Mongolia's Nomadic East

Day 1 : Ulaanbaatar > Hui Doloon Hudag

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to HS Khaan Resort in the Hui Doloon Hudag plains, a wide prairie where the Naadam horse races take place in July.

Day 2 : Hui Doloon Hudag > Hustai National Park > Hui Doloon Hudag

This morning’s short drive takes you to visit a nomadic community adjacent to the Hustai National Park. Join a local family for a lunch – if you like you can help prepare the food, which may include local foods such as huushuur (a fried meat pastry) and buuz (steamed dumplings). Spend the afternoon exploring the park, where you may see Przewalski horses, Wapiti deer, Siberian marmot and more. After dinner at a local restaurant, return to your hotel on another route.

Day 3 : Hui Doloon Hudag > Elst Area, Eastern Gobi Desert

Today’s drive (approximately 6.5 hours) takes you on a journey through grasslands to the more arid East Gobi steppe. On arrival check-in to your private ger camp and explore the surrounding area.

Day 4 : Elst Area

Enjoy today exploring this wild area of dramatic rock formations, sands and grasses, growing up to two metres high. There is also a small ephemeral lake which is sometimes home to desert tadpole shrimps. This part of the Gobi Desert is known for its wealth of petroglyphs, rock art, and wildlife. You may encounter Argali sheep and Siberian Ibex as you explore.

Day 5 : Elst Area > Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

Set out on a guided walk/ride with a caravan of camel carts through the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. Explore the ruins of an abandoned temple and see petroglyphs and ancient graves from Hunnu, Turkic Khanate, Imperial and Manchurian times – all layers of Mongolian archaeology are present. Overnight at the Ikh Nart Rocks Ger Camp.

Day 6 : Ikh Nart > Hangal Lake > Jargalant Valley

This morning walk or ride a camel the short distance to the airstrip. Depart by Cessna Caravan on an hour’s flight to Hangal Lake. On arrival, visit some local nomad families and see their livestock roaming freely through the pasture land as you travel beyond the lake to your private ger camp in the Jargalant Valley. Many nomads use this valley for its summer pastures, and there are Deer Stones dating from the 6th to 7th century, pre-Genghis times.

Day 7 : Baldan Bereeven Monastery

Full day visit to the Baldan Bereeven Monastery, founded in 1654 and once one of the most significant monasteries in eastern Mongolia with up to 8,000 resident lamas (monks). It was destroyed in the Stalinist purges of the late 1930s, but the main temple has undergone some renovation. The monastery grounds are surrounded by scenic and sacred mountains, and the monastery itself is backed by the steep cliff of the Mönkh Ölziit mountain where Buddhist rock art can be found. If energy allows, you can go for a walk in the scenic backcountry here.

Day 8 : Jargalant Valley > Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, depart on a 6-hour drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping en route for a picnic lunch and a visit to the Chinggis Khaan monument, the largest equestrian statue in the world. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, check-in to your hotel.

Day 9 : Ulaanbaatar

Set out on a guided exploration of Mongolia’s capital. Visit the Gandan Lamasery, Sukhbaatar Square, the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, and the Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum. This evening enjoy a Mongolian Folk Song Concert before dinner.

Day 10 : Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward flight.