Land of the Blue Skies.
Mongolia … an amazing experience awaits. It is a unique and relatively unexplored travel destination that offers vast emptiness that links land and sky. Mongolia is one of the last few places on the planet where nomadic life is still a living tradition. It is a land of contrasts with scenes of desert, the wide-open steppe, and beautiful freshwater lakes. The country has the lowest population density in the world.
The majestic and vast emptiness has an appeal that lures travellers to explore and discover this destination, which is also referred to as the “Land of Blue Skies”. It is set to have 250 sunny days each year. The winters are very cold, with temperatures dropping to -40ºC.
One of the world’s greatest deserts is the Gobi. It covers large parts of southern Mongolia. Compared to the Sahara and Namib, the Gobi has fewer sand dunes, rather large, desolate areas with gravel plains and rocky ridges.
Mongolia is also a country with an old and rich history. During the 1200s, their most famous leader, Genghis Khan, had a great influence on world history and the Mongol Empire. His grandson was the founder of modern China.
This adventure will be a self-drive 4×4 tour. We will follow off-the-beaten tracks and visit the most beautiful places the country has to offer. Don’t miss out, as this will be a WOW experience that will stay with you forever.
Highlights
- Historic Ulaanbaatar
- Orkhon Valley and the Orkhon Waterfall
- Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
- Folk song and dance performance
- Lake Khövsgöl
Seventeen days across the steppe, the lakes and the Gobi.
Depart
The group departs from Johannesburg to Ulaanbaatar, via a connecting airport.
Arrival Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, enjoy a walk to the Genghis Khan National Museum for a tour. This is the main museum in Ulaanbaatar that depicts Mongolian history with a focus on Genghis Khan and the history of the Mongol Empire. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure before attending a performance of the Tumen-Ekh Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. For the past 29 years they have been sharing their love of different elements of Mongolian art with tourists. A mesmerising evening awaits.
Ulaanbaatar – Amarbayasgalant Monastery
After breakfast, stock up on supplies and vehicle collection. Briefing for the day ahead. We leave Ulaanbaatar in convoy heading north towards the Amarbayasgalant Monastery. En route, we stop near the Orkhon River to enjoy a picnic lunch. Our destination for the day is the Monastery that is located near the Selenge River at the foot of Mount Burenkhan. Late afternoon, arrive at your overnight stop, a mobile camp set up nearby the monastery. Enjoy dinner.
Amarbayasgalant Monastery – Delgermurun River
During the morning, we visit the Amarbayasgalant Monastery and witness their morning ceremony, after which we head north to Lake Khuvsgul. Most of the driving today will be on asphalt roads. After lunch in Erdenet, we continue with our drive heading for a valley near the Delgermurun River. Here we will check in at our ger camp for overnight.
Lake Khuvsgul
After breakfast, depart and head for Lake Khuysgul. Today, road conditions will vary between asphalt and gravel roads. We drive through open green valleys, towards our overnight stop. En route, we stop at the 5000-year-old Deer Stone Monument. Deer stones are ancient megaliths carved with symbols and are found mainly in Mongolia. Upon arrival at our overnight stop, the remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner included.
Lake Khuvsgul
Enjoy a relaxing day along the lake shore. Lake Khuvsgul lies at an altitude of 1 645 m above sea level. It is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia by volume and the second largest by area, with a coastline of 414 km. This volcanic lake is 262 m at its deepest, 136 km long and 36 km wide. Over 90 rivers feed the lake while only one flows out. Along the shores, activities take place during the year. You might be able to witness a horse race or wrestling competition depending on the cultural calendar. There will also be an opportunity to take a boat ride on the lake to visit the Reindeer people, also known as the Dukha people. They are semi-nomadic reindeer herders and are considered one of the earliest domesticators of any animal. They live in yurts that resemble Native-American tepees. They move from one place to another without establishing any permanent settlements during the year.
