Mongolia: The Way of the Nomad
Highlights
Trip Details
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$1,468 USD
Private room: +$236
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Trip length
15 days, 14 nights
Price
- A 30-day cancellation window applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Partial Private room (Please note that the private supplement is not available for the two nights we stay in homestays, where all accommodation is shared).
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Meeting point
Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar
Ending point
Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar
Group size
Maximum 14 people
Included
- Meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners
- Air-conditioned, 4×4 high-clearance vehicles, 1 flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad
- 3 nights premium hotel accommodation, 6 nights deluxe en-suite gers, 3 nights standard gers, 2 nights homestay in a standard ger
- Museum and Park entrance fees
- A top-rated and English-speaking Trip Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Visa: US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to stay in Mongolia for 30 days or less
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Have a group?
Contact us and we can arrange a private departure.
Overview
Accommodation Preview
Terelj Lodge, Terelj National Park
Gobi Mirage Ger Camp, Dalandzadgad
Sweet Gobi Ger Camp, Bayan Gobi
Itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
When you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll dive straight into discovery mode. A friendly face will meet you at the airport and whisk you over to your hotel. As your group of fellow Hatties comes together, you’ll get ready to head out on your first adventure: a ‘long’ walk across Sukhbaatar Square – it’s really big – to the National History Museum for an introductory snapshot of the country’s past.
Next, you’ll drop into a small theater for a performance of traditional music and dance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble.
Dinner is at our favorite local restaurant, your first real taste of Mongolian cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel 9 (or similar), Ulaanbaatar
Included: Dinner
Drive time: 1 h 15 minutes
Day 2: Chinggis Statue – Terelj National Park
After breakfast, it’s time for a face-to-face with Chinggis Khan at the world’s largest equestrian statue. Climb through the horse (how cool is that?!) to the viewing platform for sweeping views across the Khentii Mountains, the homeland of Mongolia’s legendary leader.
Next, you’re heading out on a hike into Terelj National Park. Stop at the iconic Turtle Rock before taking the walk up to the peaceful Aryabal Meditation Temple, tucked into the hillside with beautiful valley views.
Later, settle into your ger camp, a quiet retreat surrounded by dramatic granite formations. As the sun sets, enjoy dinner and prepare for a night’s sleep like nothing you’ve experienced before: your first night in a traditional Mongolian ger. Pro tip for local speak: ger is the Mongolian word for yurt, and is pronounced like the word ‘gear’.
Accommodation: Deluxe En-Suite Ger, Terelj Lodge Ger Camp (or similar), Terelj National Park
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: Up to 2hrs/45 mile to the Chinggis Statue; 1hr/31 mile to Terelj
Day 3: Bogd Hike – Takhi Horses
After a great night’s sleep in your ger – no, you’re not dreaming! – it’s time to head west to Khustai National Park. If time and the group are up for it, your guide may suggest a detour via the Manzushir Monastery and Bogd hiking trail before continuing to your ger camp on the park’s northern edge.
As the day cools down, head into the park for your best chance to spot the famous Takhi (also known as Przewalski’s horses), the world’s last truly wild horses. Around dusk, they often gather at streams to drink, making them easier to see up close.
These horses became extinct in their native steppe habitat but were reintroduced to Mongolia from captive American stock in the 1990s, where to the amazement of scientists, they’re making a comeback.
Accommodation: Standard Ger, Khustai Camp (or similar), Khustai National Park
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 3.5hrs/111 miles
Day 4: Towards the Gobi
This morning, swap the steppe for the Gobi Desert as you fly to Dalanzadgad, where your local drivers and 4×4 convoy will be waiting. Depending on timing, you’ll visit the South Gobi Museum before lunch, or head straight to camp to settle in.
By afternoon, you’ll head to Yolyn Am, a dramatic gorge tucked into the Gobi Gurvansaikhan Mountains. Stop at the small museum and craft gers at the park entrance before setting off on foot.
The walk winds through a surprisingly lush valley, where you might spot birds of prey soaring above, or ibex perched high on the rocky cliffs. As the canyon narrows, towering rock walls rise around you and the stream slips beneath patches of ice that can linger well into the warmer months – a reminder that the Gobi is one of the world’s largest cold deserts – where snow-covered winters are just as much a part of the place as sand dunes.
Accommodation: Deluxe En-Suite Ger, Gobi Mirage Ger Camp (or similar), Dalanzadgad
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 2hrs to airport; Flight 1hr; 15mins to town; 45mins to ger camp; 1hr each way to Yol
Day 5: Singing Dunes & Camel Rides
Today, journey deeper into the Gobi as you drive west to the towering Khongoryn Els, better known as the Singing Dunes.
