Flying from Berlin to Ulaanbaatar: You will commence your journey at Berlin’s Taegel Airport for your MIAT flight to Ulaanbaatar (flights included in price). You will be welcomed at the Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khan Airport early on the morning of the second day by Christopher de Gruben, CEO of Mongolian Resorts. 

Day 2 

Arrival and Greeting at Ulaanbaatar Airport: Upon arrival you will be taken straight to the Chinggis Khan Hotel, one of Ulaanbaatar’s most modern and prestigious hotels. You will be given a bit of time to freshen up and the group will meet over breakfast at the hotel where a short presentation about the trip will be given by Chris, your Mongolian Resorts Staff will be introduced to you then. (3 Mitsubishi Delicas will be waiting at the airport + a luggage van).

City Tour: Ulaanbaatar City has a lot to offer, after breakfast a tour of the city will be provided, three various itineraries will be proposed. Guests will be able to choose whichever of the three itineraries they prefer. One Delica will cover each of the itineraries. Each itinerary will focus on different aspects of the city. There will be one historic tour taking in most of the history museums; a brief history lecture, the Boghd Khaan Summer Palace and other main sights, there will be a “religion in Ulaanbaatar” tour which will cover the main religious sights of the city such as the monasteries. The third tour will concentrate on the “modern Mongolia” and will cover various aspects of Mongolia’s transition from the soviet times to a modern democracy. (Each of the tours will go in one of the delicas and be escorted by a Mongolian Resorts guide). 

Welcome Lunch: Lunch will be held at the Modern Nomads Restaurant which is one of the better known Mongolian Restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. Lunch will be taken in company of the various Mongolian Resorts guides who will be able to tell you more about traditional Mongolian food, how it differs in the various parts of Mongolia and introduces you to what can be expected throughout your tour. (Chris will be at the lunch along with the tour guides linked to this tour). 

City Tour: After a good lunch, the clients will be able to choose a second city tour to fit their desires. Each tour will take about 3 hours and incorporate some walking elements as well as driving around the city to various points of intrest. We prefer to conduct smaller tours so that they people have more freedom and tours move along more swiftly. (Same as for the morning tours). 

Tumen Ekh Ensemble: At six o’clock we will go and see the famous Tumen Ekh Ensemble held at the National Drama Theatre. It is an excellent introduction to the Mongolian traditional art and cultural scene as it incorporates most of the various forms of Mongolian art, including the famous and unique long song, incredible contortionists and colourful fast dances as well as an incredible display of costumes from the various tribes of Mongolia. The show will last about 1h30mins. (The three delicas will take the clients to the national drama theatre). 

Dinner at Wong Chinese Restaurant in the Chinggis Khaan Hotel: Wong restaurant is the best Chinese Restaurant in Mongolia and also serves European and International dishes. It is expected that at this stage most people will be hit by the jet lag. Wong serves quickly and eating in the hotel allows guests to retire to their rooms whenever they wish to do so. (Included in price).

Day 3 

Breakfast in the Chinggis Khaan Hotel: The group will convene at the breakfast buffet of the Chinggis Khan Hotel. (Included in room price).

Transfer to Chinggis Khan International Airport: The transfer to the airport takes about 30 minutes. Guests will be given the opportunity of leaving with Mongolian Resorts for safe keeping the luggage they do not wish to take to the Gobi with them. (Transport will be done with the three delicas + luggage van).

Flight to the Gobi (Dalangzadgad): Dalangzadgad is the capital of the Gobi Aimag. It is located 553 kms from Ulaanbaatar and the flight takes about 1h and 45 minutes. The flight will be done with Ezniz airways with a Faulkner plane. Jeeps will meet us at the Gobi airport. Your guide will travel with you from Ulaanbaatar. (Ezniz airways, the best domestic airway in Mongolia).

 Drive to the Yolyn Am gorge in Gurvan Saikhan national park: Located 46 kms away from the airport, the Yoliin Am gorge in Gurvan Saikhan national park is one of Mongolia’s most beautiful national wonders. In Mongolian it means the Vulture’s Mouth. While it is located in the Gobi desert it is a permanent and dramatic ice covered gorge where our clients will be urged to climb through the ice tunnels. Please note that a walk of about 2-3kms is necessary to reach the gorge. (Transport in Jeeps with local drivers).

