Gobi-Central and Reindeer tribe tour

• 14 days, 13 nights
• 1–12 travellers

  Private for your group
• Request to book

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About this tour

Highlights of the 14-Day “Best of Mongolia” Tour

Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) – Spectacular limestone cliffs shaped by wind and erosion, featuring colorful rock formations and marine fossils.

Yol Valley, Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park – A scenic canyon with towering cliffs, wildlife, and seasonal ice that can remain through summer.

Khongor Sand Dunes – The largest and most famous sand dunes in Mongolia, offering camel riding, stunning desert views, and the famous “Singing Dunes.”

Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) – World-renowned dinosaur fossil site where the first dinosaur eggs were discovered.

Ongi Monastery Ruins – Historic remains of a once-great Buddhist monastery complex dating back to the 17th century.

Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery – Visit the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake & Khorgo Volcano – A beautiful volcanic landscape featuring a crystal-clear lake and an extinct volcano.

Murun Town – The gateway to northern Mongolia and Khuvsgul Province.

Darkhad Valley – Experience authentic nomadic culture and stay with a local horseman family.

Tsaatan Reindeer Herders – Meet one of the last remaining reindeer-herding communities in the world and learn about their unique lifestyle.

West Taiga Horse Trek – Ride through pristine forests, mountains, rivers, and tundra landscapes near the Siberian border.

Lake Khuvsgul – Known as the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” famous for its crystal-clear water and breathtaking scenery.

Uran Togoo Extinct Volcano – Explore a well-preserved volcanic crater and unique geological formations.

Return to Ulaanbaatar – Enjoy the vast Mongolian steppe landscapes on the journey back to the capital.

Route, day by day

1. 1
   Day 1

   In the morning, we will drive towards to Tsagaan Suvarga. We will drive through endless steppes and wild life of the Middle Gobi province. Tsagaan Suvarga is big escarpment with 200m height and 400m. The eerie, eroded landscape was once beneath the sea and is rich in marine fossils and clam shells. Over 10 million years the wind has created this amazing structure. This area is an excellent site for hiking and taking photography of the beautiful panoramic views. Accommodation: Nomadic Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

2. 2
   Day 2

   We will go ahead to Yol valley (also called Yolyn Am & Eagle valley) situated in the “Three beauties of Gobi” Mt. National Park. This green valley is one of the main highlights in the Gobi Desert and sheltered by high cliff walls and covered with wild flowers and Gobi plants. In winter season, a narrow stream in the valley creates ice on the bottom of the valley that even lasts during the summer months. The walk through the valley is a lot of fun, about an hour walking there and an hour of walking back by walking the same route, where you climb over rocks and must jump over the small river. If this walking seems challenging, you can just walk until middle of the way or horseback through the valley. The high cliffs that flank the valley are very impressive. You may be lucky enough to spot wild sheep and goat, grazing high on the cliff walls. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

3. 3
   Day 3

   Today, we will drive through the wilderness of the Gobi to the extraordinary of Khongor, which is one of the most scenic areas of the Gobi Desert. This impressive white sand dunes stretch more than 180km and highest point is around 300m known as Duut Mankhan. Upon arrival at the tourist camp near to the sand dunes, we will have lunch and time for relaxing at cozy Ger camp until Gobi hot temperature decrease. In the late afternoon, we will visit local camel herder family in their gear, and explore their unique nomadic lifestyle. Then, we will ride a camel and explore the area from the camel back. Around the area is the perfect place for camel riding. Mongolia is home to 2/3 of the two- humped Bactrian camels in the world. It is a gentle, calm and extraordinary patient animal. Afterwards, we will make a little excursion to a beautiful green oasis of Seruun Bulag near the Khongor River and sand dunes. Then, take a little drive to the highest point of sand dunes known as Singing Dune and climb up to the Duut Mankhan. When it is windy some of the dunes give a strange sound like the engines of an aero plane. From the top of the sand dunes, the view of the desert is awesome and a breathtaking view. If you want, we can see the amazing sunshine panorama of sand dunes from the top. Dinner and overnight at the tourist camp. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

