destination
Mongolia
Overview
Timed to include the famous Naadam Festival which is celebrated throughout the country.
Predicted to be one of the next global travel hotspots, Mongolia is more than just the home of the Mongols and the great Ghenghis Khan. In this majestic country the ancient meets the modern and the results guaranteed to take your breath away.
40% of the country's almost 3 million people still live the traditional nomadic lifestyle tending herds of cattle, goats, horses and two -humped Bactrian camels. Living in the traditional felt gers (yurts) and shifting locations four times a year as the seasons dictate.
The traditional nomadic lifestyle is still practised by 40% of Mongolia’s nearly 3 million people. This involves tending their various herds of sheep, goats, horses, cattle and two-humped camels. The gers (yurts) are dismantled and relocated as the seasons and grazing dictates.
Mongolia Photo Gallery
Discover the untouched beauty of Mongolia, wander through the vast, pristine landscapes that range from the rolling steppes and towering mountains to the expansive Gobi Desert, each view more breathtaking than the last. Immerse yourself in the rich nomadic culture, experiencing the warm hospitality of the ger camps, the ancient art of throat singing, and the excitement of the Naadam Festival.
Camp under a canopy of stars, marvel at the Milky Way, and lose yourself in the tranquility of the serene nights. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting rare animals such as the snow leopard, wild Bactrian camel, and majestic eagle in their natural habitat.
Experience true Mongolian hospitality by staying in traditional gers, offering a unique and authentic accommodation style. These circular felt tents provide comfort and warmth, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Savor the flavors of traditional Mongolian cuisine, from hearty buuz (dumplings) to the rich taste of khorkhog (barbecue), each meal a delightful culinary journey. Explore historical wonders, including ancient monasteries, historic ruins, and the fabled Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Step back in time and trace the footsteps of Genghis Khan on an extraordinary journey that promises awe-inspiring landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and unforgettable memories.
2025 Draft Itinerary:
| Time | Destination |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dep. Auckland for Beijing at 7:30pm. |
| Day 2 | ULAANBAATAR - Arrive at Ulaanbaatar at 10:50am, free time to relax after the long flight. |
| Day 3 | ULAANBAATAR: Our city tour will include Gandan Monastery to see the huge gold-plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival, Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum where you will see artifacts from all over Mongolia and Central Asia dating from the Stone Age to the present time and conclude with a visit to Zaisan Hill Memorial for a panoramic view over the city. |
| Day 4 | LAKE KHOTON: Fly to the Western Province of Bayan-Ulgii, home to the Western Altai Mountains. After the 3:30hr flight drive to Lake Khoton near the Chinese border. Stop for a meal before visiting a Kazakh Eagle hunter’s family camp, see his magnificent bird and learn about their hunting methods and watch how the Kazakh women make their traditional handcrafts. |
| Day 5 | SNAKE VALLEY - Begin the day with an easy walk around Lakes Hurgan Nuur and Hoton Nuur, where many nomadic Kazakh families spend the summer months. Along the lake shore we will see the beautiful waterfall, rock paintings and some ancient Turkic face-stones. Stay overnight in Snake Valley. |
| Day 6 | ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NP: A full day’s drive to Altai Tavanbogd National Park, Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range, its peaks reaching 4,000+ meters. One famous spot is "Shiveet” Hairhan Sacred Mountain, where we will see a huge rock- painting site from the Han period (approx. 200 B.C) |
| Day 7 | ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NP: Today we ride horses, or you can hike if you wish, to Potanin Glacier. This 14km river of ice flows from the snowy peaks of Huiten, the highest point in Mongolia (4374m). The scenery will be awe inspiring, with the snow covered massif forming a perfect back-drop to the ice-covered glacier. Note: This hike or ride is approx.,20 km return, so if you don’t fancy a long up-hill and down-hill then, please feel free to stay in the valley and enjoy the landscape, the camp staff will look after you. |
| Day 8 | ULGII: Drive via Ulaanhus over the high-desert mountain landscapes, with the snow-capped Sogoog Mountain as a backdrop and the Altai Mountain range ahead of us. After 5-6h hours driving arrive in Ulgii town. |