Lunch on site: Lunch will be taken at one of the many gers that litter the site, lunch will be a typical Mongolian affair eaten around the stove of a ger. The meal will consist of potatoes, meat and flour cooked together. (Included in price).

Visit of the Nature Museum or camel ride to the top of the gorge or visit of the Gurj Lamiin Khiid Monastry: A small museum on site has small dinosaur eggs on display as well as some fossils and various bits of information about the region. For those that want to skip the museum horses and camels are available for hire to take tourists to the top of the gorge where a good view of the gorge is available. The ruins of a small monastery are also available for viewing a couple of kms away from the gorge. (Depending on time and willingness of the tour we will try to do as many of those activities as possible).

Drive to Bayanzag (the Red Flaming cliffs): About 100 kms away, Bayanzag is a desolate place and would remain untouched if it wasn’t for the what is known as the red flaming cliffs, a smaller version of the grand Canyon but unique in that it is one of the world’s best spots to see dinosaur fossils. (We will get a local guide for that visit).

Stay at Bayanzag Tourist Camp: The only ger camp around, it is simple and cheerful. Camels are available for rental there if you wish to take a tour around the cliffs to see the sun set give the cliffs its name of the red flaming cliffs. (Included in price, gers with double beds).

Day 4 

Breakfast at the Bayanzag Ger Camp and departure for a trek to the flaming cliffs: After a simple breakfast you will take off in jeeps to visit the red flaming cliffs to explore the small museum dedicated to Roy Chapman Andrews, the great American explorer and adventurer on which Indiana Jones is based. (Included in price of ger. Cars will be jeeps).

On the Roy Chapman Andrews Trail: The visit by a local tour guide will include a walk along the cliffs where various fossils will be pointed out. There are over a 100 fossils still visible on the cliffs. With a bit of digging you might be able to find a fossil as well. A small lecture and explanation notes will be given about the region and the life of Roy Chapman Andrews. (Local guide plus Chris (good knowledge of Roy Chapman Andrews)).

Lunch in a ger near Bayanzag: A typical Mongolian Lunch taken in a ger. A single dish is available but snacks will be given for those feeling squeamish about the boiled mutton head that will no doubt be offered to valued guests. (Included in price).

Drive to Khongoryn Els: Visit a Nomadic Family on the way About a 100kms away from Bayanzag (about 2 hours drive). It is a stunning spot where the largest sand dunes in the Gobi desert are to be found. It is scenery usually associated with the sahara desert rather than the Gobi. On the way to the Sand dunes you will stop to visit a nomadic family that herds camels for a living. You will learn of their way of life and experience a little of their daily struggle for survival. (Transport in Jeeps with Local drivers).

Camel Riding along the gread sand dunes of Khongoryn Els: The sand dunes are spectacular, they are also known as the singing dunes (if you climb to the top of one, sit on a plastic bag and slide down the dunes sing as you go along). They are impressive by their size, up to 300 meters high, 12 kms wide and over a 100 kms long. The view of the desert from the top of the dunes is wonderful. The camel trek will take about two hours. (Included in price).

Stay in Juulchin Gobi 2 Ger Camp: The Juulchin Gobi 2 camp is one the best camp in the Gobi, located at the foot of the mighty dunes it offers all the modern comforts in an area of utter beauty and desolation. You will stay here for three nights so you have time to unpack, get the sand out of your clothes and relax with a well earned drink admiring the sand dunes. Dinner will be provided at the camp. The menu has both Mongolian and International cuisine. (One of the best ger camps in the region).

Day 5 

Breakfast and drive to Ongiin Khiid Monastery: What is most interesting for this day is the drive to the monastery (about three hours drive) as you will experience the change from the sand dunes of the middle gobi to the hard desert of the upper gobi before reaching the grass hilly plains signifying the beginning of the Mongolian steppes. (Included in price, transport in jeeps).