4. 4
   Day 4

   On this day, our trip will continue to Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs) which is a famous for containing exceptional dinosaur fossils in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Also, this area is well known for red tall hillocks formed as a result of wind and water erosion, which look like fire in the middle of the desert from a distance. Roy Chapman Andrews and American expedition discovered the first nests of dinosaur eggs from Bayanzag in the 1923. Their findings proved to the world that dinosaurs laid eggs We will explore around significant area, including the saxual trees and wander on the red hillocks. Occasionally the pieces of fossilized bones and eggs are still found by visitors. If you found something, don’t touch it, because of removing fossils without a permit is illegal. We will travel through the huge open landscape called Ongi steppe, which is over 80km wide steppe in the Gobi zone and come to around lunch time at Tourist camp, which is near to the ruined monastery of Ongi Temple. This small mountainous area along the Ongi River makes a good resting place to break a trip between the two major destinations. Ongi temple was established in 1660 and once composed of 30 temples, 4 big Buddhism universities. It was destroyed by the communist purges of the 1930s and is being restored by a number of monks. Nowadays that one temple serves as a small museum. When you reach Ger camp, you will have lunch and explore ruins of the monastery. The views of the ruins, river, Ger camps and the surrounding area are very impressive, you can see from any of the nearby hills. If you want, you can have pleasant massage and sauna at the camp. Rest of the day is yours to relax on your own. Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D.

5. 5
   Day 5

   In the morning, head to Kharkhorin, a small village, and one of the country’s major tourist destinations. Historically known as Karakorum, which was an ancient capital of Mongolia Empire founded by Genghis Khan in 1220. Also, Karakorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. After lunch, we will visit the museum of Karakorum and learn more about the beautiful ancient Karakorum city and Genghis Khan. Continue to visit the magnificent and the oldest Buddhist Monastery complex of Erdenezuu, built in the 16th century, with 108 buddhis stupas. Here you can see interesting listen to monk chanting Buddhist sutras Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

6. 6
   Day 6

   The place also called "White Lake", is nestled in the mountains of Khangai to 2,060 m. It measures 16 km wide and 20 km long, and its waters are of exceptional purity. It is the heart of a protected area for its biodiversity, as diverse ecosystems cohabit: taiga (boreal forest), mountain steppe and wetlands supporting a rich fauna. East of Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Lake is the extinct crater of the Khorgo volcano, which is responsible for the birth of the lake as the lava blocked the flow of a river, creating a natural dam. The Khorgo volcano is located at an altitude of 2200 meters, its slopes are covered with basalt and its crater forms an almost perfect cone of 200 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep. Its last eruption was 8000 years ago, it was the last active volcano in Mongolia Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

7. 7
   Day 7

   After breakfast we will drive to Murun. The Murun is the administrative center of Khuvsgul Aimag (province) in northern Mongolia. After Khuvsgul was established, the province center was Khatgal, and moved to Murun city in 1933. The Khuvsgul province center is the most populated region after capital city of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet and Choibalsan. The area of 102,9 km2 and in the Murun soum there were 37,471 by the end of 2011. Murun experienced a subarctic climate with semi-arid influences based upon the 1961 to 1990 reference period resulting in long, very dry, frigid winters and short, warm summers. Just a 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) rise of May temperatures would render the climate to be semi-arid, since it is too dry to be considered humid continental. Given the mildness of northern latitudes in recent decades, the climate is likely to be semi-arid if newer averages were used. Accommodation: Hotel 3 Meals: B, L, D.

