Wild Mongolia
per person
Embark on the *Mongolia Overland Explorer*, a breathtaking 16‐day adventure that blends Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage with its vast, dramatic landscapes. Begin in **Ulaanbaatar**,the vibrant capital nestled among mountain ringed valleys, where Soviet‐era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and traditional gers reflect the country’s unique fusion of past and present. Explore museums, galleries, and the revered **Gandan Monastery**, home to magnificent temples and the statue of Migjid Janraisig. Journey west into the remote **Altai Mountains**,where the Kazakh culture thrives among soaring peaks and wide‐open valleys. Here you’ll meet local families, learn about falconry traditions with majestic golden eagles, and hike or ride through stunning pastoral terrain beside **BayanNuur Lake**. Continue through **Karakorum*, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, to explore the historic **ErdeneZuu Monastery** and the sweeping **Orkhon Valley** , a UNESCO‐inscribed landscape dotted with archaeological wonders. Venture into the spectacular **Gobi Desert**, where nomadic life endures amidst rolling dunes and starlit plains. Along the way, uncover ancient petroglyphs, participate in local cultural experiences, and lose yourself in the unmatched natural beauty of Mongolia’s heart.
16 Days
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Included
AccommondationMealsPersonal GuideTransportation/Car -
Not Included
All Museum TicketsTypical Souvenir
1
Days 1–3: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia’s vibrant capital, Ulaanbaatar, lies along the banks of the Tuul River,
set in a valley framed by four surrounding mountains. Its distinctive skyline
blends Soviet-era architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and contemporary
buildings, while traditional gers on the city’s outskirts preserve the nation’s
nomadic heritage. Exploring the city with your private guide, you will visit a rich
selection of museums and galleries that celebrate Mongolia’s history, art,
music, and dance.
Gandan Monastery Visit
Visit Gandan Monastery, the spiritual center of Buddhism in Mongolia. While
many monasteries were destroyed or converted into museums during the
Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan uniquely remained active, serving as a
showcase for visiting government officials. As you stroll through the monastery
grounds, you will hear the deep, resonant horns summoning the lamas to prayer
and observe their daily rituals. The visit includes the beautifully restored
Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid
Janraisig, known as “the Lord Who Looks in Every Direction.”
2
Days 3–7: Into the Altai Mountains
Into the Altai Mountains
Dominated by the majestic Mongolian Altai Mountains—the highest range in the
country—this remote region has preserved the language, culture, and traditions
of its Kazakh inhabitants. In Bayan-Ulgii Province, where approximately ninety
percent of the population is Kazakh, you will have ample opportunities to meet
local families and experience their distinctive way of life. Before continuing on
to your camp, visit the local museum to gain deeper insight into the history of
the province and its people.
3
Days 3–7: Optional Tour: Falconry Demonstration & Snow Leopard Territory Hike
Optional Tour: Falconry Demonstration & Snow Leopard Territory
Hike
Falconry Demonstration
For over a thousand years, the Kazakh people have practiced the ancient art of
falconry, a tradition inherited from their Turkic ancestors and centered on the
use of majestic golden eagles. Weighing up to fifteen pounds, female eagles are
nearly one-third larger than the males, with eyesight up to eight times sharper
than that of humans. During the winter months, Kazakh hunters rely on their
eagles to hunt foxes, rabbits, and marmots. Learn how these remarkable birds
are trained and cared for, and enjoy a live demonstration of their skill. In the
evening, share dinner with a local family and listen to traditional songs
celebrating the power and spirit of the eagle.
Snow Leopard Territory Hike
Travel to the Eregt Valley and onward to the Tavan Belchir pasture, where the
Uriankhai people spend their summers. According to WWF surveys, this region is
home to approximately four snow leopards. The area also supports Siberian
ibex and Argali wild sheep, the snow leopard’s primary prey. Hike to the Tavan
Belchir pasture and scan the rocky slopes and snow-capped mountains for
signs of wildlife.
4
Days 7–8: Overnight in Ulaanbaatar
Overnight in Ulaanbaatar
After your return flight to Ulaanbaatar, visit the city’s ger district, home to
approximately sixty percent of the capital’s residents. This area offers valuable
insight into daily life within communities that live with limited resources. You will
also visit a local women’s workshop, where artisans gather to create intricate zeeg
appliqué works. This distinctive technique, practiced in Mongolia for generations,
dates back to the 16th through early 19th centuries and was traditionally used for
offerings to Buddhist monasteries.