Visit of Ongiin Khiid: Ongiin Khiid Monastry is actually two small monasteries next to each other. They are in a fairly poor state of repairs but a dozen monks live there. The two original monasteries were destroyed by the Soviet repression but a new monastery is slowly being built on this stunning site. Nestled next to a river it is a very peaceful location well away from the hustle of the cities and far from human interference.  (Included in price).

Lunch: It might be possible to have lunch with the monks but this will have to be confirmed on the day, otherwise we will have lunch in a nearby ger. I(ncluded in price).

Drive to Sayhan-Ovoo: About 20 kms north of Ongiin Khiid Monastry it is an unremarkable collection of gers, wooden huts and a few solid state administration buildings. Tourists will be given free time in the afternoon to explore the village or rest in the ger camp. The guide can take a group to visit the market (fairly basic) and can arrange to visit some of the traders such as the leather tanners. (Those activities will have to be arranged on the spot).

Stay in Khongor Ger camp: A basic ger camp with reasonably hot showers and hot food. (Included in price).

Day 6 

Breakfast and drive to Karakhorum: After breakfast the tour will depart towards Karakhorum, the drive again is stunning. You will be crossing the steppes of Central Mongolia towards what was the centre of the great Mongolian Empire. Along the drive you will see nomads tending to their herds, semi wild horses and if you are very luck some wild antelopes.  (In jeeps).

Lunch in the Steppes: The cars will stop along the way at a Mongolian ger restaurant when the clients start to feel hungry. (Included in price).

Arrival and Overnight in Orgoo Ger camp in Karakhorum: We should arrive in the middle of the afternoon at the site chosen by Genggis Khan for his capital. This site was chosen as it is a very large and lush valley surrounded by large hills thus easily defendable but allowing the horses to feed and get fat before the season of invasion began. Orgoo ger camp is located in the heart of this lush valley. The rest of the afternoon will be spent resting. The guide can organise a small trip to the city for those that want to go and have dinner there. (Included in price).

Day 7 

Breakfast and visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery: Erdene Zuu Monastery was the greatest Mongolian Monastery built with the ruins of Kharakhorum. Now only the exterior walls of stupas and a few small temples remain of its former glory. Sadly the monastery was the most visible of the temple destructions during the Soviet Religious Purges that befell on Mongolia in the 60’s. A few of the temples stand abandoned within its walls while a few others have been restored and are now back in service. We will attend the morning prayer in the largest of those temples. For those that have never assisted a Buddhist ceremony it is a breathtaking sight that requires all of one’s senses. (Included in price).

Lunch in Karakhorum: There are various small restaurants in the city and we will have lunch there. (Included in price).

Visit of Karakhorum: Sadly nothing remains of the old city of Karakhorum, only a stone turtle statue still stands. The current city of Karakhorum is more of a large village made up primarily of small brick houses or gers hidden behind wooden palisades. A small visit of the city will never the less be made. The highlight of which is the old market where the nomads come to trade and buy various goods. There is also a large public bathhouse where customers can be severely beaten by a large Mongolian all in the name of relaxation. (Included in price).

Dinner in the ger camp: Dinner will be served in the ger camp. (Included in ger camp price).

Day 8 

Breakfast and drive to Hustai National Park: The drive from Karakhorum to the Hustai National Park will take about three hours (273kms), the Hustai Park is the grazing ground for most of the Mongolian horses. Its lush valleys and warm climate makes it ideal to rear he small and powerful Mongolian horses. On the way to Hustai we will stop by the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, they are very small and spread over a small area so present little interest after the great dunes of the Gobi but they make for a nice rest point as well as a strange sight in the middle of the steppes. (In jeeps).

Lunch at the Hustai Park: After having driven along the endlessly straight roads of the Mongolian Steppes we will arrive at the Hustai camp where you will be given free time in the afternoon to rest and explore the surroundings. (Included in price).

Search for  the Takhi wild horses: In the evening the wild horses come to drink and rest at water points in the park. We will meet them at those water points and gaze upon them as the sun sets on the steppes. 

