10-Day Mongolia Gobi and Heartland Tour with Nomadic Stays
About This Tour
Discover Mongolia across 10 days from the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi Desert to the lush heartland of the Orkhon Valley. This journey combines geological wo...
Duration: 10 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Budget · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Ulan Bator, Dalanzadgad, Yolyn Am, Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Karakorum · Languages: English
About Dalanzadgad
Dalanzadgad
Explore the list of top ranked local tour guides in Dalanzadgad. Get tour activities offered by tour companies and independent travel guides in Dalanzadgad.
What's Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- A bottle of water per day
- Guide
- Driver
- Car and petrol
- Accommodation
- Taxes
- Tickets
- Horse riding fee
- Free airport pick-up
- Free airport drop-off
Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuity
Itinerary
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1Day 01
Tsagaan Suvarga and Sunset in the Gobi
Place Description: Located in the middle of Dundgobi Province, this area features rocky formations eroded by the wind that resemble a ruined city. It is a sheer slope that was once an ancient seabed, with a sedimentary structure created over millions of years. The landscape's transition from sea to desert is evident in its striking geological features. Activities: Hiking, climbing, and gazing at the sunset in the Gobi. Activities: Hiking, climbing, and gazing at the sunset in the Gobi. Overnight: Stay overnight in a nearby ger camp. Overnight: Stay overnight in a nearby ger camp. Distance: 450 km via paved road. Distance: 450 km via paved road.
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2Day 02
Yol Valley via Dalanzadgad
Place Description: The journey passes through Dalanzadgad, the capital of Southern Mongolia, before heading to Yol Valley. This area offers a chance to hike through narrow, towering cliffs. Despite the intense regional sunshine, the deep canyon remains dark, allowing a thick layer of river ice to persist for nearly the entire year. Activities: Hiking for approximately 2 hours, exploring the wilderness, and experiencing local markets in Dalanzadgad. Activities: Hiking for approximately 2 hours, exploring the wilderness, and experiencing local markets in Dalanzadgad. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp. Distance: 250 km via paved and off-road. Distance: 250 km via paved and off-road.
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3Day 03
Khongor Sand Dunes and Nomadic Encounters
Place Description: These massive dunes stretch for 180 km, reaching widths of 27 km and heights of up to 200 meters. The area is characterized by stark desert beauty and an oasis. The night sky here is renowned for stargazing, offering clear views of the Milky Way due to the absolute lack of light pollution. Activities: Visiting a Gobi nomad family, riding a camel for an hour around the dunes and oasis, climbing to the top of the dunes for sunset, and stargazing. Activities: Visiting a Gobi nomad family, riding a camel for an hour around the dunes and oasis, climbing to the top of the dunes for sunset, and stargazing. Overnight: Stay with a contracted nomadic family. Overnight: Stay with a contracted nomadic family. Distance: 180 km via off-road. Distance: 180 km via off-road.
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4Day 04
Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs
Place Description: Famous as a premier site for dinosaur fossil discoveries, these cliffs glow with a fiery red light that mimics the radiance of the setting sun. The sheer magnitude and raw beauty of the escarpment are best appreciated from below or across the gorge. Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, and spending the day with a Gobi nomadic family. Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, and spending the day with a Gobi nomadic family. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp. Distance: 200 km via off-road. Distance: 200 km via off-road.
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5Day 05
Ongi Monastery Ruins
Place Description: This site contains the ruins of a monastery complex originally founded in 1760, which was once one of the largest in Mongolia. Although 90% of the monasteries were destroyed during the political purges of the 1930s and 40s, a small active temple and a ger museum remain amidst the beautiful natural surroundings to preserve the history. Activities: Hiking, exploring the historical ruins, visiting the active temple, and sightseeing. Activities: Hiking, exploring the historical ruins, visiting the active temple, and sightseeing. Distance: 150 km via off-road. Distance: 150 km via off-road.
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6Day 06
Into the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley
Place Description: Leaving the Gobi Desert, the route transitions to the lush, central region of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Sprawling along the banks of the Orkhon River, this UNESCO World Heritage site represents the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions spanning more than two millennia, featuring hidden waterfalls and rich greenery. Activities: Hiking around the waterfall and the valley. Activities: Hiking around the waterfall and the valley. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger built specifically for visitors, hosted by a nomadic family. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger built specifically for visitors, hosted by a nomadic family. Distance: 350 km via paved and off-road. Distance: 350 km via paved and off-road.
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7Day 07
Horse Riding in the Orkhon Valley
Place Description: The valley is dotted with historical memorials, including ancient rock paintings and tombs. It is an ideal environment to observe the deep, millennia-old bond between the nomadic people and their horses, surrounded by livestock and pristine wilderness. Activities: Horseback riding around the waterfall and valley, sightseeing historical sites, visiting a genuine nomadic family, and tasting traditional dairy products. Activities: Horseback riding around the waterfall and valley, sightseeing historical sites, visiting a genuine nomadic family, and tasting traditional dairy products. Distance: 20 km on horseback. Distance: 20 km on horseback. Note: Horse riding places significant pressure on the knees and is not recommended for those with joint issues. Note: Horse riding places significant pressure on the knees and is not recommended for those with joint issues.
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8Day 08
Great White Lake and Khorgo Crater
Place Description: This region features striking volcanic geology, including the Khorgo crater and a cave known as "Yellow Dog Hell," which contains ice tunnels. The nearby Great White Lake (Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur) is one of the largest in central Mongolia, boasting rich birdlife and a lovely beach. Activities: Hiking around the lake, climbing the volcanic crater, exploring the ice cave, and swimming in the cold lake. Activities: Hiking around the lake, climbing the volcanic crater, exploring the ice cave, and swimming in the cold lake. Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp beside the lake. Overnight: Stay in a yurt camp beside the lake. Distance: 200 km via paved and off-road. Distance: 200 km via paved and off-road.
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9Day 09
Kharakhorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery
Place Description: The journey arrives at the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, the most significant historical site in Mongolia. It houses Erdene Zuu, the oldest and largest monastery in the country, alongside museums featuring ancient artifacts. Activities: Visiting the Erdene Zuu Monastery, exploring the Kharakorum Museum, and enjoying a traditional Mongolian barbecue as a parting dinner. Activities: Visiting the Erdene Zuu Monastery, exploring the Kharakorum Museum, and enjoying a traditional Mongolian barbecue as a parting dinner. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp in the town. Overnight: Stay overnight in a ger camp in the town. Distance: 250 km via paved road. Distance: 250 km via paved road.
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10Day 10
Return to Ulaanbaatar
Place Description: The final leg of the expedition covers the long drive back to the modern capital city, passing through the transitional landscapes and small sand patches on the outskirts of the urban center. Activities: Scenic driving and transferring to your accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Activities: Scenic driving and transferring to your accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Distance: 350 km via paved road. Distance: 350 km via paved road. Note: The source text erroneously listed camel riding and hiking here; the day is strictly a transit day. Note: The source text erroneously listed camel riding and hiking here; the day is strictly a transit day.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: Your guest house or hotel of your choice in Ulaanbaatar · Tour start: ulaanbaatar — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
