Kharkhorin and South Gobi Tour (7 days)
Overview
This is one of our classic tours, covering the central and southern parts of Mongolia. During this tour, you could witness and experience the highlighting species of flora and fauna such as inhabitation of Przewalski wild horses, relics of Gobi dinosaurs, duties of domestic animals, in particular camels, and the irresistible smell of wild vegetations growing in different natural zones.
A couple of major religious and historical sites - Kharkhorin and Ongi - are included conveniently after each other. During the whole trip, you will see the amazing shifts in natural scenes and its components. Find out more in the tour itinerary below.
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Get to see the daily nomadic lifestyle of the people of central and southern Mongolia. See how they live with their livestock.
- Be amazed at the galloping herds of wild Przewalski horses, as they move amongst the livestock on the rolling plains.
- Enjoy the historical artifacts and relics found in the historic cities of Kharkhorin and Ongi, which are conveniently next to each other.
- Get giddy at the tantalizing aroma of the wild flora that is found on these amazing plains.
- Enjoy breathtaking horse rides on the Takhi horses, and mingle with the local nomadic people.
- Shared accommodation at Ger camp
- Private transfers
- Internal air tickets - free luggage allowance is 15 kg
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Horse, camel ride
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
- Single supplement
Itinerary
Meet in Ulaanbaatar and then drive to Hustai National Park and see Takhi, the Asian wild horse. If you have a chance, see a wolf, argali sheep, and deer. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Horse ride an hour.
Visit Takhi's small museum and overnight in a tourist camp. (L+D)
After breakfast at the tourist camp, drive to Kharkhorin, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586. Then visit the Kharkhorin museum and see the Great Mongol state period, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Ancient state period halls.
Overnight in tourist camp by Orkhon River. (B+L+D)
Drive to Ongi Temple which had about a thousand lamas. On the way, we will visit an authentic local nomad family. There we have an opportunity to experience their way of life, their culture and traditions. It is a ruin of big monastery Bari Yonzon Hamba on the bank of the river.
Overnight in the tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Today we will drive to Bayanzag, (known as a Flaming Cliffs where the first nest of dinosaur eggs found in 1922) a site famous for the remains of dinosaurs which lived here 60 million years ago. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saksaul trees and other classic desert vegetation.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Khongor sand dunes. These are Mongolia's largest sand dunes, reaching a height of 300 meters in some areas.
In the afternoon, you will be riding on two-humped Bactrian camels to explore Khongor sand dunes. Plus, you will have an opportunity to visit a camel herdsman's family to explore their way of life, their culture and traditions. The sand dunes change color with each hour of the day, from yellow to silver to rose-colored at (dawn/ sundown).
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Today's destination is Yolyn Am, or 'Eagle Valley'. Take a trip to Yol Am and Dungene valley - a wonderfully picturesque place with ice in summer, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons.
Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit the Gobi museum. These areas are situated in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park that encompasses the "Three Beauties" peaks and the most easterly points of the Altai Mountains.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will have a flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
End the trip. (B)
Good to know
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
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