Dinner and Sleep in Hustai Camp: A beautiful ger camp set in the tranquil steppes. (Included in price).

Day 9 

Breakfast and drive to Ulaanbaatar: After a small lie in and a good breakfast we will make our way to nearby Ulaanbaatar (50kms on a good road). Most people will be glad to experience the comforts of the city once again. (Included in price).

Lunch in the UB deli Restaurant: The UB deli restaurant is one of the first foreign owned and managed restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. It serves American Deli food and is a favourite with the expats of the city as well as the young Mongolians. (Included in price).

Check in at the Chinggis Khan hotel: After lunch we will check in the Chinggis Khan hotel and those customers who left luggage behind will be reunited with it. (Included in price).

Free time in the afternoon: For those customers who wish it Chris will do a free walking tour of the city. Itinerary will be discussed and decided with the guests who want to do this at the time. (Chris will do this for free).

Alfresco Dinner at the Marco Polo Restaurant: Marco Polo Restaurant is the best Italian Restaurant in Ulaanbaatar. It serves delicious wood fire cooked pizza’s and excellent meats on its outside terrace in the heart of the entertainment district of Ulaanbaatar. (Included in price).

Overnight in the Chinggis Hotel: A good night sleep in a proper bed where you can dream of the wild horses of hustai and the camels on the dunes of the Gobi. (Included in price).

Day 10 

Breakfast and transfer to the Ulaanbaatar Airport: After a good breakfast, we will transfer to the airport to board an Eznis airways flight to Moron. (Included in price).

Arrival in Moron and drive to Khosvgol: Moron is not a pretty or inviting city, after the flight (1 hour and 30 mins) we will jump in the jeeps and head straight north for the splendour of Khosvgol Lake. The road up to the lake is magnificent but uncomfortable. (In Jeeps).

Lunch on the road or at the camp: Depending on progress we can stop either on the road or at the ger camp on the lake shores for lunch. (Included in price).

Free afternoon on the lake: This is your rest time to do what you like. Most people like to sit by the shores of the lake and take in the beauty and calmness of it all. It resembles an alpine lake in the Swiss mountains with Mongols, reindeers and shamans added in. It is a beautiful and peaceful spot. Some people go swimming but the water is year round cold. It is said that Khosvgol lake has the largest  quantities of drinking water in the world. This used to be said of Baykal lake but since the lake suffered from massive industrialisation on its shores it is no longer safe to drink its waters. Khosvgol is still safe. You can partake in a number of activities from the ger camp such as horse riding, fishing, kayaking and so forth. (Activities are optional and not included price).

Dinner and overnight in Toilogt ger camp: After an al fresco dinner on the shores of the lake a big fire will be built and slowly people will drift back to their gers for a good night sleep. (Included in price).

Day 11 

Breakfast and optional activities: Be as lazy as you like, have breakfast at your leisure and then take advantage of the many activities offered at the ger camp. (Included in price).

Lunch: When everyone is back we will enjoy a lunch at the ger camp before moving on to visit the reindeer people. (Included in price).

Visit to the Tsataans and darkhad people: Khosvgol Lake is famous for being the host to two very distinct and unique tribes of Mongolia. The Tsataans are the reindeer herders. There are fewer and fewer of them left on the shores of the lake but they are never the less present. You will get the chance to meet them and their reindeers. You might even get to ride one of the reindeers. The tsataan people of the shores of the lake have sadly been affected by modernisation and the influx of tourists during summer. The real tsataan people are very hard to reach, they live in the north mountains of the lake only reachable after a 2 day hike by horse. They only come down to the lake for the ice festival held in February. After having met the Tsataans we will go and seek the Darkhad people, they are the ancestral shamans of Mongolia. Shamanism is the true Mongolian religion and pre-dates Buddhism in Mongolia. It is a religion concerned with the spirits of nature and its symbiotic relationship with humans. Shamans are very similar to the early American Indians. Genetically they are the same as the crossed the bearing straits to America from Mongolia. Hopefully we will be able to witness a shaman ceremony while there. (Included in price but please note that both events cannot be guaranteed as they cannot be booked. We will need to do our utmost to arrange it once there. They are nomads and move about).