Stretching for more than 60 miles and rising up to 1,000 feet high, they’re among Mongolia’s most spectacular natural wonders, and the way there is lined with inviting digressions.
After settling into camp, you’ll head to the dunes for the main event. The climb to the top is worth every step, rewarding you with endless views over golden waves of sand. If the wind is right, you may even hear the deep, haunting hum that gives the dunes their name.
Later, you’ll visit a local camel-herding family where you’ll be welcomed into their ger with traditional salted milk tea and experience the warmth and generosity that Mongolian nomads are famous for.
Fueled up on the Summer season milky staple and ready for another adventure, you’ll be invited to saddle up for an optional ride on a two-humped Bactrian camel.
Accommodation: En-suite Wooden Lodge, Gobi Erdene Ger Camp (or similar), Gobi Desert
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 4hrs/112 miles
Day 6: The Flaming Cliffs
There’s a special reason you’re going back east: you’ll be checking out artwork that dates back to 3,000 BC.
The Khavtsgait engravings depict life thousands of years ago. It’s intriguingly pleasant to walk amongst the rocks and discover the drawings for yourself. Take a moment to pause… and let your mind wander back to those ancient times.
Later, continue to Bayanzag, one of the most famous paleontological sites worldwide, known for the first discovery of a dinosaur egg and bones.
Walk around the spectacular sandstone formations, known as the Flaming Cliffs due to their deep red hue.
Accommodation: Ensuite Lodge, Gobi Tour (or similar), Gobi Desert
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 4hrs/118 miles
Day 7: Ongiin Khiid
Another road trip today with a scenic journey north through the desert. Driving is part of the fun when it comes to this vast country. Most areas are still unpaved, so the driving can get a bit bumpy as your 4×4 winds its way following tracks made by other vehicles.
After you enjoy the usual picture-snapping and picnic stops en route, you’ll settle into your ger camp next to the temple complex of Ongiin Khiid.
Feel free to go inside the tiny, reconstructed temple where you’ll be able to see the monks who run the Monastery.
Accommodation: Standard Ger, Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp (or similar), Dundgovi
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 4hrs/112 miles
Mongolians and Their Horses
Did you know that Mongolia has more horses than people? That’s because Mongolian nomads take care of their horses by frequently switching between them, to avoid overwork.
They’ve been pivotal in Mongolian culture for centuries and still today, it’s said that nomadic children know how to ride before they can walk. Horses are not only a means for traveling, herding stock and providing milk, they’re also a companion and a source of pride.
Horse Festivals and Naadam are a Mongolian’s way of expressing that pride and on this trip, you’ll be one of the few outsiders to witness this unique bond between horse and human.
Day 8: Khujirt – Orkhon Valley – Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon
Although today’s drive is a bit longer, you won’t be putting your camera down until you reach the Orkhon Valley. Get lost in the sights of plains without end and count the sheep and goats that pass you by.
Your daydreaming will only be interrupted by a short visit to the village of Khujirt – well worth it!
Arrive at your ger camp in the afternoon with time to settle in and enjoy one of the Gobi’s most relaxing stays. If you’re feeling active, join your fellow Hatties on a walk to nearby Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon where the Orkhon River has carved a dramatic gorge through volcanic rock.
Or simply slow the pace and make the most of camp. Soak up the silence, and make sure to take advantage of the showers at this ger camp, as we will be roughing it without showers at our homestay with Galaa’s family.
Accommodation: Superior Ger, Talbiun Ger Camp (or similar), Orkhon Valley
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 6hrs/155 miles
Day 9: Orkhon Valley – Nomadic Homestay
You’re a ger expert by now, and you’ll prove it again at your next destination. Start the day with a scenic drive to Tovkhon Monastery, then stretch your legs on a rewarding walk through the pine forest to the hilltop temples. The views across the Arkhangai Hills are well worth the climb, and the setting makes this much more than just another monastery visit.
After a picnic lunch, continue to the Orkhon Waterfall, where the Ulaan Tsutgalan River tumbles into a dramatic volcanic gorge.
We end the day at our home for the next two nights – a traditional family homestay. At Galaa’s Faily Homestay, try your hand at some traditional Mongolian archery before sitting down for a real bullseye of a dinnertime meal. You’ll be treated to khorkhog, a special-occasion feast of mutton and vegetables cooked with red-hot stones, prepared especially for you by your hosts.
Accommodation: Simple Private Ger, Galaa’s Family Homestay (or similar), Orkhon Valley
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 45mins drive to Tovkhon Khiid; 3hrs/56 miles to Orkhon Waterfall
Day 10: Galaa’s Family
Today is a special one as you experience the day-to-day life of a nomadic family.
