Gobi Desert and Orkhon Valley Tour in Mongolia

Short city tour. Gandan monastery and the Museum of national history. Prepare for the trip. 

Drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgobi province. this is another granite rock formation in the middle of the steppe plains. Five km away, the highest peak 1768 meters in the area; Baga Gazariin Uul mountain will take about 5 hours to climb. Leisure time for rock climbing and hiking activities. 

Drive to South Gobi and Yol Am known as Eagle valley in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain -this sunless canyon located in the middle of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain has a particular beauty with narrow paths broadening in places between rocks, while buzzards and eagles wheel and glide in the blue skies above. The cliffs of the canyon block the sunlight from the rivers below, so that they remain frozen throughout the year. 

Drive to Khongor Sand Dunes (195km) - the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Dunes of Khongor is known as the « singing sands » and rise from the plain reaching a height of 80m and extending for about 180km long. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river, named Khongor. Hiking and sliding through the sand dunes. Visit camel breeding family and experience short camel riding. 

Drive towards Bayanzag (140 km) - classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun and unbelievable emptiness has become known to the world as "Cemetery of Dinosaurs”. The red sandstone cliffs and canyons of Bayanzag are where the American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews first discovered fossil beds of dinosaur bones and first ever recorded dinosaur eggs in 1922 - discoveries which made world headlines. Nowadays there is a local museum which displays important facts and some exhibits of this famous area. 

Drive to the north towards Central Mongolia. Overnight stop in Middle Gobi province, at the Ongi monastery ruins.

We will reach the Orkhon waterfall or known as Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. Formed by volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago, the waterfall cascades from a height of 20m. It is a scenic, tranquil spot and surrounding nature is undisturbed, as such there are opportunities for good walking and riding in the area. (B/L/D)

Drive to Kharkhorin – ruins of ancient capital of Mongolian Empire built by Ugudei Khaan in 1235. The city was strategically located at the crossroads of traditional routes, creating a staging post for migrating nomads and merchants caravans. Foreign envoys and prominent clerics travelled to this city for an audience with kings of Mongolian Empire. Far after when the king Hubilai has ordered to move  the capital to Beijing in 1264, Kharkhorin was raised to the ground by Manchu soldiers. However the bricks and stones from the ruins of this ancient city were used to build the Erdene Zuu Monastery nearby, so in that way the old city lives on till today. 

Drive to Hustai National Park /190 km/ to watch wild horses takhi, widely known as “Przewalski horse ”. Przewalski horses are the only wild horse to survive in modern times. The species were returned to Mongolia from world zoos and reserves within Hustai National Park in 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar. Hustain Nuruu has good vegetation, springs, birch forest and rocks which are suitable for many wild animals including 46 species of mammals and 172 species of birds. 

Arrive back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy your free time. Visit folk peformance in the evening. (B/L/D)

Transfer to the Airport & Departure.