976-94187050 info@tsogootravel.com

 THE DINOSAUR’S HOMELAND

and NORTHERN MONGOLIA

Tour Highlights:

 

  • This small group tour takes you on a fascinating journey of discovery, visiting many of the country’s most iconic sights.
  • From rolling steppes to vast expanses of the Gobi Desert and forested mountain hills in the northern highlands, you will discover a great variety of landscape.
  • Relaxing in wild nature and exploring the Mongolian nomadic culture… Horseback and camel riding, climbing to sand dunes, hiking, and driving through the wilderness are the main activities.

Tour Information

  • Tour Code: DH-NM 01
  • Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
  • Availability: 01 June – 30 Sep
  • Trip from: Ulaanbaatar
  • Price: from US$ 3.035 p/p
  • Age Requirement 0-95 yrs
  • Max Group Size 12

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 01:  Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Day 02:  Drive to Gobi Desert – Yol Valley (Vulture’s valley)
Day 03:  Khongor sand dunes, the biggest sand dune in the Gobi Desert
Day 04:  Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Day 05:  Ongi, Middle Gobi
Day 06:  Karakorum & Erdenezuu Buddhist Monastery
Day 07:  Tsetserleg – Taikhar Chuluu – Terkh White Lake National Park
Day 08:  White Lake National Park
Day 09:  Jargal Hot Springs – Northern Mongolia
Day 10:  Murun town – Khovsgol Lake National Park
Day 11:  Khovsgol Lake National Park
Day 12:  Erdenet town – The Uran Togo  Volcano
Day 13:  Chinggis Khaan’s Statue Complex – Terelj National Park
Day 14:  Ulaanbaatar city tour
Day 15:  Departure

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by Tsogoo Travel Mongolia’s driver in the arrivals hall at the international airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, be free at leisure and have a good rest to recover from the jet lag. If you feel like going for a walk and checking out places nearby, feel free to ask the hotel receptionist for recommendations.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: D

Day 02

Drive to Gobi Desert – Visit “The Yol” Valley

Meet your local tour guide and driver and depart for 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 is sheltered by high cliff walls and covered with wildflowers and Gobi plants.
In the 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 to the middle of the way or on horseback through the valley.
The high cliffs that flank the valley are very impressive. You may be lucky enough to spot wild sheep and goats, grazing high on the cliff walls.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B, L, D.

Day 03

Khongor sand dunes, the biggest sand dunes in the Gobi

Today, we will drive through the wilderness of the Gobi to the extraordinary Khongor, which is one of the most scenic areas of the Gobi Desert. These impressive white sand dunes stretch more than 180km and the 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’s hot temperature decreases.
In the late afternoon, we will visit the 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’s 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.
Afterward, 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 excellent and breathtaking view. We can see the amazing sunshine panorama of sand dunes from the top if you want.
Dinner and overnight at the tourist camp.

Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D.

Day 04

Bayanzag (The flaming cliffs)

On this day, our trip will continue to Bayanzag (Flaming cliffs) which is 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 the American expedition discovered the first nests of dinosaur eggs from Bayanzag in 1923. Their findings proved to the world that dinosaurs laid eggs
We will explore the significant areas, including the saxaul 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 removing fossils without a permit is illegal.

Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 05

Ongi, Middle Gobi

Following breakfast, 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 lunchtime at Tourist camp, which is near 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 was once composed of 30 temples, and 4 big Buddhist 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 the ruins of the monastery. The views of the ruins, river, Ger camps, and the surrounding area are very impressive, you can see them from any of the nearby hills.
If you want, you can have a pleasant massage and sauna at the camp. The rest of the day is yours to relax on your own.

Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 06

Kharakorin & Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery

In the morning, head to Kharakhorin, a small village, and one of the country’s major tourist destinations. Historically known as the Karakorum, which was an ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220. Also, Kharakhorin was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road.
In the afternoon, we will visit the museum of Kharakhorin 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 Buddhism stupas. Here you can see interesting listening to monks chanting Buddhist sutras.

Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 07

Tsetserleg – Taikhar Chuluu– Terkh White Lake National Park

After breakfast, drive to Taikar Chuluu, which is a huge granite rock formation covered with inscriptions in many different languages and dating back from many different periods.
On the way, we will visit Tsetserleg town, which is the capital of Arkhangai province with a population of around 20,000. Tsetserleg means garden and the city is surrounded by scenic mountains, the streets are tree-lined and a lovely little temple overlooks the town.
In the afternoon, drive towards to the Khorgo extinct volcano which was active 8000 years ago, and travel through the steppe, green forested Mountains, and pastures, where the long-haired yaks and horses thrive.
After exploring the volcano and climbing to the crater, we will take a short drive to Terkh White Lake. There, we will stay at a tourist camp near the lake shore for 2 nights. 

Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D

Day 08

Terkh White Lake National Park 

Today is free for your own with optional activities. It is possible to do full or half day hiking in the national park for wild flower and bird watching.
Also, there is a great opportunity for everyone to do horse riding, mountain climbing, fishing and swimming etc. Terkh White Lake is surrounded by spectacular scenery of plants, forests, mountains, and fauna.
In the evening, we will enjoy visiting the local nomad family to experience firsthand how people live in the country side and a lifestyle which has not changed for centuries.

Accommodation: Ger camp.Meals: B, L, D

Day 09

Jargalant Hot Spring –  Northern Mongolia

 

After breakfast, we will drive towards the Northern part of Mongolia through beautiful nature routes, and vast grasslands crossing High Mountain passes.
Lunch at Tourist camp and take some refreshment at the Jargalant Hot Springs. The spring comes out from 150 m of the ground and its water is not mixed with soil, or water because it is hot at 70 Celsius degrees. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons.
On the way, we stop for overnight and dinner at the Tourist camp along the way to northern.

Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10

Murun town – Khuvsgul lake National Park 

After a relaxed breakfast, depart for Khuvsgul Lake, which is known as the Switzerland of Mongolia and second the clearest lake in Central Asia.
Lunch at local restaurant in the Murun, a small town of Khuvsgul province with population of 35000.
Take a 2 hours’ drive to the Khatgal village on the shore of the lake and explore the village’s life, the market and main port of the lake.
Drive towards the Khuvsgul Lake, we will see hundreds of grazing livestock and wildlife of northern region of Mongolia
Khuvsgul province is home to the southernmost indigenous reindeer herding people (Tsaatan) in the world. Some of Tsaatan families came from remote Taiga at the summer camp near to the lake from June until end of August. Reindeer herders practice shamanism and live in teepees and moving around 5 times a year. We will meet reindeer herders and explore their daily life, custom and sacraments.
Check-in and dinner at Tourist Ger camp, which is located near to the lake.
Accommodation: Tourist camp.Meals: B, L, D

Day 11

Full day at Khuvsgul lake National Park

This morning, we will explore the national park on horseback. Mongolia is the best destination for horse riding trips and especially Khuvsgul Lake is the best-recommended place for this experience.
After being given preliminary instructions, and orientation about horse riding, we will discover nature on horseback until lunchtime.
The afternoon is free time for you to be on your own. You can explore the surrounding hills and walk along the shore of the lake. The Lake water is well known for crystal clear blue and is surrounded by beautiful lash green deep forest and magnificent mountains.
Also, there is a great opportunity to do hiking, kayaking, riding a motor moat, or just enjoy wild nature to take photos.
Accommodation: Ger camp. Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 12

The Uran Togoo – Erdenet town

Uran is an extinct volcano on the western side of Uran-Togoo Tulga Uul Natural Monument in Bulgan province, 80 km west of Bulgan town. Uran means “Artistic”,  Mongols named it so because its ridge of the crater is one of many examples of circles that arise in nature resembling a nice creature of a craftsman.

