4x4 Overland Journeys
What it's like
Paved road gives way to braided tracks, and the driver chooses one by instinct. Hours pass with nothing but grass, sky and the occasional ger. Overland travel here is long, dusty and the truest way to feel how vast Mongolia is.
Outside the main paved routes, much of Mongolia is crossed on dirt tracks that branch, merge and shift with the weather. Our drivers know them intimately and handle everything from river crossings to sudden repairs.
We use two kinds of vehicle: the Russian UAZ furgon, a boxy van that is basic but famously easy to fix, and Toyota Land Cruisers, which are more comfortable on long drives. Both carry all gear and supplies, and we keep groups small.
Be ready for long days: five to eight hours of driving is common between regions, and rough tracks can mean slow progress. We break journeys with stops at herders' camps, viewpoints and walks, and plan rest days so the road never becomes the whole trip.
Adventures with this
More experiences
Staying with Nomad Families
Sleep in a family ger, help with the herds and share the rhythm of a working nomadic camp.
Horse Riding
Ride sturdy Mongolian horses across open steppe, river valleys and forested hills with local horsemen.
Camel Trekking
Travel the Gobi on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel, guided by the herders who raise them.
Eagle Hunting Traditions
Meet the Kazakh burkitshi of Bayan-Ölgii, who raise and train golden eagles to hunt in winter.
The Naadam Games
Wrestling, horse racing and archery: the three manly games at the heart of Mongolia's summer festival.
Throat Singing and the Morin Khuur
Hear khöömei, the overtone singing of the steppe, and the morin khuur horsehead fiddle, both UNESCO-listed traditions.
Ready when you are
Tell us your dates and dreams. One specialist plans everything and replies within two working days.