This is yak-herding country, so you can help milk the yaks and see how the milk is made into different foods. Galaa’s family will welcome you into every aspect of their daily activities.
There’s also plenty of time to slow down and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Head out on a walk or saddle up for a horseback ride, depending on how you’d like to explore.
Back at camp, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking lesson. You’ll learn to make traditional Mongolian dumplings, steamed buuz or fried huushuur.
We promised, and the time has come: this is where you get to put your newfound ger expertise to a whole new level. You’ll learn how they are built, picking up yet another nomadic skill to take home with you.
Accommodation: Simple Private Ger, Galaa’s Family Homestay (or similar), Orkhon Valley
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: N/A
Day 11: Kharkhorin – Erdenesiin Khuree
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Galaa and his family and set off on the drive to Kharkhorin.
Once the site of ancient Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire under Ögedei Khan, today it’s a quiet town where you can browse the local market, visit the museum, and stop by the Monument of the Three Kings and the famous Fertility Stone.
Next, it’s time for another meeting with a local family. You’ll be joining Purevnambar’s family at their sea buckthorn farm. This bright orange “superberry” is prized in Mongolia for its health benefits, and you’ll sample it as a warming drink while learning how the hardy plant helps combat desertification.
If timing allows, enjoy a home-cooked lunch before visiting the Erdenesiin Khuree calligraphy center, where traditional Mongolian script and local art take center stage.
Accommodation: Deluxe Ensuite Ger, Secret of the Silk Road Ger Camp (or similar), Kharkhorin
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 3hrs/56 miles
Day 12: Erdene Zuu Monastery – Khogno Khaan
The Erdene Zuu Monastery – the most important in Mongolia – has been waiting patiently for you for more than five centuries. This morning you’ll get there in time to hear something very special and you’ll feel honored to have been a part of it. That’s about all we can tell you; the rest is up to you to find out!
Inspect the main temples of ‘Hundred Treasures’, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery.
Head on over to the beautiful nature reserve of Khogno Khaan where the lower temple complex of Uvguun Khiid also waits. How do you feel being amongst these reconstructed temples, prayer wheels and old ruins?
Accommodation: Standard Ger, Sweet Gobi Ger Camp (or similar), Bayan Gobi
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 1hr each way to Orkhon Monuments; 2hrs/55 miles to Khogno Khaan; 45mins/1.1 mile walk to old monastery site; 25min/9 mile drive to camp
Day 13: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Back to Ulaanbaatar today. Is the trip finished already? Almost, it seems.
The good news is, the drive is paved all the way, giving you one last chance to soak up Mongolia’s wide-open landscapes before returning to the capital.
The afternoon is yours to spend as you like. If shopping is on the agenda, your guide can help you track down the best spots, from the famous Gobi Cashmere outlet to local craft stores and the Women’s Quilting Center.
You may also want to visit the State Department Store, a Ulaanbaatar landmark since 1924. It’s the perfect stop to spend those final tugriks before heading home.
Accommodation: Hotel 9 (or similar), Ulaanbaatar
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 4.5hrs/180 miles
Day 14: Naadam Festival
Your final day in Mongolia is one to remember. Today, you’ll experience the State Naadam Festival, the country’s biggest celebration and the perfect grand finale to your adventure. Held every summer, Naadam brings Mongolia’s history, culture and sporting traditions to life through the famous ‘Three Manly Games’: displays of wrestling, horse racing and archery.
The day begins in Sükhbaatar Square where a colorful parade and the ceremonial procession of the Nine White Banners set the festivities in motion. Then head to the National Stadium for the spectacular opening ceremony, featuring traditional music, dance, horsemanship and even a presidential address.
This evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner with your Hattie squad. If you’d like one last unforgettable memory, head back to the square to watch the festival fireworks light up the Ulaanbaatar skyline.
Accommodation: Hotel 9 (or similar), Ulaanbaatar
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 1hr/24 miles
Day 15: Farewell, Friends!
And that’s it! There’ll be plenty of hugs and tears as you say goodbye to your trip leader and driver. After two weeks, you’ll have fallen in love with them.
You’ll arrive at the airport with your head and heart filled with new memories.
We can tell you from experience that Mongolia will stay with you for a long time!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cancellation window of 30 days. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Level 2 – Moderate
You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness and good mobility to enjoy this trip. You should be someone who is generally active and can comfortably walk for around four hours, including on uneven and hilly ground.You should be comfortable with:
- Walking up to 5-6 miles, including hills, uneven trails and on sand.
- Spending busy days on your feet, sometimes with several activities in one day.
- Walking up and down steep or long flights of stairs, including where there may be no handrail.
- Sitting on the floor for an extended period, as may be required during some local experiences.
- Using basic restroom facilities, including squat toilets and drop toilets, independently and without grab rails.
