Mongolia
Dates:
May - September 2023
Duration:
10 days
Tour:
Private
Charming Mongolia is always open for everyone who dreams to go deeper into local life and discover secret spots of great historical heritage. The versatile culture developed since ancient times and today it can surprise even the experienced tourist. Here you will find a unique blend of ancient traditions, magnificent landscapes, heartily nomadic people and versatile culture. Join us and explore the best mysterious Mongolia has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer directly to Terelj National park, one of the most scenic areas in Mongolia. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome traditional Mongolian dinner and for a tour introduction. Time at leisure. Overnight at Terelj Lodge Ger camp.
Day 2: Terelj National Park
After breakfast, meet the guide and we will start our tour around Terelj National Park. Our first stop is Chinggis Khaan Statue Monument and 40 m tall statue of Great King, the highest equestrian statue in the world. We will visit the 13th-century museum of the Great Mongol Empire and the Bronze Age Museum. After we will make a stop at the Turtle rock and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Enjoy a light hiking tour to Ariyabal meditation temple surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations where you can sit at top of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views. Overnight at the camp where you will experience traditional yet modern nomadic life while staying in a yurt and enjoy traditional Mongolian dinner.
Day 3: Back to Ulaanbaatar – City tour
After breakfast, travel back to Ulaanbaatar to start your day city tour. Places to visit: Gandan Monastery, one of a few Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries which survived Communist fight with the religion back in 1930s. After lunch at a restaurant, visit the National History Museum and Chinggis Khaan square. In the evening, at 6 pm meet the driver to watch famous Tumen Ekh traditional show of traditional Mongolian arts: dance, throat singing, music played on an instrument called morin khuur. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Gobi Nomad Lodge Ger camp
After breakfast early in the morning, meet the guide, take a transfer to the airport to take an early flight to Dalanzadgad. The flight takes an hour and a half. Drive to Ger camp. After lunch, visit Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Enjoy hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit local Gobi museum. Overnight at Gobi Nomad Lodge Ger camp.
Day 5: Khongor Sand Dunes - Camel trek
After breakfast at the camp, we travel through the Gobi Desert to see amazing the Khongor Sand Dunes at sunset. The Gobi desert is one of the world's greatest, it is a no-sand desert of gravel plains and rocky outcrops. Great Gobi National Park is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland. It contains the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-humped) camels and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear. The Khongor Sand Dunes are some of the largest and most impressive white sand dunes in Mongolia with the largest dunes up to 800 metres high. The dunes make a sound like a plane engine on a windy day so it has been named as "Singing Dunes". Visit the local camel herding nomad family and experience the nomadic life in the Gobi, have a camel ride through the sand dunes of Khongori. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 6: Bayanzag & Flaming Cliffs
After breakfast at the camp, you will go further to Bayanzag, known as Flaming Cliffs. We shall hike through the cliffs (east trail, suitable for any fitness level) to see the Gobi tree grove named “Bayanzag”.The American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews arrived here in 1922, on an expedition for the American Museum of Natural History. His team found hundreds of fossilised remains, and Bayanzag became known as a dinosaur graveyard. After lunch, we will watch a short documentary about these excavations. We will return to the camp and have time at leisure. After dinner, we will go back to the Bayanzag to see the sunset, find out why the area is called Flaming Cliffs. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 7: Ongi Temple ruins
After breakfast at the camp, you will continue your journey to discover Ongi Monastery ruins through the great Ongi steppe. Ongi monastery was one of the 7 biggest Mongolian monasteries. There are 2 temple ruins which were built up in 1780s. During repression in 1930s’, these two temples were destroyed and over 200 monks were killed, and many surviving monks were imprisoned. In the 1990s, it was decided to rebuild the monastery. The first temple was inaugurated in 2004. There is a small museum in a ger in front of it. One of the stupas has just been reconstructed as well. Transfer to the camp. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 8: Karakorum – Erdene Zuu Monastery
After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive towards to Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum. Embrace the wilderness of Mongolia when visiting Khogno Khan Nature Reserve with mountains, steppes, Gobi-type desert and mineral water sources all in one location, Uvgun monastery or Erdene Khamba khiid. After lunch, continue to travel to Kharkhorin, the legendary city founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 in Orkhon Valley, on the Silk Road. Those days it was a political, economic, administrative and religious centre. But after Khublai Khaan moved the Mongolian capital to Beijing, Karakorum was abandoned and then completely destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. There we shall visit Kharkhorin museum, and the Mongolian oldest and largest monastery Erdene Zuu. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 9: Travel back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, meet the driver and take a transfer to return back to Ulaanbaatar, make a stop for picnic lunch on the road. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Check-in at the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the authentic restaurants in the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer directly to Terelj National park, one of the most scenic areas in Mongolia. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome traditional Mongolian dinner and for a tour introduction. Time at leisure. Overnight in Terelj Lodge Ger camp.
