Tour code: VMT-CLT-11 Gobi Panorama
Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khan international airport
in Mongolia, you will meet Visit Mongolia crew and transfer to the 4*hotel, conveniently located downtown Ulaanbaatar. After freshening up from your flight, we start our first day around Ulaanbaatar starting from Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. From here we will go to the National History Museum which tells the rich history of Mongolia. The heart of Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Square, is just a short walk away. Here we will see the Parliament House, National Opera and City Hall. Afterwards, we will visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing). Overnight in hotel. (L,D)
Day 2. Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 300 km, 5-6 hours.
Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune, a unique area combining forest, Gobi sand dunes and rocky mountains. Excursion to Hugnu Khaan Mountain and sand dune on the steppe. Free time for hiking and walking in the near. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 3. Ruins of 12th Century Capital City Karakorum
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 80 km, 2 hours
Travel to Karakorum, the former capital city of world's greatest land empire, established by Chinggis Khan. Here we will tour the oldest Buddhist Monastery Erdenezuu, religious complex spanning over 400 sq. meters surrounded by 108 stupas. It was first built on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 by Abtai Sain Khan. The site has some of the best works of religious art and architecture in Mongolia. Visit Karakorum museum. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 4. Ongi Monastery
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 250 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to the direction of south through the wide huge open land called Ongi steppe. We will see changing landscape from forest steppe into semi-desert Gobi land. In the afternoon we will visit the ruins of Ongi Monastery which was built in the 18th century, the former main religious center of South Mongolia. Hiking in nearby Gobi mountain and along the area where the ruins are situated. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 5. Bayanzag/Flaming Cliffs
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 140 km, 3-4 hours
Travel to Bayan Zag, more commonly known as the legendary “Flaming Cliffs”. Through the journey we will see arid steppe landscape with many camel herds and herding families. Bayanzag is a red rock creation, formed 60-70 million years ago, made famous by an American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews's discovery there of complete dinosaur skeletons and eggs in 1920s. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 180 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes, Mongolia’s largest sand dunes- reaching a height of 800 meters in some highest areas and known as the “Singing Dunes”. Evening visit to a camel-breeder's family with a chance to go camel riding. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7. Yol Am (Eagle Valley)
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to Yolyn Am, or ‘Eagle Valley', located in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. The valley’s remnant streams create ice formations which you may find in the mouth of the valley as late as July. The mountains surrounding the valley also provide habitat for Argali wild sheep (one of the last wild great horned sheep) and ibex, which may be spotted in the early morning as they walk along the mountain ridges. Visit the Gobi museum and trek through the valley. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 8. Ulaanbaatar
Drive to Dalanzadgad for a flight to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will visit some interesting museums including Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. The remainder of the day is free for shopping or independent touring. Farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9. Departure
After breakfast, transfer to departure (B)
Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khan international airport
Day 2. Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 300 km, 5-6 hours.
Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune, a unique area combining forest, Gobi sand dunes and rocky mountains. Excursion to Hugnu Khaan Mountain and sand dune on the steppe. Free time for hiking and walking in the near. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 3. Ruins of 12th Century Capital City Karakorum
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 80 km, 2 hours
Travel to Karakorum, the former capital city of world's greatest land empire, established by Chinggis Khan. Here we will tour the oldest Buddhist Monastery Erdenezuu, religious complex spanning over 400 sq. meters surrounded by 108 stupas. It was first built on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 by Abtai Sain Khan. The site has some of the best works of religious art and architecture in Mongolia. Visit Karakorum museum. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 4. Ongi Monastery
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 250 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to the direction of south through the wide huge open land called Ongi steppe. We will see changing landscape from forest steppe into semi-desert Gobi land. In the afternoon we will visit the ruins of Ongi Monastery which was built in the 18th century, the former main religious center of South Mongolia. Hiking in nearby Gobi mountain and along the area where the ruins are situated. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 5. Bayanzag/Flaming Cliffs
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 140 km, 3-4 hours
Travel to Bayan Zag, more commonly known as the legendary “Flaming Cliffs”. Through the journey we will see arid steppe landscape with many camel herds and herding families. Bayanzag is a red rock creation, formed 60-70 million years ago, made famous by an American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews's discovery there of complete dinosaur skeletons and eggs in 1920s. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 180 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes, Mongolia’s largest sand dunes- reaching a height of 800 meters in some highest areas and known as the “Singing Dunes”. Evening visit to a camel-breeder's family with a chance to go camel riding. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7. Yol Am (Eagle Valley)
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 4-5 hours
Travel to Yolyn Am, or ‘Eagle Valley', located in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. The valley’s remnant streams create ice formations which you may find in the mouth of the valley as late as July. The mountains surrounding the valley also provide habitat for Argali wild sheep (one of the last wild great horned sheep) and ibex, which may be spotted in the early morning as they walk along the mountain ridges. Visit the Gobi museum and trek through the valley. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 8. Ulaanbaatar
Drive to Dalanzadgad for a flight to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will visit some interesting museums including Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. The remainder of the day is free for shopping or independent touring. Farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9. Departure
After breakfast, transfer to departure (B)