destination
Mongolia
Overview
A rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s last true nomadic cultures.
Mongolia is a place defined by space, movement, and a way of life that still follows the seasons. Around a third of the population continues to live traditionally, herding livestock and moving across the landscape as they have for generations.
This journey offers the chance to experience that way of life up close, alongside some of the most remote and varied landscapes on earth, from mountains and steppe to the Gobi Desert.
Mongolia Photo Gallery
This is a journey built around movement, distance, and access to places most travellers never reach.
Mongolia unfolds over time, as you move through remote regions where roads give way to tracks and the landscape sets the pace. Wide horizons, open steppe, and long stretches without towns create a constant sense of scale.
You’ll spend time with nomadic families, watch herders move across the land, and experience a way of life that still follows the seasons, not staged, but part of everyday life.
From the Altai mountains in the west to the forests and lakes of the north, across the steppe and down into the Gobi Desert, the contrast between regions is what makes the journey so distinctive.
Accommodation reflects the environment, small hotels in towns, ger camps in the countryside, and simple tented camps in more remote areas.
Evenings are often shared, meals in gers, time with local families, and moments out on the steppe as the light fades.
Domestic flights connect the regions, allowing you to experience Mongolia in a way that would otherwise take weeks.
This is often the kind of journey people find themselves thinking about long after they’ve returned home.
| Time | Destination |
|---|---|
| 13 Aug | Depart Auckland 7:30pm. 4 hour lay over in Bejing before continuing on to Ulaanbaatar |
| 14 Aug | ULAANBAATAR - Arrive at Ulaanbaatar at 10:50am. After time to settle in, an option to visit some of Mongolias historic and cultural sites. |
| 15 Aug | Fly to ULGII, home to the Kazakh community of the Altai Mountains. On arrival, begin the overland journey toward LAKE KHOTON, Stop for lunch beside the Hargan River before continuing via Karagul (Black Lake), surrounded by stark and beautiful landscapes that give a real sense of the region’s scale and isolation. In the afternoon, visit a Kazakh eagle hunter’s family camp. Here you will gain insight into this centuries-old tradition and see the magnificent bird up close. Spend time with the family, observing aspects of daily life and watching traditional handicrafts being made, offering a genuine and personal introduction to Kazakh nomadic culture |
| 16 Aug | Today is a full day journey deeper into the Altai Mountains, travelling through expansive valleys, river crossings and rugged terrain as you make your way toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. This is Mongolia’s highest mountain region, where snow-capped peaks dominate the horizon and the sense of remoteness becomes very apparent. The journey itself is part of the experience, with ever-changing landscapes and very few signs of habitation. |
| 17 Aug | A full day to explore this remarkable alpine region on foot or horseback. Travel toward the Potanin Glacier, surrounded by Mongolia’s highest peaks, where ice, rock and open sky create a dramatic setting. The pace today allows time to take in the scale and stillness of the Altai, with opportunities to walk, ride, or simply absorb the landscape. |
| 18 Aug | Begin the return journey to Ulgii, retracing your route through a mix of alpine valleys and high desert terrain. Travelling in the opposite direction offers a different perspective on the landscapes experienced over the past few days, with time to stop along the way as conditions allow. |
| 19 Aug | Return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer out of the city to a countryside ger camp, offering a quieter setting and a chance to pause before continuing north. This is a gentle transition day following your time in the Altai. |
| 20 Aug | Fly north to Murun, then continue by road to Khuvsgul Lake, often referred to as Mongolia’s “blue pearl.” The landscape shifts noticeably here, with forested hills, clear waters and a cooler climate providing a contrast to the Altai region. |
| 21 Aug | A full day to enjoy the lake and its surroundings. Activities may include kayaking or horse riding along the shoreline, with time to explore at a relaxed pace. There is also the opportunity to visit reindeer herders living in the nearby Taiga forest, where you may observe aspects of their daily life in this remote and distinctive environment. |
| 22 Aug | Travel through the surrounding steppe, visiting ancient deer stones, remarkable archaeological monuments dating back thousands of years. These intricately carved stones provide insight into Mongolia’s early nomadic cultures. Continue on to Murun for an overnight stay. |
| 23 Aug | Drive to Jargalant, travelling through open steppe landscapes where traditional herding families continue their seasonal way of life. On arrival, enjoy time to relax in the natural hot springs, a welcome pause in the journey. |
| 24 Aug | Continue south through a region shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Arrive at White Lake and explore the Khorgo crater, where lava fields and rugged terrain contrast with the calm waters of the lake. The area offers a striking and varied landscape, quite different from the regions travelled so far. |
| 25 Aug | A scenic drive through yak-grazing country leads to Tsenkher. The afternoon is set aside to relax in the mineral-rich hot springs, surrounded by rolling hills and quiet countryside. As you travel through this region, you’ll pass through classic pastoral landscapes, offering glimpses of Mongolia’s enduring nomadic traditions |
| 26 Aug | Travel to Karakorum, once the capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the country’s most important religious sites, and explore the remains of this former imperial centre. The area offers a strong sense of Mongolia’s historical and cultural heritage. |
| 27 Aug | Drive to Khustai National Park, home to the reintroduced Przewalski’s horse, the world’s last remaining wild horse species. A guided walk to observe them in their natural environment, along with other wildlife that inhabits the steppe. |
| 28 Aug | Experience a local Naadam festival, featuring traditional wrestling, archery and horse racing. Smaller in scale than the main festival, this offers a more relaxed and authentic atmosphere. |
| 29 Aug | Fly south to the Gobi Desert. On arrival, travel to Yolyn Am (Eagle Valley), a deep and narrow canyon known for its dramatic rock formations and cool microclimate. |
| 30 Aug | Travel to the Khongor Sand Dunes, known as the “singing dunes.” Spend time exploring the area and enjoy a camel ride across the sand, particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon light. |
| 31 Aug | Visit Bayanzag, or the Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur fossil discoveries & red sandstone formations. |
| 1 Sep | Travel north to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, an area of dramatic granite rock formations rising from the steppe, offering a different landscape once again. |
| 2 Sep | Continue to Terelj National Park, visiting the Chinggis Khan statue complex en route. Explore the park’s distinctive rock formations and peaceful valleys. |
| 3 Sep | Return to the capital. Visit Bogd Khan Palace and Zaisan Hill for panoramic views over the city. In the evening, attend a traditional folklore performance, a final dinner celebration to conclude the journey. |
| 4 Sep | After a morning to explore a few more city sites, Transfer to the airport for your departure flight at 6:30pm, A 3.5 hr layover in Bejing. |
| 5 Sep | Arrive back in Auckland at 4.30pm |
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 – 3 nights, Ger camps – 15 nights, Tents – 2-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: All 5 domestic flights in Mongolia are 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.
International Flights.
Excess luggage fee: on domestic flights – the limit is 15kg 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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Get in touch with us and start planning your next life changing experience!