Day 2: Terelj National Park
After breakfast, meet the guide and we will start our tour around Terelj National Park. Our first stop is Chinggis Khaan Statue Monument and 40 m tall statue of Great King, the highest equestrian statue in the world. We will visit the 13th-century museum of the Great Mongol Empire and the Bronze Age Museum. After we will make a stop at the Turtle rock and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Enjoy a light hiking tour to Ariyabal meditation temple surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations where you can sit at top of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views. Overnight in the camp where you will experience traditional yet modern nomadic life while staying in a yurt and enjoy traditional Mongolian dinner.
Day 3: Back to Ulaanbaatar – City tour
After breakfast, travel back to Ulaanbaatar to start your day city tour. Places to visit: Gandan Monastery, one of a few Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries which survived Communist fight with the religion back in 1930s. After lunch at a restaurant, visit the National History Museum and Chinggis Khaan square. In the evening, at 6 pm meet the driver to watch famous Tumen Ekh traditional show of traditional Mongolian arts: dance, throat singing, music played on an instrument called morin khuur. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Baga Gazriin Chuluu
After breakfast, meet the guide and drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu known as Earth stone. We will drive around 260 km through steppe by an overview of land-sea and grandiose formation of rocks and basalts of Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Places to see: Surtiin am, the ruin of a stone temple and the site of 2 Gers where monks lived and meditated since the seventeenth century. There is a 20 m long cave near to the Surtiin Am. Crystals can be found around the cave. Also, the spring water which comes from under source is good for eye illness. You will arrive at Baga Gazriin Chuluu in the afternoon, and the rest of the day you will spend hiking and exploring the area. Overnight in the camp.
Day 5: Yol Valley & Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
After breakfast, meet the guide and continue the journey to Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Enjoy hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit local Gobi museum. Overnight in the camp.
Day 6: Khongor Sand Dunes - Camel trek
After breakfast at the camp, we travel through the Gobi Desert to see amazing the Khongor sand dune at sunset. The Gobi desert is one of the world's greatest, it is a no-sand desert of gravel plains and rocky outcrops. Great Gobi National Park is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland. It contains the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-humped) camels and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear. The Khongor Sand Dunes are some of the largest and most impressive white sand dunes in Mongolia with the largest dunes up to 800 metres high. The dunes make a sound like a plane engine on a windy day so it has been named as "Singing Dunes". Visit the local camel herding nomad family and experience the nomadic life in the Gobi, have a camel ride through the sand dunes of Khongori. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 7: Bayanzag & Ongi Temple ruins
After breakfast at the camp, you will go further to Bayanzag, known as Flaming Cliffs. We shall hike through the cliffs (east trail, suitable for any fitness level) to see the Gobi tree grove named “Bayanzag”. After lunch at the camp, continue our way driving to Ongi Temple ruins. Ongi monastery was one of the 7 biggest Mongolian monasteries. There are 2 temple ruins which were built up in 1780s. During repression in 1930s’, these two temples were destroyed and over 200 monks were killed, and many surviving monks were imprisoned. In the 1990s, it was decided to rebuild the monastery. The first temple was inaugurated in 2004. There is a small museum in a ger in front of it. One of the stupas has just been reconstructed as well. After sightseeing of Ongiin khiid, stay at the Ger camp for overnight.
Day 8: Karakorum – Erdene Zuu Monastery
After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive towards to Kharkhorin, formerly known as Karakorum. Embrace the wilderness of Mongolia when visiting Khogno Khan Nature Reserve with mountains, steppes, Gobi-type desert and mineral water sources all in one location, Uvgun monastery or Erdene Khamba khiid. After lunch, continue to travel to Kharkhorin, the legendary city founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 in Orkhon Valley, on the Silk Road. Those days it was a political, economic, administrative and religious centre. But after Khublai Khaan moved the Mongolian capital to Beijing, Karakorum was abandoned and then completely destroyed by Chinese soldiers in 1388. There we shall visit Kharkhorin museum, and the Mongolian oldest and largest monastery Erdene Zuu. Overnight at the Ger camp.
Day 9: Travel back to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, travel back to Ulaanbaatar, make a stop for picnic lunch on the road. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Check-in at the hotel. The evening is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Mongolia
To apply for a visa, citizens of the UK should apply personally through an authorized company (40 GBP for a standard visa, issued in 5 days). Сitizens of New Zealand can apply for a visa only by mail (160 $ NZ for a standard visa, issued in 2-5 days). Citizens of Australia can apply for a visa by mail (230 AUD, issued in 4-5 days). Citizens of the USA and Canada can travel to Mongolia without a visa in case a travel period is less than 90 days.