8. 8
   Day 8

   Today we will arrive a true nomadic family which is our horseman host family in Darkhad Valley. The purpose of the stay at a local family is to experience the true culture of Mongolian nomads also we will ride their horses to go to the reindeer tribes / Tsaatan family/ from here around 40 km by horse. Accommodation: Nomadic family Ger. Meals: B, L, D

9. 9
   Day 9

   After breakfast we will prepare to settle horses and start a trip to the Reindeer tribes. Tsaatan reindeer herders-is one of the last remaining group of nomads lives in Northern Mongolia. A visit to the Tsaatan community of reindeer herders is a fascinating experience. It is a rare chance to learn about a unique traditional way of life and a highlight of any trip to Northern Mongolia. You can stay with community and have the opportunity to volunteer for activities. Such as: reindeer milking and churning milk to be made into cheese. You will come away with a great appreciation for the remoteness and self-sufficiency of this tiny community. We will start horseback riding to the West Taiga (South Edge of Siberia). We are planning to ride for 5-6 hours per day / a second day we have a full free day of stay at Tsaatan area. Riding in the Taiga is exciting and challenging. The scenery, mountains, streams, tundra area, is spectacular. There are many wild flowers, birds and if we are lucky, we will see wild red colored deer. When we arrive at the teepees of the reindeer families, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. We will spend the next days, experiencing Tsaatan life. The magical Taiga Full day of rest. We experience Tsaatan/reindeer herder’s everyday life and can ride a reindeer and help with any chores, from milking. Cheese making and even trying to teach the children some Western games. Accommodation: Tsaatan Teepee and Tsaatan Tent. Meals: B, L, D

10. 10
    Day 10

    Start our horse ride back to the Nomad horseman family You will see how they herd animals, make dairy products, and traditional clothes You are welcome to play traditional games, have Mongolian supper and interact with the nomads and ask any question you have. Accommodation: Nomad family Meals: B, L, D

11. 11
    Day 11

    After breakfast drive to Lake Khuvsgul, 136km long and 36km wide at 1645m above sea level. It is second largest lake in Mongolia as well as the deepest. It is known as the blue pearl of Mongolia, because of its crystal and clear water. We will relax at khuvsgul lake for a half of day. It is a good treatment after before horseback-riding and a long driving trip. There is an opportunity to hiking, taking a shower. Accommodation: Tourist Ger camp Meals: B, L, D

12. 12
    Day 12

    We will drive to Bulgan province and Uran togoo Uul. The first is around the Uran crater. Which is 500-600 meters wide and 50 meters deep. Nearby another protected area takes in the Tulga Craters, whose shape is reminiscent of the three stones placed around the health in a ger (traditional residence) Mount Togoo (1.620m) and jalavch (1.560m) are located 12km south of Mount Uran. hiking and relaxing Accommodation: Stay in local wooden house Camp Meals: B, L, D

13. 13
    Day 13

    Morning: • Start your day with a traditional Mongolian breakfast at the ger camp. • Enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the steppe one last time before heading out. • After breakfast, pack up and prepare for the journey back to Ulaanbaatar. This is your last opportunity to enjoy the surroundings of the ger camp and bid farewell to the staff. • Depart for Ulaanbaatar (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM): • Start your direct drive back to Ulaanbaatar. This drive will cover about 450 km and take around 6-7 hours depending on the road conditions. • The journey will take you through the vast Mongolian steppe, so you'll still have the chance to enjoy the expansive views, wide grasslands, and occasional nomadic families tending their herds. o There will be no major stops except for necessary breaks (like rest stops or photo opportunities along the way). • Lunch Break (1:00 PM – 1:30 PM): • A short lunch stop will be made along the way, likely at a local restaurant on the way to the capital. • This is your final opportunity to enjoy traditional Mongolian dishes such as khuushuur (fried meat pies) or tsuivan (noodle stew). o After lunch, continue your journey directly to Ulaanbaatar. Afternoon Arrival in Ulaanbaatar: • Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (4:30 PM – 5:00 PM):

What’s included

Changes and refunds

The same terms apply to every tour on Mongolia Guide.

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