Classic Mongolia: Gobi to Kharkhorin overland
- Region
- The Gobi · Central Mongolia
- Duration
- 14 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate Half-day hikes or rides, some rough roads and simple camps.
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Autumn · May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Style
- Small group or Private · Max 10 travellers
- Per person
- From $4,250Plan this adventure
The adventure
You leave the city behind and the road simply runs out. Days later you are climbing a dune at Khongoryn Els, then drinking milk tea with herders in the Orkhon Valley, the whole country unrolling beneath a wide sky while your driver reads tracks no map shows.
- 01Climb the dunes of Khongoryn Els and ride Bactrian camels with a herding family
- 02Sunset at Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur eggs were first found
- 03Hike the narrow ice gorge of Yolyn Am
- 04Erdene Zuu monastery in Kharkhorin, on the site of the old imperial capital
- 05Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall and the larch-lined Orkhon Valley
- 06Takhi, the wild Przewalski's horses, at dusk in Khustai National Park
Day by day
Every itinerary is a starting point. Your specialist can add rest days, swap camps or change the pace.
Your guide meets you at the airport and takes you into the city. In the evening there is a welcome dinner and a full briefing on the route ahead.
- Activities
- Airport welcome
- Trip briefing
- Welcome dinner
- Tonight
- 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- Meals
- Dinner
The route
Distances in Mongolia are big and roads are often tracks. Expect some long days in the 4x4, broken up by stops with herders, picnics and leg-stretching walks.
- 1Ulaanbaatar
- 2Yolyn Am
- 3Khongoryn Els
- 4Bayanzag
- 5Ongi
- 6Kharkhorin
- 7Orkhon waterfall
- 8Khustai
Where you'll sleep
A mix of family gers, small ger camps and a city hotel, chosen for their hosts, their setting and how well they look after the land.
What's included
- English-speaking local guide throughout
- Experienced driver and 4x4 (Land Cruiser or Russian UAZ furgon)
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and 11 nights in ger camps and family gers
- National park entrance fees and permits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Camel ride with a herding family
- A dedicated Steppe & Sky specialist to plan your trip before you go
Not included
- International flights
- Visa, if required for your nationality
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- Tips for guide and driver
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Single supplement
Good to know
- Expect several days of 4-6 hours on rough, unsealed tracks. The driving is part of the journey, but it is bumpy and dusty.
- Ger camps in the Gobi are simple: shared shower blocks, and hot water and power can be limited in the evenings.
- Gobi days can pass 35°C in July while nights drop sharply, so pack layers.
- Walks are short and suit anyone reasonably active; the big dune climb is steep but optional.
Dates & prices
Per person sharing, excluding international flights. Private trips run on any date you choose.
| Dates | Style | Availability | Per person | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun – 19 Jun 2027 | Small group | Available | From $4,250 | Enquire |
| 8 Aug – 21 Aug 2027 | Small group | Limited spaces | From $4,250 | Enquire |
| 5 Sept – 18 Sept 2027 | Small group | Available | From $4,350 | Enquire |
| 23 May – 5 Jun 2027Private trip on dates of your choice, May to September. Price per person for two travellers. | Private | Available | From $5,450 | Enquire |
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