The area is situated in the Khutag-Öndör district of Bulgan Province. A smaller area was initially protected in 1965 Again in 1995, it was designated as a Natural Monument with an area of 5,800 hectares. The peak over 1686 m forms a circle-shaped ridge about 500 m across that contains a crater lake about 20 m wide and 1.5 m deep. The Uran and surrounding others are considered to be the remnant of an extinct stratovolcano that formed between about 20-25 thousand years ago.

Accommodation: Tourist camp.Meals: B, L, D

Day 13

Chinggis Khaan’s Statue Complex – Terelj National Park

In the morning at 9 am, head to “Chinggis khaan Statue Complex” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. Explore the statue complex and ascend to the head of the horse using an elevator. There you have a good panoramic view over the complex area and the scenery beyond. You are now definitely in Genghis Khan’s homeland!
Take a short drive to visit Terelj National Park. This is one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia which is its natural beauty, forested alpine mountains, and interesting rock formations (Massive wool-sack weather conditions) very well known.
In the afternoon, we will explore the national park and see Turtle Rock – an interesting rock formation looking like a turtle. Also, visit the Ariyabal meditation temple – surrounded by scenic mountains with massive rock formations and sits on top of the mountain. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking the Terelj National Park.

Accommodation: Tourist camp.Meals: B, L, D

Day 14 

Ulaanbaatar city tour

After breakfast, we will return to the city and visit Gandan which is the largest functioning Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The main highlight of this monastery is 26-meter-high majestic gilded indoor statue of Megjid Janraisig.
Lunch at local restaurant in the city, then visit Sukhbaatar square which lies at the heart of the city surrounded by important buildings such as government palace, banks and theaters and post office. There is an equestrian statue of Sukhbaatar and a massive Bronze statue of Genghis Khan with his four warriors in front of Parliament House.
Continue to visit the Museum of Mongolian National History – the museum presents Mongolian history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day.
Our next highlight is a famous cultural show in the city, which is featuring traditional performances by singers, dancers and contortionists. It’s a great chance to hear Khöömii (throat singing) and see some fabulous costumes. After dinner, transferred to the hotel.

Accommodation: Tourist camp.Meals: B, L, D

Day 15

Departure

 

Transfer to international train or flight. 

Accommodation: Hotel 4*. Meals: B

PRICES & INCLUSIONS 

1 – 2 pax – US$ 3.335 per  person

3 – 5 pax – US$ 3.235 per  person

6 – 12 pax – US$ 3.035 per  person

* A tour price is based on a group of 2 adults sharing one room.

* If there are more people in your group of family or friends there will be more discounts.

* This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan between 01 Jun to Sep 30, 2025/2026!

What’s included in the Price?

Accommodation: Hotel****, Ger camp
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals

Transport: 4×4 vehicle or minivan Delica D5
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
Festival taxes

What’s NOT included in the Price?

International airfare
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement
Alcoholic drinks
Travel Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for a tour guide, driver, etc

FAQ & HELP

Travel FAQ's MONGOLIA

Here are the most common questions asked by our travelers. Please follow the links to get the answers. If you cannot find your answers, please send us your questions via email or on our Tsogoo Travel Mongolia Facebook page. We will email you back with your answer, and update it on our website for other travelers.

Accommodation: Hotel

What type of accommodation will we be staying in?
According to the Mongolian rating system, 2-5-star hotels are approved to receive foreign guests.
Our accommodations are carefully chosen, based on our research, our experience, and feedback from clients, to provide the best combination of high-quality accommodations, affordability, and convenient location.
We give clients the opportunity to stay in a wide range of accommodations, depending on tour from 3* to 5* hotels in cities and the best tourist Ger camps in countryside trips.

Does the hotel staff speak English?
Most staff working face-to-face with customers in 5-star hotels can speak English well. As for those working in 4-star and 3-star ones that contracted with Tsogoo Travel Mongolia, English is not a barrier to simple conversation. It’s suggested to ask the clerk at the front desk for help if anything is needed. They will be happy to help you.

