Heart of Mongolia

The landscapes of Mongolia are simply epic. From the legendary Gobi to high altitude grasslands dotted with horses and gers (nomad dwellings), we discover a beautiful, welcoming land where the rest of the world seems a million miles away. In this universe so incredibly different from our own, we experience the traditional hospitality of one of the world’s last nomadic cultures, explore the Orkhon Valley, with its ancient shamanistic shrines and thriving monasteries, and embark on an extraordinary camel safari across a remote and beautiful section of the Gobi that includes the Hongoryn Els, the desert’s largest sand dunes. Our grand journey under Mongolia’s revered “Great Blue Sky” is as inspiring and magnificent as the landscape itself.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Ulaanbaatar / Hogno Han Mountains

From Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, we head to the foothills of the Hogno Han Mountains where steppe, desert, and forest ecosystems converge. Here in the home of one of the last horse-based cultures in the world, we visit a nomadic family and witness a lifestyle unchanged through the ages. Overnights are in special gers similar to those that Mongolian nomads have used for centuries, equipped with beds and linens and heated by a wood stove.

Days 5-7
Kharakhorum / Erdenezuu / Hustain Nuruu National Park

Heading to the Orkhon Valley, we visit the legendary ancient capital of Kharakhorum, site of the 13th century capital of Genghis Khan. Destroyed a century later, its stones were used in 1586 to build Erdenezuu Monastery within the old city walls. At Hustain Nuruu National Park, home to the only remaining species of wild horse, the takhi, known as Przewalski’s horse, we search for these exotic creatures in their natural habitat. On Day 7 we return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum.

Days 8-12
Gobi Desert / Camel Safari / Flaming Cliffs

Flying south to the mountain-spiked Gobi Desert, we explore the Yol Valley, home to lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, and Argali mountain sheep. We then set off with our Mongolian camel wranglers on an incredible camel safari across the remote Hongoryn Els sand dunes in a journey reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road caravans. As we ride (or walk, if preferred) we explore the Gobi’s unique flora and fauna, and at Tsonjin Hotrog, an ancient sea floor, we find fossilized prints of plants and insects. On Day 12 we head to the famous Flaming Cliffs, named for their surreal orange color, where we discover one of the world’s richest troves of dinosaur remains.

Days 13-14
Ulaanbaatar

We return to Ulaanbaatar on Day 13 and depart on Day 14.

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Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

• Lake Hovsgol Extension (5 days)

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated 2, Easy to Moderate, on our trip grading scale, due to the light hiking and camel safari as well as the remote locations of our camps, our simple accommodations in gers (yurts) and tent camps, and rough roads. The trip is an overland journey by 4WD vehicle with some long drives across the historic heart of the country. Roads outside Ulaanbaatar are unpaved and often bumpy and dusty. In most cases, travel on these roads will be done in Russian four-wheel drive vans, which are not up to western SUV standards but are reasonably comfortable.

The camel trek covers a variety of terrain, mostly hard-packed desert, rocky washes, and dry river beds. Our camels are led by their own individual handlers. Most people choose to alternately ride and walk, as camel riding can be uncomfortable for long periods.

Trip members should be aware that camels, though docile, can sometimes be unpredictable animals. Camels cannot be saddled as securely as horses, and there are no stirrups, which increases the possibility of a fall caused by a camel’s erratic movements. Therefore, it's important to hold on well and to stay alert while riding! Anyone participating in this optional activity must acknowledge the inherent risk in riding and perhaps falling from the saddle, and agree to accept any and all responsibility. Alternative activities, such as hiking or riding in the support vehicles, are usually available for those who want a break from riding or prefer not to ride at all.

It is expected that each participant be in excellent health and physical condition. We recommend that you make a special effort to get in good shape for the trip. Daily walking or hiking, jogging, stair-climbing, etc., are excellent preparatory exercises.

Explanation of Trip Levels