| Day 9 | ULAANBAATAR: A morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar and in the afternoon free time to shop or otherwise relax. |
| Day 10 | KHUVSGUL NP: This morning fly 1:30hrs to Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul Province in Northern Mongolia. On arrival we will meet the land cruiser drivers, who will provide our land transport for the rest of the trip. After visiting a fascinating historical area of 2-3m high deer-stones in Uushgi uvur continue on to our destination, Lake Khuvsgul. This lake is the deepest in Mongolia holding almost 2% of the world’s fresh water. It is a beautiful lake with many fish, including salmon and sturgeon. |
| Day 11 | LAKE KHUVSGUL: Today we are planning some kayaking and horse riding, as well as a visit to the local reindeer herders who live in the nearby Taiga forest. Reindeer are herded for their antlers, a lucrative medicinal material as well as for their milk and meat. We'll have the opportunity to ride the reindeer and take photos that could make great Christmas card pics! |
| Day 12 | KHATGAL: Today, we will attend a Rural NAADAM FESTIVAL in Khatgal town. The Naadam Festival, also known as the ‘The Three Games of Men’, is the most important festival of the year for Mongolians, with nomads gathering from miles around to take part. The Inauguration Ceremony of a Naadam Festival is followed by wrestling and archery tournaments, horse racing and other traditional games. Although Naadam incorporates Mongolia's traditional nomadic sporting and military cultures, the three-day festival formally celebrates the Mongolian Revolution of 1921 and the nation's independence from Chinese occupation. |
| Day 13 | KHATGAL: Return to the NAADAM FESTIVAL this morning, then in the afternoon visit a horse herder's family. Experience an authentic Mongolian BBQ prepared in the traditional style using hot stones. |
| Day 14 | JARGALANT: Drive to Jargalant and stay at the hot springs that emerge from the ground at 70 degress celsius. The facilities include outdoor baths for men and women so do pack your togs. |
| Day 15 | KHORGO VOLCANO - In the morning time to relax in the pools and after lunch continue south to the extinct Khorgo volcano and the Terkhiin Tsagaan lake region. We will explore the crater area of Khorgo Volcano, the largest crater. |
| Day 16 | TSENHER HOT SPRINGS: Drive to a region of once active volcanoes which provides a number of excellent and refreshing hot springs. Free afternoon to enjoy this natural spa area. Relax in a hot pool or hike to the source of the spring where the water temperature can reach 82 C. You might want to relax with a massage (opt extra). |
| Day 17 | KARAKORUM: This morning it’s only a short drive to Karakorum, site of the symbolic ruins of the 13th Century Capital of Chinggis Khann's Mongol Empire. After lunch visit Erdene-Zuu, Mongolia’s oldest monastery with its 108 Stupas built in 1586. Later visit the Karakorum museum which has an interesting display from the Great Mongol State of Chinggis Khann, the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Ancient State periods. |
| Day 18 | KHUSTAI National Park: See the Asian wild horses, locally known as the Takhi, these horses are the last surviving sub-species of the wild horses that Russian explorer Przewalski first described scientifically in the late 19th century. We will do a short hike to get up close. |
| Day 19 | ULAANBAATAR. After breakfast visit the Mongol Nomadic Show, a real nomadic family camp that demonstrates the traditional lifestyle of the Mongolian nomads. It features the five types of livestock commonly owned, their breeding and uses, as well as the family’s seasonal camp movements from one place to another, using ox, yak, camel and horse cart. Learn the secrets of making a traditional Ger and furniture. |
| Day 20 | TERELJ NP – After breakfast drive east from the city to the gigantic Chinggis Khaan statue, a most impressive structure, 40 metres tall and wrapped in 250 tons of gleaming stainless steel. The views from the top are stunning. Nearby is Terelj National Park, famous for its extraordinary rock formations. Options available to walk or horse ride to explore the area. Later drive to stay closer to the airport, ready for our early morning flight to the Gobi Desert in the south. |
| Day 21 | BAYANZAG - Take a flight to Dalanzadgad, the capital of the South Gobi Province. On arrival drive to Bayanzag (the Flaming cliffs) This is where the first nest of dinosaur eggs were discovered in 1922 and today it is still ranked as one of the World’s richest areas for finding dinosaur bones. We will walk with our guide where dinosaurs once roamed, it’s such a surreal experience. |