What time can I check in and check out of the hotel?
Generally, the earliest check-in time of the hotel is 14:00 p.m., and the latest check-out time is 12:00 a.m. at noon. When you need to check in early, please let us know in advance because the earliest check-in time is dependent on whether the room is vacant or not on the day when you arrive, and the late check-out time may cost extra money.

We are a family of 4 with two young kids. What type of room we will get for our Mongolia tour?
Hotels in Mongolia can accommodate a maximum of 3 in one room due to local fire codes. We will get two separate rooms for your family based on two double occupancy rooms. We will request adjoining rooms, which have limited availability in Mongolian hotels, or rooms next to each other.

What facilities and services do our hotels normally provide?
All hotels on your Mongolia trip have a Foreign Currency Exchange Service, a business center with access to the Internet and fax, a postal service, a gym, a sauna, and massage service, and an International Direct Dialing telephone in your room. You may also find a hair dryer, iron, converter, and adaptor (subject to limited supplies) with housekeeping. Some 4 and 5-star hotels have swimming pools.

Can I store excess luggage at the starting point hotel if we are returning there later?
Most starting point hotels can store your excess luggage for you free of charge.

Do I need to bring a power plug adapter when I come to Mongolia?
Keep in mind that Mongolia uses 220V of electricity, which is higher than that Western countries use. A power plug adapter will do you a great favor if you want your electronic products to run properly during your Mongolia stay. What to do if forgot to pack it in your bag? Don’t worry. An adapter or converter is easy to get everywhere in Mongolia just by turning to your tour guide or the hotel staff.

Weather and Best Time to Visit Mongolia?

What is the best time to go?
The best time to visit Mongolia is during the Mongolian summer, from the mid of June till the last week of August.  This is the safest time of the year to travel to Mongolia in terms of weather, sunny days throughout Mongolia, and sufficient rainfall to make the steppes lush and green.
June and September are both very pleasant times to visit Mongolia. September, autumn is enjoyable, colorful, not hot, and not cold. Nomads have plenty of dairy products and are busy processing milk and preparing for winter. The beautiful countryside of Mongolia is even more beautiful and picturesque with the autumn colors.

Months to Best:

  • July is the best time to see the Mongolia Naadam Festival.
  • The best season for Gobi Desert tour: is from June to September and October is shoulder season.
  • July to August is the best season to travel to Northern Mongolia and Khuvsgul Lake tour and September is shoulder season.
  • The first of October is a chance to see Golden Eagle Festival in Altai, Western Mongolia.
  • February is the best time to experience Mongolia’s winter season.

What months in Mongolia are considered green Peak Season (High Season), Shoulder Season, and Low Season?
Generally and traditionally, the Peak Season refers to July and August; the Shoulder Season refers to May, June, September, and October; the Low Season refers to January, February, March, April, November, and December.

How to Pack for Mongolia trip

What gift would you recommend we bring to Mongolia?
Our tours are designed to enhance your learning, discovery, and people-to-people experience. For instance, all of our tours include a home visit to nomadic families and exploring their daily lifestyles. If you would like to bring some gifts to them, suggested items include Swiss pocket knives, a flashlight for men, some candies, small toys, crayons/colored pencils for housewives and kids are just as fine. Whatever gift you choose to present, the recipient will be most grateful.

Can I bring my laptop, iPad, or iPhone when traveling to Mongolia?
Internet access is available at almost all hotels on your Tsogoo Travel Mongolia itinerary. In most hotels, you can access free Wi-Fi internet. Outside of the city, some tourist Ger camps offer little charged or free internet access. So you may want to bring your own laptop.
We recommend you bring a converter to Mongolia. As throughout Mongolia, the AC power standard is 220V/50Hz. So you may use the converter for a 110-volt electrical appliance. Usually, the four and five-star hotels provide adapters, but we still suggest you bring a converter.

