Day 1          Arrive Ulaan Baatar

Arrive Ulaan Baatar where you will be met and transferred to your homestay for one night. After you have time to refresh you will be taken on a two hour orientation walking tour of UB. In the evening you will be taken to a folk show. This will last about one and a half hours. Afterwards you will be taken to a local Guanz where you can try some famous Mongolian mutton food called Buuz (drinks at own expense). You will then be driven back to your homestay.

Day 2          Ulaan Baatar to the Middle Gobi

After breakfast drive south toward the Dundgov, Aimeg capital of Mandalgov, on a good sealed road. As you drive south, the greenness changes to flat dry plains with little precipitation. Tonight you will camp under the stars in the Middle Gobi.

Day 3          To the South Gobi

Continue driving south-west toward the Omnogov Aimeg capital of Dalanzadgad and the South Gobi. This area is the driest, hottest and harshest region in Mongolia but in contrast, The Gurvan Saikhan Nuruu mountains rise to 2825m and are snow-capped in winter. Tonight you will stay in a Tourist Ger.

Day 4          In the South Gobi

Today is a long day. This morning you enter into the Gurvan Saikhan National Park and then drive about 50km to Yolyn am Gorge, a valley in the middle of the Gobi, with metres-thick ice for most of the year. After lunch you have 165km of driving to the spectacular sand dunes of Khongoriin Els. You will spend tonight in tents near the dunes.

Day 5          In the Middle Gobi

An early morning drive through the flat expense of the South Gobi to the salt-water lake of Orog Nuur, nestled in the foothills of the Ikh Bogd Uul Mountains. Some of the 4000 metre peaks will be snow covered, depending on the time of year. This lake is a great place to watch birdlife. Tonight you will camp by the lake.

Day 6          To Kharkhorin

It’s northwards today across the Middle Gobi toward Kharkhorin. As you drive north the scenery changes to rolling hills and wide green valleys. Here is the heartland of Mongolia with Nomadic Gers dotting the landscape. Tonight you will camp near the village of Nariin Teel just to the north of the Bayankhongor to Arvaykheer road.

Day 7          Kharkhorin to Mongol Els

Morning drive to Kharkhorin where you visit Erdenzuu Monastery. After lunch you drive east toward Ulaan Baatar. However about half way there you come across the sand dunes of Mongol Els.  After a drive through the dunes you will be taken to a Tourist Ger Camp.

Day 8          Mongol Els to UB

After a leisurely breakfast you will drive back to Ulaan Baatar and your homestay. There will be time in the afternoon to do any last minute shopping.

Day 9          End of tour

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport or railway station.

Price includes

• All accommodation according to your itinerary

• Transfers as specified in the itinerary

• Four wheel drive vehicle in the countryside

• Breakfast in Ulaan Baatar and all meals in the country

• Bottle of top notch vodka upon arrival (why not)

• All camping equipment including sleeping bags

• Two hour orientation tour in UB upon arrival

• Entrance to the Folk Show (May to September)

• Buuz at a local Guanz in UB

• Mountain bike if booked

Price Page for Mongolia
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How to get to Ulaan Baatar
Train #23 arrives in Ulaan Baatar at approx 1400 after departing Beijing at 0740 the previous day. This train operates twice a week. There is also a daily train from Irkutsk arriving UB at 0553 two days later. There are daily flights from Beijing and regular flights from Seoul, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo and Irkutsk.

Departing Ulaan Baatar
Train #263 departs daily to Irkutsk departing at 2110 and train #24 departs to Beijing twice a week. There are daily flights to Beijing and regular flights to Seoul, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo and Irkutsk.

Accommodation

This package is based upon using homestays in UB with Tourist Gers and tents as per the itineraries. However, should you prefer hotel accommodation in UB please ask. This will cost more and the price will depend on what standard of hotel you wish and what room types are available.

Visa

Australia/UK/New Zealand passport holders require a visa for Mongolia. US passport holders do not require a visa and all other nationalities should check with Passport Travel, their travel agent or the nearest Mongolian Consulate.

Currency

The unit of currency is the togrog. 

NB All trips visit a Nomadic Ger for some local hospitality and/or camp next to a Nomadic Ger. However vegetarians and those who are lacto intolerant beware