Day 1 – 22 September | Depart Auckland Evening departure from Auckland. Fly to Mongolia via Beijing.
Day 2 – 23 September | Ulaanbaatar to Baga Gazariin Chuluu Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and head straight out to Baga Gazariin Chuluu on the Gobi Desert’s edge to bypass city traffic. Settle into your ger camp for two nights and start exploring the granite rock formations. Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – 24 September | Sum Khukh Burd & Rocky Canyons Visit the ruins of the “Palace Without a Roof” at Sum Khukh Burd, located on a lake island. In the afternoon, walk through the canyons and temple ruins of Baga Gazariin Chuluu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – 25 September | Tsagaan Suvraga Cliffs Drive further into the Gobi to see the Tsagaan Suvraga cliffs. These high, colorful mineral banks look like a giant white stupa and are great for a walk and photos. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – 26 September | Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park See ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) before entering the National Park. Walk through the deep Yoliin Am gorge—keep a lookout for ibex and vultures on the cliffs. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – 27 September | Sand Dunes & Dinosaur Fossils Visit the Moltsog Els sand dunes and meet a local family who herds camels. Later, head to the Flaming Cliffs, where the first dinosaur eggs were found, and see the red rocks at sunset. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – 28 September | Ongi Monastery Ruins Drive to the Ongi River to see the ruins of a large 17th-century monastery. Walk through the site and visit the small museum to learn about its history. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – 29 September | Kharkhorin & Orkhon Valley Travel into the greener Khangai region to Kharkhorin, the old capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit the Monument of Empires for views over the Orkhon Valley. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – 30 September | Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Explore Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s oldest surviving monastery, and the Karakorum Museum. Later, drive out to see the Khoshoo Tsaidam monuments. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – 1 October | Nomadic Life & Heritage Visit the Mongol Nomadic centre to see how traditional life works, including horsemanship, local music, and daily tasks. Spend your final night in a traditional ger. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – 2 October | Fly to Ulgii Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii in the far west. Spend time in the town exploring the local Kazakh culture, the museum, and the mosque at the base of the Altai Mountains. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – 3 October | Golden Eagle Festival: Day One Head to the festival grounds to watch the opening ceremony. See the eagle hunters compete in trials of speed and skill with their birds. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – 4 October | Golden Eagle Festival: Day Two A second day at the festival to watch the finals, traditional horse games, and local handicraft displays. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – 5 October | Return to Ulaanbaatar Fly back to the capital. Depending on flight times, visit the Naran Tuul market or the Bogd Khan Winter Palace before checking into your hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – 6 October | Ulaanbaatar City Sights Spend the day visiting the National History Museum, the central square, and Choijin Lama Temple. Join the group for a farewell dinner in the evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 – 7 October | Departure Transfer to the airport for your flight home via Beijing. Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 – 8 October | Arrive Auckland Morning arrival back in Auckland.