What are the appropriate clothes for travel in Mongolia?
Mongolia is a vast country with various climates and four distinct seasons. Thus travelers may need to pack different clothes at different seasons. But weather patterns at any time can change rapidly. One minute you’re walking around in a T-shirt and sandals, you need an overcoat and boots, then it’s back to T-shirts. This is especially the case during autumn and spring.
Suggest you check the climate of your travel season, and month and then choose the appropriate clothes. In most cases, you will not need to bring towels as you will be provided in the hotels and tourist Ger camps. In general, you should take easily dry clothes and prepare an umbrella for a rainy day. In addition, we suggest you also bring along a first aid kit with the commonly used medicines.

What is Mongolian Currency?

The official currency is the Tugrug (MNT=₮). Denominations come in 20.000₮, 10.000₮, 5.000₮, 1.000₮, 500₮, 100₮, 50₮, 20₮ and 10₮. The official exchange rate at this time (July 2022) is 3.150₮ to 1 U.S dollar. Visitors are advised to carry credit cards – Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Union Pay– and traveler’s checks that can be accepted by most hotels and major stores and can be exchanged for cash of MNT.

Accommodation; What's Tourist Ger camp

Tourist Ger camp is a traditional style accommodation with full-service facilities, most commonly used outside of the city. The Ger is a round structure of walls, poles, and a peaked roof covered with canvas and felt, and tightened with ropes.
Tourist Ger camp – consists of 20-30 Gers (Mongolian traditional dwelling), a restaurant, some entertainment facilities, western style toilet, and hot water showers. Each Ger has 2 to 4 beds and is furnished with a table, chairs, and wood stove. Most visitors prefer to stay in Ger, which provides an authentic taste of Mongolian culture and adventure, their most enjoyable experience in Mongolia.

What meal is included? What is the restaurant like?

We select restaurants based on our experiences, client satisfaction, location, and cuisine. Normally we include three meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) each day during the whole trip.
In Ulaanbaatar, you can expect a good variety of quality restaurants with international foods. Breakfasts usually are served in western style at the hotel where you stay in Ulaanbaatar.
We mostly use the following restaurants for lunch & dinner on the city trip: “Modern Nomads”, “bd’s Mongolia Barbeque”, “City Nomads”,  “Khaan Ger” and hotel restaurants for dinner where you stay. Lunch & dinners are m& served in Western food, and sometimes Mongolian food, or a combination.
Outside of the we generally eat breakfast and dinner in tourist Ger camp and some days of longer trips take a packed lunch. Your packed lunch will be carried in appropriate containers to prevent spillage or spoiling. Ger camps serve both Mongolian and international foods, and there will usually be a choice of the main dish.

Any problem for a Western tourist in Mongolia?
About it. Mongolian and Western cuisines are both available throughout Mongolia. If you require special meals due to religious or medical limitations, please inform us so that arrangements can be made in advance.

Will you provide vegetarian (including no chicken/seafood) meals for me?
Make the arrangement according to your requirements. So if you have any special requirements for your food, please let us know so that we can inform the restaurants beforehand to meet your needs.

What's Camping Tent?

We use camping tent for some of our remotest trips, places with no tourist Ger camps or local hotels.
Mongolia offers fantastic camping possibilities in beautiful landscapes.
On all of our camping trips, we provide our guests with high-quality 2-3 people tents, mattresses, and other necessary camping equipment. No formal toilet or shower facilities will be available. You will use a sheltered hole for the toilet and a sheltered shower. Also, we will provide you with water for washing up.
camping days, we usually send vehicle support with an expedition cook for a group tour.
e group is less than 7 travelers may not be accompanied by a cook. In this case, the guides and drivers will be cooking for you. All our guides have had basic cooks training, but not all of them are great chefs, so if you feel like it, they will be happy to let you assist them. On expeditions where there is no vehicle support, there will be dried and canned foods available, but fresh fruits and vegetables often cannot be transported beyond the first couple of days. For groups of more than 6 travelers, we usually send a cook, which in this case you shouldn’t worry – the food will be just great! Please let us know if you have any food preferences or restrictions, or if you are following a special diet.

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