5
Days 8–11: Explore Karakorum
Explore Karakorum
Founded by Chinggis Khan in the early 13th century, Karakorum was once the
ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and a center of immense political and
cultural influence. Much of the city has been lost to time, with only ruins and
archaeological remains offering glimpses of its former grandeur. Among the most
important surviving landmarks is Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the earliest
Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. The surrounding landscape, with its wide
степpe vistas and distant mountains, is equally breathtaking.
Optional Tour: Erdene Zuu Monastery and Kharakhorum Museum
Mongolia’s largest monastery, Erdene Zuu, is believed to have been constructed in
the 16th century using stones from the ruins of ancient Karakhorum. Enclosed by
108 white stupas, the monastery has remained an important center of Buddhist
worship for more than 500 years. Explore the beautifully decorated temples and
wander through the expansive monastery grounds. Continue to the Kharakhorum
Museum, which offers fascinating insight into what was once a global center of art,
politics, trade, and religion.
6
Days 8–11: Explore Karakorum & Ongiin Hiid Monastery
Explore Karakorum & Ongiin Hiid Monastery
Optional Tour: Orkhon Valley
Set out with your guide on a hike—or horseback trek—through the Orkhon Valley, a
region of remarkable natural beauty and deep historical significance. Home to
numerous archaeological, cultural, and historical sites, the valley illustrates how
ancient nomadic traditions have shaped Mongolia’s development over centuries.
After lunch, visit the Kül Tigin Monument, erected during the Turkic Empire in the
8th century. Built in honor of a prince, this impressive monument has attracted
the attention of archaeologists from around the world.
Ongiin Hiid Monastery
After departing Karakorum, travel to Ongiin Hiid and explore the evocative ruins of
this 17th-century monastery, set amid a striking mountainous landscape. Once
known as the “Pearl of the Great Desert,
” Ongiin Hiid was among the largest
monasteries in Mongolia before its destruction during the communist purges of
1939. Following your visit, continue your journey toward the vast expanses of the
Gobi Desert.
7
Days 11–15: Buleen Valley Hike & Naadam Festival Experience
Buleen Valley Hike & Naadam Festival Experience
Buleen Valley Hike
Travel to Buleen Valley for a full day in prime snow leopard habitat, located within
the Baruun Saikhan Mountains. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit a known
snow leopard den and spend the day quietly observing the landscape in hopes of
spotting these elusive animals. Baruun Saikhan is also home to Siberian ibex and
Argali wild sheep, as well as excellent birdlife. Birdwatching opportunities include
bearded vultures, cinereous vultures, Eurasian kestrels, and chukars.
Naadam Festival Experience
Spend the morning enjoying a specially arranged Naadam Festival, where local
children and adults compete in the traditional “three manly sports”: wrestling,
archery, and horse racing. Once used to measure the courage, strength, and pride
of nomads and warriors, these ancient games are now enjoyed by men, women,
boys, and girls alike, reflecting their enduring cultural significance.
8
Days 11–15: Optional Tour Yol Valley National Park & Flaming Cliffs
Optional Tour Yol Valley National Park & Flaming Cliffs
Drive to Yol Valley National Park, nestled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.
Carved by an ancient river, this unexpectedly lush valley is known for its lingering
ice formations, which can sometimes remain well into July. A hike through the
valley offers opportunities to spot wildlife such as lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks,
ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep in their natural habitat.
Flaming Cliffs
Visit the iconic Flaming Cliffs, so named for the brilliant orange glow of the rock at
sunset. The red sandstone here is renowned for its abundance of dinosaur fossils,
and paleontological expeditions continue to uncover remarkable discoveries at
this historic site.
9
Days 15–16: Last Night in Ulaanbaatar
Last Night in Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and return to the Shangri-La Hotel. In the afternoon,
embark on a scenic hike to Zaisan Valley, ascending through the pine-forested
slopes of Bogd Khan Mountain. A gradual climb along a narrow, picturesque pass
leads to the summit, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic
views of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, wander through larch forests,
home to a variety of small birds, including woodpeckers, finches, and many others.
Notably, Bogd Khan Mountain was the first mountain in the world to receive
national protection in the 13th century by the local duke, and it remains a
protected site under state stewardship today.
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