Treasures of Mongolia

Travel to Tsagaan Suvarga
In the morning, it’s back on the road – today you head further south for 240km to the imposing cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, translated into English as “White Stupa”, named after its looks. This stunning area is a 30-meter-high white limestone formation and was created over thousands of years by natural wind. After arriving, have lunch and stroll to venture into the rock formations for some great opportunities for photography. Stay overnight in the Ger camp. BLD

Travel to Yol Valley & Hiking
In the morning, we will drive to the Yol Valley (Lammergeier’s Gorge), approximately 220 km away. This picturesque place is nestled between the beautiful peaks of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain and shelters a rich variety of wildlife. Visit the Gobi museum and trek through the valley. Stay overnight in the Ger camp. BLD

Travel to Khongor Sand Dune

Today, you leave the paved road and venture deeper into the Gobi Desert, to the largest dunes of Mongolia, Khongor Els. Known as Singing dunes, they are up to 300 m high, 15 km wide, and 180 km long. Watch out for gazelles and birds of prey as you drive – the scenery is beautiful and populated by a plethora of wildlife. After the traditional lunch, we will walk through the Golden Dunes. The view from the top of the dunes is incredible. Stay overnight in the Ger camp.BLD

Ride a Bactrian camel. 
Before breakfast, if you didn’t see the sunset last night, drive a short distance to the dunes for the spectacular sunrise. Otherwise, enjoy breakfast in the camp’s restaurant and drive a short distance to mount up for a few-hour ride alongside the dunes. In the afternoon, the schedule is flexible. Alternatively, you may want to go for a longer hike in the area, along the river, or to the dunes to take amazing photos, or rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery – discuss your preferences with your guide. Stay overnight in the Ger camp.BLD

Explore ancient petroglyphs and Bayanzag.
Continue travelling to Bayanzag for 170 km. On the way, you will stop at the ancient sacred site of Khavtsgait, where, atop a rocky hill, hundreds of ancient stone engravings, known as petroglyphs, can be found. Some of them are as old as 3000 BC and were painted by hunters while waiting for prey. The site also offers fantastic views over the desert. Soon, you will arrive at Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. It was here that the first dinosaur eggs were discovered by an American explorer, Roy Chapman Andrews, and the area remains one of the most famous paleontological dig sites in the world. Here, you will see the Saksaul forest in the Gobi Desert and red, flaming cliffs, which were formed by the erosion of sand and rock over many thousands of years. That is the place where dinosaurs lived 70 million years ago and is internationally famous for its dinosaur remains, including complete skeletons, eggs, and hatchlings from the Cretaceous Period. After lunch at the camp, stroll for an hour or two among the flaming-red cliffs and explore this unique area where the dinosaurs once roamed.  Stay overnight in the Ger camp. BLD

Travel to the temple ruin of Ongi & Hike
Travel to the Ongi temple ruins, located 140km away. Walk along the area where the ruins are situated. Ongi is a ruined and partially rebuilt monastery founded in 1760 to commemorate the Dalai Lama’s first visit to Mongolia. It is available to see the stupa displaying the names of the victims and perhaps meet the local monks. Stay overnight in the Ger camp. BLD

Travel to the Orkhon Valley

Today you will travel to the Orkhon Valley. Enjoy the beautiful scenery over the valley, which is a UNESCO-listed heritage site and the ancestral, nomadic heartland of the Mongolians. Arrive at a local yak herder family where you will be staying tonight in an authentic guest ger a just mile from the Orkhon Waterfall. Enter the gers and experience the nomadic hospitality – you will have the opportunity to try your hand at traditional Mongolian cooking, learn how to prepare Buuz (steamed dumplings) or Huushuur (fried meat-filled pastry) and socialise with your hosts over mare’s milk and milk tea in the evening. Stay overnight in Ger alongside the yak-herding nomad family.BLD

Horse Riding – Nomadic family stays in the Orkhon Valley.

After a home-cooked breakfast, saddle up on a horseback excursion to the nearby Orkhon Waterfall. The Orkhon waterfall is a scenic cascade on the Ulaan Tsutgalan River, approximately 20 meters high and 10 meters wide. After exploring the area, return to the family encampment for lunch. In the afternoon, get involved in the activities of your family – help with milking yaks and watch the nomads making curds, yoghurts or distilling vodka from milk. Alternatively, you may want to simply put up your feet, rest, read a book, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Discuss your preferences with your guide, and you can be as active or relaxed as you wish. Stay overnight Ger alongside yak herding nomad family.BLD

Travel to Kharakhorum
Travel for 120 km to Kharakhorum. Kharakhorum is the ancient capital of Mongolia, where Chinggis Khan established his headquarters in 1220. In 1235, his son and successor, Ogodei, built a palace enclosed by walls. You will visit an interesting local museum that showcases the Mongolian past, as well as Erdenezuu monastery, the first Mongolian Buddhist temple complex built on the remains of 16th-century Kharakhorum city. Then we will visit a local cooperative to attend a workshop for making felt items by hand. Stay overnight in the Ger camp. BLD

Wild Horses – Wildlife Tracking
Travel to Hustai National Park for 260 km. Hustai National Park encompasses an area of 50.620 hectares and is the habitat of resurrected wild Mongolian horses, popularly known as Takhi (Przewalski’s Horse). Explore the park to see the Takhi horses in the wilderness. Stay overnight in Ger camp. BLD

Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex – Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast travel to the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex. Once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii. Then have lunch in the complex’s restaurant. After lunch, board the vehicle and drive back to Ulaanbaatar, where you will be dropped off at a location to suit you (we can do multiple drop-offs if required). End of the service. BL