18-DAY Land of the Blue Sky
Experience Mongolia’s most iconic cultural event, the Golden Eagle Festival, combined with desert landscapes, ancient heritage, and nomadic traditions.
Key info
Overview
A trip to Mongolia promises unobstructed views to the horizon. But cultural highlights such as the former capital Karakorum and the Buddhist Ongiin Monastery are also part of the itinerary. We'll be enchanted by the hospitality of the nomads and spend the night in traditional yurts. This way, we'll experience the diversity of the Gobi Desert and the pristine, wild natural landscapes up close. Join us on an adventure into the endless expanses of the horse steppes. From the alpine-like Gobi Altai Mountains to the dense larch forests of the taiga!
The package includes:
- Meals as noted in itinerary (Breakfast-B, Lunch-L, Dinner-D)
- English speaking guide
- 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
- Visit to shaman and nomad families
- Domestic flights
The package excludes:
- Travel Insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Round trip airfare and en-route expenses to/from your trip in Mongolia
- Passport and visa fees
- Increase in VAT or other tourism taxes, which may occur at any time
- 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 / Hustai National Park
Day 2
Arrival at Ulaanbaatar Airport, the capital of Mongolia, and drive across the steppe to Hustai Nuruu National Park, known for the reintroduction of the Mongolian wild horse. In the afternoon, we begin our journey with a hike in the Mongolian wilderness. Overnight stay in a yurt near Hustai National Park. 120 km. (L, D).
Bayangobi
Day 3
We continue our journey into the mountainous landscape of Bayangobi, where we will set up camp for the next two nights and have time for initial explorations. 2 nights in yurts. 210 km. (B, L, D).
Khogno-Khaan Mountains
Day 4
An excursion takes us to the Khogno-Khaan Mountains, where we will go for a hike. Hiking time approx. 2-3 hours. With the ruins of Uvgunt Monastery, we see the first traces of Buddhist piety on our journey. (B, L, D)
On to the Orkhon Region
Day 5
On to the Orkhon Region! Under the Mongol leader Genghis Khan, construction began in 1220 on the former capital, Karakorum. After visiting the ruins of Karakorum, we discover the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first major Lamaist monastery in Mongolia. We continue our journey southwest through a beautiful mountain landscape and reach the Orkhon region. Two nights in yurts on the Orkhon River. 160 km. (B, L, D)
Orkhon Waterfall
Day 5
Today's destination is the Orkhon Waterfall. A short hike brings us very close. Hiking time approx. 3 hours. (B, L, D)
Ongiin Monastery
Day 7-8
The Gobi Desert is getting closer. A visit to the ruins of Ongiin Monastery will teach us more about the country's eventful history. On day 8, we will hike through the beautiful surroundings of the monastery. Hiking time approx. 2 hours. 2 nights in yurts near Ongiin. 260 km on day 7.
Bayanzag
Day 9
We delve into natural history: At the Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, lie the remains of dinosaur skeletons millions of years old. Here we will take a hike before continuing on to a saxaul forest. These forests with their small trees are typical of the steppes of Central Asia. Hiking time approx. 2 hours. 1 night in a yurt near Bayanzag. 160 km. (B, L, D)
Gobi Desert
Day 10-11
At Khongoriin Els, we encounter the highest sand dunes in the country – the sand masses here tower up to 250 meters high. Wind-swirled sand sometimes produces mysterious melodies in the distance, which is why the dunes are also known as "singing dunes." On our hike through this majestic landscape, we experience the true face of the desert, which makes up about a third of Mongolia's total area. Strictly speaking, however, most of the Gobi is semi-desert. With its dramatic cliffs, valleys, and shifting sand dunes, it is one of the most unusual deserts in the world. Hiking time approx. 2 hours. Another hike takes us into the surrounding mountains. Hiking time 2-3 hours. 2 nights in yurts near Khongoriin Els. 130 km on day 10. (2 x B, 2 x L, 2 x D)
Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Day 12
After reaching the park, another short hike is on the agenda today. Hiking time approx. 2 hours. The park is home to a rich fauna: In addition to wolves, snow leopards, and various gazelle species, some of the extremely rare wild camels and Gobi bears also live here, hidden away. 2 nights in yurts near Gurvan Saikhan National Park. 160 km. (B, L, D)
Eyrie Gorge
Day 13
The narrow and deep Vulture Gorge reveals a completely different side of the Gobi Desert on this hike. After a short climb, we reach the gorge with its clear mountain stream. From the bottom, the steep rock walls rise several hundred meters high, and bearded vultures circle above the gorge. Hiking time approx. 2-3 hours. 40 km. (F, M, A)
Tsagaan Suvarga Canyon
Day 14
On our way back to the capital, we discover even more facets of the vast Gobi Desert – the diversity here is unparalleled. At Tsagaan Suvarga, a labyrinth of pyramids, towers, and canyons, we hike and spend the night in our camp in the heart of the desert. There, we enjoy the evening on the terrace under a breathtaking starry sky. Hiking time approx. 3 hours. 1 night in a yurt near Tsagaan Suvarga. 210 km. (B, L, D)
Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Day 15
We continue our journey back to Ulaanbaatar and, for a contrasting experience, immerse ourselves in a different landscape. In this region, ochre-colored rock towers rise above vast grasslands. Here, we take a short hike and enjoy the evening atmosphere in our yurt camp, framed by rocks. Hiking time approx. 2 hours. Overnight stay in a yurt near Baga Gazriin Chuluu. 240 km. (B, L, D)
Ulaanbaatar city
Day 16-17
After a final drive in our 4x4 vehicles, we finally arrive back in Ulaanbaatar, the city's sightseeing, which is the focus of day 17. The capital is not only the economic and political but also the cultural center of Mongolia. Nearly half of the country's population lives here. 2 hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar. 270 km on day 16. (2 x B, 2 x L, 2 x D)
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