Accommodation
For Group tour #1 and private tours in July & August:
2 nights at Deluxe Ger camps with en-suite facilities in Terelj National Park (days 1, 2)
2 nights at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar (days 3, 9)
4 nights at Deluxe Ger camps with en-suite facilities (days 4, 5, 6, 8)
1 night at the comfort Ger camp (twin-share) (day 7) with shared facilities. The bathrooms are located in a separate building with basic toilets and showers. Such camps can be considered as a highlight of the journey to experience read nomads way of life.
For Group tour #2 and private tours in May, June, September:
2 nights at Deluxe Ger camps with en-suite facilities in Terelj National Park (days 1, 2)
2 nights at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar (days 3, 9)
3 nights at Deluxe Ger camps with en-suite facilities (days 5, 6, 8)
2 nights at comfort Ger camps (twin-share) (day 4, 7) with shared facilities. The bathrooms are located in a separate building with basic toilets and showers. Such camps can be considered as a highlight of the journey to experience read nomads way of life.
Meals
Breakfasts on days 2-10
Lunches on days 2-9
Dinners on days 1-9 including welcome traditional Mongolian dinner and farewell dinner.
A bottle of mineral water each day
Guided tours
Tour is fully escorted by an experienced English-speaking guide
Terelj National Park guided tour
Uvgun monastery guided tour
Kharkhorin guided tour
Ongi Monastery guided tour
Bayanzag guided tour
the Gobi Desert guided tour
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park guided tour
City tour in Ulaanbaatar
Khongor Khan Nature Reserve guided tour
A light hiking tour to Ariyabal meditation temple
Baga Gazriin Chuluu guided tour (Group tour #2 and private tours in May, June, September)
Transport
Services of comfortable transportation on tours and airport - hotel - airport transfers
4WD vehicles in the countryside of Mongolia, 3 persons per car (private tour for 3 pax - Mitsubishi Delica minivan)
Local flight tickets (economy class) from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad (Group tours and private tours in July, August)
Support
24/7 phone/WhatsApp support line
The group tour is fully escorted by English speaking tour director
Entrance tickets
Terelj National park
3th-century museum of the Great Mongol Empire
the Bronze Age Museum
Ariyabal meditation temple
the National History Museum
Tumen Ekh traditional show
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Great Gobi National Park
museum at Ongi Monastery
Ongiin khiid stupa
Kharkhorin museum
Erdene Zuu monastery
Tumen Ekh folklore performance
Camel ride 1 hour
Not Included
Travel insurance
Visa fees
International flights
Meals not mentioned
Optional tours and activities
Personal expenditures
Real Gear Camp Experience
Avalokitesvara and the museum of the Great Mongol Empire
Amazing Terelj National Park
Ancient Erdene Zuu Monastery
Flaming Cliffs
Khongor sand dunes
Pascal Adolphe & Family
Australia
The World of Discoveries team made organising a complex holiday to the Qatar World Cup a breeze. My initial contact, Michael, managed to bring the cost of the holiday in line with my budget where other travel agents told me or would be impossible. On the ground we had a great experience on the desert tour and generally had a ball. Thank you
Bruce McDougall
Australia
I recently toured Qatar during the World Cup with Varya and Mike’s team at World of Discoveries. The experience over three weeks was first class. Varya and her team nailed the detail for every aspect of the trip from planning and booking through to the actual travel, tours, sightseeing, transport, accommodation and ticketing to games. They were always accessible to deal with any issues that arose and went the extra mile to ensure the travelling group was happy, organised and safe. And they throw a mean party. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend World of Discoveries for trips of a lifetime.
Jorge Oller
Costa-Rica
Our experience with World of Discoveries has been impeccable. From Qatar’s World Cup onwards, they will be our #1 choice. Varya, Iren, Nathan, Damon, Iren, Lina; Anna and all the rest of the Wofdi team: Thank you!
Diana Kammunkun
USA
Best Staff, Great Communication The communication and assistance from the Michael from the beginning, Alex during the pre-tour and post tour and Anna during the tour was better than exceptional; we were well taken care of. The staff truly cared about us having a memorable experience and their efforts greatly contributed to that happening. I’ll definitely be looking into their other tours.
Arturo Chaltelt
USA
WOD is a company you can trust and feel comfortable asking for anything to make your experience better. I just traveled to the 2022 World Cup with them and it was a blast. Everything nicely coordinated and great constant service and communication.
Jeff & Cathy Sisler
Canada
We came across WOFDI last spring when we were trying to figure out how to attend the World Cup. The staff at WOFDI organized game tickets and accommodation for us. Communication was excellent throughout. They provided airport transfer and cultural tours as well. Wonderful experience!