Mongolia15 days
Mongolia: Khövsgöl Lake and Gobi Desert — 15 Days
From the Siberian Taiga forests of Khövsgöl Lake to the Gobi's Flaming Cliffs and sand dunes, crossing Mongolia's northern steppes and central plateaus.
This 15-day itinerary traces a north-to-south arc through Mongolia's distinct ecosystems and historical centers. The route begins at Khövsgöl Lake, Asia's second-largest freshwater lake and home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders, then moves through volcanic regions and ancient monastic sites before descending into the Gobi Desert. The journey encounters dormant volcanoes, paleontological landmarks, granite rock formations, and the layered ruins of centers that shaped Mongolian culture—from the 13th-century capital Kharkhorin to the now-silent monastic complexes of Amarbayasgalant, Erdene Zuu, and Ongi. Overnight accommodation is in standard ger camps positioned near each region's key sites; all meals and ground transportation between stages are included.
Highlights
- Amarbayasgalant Monastery (built 1727), one of Mongolia's three major monastic centers, constructed without metal beams or nails
- Uran Togoo volcano crater (600 meters wide, 50–60 meters deep), dormant for 24,000 years, walkable into the caldera
- Khövsgöl Lake, 2,760 square kilometers, second-largest freshwater lake in Asia, bordered by Central Asian steppes and Siberian Taiga forests
- Tsaatan family visit — encounter the Dukha reindeer herders, one of Mongolia's most distinct ethnic groups
- Khorgo-Terkhiin Nuur National Park, including Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (61 square kilometers) and dormant Khorgo volcano, shaped by eruption over 8,000 years ago
- Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery (late 16th century), Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery, in the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
- Ongi Monastery ruins, former home to over 2,000 monks, one of three major monastic centers in Mongolian history
- Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), site of the world's first discovered fossilized dinosaur eggs and Roy Chapman Andrews expeditions
- Khongor Sand Dunes (120 kilometers long, 6–12 kilometers wide), known as Singing Sand due to acoustics during wind and avalanches
- Yol Valley (Vulture Valley) in Gurvan Saikhan National Park, home to bearded vultures, Argali wild sheep, snow leopards, and seasonal ice glaciers
- Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) cliffs with varied natural soil colors for photography
- Baga Gazarin Chuluu plateau with exotic granite rock formations and ruins of an ancient monastery destroyed in 1937
Day by day
1Arrival in UlaanbaatarChinggis Khaan International Airport · city center · hotel
Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. The local team meets you for transfer to the city center, where you check into your hotel and gather for a welcome dinner.
2Amarbayasgalant Monastery and the Road to DarkhanAmarbayasgalant Monastery · Darkhan · monastic grounds and nearby hills · ger camp
Depart for Darkhan, one of Mongolia's two largest cities outside Ulaanbaatar, approximately 350 kilometers north. After lunch in Darkhan, continue toward Amarbayasgalant Monastery, reaching it in the late afternoon. Built in 1727 using traditional woodworking techniques, the monastery stands as one of the three major monastic centers in the country. Unlike most Mongolian monasteries damaged during the political purges of the 1930s, Amarbayasgalant survived in relatively intact condition—its construction contains no metal beams or nails. The surrounding monastic grounds and nearby hills offer meditative walking experiences. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
3Uran Togoo Volcano and Nomadic Family VisitUran Togoo · a local nomadic family · Sod Camp
Journey to Uran Togoo, a dormant volcano that erupted approximately 24,000 years ago. The volcano sits within green steppes and forests, the largest of four dormant volcanoes in the surrounding valleys. The crater measures 600 meters wide and 50–60 meters deep, descending into a walkable caldera. The area offers trekking opportunities across volcanic terrain. After lunch in the town of Bulgan, visit a local nomadic family to observe traditional herding practices that have persisted and adapted into the modern era. Arrive at Sod Camp in the afternoon. The camp sits opposite a mountain range with trekking access and proximity to a mineral spring with reputed healing properties. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
4Khövsgöl Lake: Journey to Mongolia's Second-Largest Freshwater LakeLake Khövsgöl · Moron · lakeshore camp
Travel approximately 350 kilometers northward to reach Lake Khövsgöl, the tour's primary destination. Stop for lunch near Moron, capital of Khövsgöl province, before continuing to the lakeshore camp. Khövsgöl spans 2,760 square kilometers and formed approximately two million years ago. The lake sits at the boundary between Central Asian steppes and Siberian Taiga forests, creating a distinct ecological zone. It is home to the Tsaatan people, also known as the Dukha, who sustain themselves primarily through reindeer herding and represent one of the country's most unique ethnic groups. Overnight in a standard ger camp (upgrade available).
5Khövsgöl Lake: Optional ActivitiesKhövsgöl Lake · Tsaatan reindeer herders' settlements
A free day at the lake. Optional activities include boat rides on the water, horseback riding across surrounding terrain, visits to local nomadic families, excursions to Tsaatan reindeer herders' settlements, and trekking along shorelines and forest paths. Overnight in a standard ger camp (upgrades available).
6Ulziit Khishig CampUlziit Khishig Camp
Depart in the morning toward Ulziit Khishig Camp, positioned 210 kilometers south along the route toward the tour's next destinations. The camp sits in a verdant valley surrounded by hillside forests. Overnight in a standard ger camp (cabin upgrade available).
