Tour code: VMT-CL-6 Contrasts of Mongolia
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. Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1.5 h flight and 100 km 2-3 hours drive. We will start our trip with a short flight to the Dalanzadgad, South Gobi province center. After arrival in the Gobi, drive 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 3. Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 170 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 4. Eagle Valley
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 5-6 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 5. Ulaanbaatar
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 50 km, 1 hour /driving/ and 1,5h /flight/. Drive to Dalanzadgad for a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Huvsgul National Park
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1.5 h flight and 110 km 2-3 hours drive. Flight to Murun town, the center of Huvsgul province. Drive to Huvsgul lake110 km away from Murun. Lake Huvsgul is Mongolia's largest lake and the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. The deepest lake in Central Asia and the world's 14th largest source of fresh water, Lake Huvsgul is 1,645 m above sea level and frozen from January until April or May. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7-8. Relax & Visit Tsaatan family
Spend two full days at the lake. There different activities can be offered as kayaking, horse riding, fishing and visiting Tsaatan nomadic family. Your guide will help you to book on your desired activities. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 9. Ulaanbaatar
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 110 km, 2-3 hours drive and 1,5h flight. Drive back to Murun for a flight back to Ulaanbaatar, and transfer to the hotel. 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 10. Departure
After breakfast, transfer to departure (B)
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. Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1.5 h flight and 100 km 2-3 hours drive. We will start our trip with a short flight to the Dalanzadgad, South Gobi province center. After arrival in the Gobi, drive 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 3. Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 170 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 4. Eagle Valley
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 200 km, 5-6 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 5. Ulaanbaatar
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 50 km, 1 hour /driving/ and 1,5h /flight/. Drive to Dalanzadgad for a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Huvsgul National Park
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 1.5 h flight and 110 km 2-3 hours drive. Flight to Murun town, the center of Huvsgul province. Drive to Huvsgul lake110 km away from Murun. Lake Huvsgul is Mongolia's largest lake and the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. The deepest lake in Central Asia and the world's 14th largest source of fresh water, Lake Huvsgul is 1,645 m above sea level and frozen from January until April or May. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7-8. Relax & Visit Tsaatan family
Spend two full days at the lake. There different activities can be offered as kayaking, horse riding, fishing and visiting Tsaatan nomadic family. Your guide will help you to book on your desired activities. Overnight in a ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 9. Ulaanbaatar
Approximate distance covered and estimated travel time: 110 km, 2-3 hours drive and 1,5h flight. Drive back to Murun for a flight back to Ulaanbaatar, and transfer to the hotel. 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 10. Departure
After breakfast, transfer to departure (B)