| Day 22 | KHONGOR SAND DUNES: Known to the locals as the singing-dunes because of the sound they make when the wind moves the sand. The dunes change colour with each hour of the day. We will have a 1-hr ride on two-humped Bactrian camels. These camels are just gorgeous, the Rolls Royce of camel “models”. The ride is very comfortable as you sit well supported between their 2 humps. |
| Day 23 | EAGLE VALLEY: A spectacular drive today as we travel back along the length of the dunes and head for Eagle Valley and Dungenee. A wonderfully picturesque valley surrounded by sheer rocky walls forming incredible canyons where ice remains even in high summer. Watch out for the massive Lammergeyers that can be spotted flying overhead. |
| Day 24 | ULAANBAATAR: Return to Dalanzadgad airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Once in the city we will complete our sightseeing by visiting Bogd Khan Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings, where the last religious King of Mongolia resided. Tonight we will attend the Tumen Ekh National Folkloric Show to celebrate our time in Mongolia. |
| Day 25 | Today we will say goodbye to Mongolia and begin our journey home. Our flight to Beijing departs at 11:50am, arriving in Beijing at 1:30pm |
| Day 26 | Overnight flight to Auckland departs Beijing 1am. Arriving in Auckland at 5:30pm 24th July. |
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
ACCOMODATION: The Trip price is based on two people sharing per room, when available single supplements are USD40 for hotels and USD30 for Ger’s per night.
Four star Hotels – 5-nights, Ger camps – 14-nights, Tents – 3-nights, Local HoteL-1 night.
Westerm Altai: Due to this being a very remote location, overnight accommodation will be more basic and varied; 1x night local hotel, 3x nights in tents with bedding and sleeping-bags provided, 1x night Ger (sharing). We recommend that you bring a sleeping-sheet for your personal comfort when “tenting”.
Tourist Ger Camps: The traditional Gers are roomy and comfortable with high dome ceilings, however you need to remember to “duck” each time you enter or exit a door-way as they are very low by western standards! Western style toilets and hot water showers are in blocks close to the Gers.
TRANSPORT: An air conditioned Mini-bus in Ulaanbaatar and the Eastern region,
Air conditioned and comfortable Mitsubishi Delica 4×4 off-road vans for the Countryside Touring. For your comfort the seating pattern will be 4 passengers per 5 passenger seats.
Mongolia is a vast country so domestic flights will be used to take you to each region, the Western Altai, Northern/Central and Southern regions of Mongolia and our land transport will be at each airport for our arrival.
Western Altai: for 5-days you will travel in rugged Russian off-road vans, with highly skilled off-road drivers
MEALS: Most meals in Mongolia are included, with the exception of 3 lunches and 3 dinners in Ulaanbaatar. In Mongolia both Western and Mongolian meals will generally be available and from experience we can say that the meals are of a very high standard!
All included meals will be listed in your final itinerary.
WATER 3 x 0.5ml bottles of mineral water is provided per day.
FLIGHTS: Economy class airfares Auckland / Auckland, both of these flights are direct and all 6 domestic flights in Mongolia are also included.
GUIDES: English speaking guiding service throughout the entire time Mongolia and local guides for horse and camel rides.
ENTRANCE FEES Fees for scenic spots as listed in the itinerary, such as museums and monasteries, strictly protected areas, parks, border permission, concert and road fees, 1hr Horse ride and 1hr camel rides and a traditional authentic Mongolian BBQ meal are included.
NOT INCLUDED:
Mongolian Visa Fee:
Excess luggage fee: on domestic flights – the limit is 10kg checked +5kg carry-on.
However, the Ulaanbaatar Hotel offers free luggage storage so that for each of the three sectors of the trip (Western Altai, Northern Central and Eastern/Southern) you can store what you don’t require and just take what you need in a smaller soft bag. (More on the logistics of this later.)
Group Tipping: The group tipping supplement, approx. US150/160 tba. to cover drivers, guides and all other group related services.
Personal Tipping: you will also need to tip for personal services. Further advice will be in the “General Preparations Notes” which will be sent later.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive Travel Insurance is mandatory.
The full Grassroots Terms and Conditions are part of the “Registration Form”
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