel or head out to explore.
Fuel up with a tasty breakfast, then meet your driver-guide for a day of immersion in Mongolian culture.
Your first stop is the Gandan Monastery complex, the seat of Mongolian Buddhism. As you wander the grounds with your guide, learn about the rich Tibetan Buddhist traditions woven through Mongolia's nomadic culture, from the low tones of the horns used to summon monks to the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha.
Next, head to the Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, home to a magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, a revered bodhisattva (holy figure who has attained nirvana). Standing at a whopping 82ft tall and adorned with silk and precious stones, it's truly a sight to behold.
Then, swap monasteries for museums as you drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum and Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum for an insight into Mongolia’s history, culture and artistic and religious traditions.
Then, as the sun sinks in the sky, enjoy a traditional performance featuring Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
This morning, grab your bags and meet your driver-guide for the two-hour drive to Hustain Nuruu National Park.
Wildlife lovers, you’re in luck – the park is home to the takhi (or Przewalski's horse), considered the last species of wild horse in the world. Alongside your guide, learn about conservation efforts and how the park’s herds have adapted to life on the steppe at the visitor's centre, before heading out to spot these beautiful horses in their natural habitat. If you’re feeling brave, you’ll have the opportunity to ride one – you won't regret it.
Then, set off on the four-hour drive to Karakorum, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire (the largest contiguous land empire in recorded history, no less). Enjoy a short hike along the Orkhon River Valley before reaching your private ger (felt tent) atop the Shankh Mountain – your home for the next two nights.
As the sun sets, enjoy an authentic Mongolian supper, then spend the rest of the evening settling into your campsite.
Enjoy an al fresco breakfast at your campsite before setting off to visit the Erdene Zuu, Mongolia's largest monastery. Supposedly constructed from the ruins of Karakorum in the 16th century, Erdene Zuu has been a place of Buddhist reverence for more than 500 years, so spend some time wandering the monastery grounds and observing the monks as they perform prayers and rituals.
Then, head to your second religious dwelling of the day: Shankh Hiid. This monastery is only a short distance from Erdene Zuu and was once frequented by Zanabazar, the renowned Buddhist artist and religious leader.
Your next stop is the Karakorum Museum, which showcases research by a Mongolian-German archaeological expedition on the ancient capital of Mongolia, once a thriving trade hub established by Genghis (also known as Chinggis) Khan and his son.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking, whether you’d rather explore the Orkhon River Valley further or simply return to your camp to relax.
Still raring to go this morning? After breakfast, head out on another short hike in the gorgeous Orkhon River Valley to stretch your legs before the six-hour drive to Ulaanbaatar.
En route, stop at the Kul Tigin Monument, erected in the eighth century by the Turkic Empire. Built in honour of Kul Tigin, a Turkic prince who sadly died aged seven, this magnificent statue has been the subject of research by archaeologists from around the world. You can discover its history among the many artefacts exhibited at the newly established museum.
When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, check into your centrally located hotel for a relaxed evening before heading out for a tasty dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some local spots.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your one-hour-and-ten-minute flight to Dalanzadgad, the gateway to the Gobi Desert. After you arrive, it’s another 45-minute transfer to Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.
Lace up your walking boots and hike through this verdant valley, keeping your eyes peeled for indigenous lammergeiers (bearded vultures), Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks and argali (mountain sheep). After exploring the valley, visit the local natural history museum for an overview of the native flora and fauna.
Then, hop back in the car for another two-hour drive to your next ger camp, set on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Spend some time settling in before your driver-guide whisks you to the Havtsgait Valley for the afternoon, home to ancient rock drawings left by early Gobi settlers over 7,000 years ago.
As the sun begins to set, head back to the lodge to spend an evening soaking in your new surroundings and tucking into a freshly-cooked meal.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your camp today before setting off on a one-hour drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi Desert that’s covered in sand dunes.
When you arrive, head out with your guide to explore the dunes on foot or climb aboard a two-humped Bactrian camel (yes, really). You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a local camel-herding family to experience their hospitality and learn about their way of life.
If your visit happens to coincide with July’s Naadam festival, you’ll have the chance to watch local competitions, including wrestling, archery and horse racing.
Then return to your camp for another chilled evening – you deserve it after all that exploring.
Today is entirely dedicated to… dinosaurs. After breakfast, you’ll be collected and driven to Tugregiin Shiree, an escarpment around one and a half hours away. The area was first explored in the late 1960s and is best known for its 'Fighting Dinosaurs', the fossilised remains of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor found locked in combat. Cameras at the ready…
This afternoon, head to nearby Bulgan, a small town near a natural spring. Bulgan boasts one of the only farms in the Gobi Desert, which supplies local ger camps with fruit and vegetables.
Your next stop is the desert’s legendary Flaming Cliffs, named for the way the rock surface glows orange at sunset. It was here, in 1923, that an exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the world's first nest of dinosaur eggs. Although not obvious, the red sandstone of the Flaming Cliffs is rich with dinosaur fossils, which your guide will fill you in on as you watch the sun sink in the sky.
It's an early start this morning as you wave goodbye to your camp and transfer to the airport for your one-hour-and-ten-minute flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
When you arrive, meet your guide and visit the Bogd Khan Palace, the home of Mongolia's last theocratic leader, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII. Elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of Mongolia's 'Eighth Living Buddha', who ruled from 1911 to 1924, are on display here.
Next, head to the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue. Constructed from 250 tons of gleaming stainless steel, the statue stands at the historic site of the Tsonjin Boldog, where legend has it that Genghis Khan found a ‘golden whip’. Mongol traditions view whips as a positive omen of good fortune and destiny, and Khan saw this discovery as a sign to unite the numerous Mongol tribes across the globe. After admiring the statue, you can climb up inside its mane for a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
It's then time to return to Ulaanbaatar for a final farewell dinner.
It’s sadly time for your Mongolian adventure to come to an end. After one final breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your connecting return flight home.
With a quick stopover, the journey will take around 14 to 15 hours in total, and you’ll touch down in the UK in the early evening, armed with a newfound appreciation for Mongolia.
Why visit Mongolia with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Mongolia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption