9-DAY Ulaanbaatar and Gobi Desert

Ulaanbaatar and Gobi Desert is a classic journey that introduces travelers to Mongolia’s rich history and its most iconic natural landscapes. Beginning in the vibrant capital city, the tour explores key cultural highlights, including monasteries, museums, and historical landmarks.

Key info

Overview

Ulaanbaatar and Gobi Desert is a classic journey that introduces travelers to Mongolia’s rich history and its most iconic natural landscapes. Beginning in the vibrant capital city, the tour explores key cultural highlights, including monasteries, museums, and historical landmarks.The adventure continues into the vast Gobi Desert, where travelers will discover dramatic scenery such as the Flaming Cliffs, towering Khongor sand dunes, and the unique Yol Valley canyon. Along the way, guests will experience authentic nomadic culture, stay in traditional ger camps, and explore world-renowned paleontological sites.Blending cultural discovery with natural exploration, this tour offers a well-rounded and accessible introduction to Mongolia’s heritage and landscapes, making it ideal for first-time visitors.


The package includes:

  • Meals as noted in itinerary (Breakfast-B, Lunch-L, Dinner-D)
  • English speaking guide
  • 1 Hour of camel riding
  • Gala and farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar
  • Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • Bottled or filtered water 2servings per day
  • All ground transportation, including airport transfers
  • All sightseeing, events, and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • All entrance fees, service charges, and standard taxes
  • Single accommodation in case of 3 pax

The package excludes:

  • Travel Insurance
  • Round trip airfare and en-route expenses to/from your trip in Mongolia
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Excess baggage charges, departure fees, and airport taxes
  • Personal expenses and incidentals, such as phone calls, internet, and laundry
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay, and baggage loss insurance
  • Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control
  • Gratuities for trip leaders, local guides, drivers, porters, and other staff

Itinerary

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Day 1

Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, the Juulchin World Tours team warmly welcomes you to Mongolia. After checking into the hotel and some rest you will visit Zaisan memorial, a viewpoint of our capital city and a socialist memorial of the Second World War.

Ulaanbaatar Outing

Day 2

After breakfast you will visit Gandan Tegchinlen Monastery, largest central Buddhist monastery. After, you will head to The National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar is the best way to understand the country's incredible history, from ancient nomadic tribes all the way up to the modern democratic state. After lunch, take a private tour of the paleontology lab of the Academy of Science of Mongolia. You'll have the opportunity to meet some of the scientists and explore many dinosaur findings not available yet to the public.

Gobi Desert

Day 3

After breakfast and checking out of your hotel, you'll have a private transfer to the airport for the 90 minute flight to the Gobi Desert (Dalanzadgad); one of the most famous and exotic areas in the world. The Gobi is the 5th largest in the world, but more than sand, this region has rolling steppes, forests, and snow-capped peaks. Known to be one of the harshest environments on the earth, with extreme temperature and seasonal changes, the Gobi is surprisingly abundant with wildlife. You'll view gazelles, wild asses, wild camel or havtgai, antelopes, argali sheep; the biggest wild sheep on the planet, and the endangered Gobi bear. Your guide will point out that there are more horses than people in Mongolia, and five times as many sheep and goats. In fact, the majority of Mongolia's population of Bactrian camels (2 humps) live in this area, and later in the tour you'll be able to take a camel ride. Upon arrival in Dalanzadgad, your guide will meet you for a drive to Hongor Sand Dunes. Hongoryn Els is the largest accumulation of the sand in the Gobi GurvanSaikhan National Park. The dunes can reach an imposing 650 foot in height, 4 to 8 miles wide and stretch for over 60 miles. These high dunes are called "singing sands" by locals as it makes various sounds when the wind is blowing. It's a popular area with activities like hiking, trekking and even sliding in the dunes. Afterwards, you'll be driven to the Gobi a Ger camp for dinner and your overnight accommodations. You'll stay in a local Ger, giving you the opportunity to get closely acquainted with the way of life and culture of the Mongolian people.

Lake Adag & Excavation Site

Day 4

After breakfast, meet your guide for a private tour to nearby Lake Adag. You'll proceed to an excavation site, and have the opportunity to hunt for various dinosaur and mammal species in the fossil rich region. The first nest of dinosaur eggs was discovered in Mongolia in 1928. These local geological beds are especially relevant as they yield not only the dinosaur's remains but also the fossils of mammals and other animal species as well as baby dinosaurs. After your excavation exercise, you'll return to the camp. Dinner is included and you'll have the opportunity to sample Mongolian specialties. Lake Adag and excavation site is not something we can promise consistently. Since it’s lake in gobi desert it heavily depends on rainfall and some years lake dries out. Instead, we would like to recommend petroglyph in Mount Sevrey which is 60km drive from Sand dunes

Bayan zag and Flaming Cliffs

Day 5

Today you'll have a private excursion to Bayan Zag and the Flaming Cliffs to explore the Gobi "Cemetery of Dinosaurs", and the trail of Roy Chapman Andrews. An American zoologist, Andrews discovered this site and named it the Flaming Cliffs due to their red tint. Petrified forests, remains of mammals, protoceratops, dinosaur eggs, and the skeleton of a hornless rhinoceros; the largest known mammal in the world, were unearthed in the same area. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. It's an interesting place to wander about to get a closer look at one of the world's most famous paleontology sites. These primal rock drawings date back 3000 years, and you'll view mountain goat, maral deer and wild sheep depicted in the ancient walls. After lunch we'll drive to Bayanzag. Bayanzag, meaning "saxual forest" in English, is an area of red cliffs, which have been formed from the erosion of the water and wind over many millions of years. After the tour, you'll be transported to the Ger Lodge for dinner and accommodations.

Gobi Glacier – Yol Valley

Day 6

Today we visit the famous Yol valley, named after the lammergeier vulture. Canyon you can hike through with interesting rock walls and stream going through. Most years there is ice glacier up until end of June in the middle of Gobi Desert.

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Day 8

In the morning, you'll take your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own. This evening, enjoy a folklore performance by the Tumen Ekh Song & Dance Ensemble at the State Youth Theater. It's a rare opportunity to experience live traditional Mongolian music and dance. The famous Mongolian throat singing is plentiful, accompanied by traditional Asian instruments, plus contortionists and an array stunning colorful costume.

Chingis Khaan Equastrian Statue

Day 9

Today you'll make an excursion to the Tsonjin Boldog This complex offers a chance to explore the history of Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khaan) by visiting Mongolia's famous statue of the hero on his horse. The statue shows Chinggis Khaan (1162-1227) with a golden whip in his right hand as he gazes west. You can Take part in everyday life activities of Mongols and learn about state affairs, livestock breeding, and religion. The Kings Palace is the main attraction point of the XIII Century Theme Park. There are 24 tribes' flags which symbolizes the history about his triumph of uniting 24 tribes and established Great Mongolian Empire. After this fascinating tour, you'll return to Ulaanbaatar for a memorable farewell dinner.

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