Dinner and overnight in the ger camp: Dinner under the clear skies and the millions of stars also known as the many Mongolian gods followed by a night of deep sleep induced by the fresh air and the many activities of the day. (Included in price).

Day 12 

Breakfast and drive back to Moron: After a good breakfast we will drive back to Moron Airport where we will catch the Eznis Flight to Ulaanbaatar. The drive will be same as on the way in, bumpy but stunning. (Included in price).

Flight to Ulaanbaatar airport: A one and a half hour later we will arrive at the Ulaanbaatar airport where our cars will be waiting for us to take us to Gun-Galuut National Park. (Included in price).

Drive to Gun-Galuut National Park: A 3 hour drive later we will arrive at the Gun Galuut National Park Reserve, move straight to the ger camp, drop off our things and have lunch at the ger camp. (In Mitsubishi Delicas).

Lunch at the Steppes Nomads Camp: The steppes Nomads camp always provides excellent food and lodging to its guests. (Included in price)

Visit to Mr Baits in an attempt to view the Argali sheep: The argali sheep is more of a mountain goat. It is unique to Mongolia, has huge curved horns and is incredibly agile in the mountains jump from rock to rock at astounding speeds. Hunters from the world over come to hunt it. A hunting license complete with three bullets costs 50,000USD, if you shoot your three bullets and miss you can buy another three bullets at the same price and try again. If you have a spare 50,000USD you are welcome to give it a try but be warned its not as easy as it looks. (Included in price).

Drive back to Steppes Nomads: Camp After a good walk around Mr Bait chasing the ever elusive Argali sheep we will return to the camp.  (Included in price).

Dinner, rest and sleep at ger camp: A well deserved dinner of mutton and potatoes (no argali sheep meat on the menu unless you managed to kill one) followed by a good night sleep at the Steppes Nomads Camp. (Included in price).

Day 13 

Breakfast in the ger camp: As usual a basic but good breakfast served at the ger camp. (Included in price).

Free morning for half the group: A number of activities will be made available to those that wish to be active. (Activities are optional and not included in price).

Visit to a nomadic family for the other half of the group: We will visit a nomadic family nearby and see how they perform their daily chores and how they are different to the nomads of the Gobi. (Included in price).

Lunch: For lunch Mongolian Resorts will try to organise an outdoor buffet and BBQ with food brought from Ulaanbaatar to change from the usual Ger camp fare. (Included in price).

Visit to a nomadic family for the other half of the group: We will visit a nomadic family nearby and see how they perform their daily chores and how they are different to the nomads of the Gobi. (Included in price)

Free afternoon for half the group: A number of activities will be made available to those that wish to be active. (Activities are optional and not included in price).

Dinner and Overnight at Ger Camp. (Included in price).

Day 14 

Drive to Ulaanbaatar and Check in to the Chinggis Hotel. The drive should take about 3 hours. (3 Mitsubishi Delicas).

Lunch at the Irkh Mongol Restaurant: The Irkh Mongol Restaurant means the Great Mongol, its is a great restaurant serving german as well as Mongolian food of excellent quality on a great outside terrace overlooking the circus of the city. (Included in price).

Further city tour: A city tour will be arranged which encompasses all that has not been seen with the previous city tours. (Done by Chris, Included in price).

Farewell Dinner at BD’s Mongolian BBQ Restaurant: BD’s Mongolian BBQ Restaurant is an institution in Ulaanbaatar. Based on the original cooking techniques used by the Mongol Hordes it allows the customers to choose their own ingredients before they are cooked together. An excellent evening is always to be enjoyed there. (Included in price).

Overnight in Chinggis Hotel: For your last night in Mongolia you stay in the Chinggis Khan Hotel as previously. (Included in price).

Day 15

Breakfast and transfer to airport: After an early breakfast we will transfer you to the Ulaanbaatar Airport. (Included in price).

Flight back to Berlin: You have an early flight out of Ulaanbaatar to Berlin (about 10 hours).