Day 1:   Tue 09 Sep – Depart Auckland – Seoul

Departing Auckland mid-morning we will fly to Seoul in South Korea where we will stay the night. Overnight 3* Airport Hotel (—)

Day 2:   Wed 10 Sep – Seoul – Ulaanbaatar

Returning to the airport early morning, we will fly to Ulaanbaatar.  Arriving mid-morning, we will be met by our local guiding team and transferred to a central, well-located hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city independently. Overnight 4* Hotel (—)

Day 3: Thu 11 Sep – Tsagaan Survaga Cliffs

Leave Ulaanbaatar on the main road leading from the national capital to the depth of the Gobi Desert. Early in the afternoon, arrive at Tsagaan Suvraga. Though its name translates to ‘white stupa,’ that likely referring to an ancient place of worship, this is a site of geomorphological wonder, revealing layers of rich mineral deposits – the very reason for Mongolian recent gold rush, which, along with the rapid development has also brought significant environmental concerns.

After a hike through this land of wonder, it is a short drive to our first night in a ger camp.  The cozy yet simple Mongolian version of a lodge, consisting of traditional felt-made dwellings the nomads of Central Asia often refer to as yurt. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 4: Fri 12 Sep – Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park & Trek Yoliin Am Valley

Located at the end of the Gobi Altai Mountain Range, Gobi Gurvan Saikan National Park is rich in wildlife and scenic beauty.  Within the National Park, the Yoliin Am (Eagle/Vulture) Valley is a deep gorge that is home to the elusive argali wild mountain sheep, ibex and its namesake, the bearded vulture.  While it is extremely rare to see any of these animals, the gorge itself is an interesting site that we will explore on a return trek that will take us 2.5 – 3 hours.

Hiking through the gorge provides a welcome relief from the heat of the desert which has a distinct mountain-like chill even in the height of summer.  This is due to the fact that many areas of Yoliin Am Valley never see sunlight. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 5: Sat 13 Sep – Khongor Sand Dunes, Nomad Family Visit & Camel Ride

Embark on a five-hour drive through the Gobi’s typical cold desert landscape to the mighty Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes.  On the way, we will visit Khavtsgait, an ancient place of worship marked by tremendous petroglyphs.  This is also a magnificent viewpoint over the desert’s expansive plains.

We will arrive at Kongoriin Els in time to climb these mighty walls of sand and explore the towering dunes on foot. If the breeze is blowing just right, you may hear the dunes beautifully sing.  The rugged desert plants at the edges of the sands are beautiful in their own sculptural way and the small creek running along its northern face creates fantastic photographic opportunities.  At dusk we will drive to the ger camp by the dunes. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 6: Sun 14 Sep – Camels and Camel Herders

We spend the day by the mighty dune.  In the morning there is the options of riding through the massive sea of sand atop a two-humped Bactrian Camel.  This formidable beast became a trademark for the ancient Silk Roads that once connected East and West.  Around noon, we will visit a family of camel herders to hear from them about the hardships of life in the desert where temperatures can vary between +40⁰C in the heat of summer and -40⁰C in the freezing winter.  We will also learn about the changes to their lives in recent years.  We will head to the foot of the mountain of sand to enjoy the beautiful sunset before settling back into our ger camp for a second night. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 7: Mon 15 Sep – The Flaming Cliffs

The Flaming Cliffs derive their name from the breath-taking red sandstone formations that ignite with fiery colours during the sunset. However, it is not just the visual spectacle that makes this site iconic; it’s also the wealth of paleontological treasures hidden within its layers.
In the 1920s, American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews and his team made groundbreaking discoveries here, unearthing dinosaur fossils, including intact eggs and skeletons including the now named Velociraptor. These findings not only captivated the scientific community but also ignited widespread fascination with the region’s prehistoric past.

We arrive around lunchtime and then spend the afternoon exploring the site on foot while waiting for the sun to set the cliffs ‘aflame’ (weather permitting). After sunset we drive to our next ger camp for the night. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 8: Tue 16 Sep – Ongi Steppes & Ongi Monastery

Our adventure then continues driving across the open Ongi Steppes to the ruins of Ongi Monastery Originally there were two separate monasteries made up of over 30 temples situated in a bend in the Ongri River and connected by a bridge. The monasteries’ buildings and temples covered a huge expanse and were destroyed in the socialist purge in the 1930’s except for one stupa.
We will visit explore the monastery and temple ruins, visit a new active temple built in 2004 and a ger museum.

