MONGOLIA ROAD TRIP

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar for a warm welcome! Your Mongolia road trip kicks off with a team representative greeting you, and swiftly whisking you to your designated hotel.

Surrounded by lush pine forests to the north and verdant steppes to the south, the city of Ulaanbaatar is known for its contrasting landscapes.

In the evening, a scrumptious dinner will be served and as the conversation flows, you will get acquainted with all your fellow travelers.

Prepare for a day of cultural splendor at Naadam, the renowned Mongolian festival. Witness locals participating in archery, wrestling, and horseback racing as a part of the festivities. The origin traces back to the rise of the Great Mongolian Empire and served as the crux of Genghis Khan’s strategy to ensure his warriors stayed fit. Acknowledged by UNESCO in 2010, this event seamlessly combines tradition and competition and has preserved the country's heritage for years which is why it’s a significant part of this Mongolia road trip itinerary. The rest of the day is at leisure and you are free to explore this vibrant city.

Prepare for a day of thrilling 4x4 adventure through the vast Gobi Desert, the ancient land where dinosaurs once roamed. Your journey kicks off with an exhilarating drive, conquering the towering dunes and feeling the rush of adrenaline with every turn. En route, visit the iconic Genghis Khan Statue, the largest equestrian statue in the world, a tribute to Mongolia’s legendary ruler, standing proudly on the open steppe.

As your adventure continues, you’ll arrive at Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a stunning granite rock formation nestled in the middle of the desert. This sacred site is rich in history, with ancient petroglyphs and Buddhist ruins scattered among the rocks, making it a significant cultural and natural landmark in Mongolia.

End your day with a serene night’s stay at a luxury hotel in the heart of the Gobi Desert, where the vast starry skies will provide a perfect backdrop to your unforgettable desert experience.

Today is reserved for yet another exhilarating Gobi Desert escapade!

Roaring through the vast, untamed landscapes, we conquer challenging terrains, feeling the thrill of every dune and ridge beneath our wheels. The shifting sands, endless horizons, and raw beauty of the Gobi desert makes for an unforgettable driving experience.

After a spirited morning on the trail, we’ll stop in Dalanzadgad for a delectable lunch, recharging for the next leg of the adventure.

In the afternoon, we head toward the mesmerizing Yol Valley, a narrow gorge nestled in the rugged Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. As you sit behind the wheel, navigating through the U-shaped canyons, each twist and turn reveals breathtaking scenery and a new kind of thrill.

The terrain here adds a different challenge, offering more dynamic and varied driving conditions.

After an exhilarating day, we’ll arrive at our overnight accommodation, a cozy retreat in the Gobi Desert, where the vast quiet of the night will bring a peaceful close to the day’s adventures.

Today we leave Yol valley behind to venture deep into the Gobi Desert. First on the list is off-roading towards the Flaming Cliffs, named so because the sunset makes them look as if they are on fire.

The cliffs are also renowned for being the site of the first-ever discovery of dinosaur eggs back in 1923. You can visit the actual site and even learn all about its excavation during an exhibit that is on display here.

After exploring these cliffs, we race toward the majestic Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes. The entire stretch of the road will test your driving skills with dirt, grime, and granules of sand paving the way. The Khongoryn Els dunes are popularly known as the Singing Dunes because they make a humming sound whenever touched by a breeze mimicking a melody. Apart from this phenomenon, the color of the dunes also changes as the day progresses.

In the evening, we will be camping right in the heart of this natural wonder and watch the sun paint the skies in a tangerine hue.

We rev our engines for a day full of conquering dunes from sitting behind the wheel of our 4x4, witnessing the local customs from up close, and riding a double-humped Bactrian Camel.

Amidst the vast landscapes, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the heartwarming hospitality of Mongolians. We have specially added this personalized experience to the itinerary where you get to spend your day alongside a camel herdsman’s family, embracing their traditions and forming connections that transcend cultural boundaries. As dusk starts to fall, we will return to our camp. 

In the evening we will indulge in a scrumptious dinner, savoring the flavors of the region while surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Mongolian wilderness. .

Today we will speed northward through mountainous twists and indulge in yet another off-roading escapade where our convoy will navigate the many serpentine routes to reach our next destination.

After a long day of driving, we will reach our camps where we will relax for a bit before heading towards the Ongiin Monastery. We will stroll through the region, and trace the Ongiin River’s curve, uncovering the remnants of two monasteries destroyed in the communist upheaval of the 1930s. We will also get to witness the expansive complex of 28 temples that once stood tall crowned by a small temple built later on, which is now referred to as Ongiin Khiid.

In the evening, we will indulge in dinner and share our stories from today’s adventure before retiring for the night.

Gear up for an exhilarating morning filled with promise as we head north to Kharkhorin via a thrilling dirt road. The day consists of a long drive on dirt roads and by the time you reach the city, it’d be time for the sun to set.

The ancient city of Kharkhorin consists of many archaeological wonders. Genghis Khan himself founded this city in 1220, nestled in the Orkhon River valley, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as Mongolia’s 13th-century capital under his son, Ogedei Khan.

The evening will be all about delicious dinner, and engaging conversations around a bonfire under the starry Mongolian sky.

Today, we will explore the magnificent Erdene-Zuu Monastery, the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Dating back to the late 1500s, this spiritual sanctuary is surrounded by the remnants of Kharkhorin’s ancient walls and adorned with 108 stupas, offering a glimpse into Mongolia’s rich religious heritage. As we retrace its ancient ruins, you’ll feel the weight of history in every stone and sacred structure.

Afterward, brace yourself for an exhilarating drive through Mongolia’s vast landscapes, heading back towards Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Along the way, enjoy a city tour, where we’ll visit local markets, explore ancient historical sites, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this fascinating town.

In the evening, we’ll settle in for a cultural treat at the ger camp, where you’ll be entertained by Mongolian throat singers and folk dancers, followed by a demonstration of the ancient Saker Falcon hunt. End your day with a peaceful overnight stay in Kharkhorin

Today marks the final day of our thrilling drives, and we’ll dive into the heart of Mongolia—Ulaanbaatar. As we leave the rugged landscapes behind, the roads will be much smoother now, and you might find yourself missing the excitement of offroading through the Gobi Desert.

En-route, we will stop for lunch before resuming our journey on the road. By the time dusk falls, we will reach Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner, sharing our favorite road trip moments and indulging in heartwarming conversations over drinks, as we savor the last meal of this unforgettable adventure.

It is time to bid farewell to the beautiful country and the people you explored it with. You will be transferred to the airport, from where you’ll depart. Rugged, enormous, and historic; Mongolia will surprise you in the most wonderful of ways. A visit to this country – full of some of the warmest people you will ever meet – will ensure you make memories of a lifetime.