7Khorgo-Terkhiin Nuur National Park and Volcanic Crater WalkKhorgo-Terkhiin Nuur National Park · Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake · Khorgo volcano · ger camp
Travel to Arkhangai province and Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. The area centers on two landmarks: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, covering 61 square kilometers and home to numerous bird species, and the nearby dormant Khorgo volcano. The volcano erupted over 8,000 years ago; that eruption directly shaped the surrounding landscape and affected the formation of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. Visit the lake shores and trek to the volcano's crater rim for a panoramic view of the surrounding terrain. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
8Kharkhorin: Ancient Capital and Erdene Zuu MonasteryKharkhorin · Erdene Zuu Monastery · Kharkhorin Museum · standard ger camp
Drive toward Kharkhorin, located within the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape—a region where the history of Mongolia and the larger world took shape. Kharkhorin served as the capital of the Mongol Empire; the Kharkhorin Museum houses artifacts tracing origins to the Mongol dynasties and periods preceding them. The primary site visited is Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded in the late 16th century. For centuries, thousands of monks inhabited this complex and shaped Mongolian cultural and artistic development. Political purges in the 1930s diminished its collections, but the monastic grounds were preserved. Both original temples and currently active temples remain accessible for visitation. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
9Ongi Monastery Ruins and TrekOngi Monastery · ger camp
Drive to the ruins of Ongi Monastery in Middle Gobi province, approximately 270 kilometers southeast. The monastery once stood on both banks of the Ongi River, from which it took its name. It ranks among the three major monastic centers in Mongolian history; at its peak, over 2,000 monks lived within its walls and shaped modern Mongolian art and culture. After lunch at the camp, trek the monastic grounds—currently undergoing gradual restoration—while learning its historical significance. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
10Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs): Paleontology and Silk Road HistoryBayanzag · Flaming Cliffs · local information center
Drive approximately 190 kilometers to Bayanzag, known as the Flaming Cliffs for the fiery colors the rock face displays at sunset. The site holds significance both paleontologically and historically: it lies on the ancient Silk Road trade route and is where the world's first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered. After checking into camp and lunch, visit the local information center to learn about Roy Chapman Andrews's expeditions to the region—expeditions that inspired the character of Indiana Jones. The afternoon offers extensive trekking and photography opportunities across the Flaming Cliffs. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
11Khongor Sand Dunes: Singing Sand and Camel TrekKhongor Sand Dunes · Khongor Sand Dunes camp · a local nomadic family · standard ger camp
Drive approximately 170 kilometers to reach the Khongor Sand Dunes camp. After lunch and rest, visit a local nomadic family in the late afternoon and ride their camels to the dunes. The dunes are known locally as Singing Sand due to the distinctive sounds the sands produce during strong winds and avalanches. The dunes extend 120 kilometers in length and 6–12 kilometers in width. Trekking to the dune tops provides expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The Khongor River flows nearby, its water supporting local greenery and life. Overnight in a standard ger camp (upgrade available).
12Yol Valley and Gurvan Saikhan National Park: Vultures and WildlifeYol Valley · Gurvan Saikhan National Park · standard ger camp
Travel approximately 220 kilometers toward Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Check into camp and have lunch, then depart for Yol Valley, nicknamed Vulture Valley for the bearded vultures that nest on the tall cliffs rising above 2,000 meters. The valley lies within Gurvan Saikhan National Park, home to Argali wild sheep, Ibex, snow leopards, and falcons; sightings depend on timing and luck. Yol Valley is also known for ice glaciers that form in winter and typically melt by early July. Trek through the valley with ample photography opportunities. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
13Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa): Colored Cliffs and PhotographyTsagaan Suvarga · Mandalgobi · local camp
Depart toward Middle Gobi to visit Tsagaan Suvarga—literally meaning White Stupa—named for the appearance of the local cliffs from a distance. Stop briefly in Mandalgobi for lunch. Upon arrival, check into the local camp and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. The cliffs can be visited in the late afternoon and again the following morning. The local soil composition creates varied natural colors across the rock face, making the site a notable destination for photography. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
14Baga Gazarin Chuluu: Granite Formations and Monastery RuinsBaga Gazarin Chuluu · rock formations · local ger camp · ruins of an ancient monastery · standard ger camp
Depart toward Baga Gazarin Chuluu, a plateau characterized by exotic granite rock formations. After checking into the local ger camp and lunch, visit the ruins of an ancient monastery destroyed during the political purges of 1937. Walk among the rock formations themselves; the area offers trekking opportunities across distinctive terrain. Overnight in a standard ger camp.
15Return to UlaanbaatarUlaanbaatar
220-kilometer drive.
Where you go
- 1Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- 2city center
- 3Amarbayasgalant Monastery
- 4Darkhan
- 5Uran Togoo volcano
- 6Lake Khövsgöl
- 7Moron
- 8Lake Khövsgöl
- 9Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
- 10Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
- 11Khorgo volcano
- 12Kharkhorin
- 13Erdene Zuu Monastery
- 14Kharkhorin Museum
- 15Ongi Monastery
- 16Flaming Cliffs
- 17Khongor Sand Dunes
- 18Yol Valley
- 19Gurvan Saikhan National Park
- 20Tsagaan Suvarga
- 21Mandalgobi
- 22Tsagaan Suvarga
- 23Ulaanbaatar
Included
- Hotel, all meals specified in the itinerary
- Tickets and tours for attractions specified in the itinerary
- All museums and attractions in the itinerary
- 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day
Not included
- Air tickets and airport taxes
- Luggage tips
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Air tickets
- Meals on the train