Mongolia Private Journey

Discover the inspiring landscapes of Mongolia, from the legendary Gobi to the vast steppe from which Genghis Khan created the largest contiguous land empire in history. In this heart of Mongolia, visit thriving Buddhist monasteries, ride horses (and camels!), and experience the traditional hospitality of one of the world’s last nomadic cultures.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Ulaanbaatar, Hogno Han Mountains, the Cultural Heart of Mongolia

In Ulaanbaatar, visit Gandan Monastery, the most important monastery-temple complex in the country, and the National History Museum, with its displays of Mongolian nomadic life. Head into the high steppe, an amazing vast landscape of open plains and rolling hills sprawled beneath the revered “Great Blue Sky” and dotted everywhere with horses and gers (nomadic dwellings). Below the Hogno Han Mountains, enter a world incredibly different from your own as you visit a nomadic horse-breeding family, experience their warm hospitality, taste airag (fermented mare’s milk), and ride horses with our Mongolian wranglers.

Days 5-6
Erdenezuu and Hustain Nuruu National Park

Head through the open grasslands of the Orkhon Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization, to Erdenezuu Monastery, the oldest in Mongolia, built in the 16th century when Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia. Constructed from the stone ruins of Kharakhorum, the ancient capital of Genghis Khan, it is surrounded by a wall of 108 stupas and is a strong symbol of Buddhism’s resurgence in Mongolia. Head to Hustain Nuruu National Park, home to the only remaining species of wild horse, the takhi, known as Przewalski’s horse, and search for these beautiful horses in their natural habitat.

Days 7-11
Gobi Desert and Yol Valley

Visit Ulaanbaatar’s Natural History Museum, showcasing the spectacular fossil finds of the Gobi desert, then head to the Gobi itself. Explore the Flaming Cliffs, where in 1922, Roy Chapman Andrews discovered a nest of perfectly preserved dinosaur eggs, the first ever to be found. Visit local families, ride Bactrian camels, and walk in the Yol Valley, nestled in the mountains of Gurvan Saikhan National Park. (Our optional camel trek extension begins on Day 9.) Return to Ulaanbaatar on Day 10 and depart on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated 2, Easy to Moderate, on our trip grading scale, due to the light hiking as well as the remote locations of our camps, simple accommodations in ger 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. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. You will stay in a variety of accommodations on this adventure. In Ulaanbaatar, overnights are in a well-located hotel with modern amenities. On some nights, you stay in cozy ger camps, simple two-person yurt style accommodations, equipped with beds, sheets and blankets, and small stoves for heat. Toilet and shower facilities are separate from the gers and shared by all participants. Meals will be served in central dining areas, and bottled water will be provided in the gers.

Explanation of Trip Levels