Afterwards we will walk up a nearby hill to take in the stunning views of the surrounding area. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 9: Wed 17 Sep – Kharkhorin and Orkhon Valley

Today we travel through a transition zone from the Gobi Desert to the mountain steppes.

Early in the afternoon, arrive at Kharkhorin, historically known as Karakorum. This ancient city, built by Ögedei Khan, the son of Chinggis Khan, was once the capital of the Mongol Empire and is now a cornerstone of Mongolia’s historical sites. We visit the Monument of Empires, commemorating the 800th anniversary of Chinggis Khan’s coronation, and enjoy the sunset over the sacred Orkhon Valley before retiring to the camp. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 10: Thu 18 Sep – Karakorum Museum, Erdenezuu Monastery & Hustai National Park

Start the day with a visit to the Karakorum Museum, a treasure trove of archaeological artifacts that vividly depict the history of the former capital of the Mongol Empire. The museum features detailed displays and reconstructions that bring to life the city as it looked during Ögedei Khan’s reign in the 13th century. Continue the journey with a visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest and most significant Buddhist sites, representing the spiritual traditions that have profoundly influenced the region.

After lunch, leave Kharkhorin for Hustai National Park was established in 1993, a year after the successful reintroduction of ‘Takhi’or Przewalski’s horse. The Tahki is considered to be the last and only remaining wild horse species in the world. The horses once roamed across the expanses of steppe of Western Europe & Asia before becoming extinct in the wild in the 1960’s. Fortunately, some Takhi were still held in zoos and private collections in western countries and the reintroduction of the first 15 Takhi was a success. Today they number around 380 and Hustai National Park is the only place where they exist within their historical range.
We will visit the National Park’s Information Centre where they screen a short documentary about the wild horses and the park. In the afternoon we will drive to the national park’s core zone to see the wild horses. A hike (usually relatively short) is needed to view the horses.
Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)

Day 11: Fri 19 Sep – Fly to Ulgii town

This morning we return to Ulaanbaatar’s airport to fly to Ulgii, a town nestled in the Altai mountains of Western Mongolia.  Most of the population are Kazakhs who unlike other ethnic groups in Mongolia follow the Muslim faith and are distinctive in their dress (they have a rich tradition of colourful embroidery) and customs.  Kazakh Gers are larger than those found in other parts of Mongolia and are colourfully decorated.

After checking into our ger camp we drive up Zaisan Hill for a panoramic view of the town with its mountain backdrop on the edge of the Hovd River. Overnight Local Hotel – Ensuite Room (BLD)

Day 12-13: Sat 20 Sep – Sun 21 Sep – Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival

Over the next two days we will attend the Golden Eagle Festival.

Hunting with eagles is a tradition that has been passed down within the Kazakh people of this region for thousands of years.  Up to 60 eagle hunters from across the region compete in contests showcasing their hunting techniques and the agility and ability of their Eagles.

A highlight at the start of the festival is the parade of hunters, dressed in in traditional clothing, riding horses and holding their prized eagles on their right arm. As well demonstrating control and prowess as eagle hunters, other events focus on horsemanship skills, local games and a number of other nomadic customs of this fascinating ethnic group. the grounds around the festival are packed with locals selling local handicrafts, handmade clothes and garments, and, above all, handwoven decorative Kazakh carpets. Overnight Local Hotel – Ensuite Room (BLD)

Day 14: Mon 22 Sep – Fly to Ulaanbaatar

Today we return to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival we will transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.  This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight 4* Hotel (BLD)

Day 15: Tue 23 Sep – Depart Ulaanbaatar

Departing Ulaanbaatar after lunch we will arrive in Seoul late afternoon and transfer to our hotel for the night. Overnight 4* Airport Hotel Seoul

Day 16: Wed 24 Sep – Seoul Transit

Free morning. Returning to the airport mid-afternoon we will check in for our overnight flight back to Auckland.

Day 17: Thu 25 Sep – Arrive Auckland

Our flight will arrive in Auckland mid-morning.