9- Day Gobi Desert Adventure

In the rugged labyrinth of Baga Gazryn Chuluu, petroglyphs created by 19th-century hermit monks can be found. This area is also home to an underground healing spring, whose water, according to local residents, is said to treat eye ailments and even restore sight. A narrow opening carved into the rock provides access to this therapeutic water, and an ancient shamanistic sanctuary has been established nearby.

Additionally, the region features burial mounds of the enigmatic Hunnu people, who traversed the steppes and deserts stretching from China to northern Mongolia.

Wildlife in the area includes steppe wolves, Pallas’s cats, mountain goats, marmots, vultures, eagles, and hawks. Furthermore, around 20 species of medicinal plants thrive here.

Tsagaan Suvarga translates to "White Stupa". It stands out as one of the most renowned attractions in the Gobi Desert. This unique natural formation consists of vibrant, enormous mud cliffs that resemble stupas—mound-like structures that hold relics.

Exploring the cliffs provides an excellent opportunity to capture stunning photographs.

Following breakfast, you will head to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the largest national park in Mongolia, known as “Three Beauties”.

The park features multiple mountain ranges alongside a sandy spit, where a stream flows at the base of the dunes, creating a deep gorge in certain areas known as Yolyn Am.

This region is also referred to as the Lamb’s Fall, characterized by a vast chasm with steep cliffs, formed by a powerful earthquake that split the mountain apart.

Following breakfast, you will head southwest through the mountains, eventually reaching the sands of Hongor, also known as Hongoryn Els.

These stunning dunes are situated in the northern region of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (the Three Gobian Beauties), straddling the border between the Sevray and Zeelan mountains.

The wind's melodic sound resonates from afar, creating a harmonious backdrop that envelops the towering 200- meter sand dunes, earning them the nickname "singing dunes of Hongor."

After breakfast, you will head south towards the Gobi Desert, starting with the Bayanzag, or Flaming Cliffs, known for their striking red sandstone. This area, famous for paleontological discoveries like dinosaur bones and fossilized eggs dating back 65 million years, has attracted settlers since ancient times.

After lunch, you will visit Ongiin Hiid (Ongi Monastery), where the arid landscape signals your proximity to the desert. Founded in the 18th century, the monastery once housed over 1,000 lamas and had 28 churches, teaching philosophy, tantra, mathematics, and Tibetan medicine. However, it was largely destroyed during socialist rule, leaving behind hidden sacred texts and artifacts buried in the sands.

After breakfast, you will head to the site of the ancient capital of the "Great Mughals", Karakoram, established by the legendary Genghis Khan in the 13th century.

Your journey will take you to Kharkhorin (Kharakhorum), a quaint town nestled in the Orkhon River valley. Nearby, you can explore the ruins of Karakorum, which briefly served as the capital of the Mongol Empire under Ogedei Khan and played a significant role as a key stop along the Silk Road.

Following breakfast, head back to Ulaanbaatar.

En route, you will stop at Khustain Nuruu National Park, a UNESCO 'Man and the Biosphere' reserve that is home to the takhi, or Mongolian wild horse.

After some free time to explore, enjoy an evening filled with a folklore concert, dinner, and relaxation at your hotel.

Travel to Chinggis Khan International Airport to begin your departure from Mongolia.