- Handling your own luggage, including carrying it up and down stairs and getting it in and out of vehicles.
Most activities are optional, so you can sit out an individual walk or activity if you’d prefer. However, Mongolia’s remote nature means you still need to be independently mobile to manage the everyday requirements of the trip. This trip is not suitable for travelers who require a walking aid for their mobility.
Americans and Canadians do not need a visa to visit Mongolia for stays of up to 30 days.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
We’ll be updating this section with the tipping amount and how it’s distributed, soon.
Your trip starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar. When booking your flights, fly into and out of Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). Travelers from the U.S. and Canada will generally need to connect through an international hub such as Seoul, Tokyo or Beijing.
Will we be picked up at the airport?
Yes! One of our friendly team will be waiting for you in the public arrivals area of the airport. You’ll transfer directly to the hotel. The transfer is free and in a private and air-conditioned vehicle, which you will only share if there is anyone else on your flight joining the trip. NB: Transfers from central capital city train stations can also be arranged.
When should we arrive?
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommendable. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organize additional hotel nights for you at cost.
In the unlikely event of a health- or security-related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach.
With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Ops.
The local currency is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT).
Mongolia is one of the world’s last truly wild destinations. Endless grasslands, mountains, the vast Gobi Desert, and the enduring nomadic way of life make it unlike almost anywhere else.
If you’ve ever been drawn to the spirit of the American Frontier, you’ll find that same sense of open space, big skies, free-roaming herds of horses, and riders appearing on the horizon.
Tourism infrastructure is still developing, and services are often more expensive than you might expect. With only a few months of fair weather to welcome travelers – and a reliance on imported goods and supplies – the cost of operating tourism in Mongolia is surprisingly high.
Rather than polished resorts, you’ll stay in traditional ger camps, meet local families, and experience a way of life that has changed little since the days of Genghis (Chinggis) Khan.
If you’re looking for luxury, Mongolia probably isn’t the right destination. But if you love wide-open spaces, genuine cultural encounters, and adventure, it’s an unforgettable place.
You’ll stay in two different styles of ger accommodation.
Tourist ger camps are comfortable, purpose-built camps with shared dining halls and either private ensuite gers (on most nights) or shared restroom and shower facilities.
You’ll also spend time in family-owned gers, which offer a more authentic glimpse into Mongolia’s nomadic lifestyle. These stays are much simpler, with basic beds, squat toilets, and little or no access to showers.
The facilities may be basic, but the hospitality is anything but. Staying with local families is often one of the highlights of the trip.
Your hotel room in Ulaanbaatar has a private ensuite bathroom.
Once you’re traveling through the countryside, facilities become much more basic. Tourist ger camps usually have shared restrooms and shower blocks, while family stays typically have simple squat toilets or long-drop toilets and no shower facilities. For most nights, you will have ensuite gers, which have an attached restroom facility, so you won’t have to share with other tourists!
Occasionally, nature becomes the restroom – although on the open steppe you’ll quickly discover there aren’t many bushes for privacy!
We know some guests enjoy having their own room, and wherever possible, we’ll arrange a private occupancy if it’s requested.
However, the family ger stays are different. These are traditional nomadic homes with limited space, so it’s simply not possible for everyone to have their own Ger – or even twin-share accommodation – every night.
On these nights, instead you’ll be sharing a Ger with a small number of your Hattie squad. It’s all part of experiencing authentic nomadic life, and for many guests, these evenings become some of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Mongolia is a vast and untamed place, and traveling around is part of the adventure. Some days include long drives. Once you’re outside the capital, much of the country is connected by rough dirt tracks rather than paved roads, so expect plenty of bumps along the way.
You’ll travel in a convoy of high-clearance 4×4 vehicles, stopping regularly to stretch your legs, enjoy a picnic lunch, visit an isolated general store, or meet local families. The journey is all part of the experience, taking you across a land few travelers ever get to see.
We take animal welfare seriously and do not work with providers who treat their animals poorly. Please note that animals often coexist with their owners in what can be very difficult conditions. This is part of the reality of life for them and we accept this.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get!
Most of our guests are in their 40s to 60s, with some a little younger and some older—everyone is welcome. Many Hatties travel solo and are paired with a roommate, so there’s no need to pay a single supplement. We’ll match you with someone of a similar age.
The typical Hattie is a well-traveled, seasoned adventurer who takes things in stride. That said, many tell us this is their very first group trip. A lot of our guests have avoided traditional tours in the past, as they’re not drawn to large, impersonal group experiences.
And one last thing:
Hatties are warm, generous, and kind. We always hoped it would be this way, but the reality has exceeded our expectations. We feel incredibly lucky to have such wonderful guests.
