Heart of Mongolia Tour (13 Days)

Holidays in Mongolia - Tour Itineraries

A 13 day tour through Mongolia including the the Gobi Desert Region & Karakorum from £915 per person

This exciting itinerary is a fascinating and ideal introduction to one of the most inspiring travel destinations in the world. Taking in a circuitous route of Mongolia’s contrasting Northern, Central and Southern regions, this tour offers experiences of both modern urban and traditional nomadic life, encountering Buddhist architecture against soviet-styled town planning, as well as exploring traces of prehistory in the areas of palaeontological interest. Besides the steppe and more “Siberian” looking landscapes of the north, this tour will also take in an unusual and exhilarating journey through rarely visited regions of the Gobi Desert.

Travel will be primarily by private vehicle, but will also include an overnight journey on one of Mongolia’s few domestic train routes. Accommodation will mostly be in ger camps. We can quote for international flights or travel on the Trans-Siberian train to Mongolia. Please note that this trip is best operated from late April to early October.

Suggested Itinerary
Day 1	ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR Arrive Ulaanbaatar, meet with your guide and head east to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Inside the national park you will have the opportunity to enjoy various traditional activities, such as archery, assembling the traditional Mongolian dwelling (the Ger) and horse riding. Overnight stay in ger.
Day 2	ULAANBAATAR TO ERDENET Return to Ulaanbaatar (which literally means “Red Hero”) by car and have a full day tour of the capital including visits to Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan (the largest Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia) and the Natural History Museum. Evening transfer to railway station for overnight train to Erdenet, Mongolia’s third largest city.
Day 3	ERDENET Arrive Erdenet (a mining city built just 30 years ago for the extraction of copper) and enjoy breakfast in a local restaurant or café before driving north-east to Amarbayasgalant Monastery (one of Mongolia’s most important monasteries), which is located in a verdant valley in Selenge Province. Overnight stay in ger camp near the Monastery.
Day 4	OGII NUUR LAKE Drive across the province of Bulgan to Ogii Nuur Lake on the eastern tip of Arkhangai (Northern Khangai) Province. This small, beautiful lake is rich in fish and birdlife and there are possibilities to go boating or fishing on the lake. Overnight stay in the Ogii Nuur ger camp on the lakeshore.
Day 5	TSENKHER JIGUUR Drive further west via Taikhar rock and Tsetserleg, a striking small town on the slopes of Bulgan Mountain. After visiting the pleasant Zaya Gegeen Temple in Tsetserleg continue to Tsenkher Jiguur hot spa for overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 6	KARAKORUM Visit Tuvhun Khiid, a temple high in the Khangai Mountains. Tuvkhun Khiid was established by Mongolia’s first religious ruler, Undur Gegeen Zanabazar and served as his meditation temple. From here, continue to the attractive and secluded Orkhon waterfall, before driving to Karakorum, the ancient capital city of Mongolia. Overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 7	GOBI DESERT Morning visit to Erdenezuu Monastery in Karakorum, the second largest Buddhist temple in Mongolia and arguably the most important historical site in the country. From here, continue south into the Gobi Desert. After 7-8 hours drive, arrive at the Ongiin River for overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 8	SOUTH GOBI Drive further into the depths of the South Gobi. On the way to your camp, visit Bayanzag Flaming cliffs, a famous sight of dinosaur exploration which was exposed to the world through the works of American scientist, Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920’s. Also included is a visit to the Moltsog Els sand dunes. Overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 9	YOLIIN AM VALLEY Drive to the fascinating Yoliin Am Valley, a narrow canyon in the desert, where ice usually remains until mid-summer. You will also visit the nearby Gobi Natural History Museum. Continue into the lesser visited Gobi areas. Overnight stay in a ger camp in Khanbogd Soum, where the largest copper and gold deposit in Mongolia was recently discovered.
Day 10	EAST GOBI A long day’s journey of about 400 kilometres along the plains of the desert from the south to the east Gobi. Here, explore interesting prehistoric sights including traces of ancient dinosaurs and petrified forests. Overnight stay in the Burdene Bulag Ger Camp near the Trans-Mongolian branch line between Ulaanbaatar and Beijing.
Day 11	EAST GOBI BACK TO KHUREN DUKH Drive northwards towards Ulaanbaatar to Khuren Dukh via Khamariin Hiid Monastery, which was established by a 19th century charismatic religious leader of the region, Danzanravjaa. Overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 12	ULAANBAATAR Arrive Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon check-in hotel for overnight stay. In the evening enjoy a traditional Mongolian folklore performance.
Day 13	DEPART ULAANBAATAR Transfer to airport or railway station.

Total Cost of Trip (per person based on twin share in hotels)
2 persons travelling	£1245
3 persons travelling	£1045
4 persons travelling	£915
Single room supplement	£165
Price per Sole Traveller	£1945
Included in Cost of Itinerary
· Accommodation for 1 night in four-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
· Accommodation in Ger Camps elsewhere
· Full board throughout
· All transfers and transportation
· Sightseeing with English speaking guides
· Entrance fees on sightseeing tours
Not Included in Cost of Itinerary
· International flights
· Meals and services other than those specified
· Travel Insurance - Ask for details
· Mongolian Visa - click 'here' for application form
Bookings
To confirm a booking, we require a deposit of £100 per person plus a signed booking form
This itinerary and quotation is only a suggestion. Please let us know if you would like any changes to be made to your quotation.
ITINERARIES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS
Please note that all prices shown are subject to availability at time of booking.