Lake Khuvsgul to Lake Zuun Nuur
Back on the road again today. Less than half of our route will be on asphalt and the remaining on gravel roads. We drive south to Lake Zuun Nuur. Lunch in Murun. After lunch, we proceed to Lake Zuun Nuur via gravel roads and 2000-meter-high mountain passes surrounded by granite rock boulders and Siberian Larch trees. The area is known for herds of horses. Dinner at the camp.
Lake Zuun Nuur – Chuluut River Canyon
After breakfast, we drive south towards the village of Shine Ider to refuel and then proceed to Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan via the 2000-meter-high Tariat pass. Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan is also known as “White Lake” and is nestled in the mountains of Khangai. It is 16 km wide and 20 km long. Most of today’s driving will be on gravel roads. Arrive late afternoon at our mobile ger camp set-up, next to the canyon of the Chuluut River. Dinner at the camp.
Chuluut River Canyon – Orkhon Valley
Today we drive through Central Mongolian plains on paved roads. Refuel and a quick lunch stop in Tsetsereleg. From Tsetserleg, we will have another 180 km enjoyable drive ahead to reach the Orkhon Valley via Tsenkher Hot Spring and the green meadows of the Khangai Range. We overnight in a basic family-run ger camp that overlooks the Orkhon Valley and its waterfall. Enjoy dinner at the camp.
Orkhon River
Enjoy a day at leisure. Activities to consider are a short drive to a nearby nomad family for a cultural experience, an optional hike in the nearby hills or to the waterfall or a horseback ride. Enjoy dinner at the camp.
Uush Shakhlag
After breakfast, depart on a long drive to get a glimpse of the Gobi Desert. Our drive starts with a river crossing and via some volcanic boulders to reach the town of Arvaikheer. After lunch, we drive south over the flat plains of the Gobi Desert to reach our camp. Our mobile camp is located next to the high, multi-coloured cliffs of Uush Shakhlag. Enjoy dinner at the camp.
Elsen Tasarkhai
The journey back to Ulaanbaatar starts. En route, we stop in Arvaikheer to refuel. By mid-afternoon, we reach Elsen Tasarkhai, known for its Gobi sand dunes. It continues for 80 km and is 5 km wide. This unique geographical area is where the Gobi Desert and the central Mongolian plains meet. Dinner at the camp.
Ulaanbaatar
Final day of driving. En route, we visit the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue. This is a 40-meter-tall, stainless-steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback and the world’s tallest equestrian statue. Arrive late afternoon in Ulaanbaatar. Dinner at the hotel.
Ulaanbaatar
Day at leisure for shopping or visit museums in Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a farewell dinner.
Depart
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Arrive
Arrive in South Africa.
Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.
Included
- Vehicle rental — a mix of manual and automatic Toyota Land Cruiser 100 and 200 series
- Fuel per vehicle for the duration of the tour
- Two support vehicles for the operational team
- 4 nights at the Novotel Hotel or similar in Ulaanbaatar
- 7 nights in ger camps on a full-board basis (some en-suite, some shared ablutions)
- 3 nights in a mobile ger camp with communal ablutions
- Meals as per the itinerary
- A horse demonstration
- A mechanic travelling with the convoy
- A field chef and support team of 3–4 people
- An English-speaking guide for the entire trip
- Toll fees
- Entrance fees for national parks, the Ulaanbaatar folk performance, and museums as per the itinerary
- Camping equipment, including a folding chair
- 2 litres of drinking water per person per day
- Car insurance in case of an accident
- Car fridge, sand plates, and 2 spare tyres per vehicle
- Two-way communication radios
- Return airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar
Not included
- Alcoholic and soft drinks during the trip
- Personal service fees at hotels and ger camps
- Gratuities for the crew (around USD 100 per person)
- International and domestic flights
- Items of a personal nature
- Medical, luggage and travel insurance, including an airlift
- Any inoculations
- Visa fees
- International Driving Licence for all drivers
- Anything not specifically listed under inclusions
Dates on request.
This expedition doesn’t run every year, and the next departure hasn’t been set. Register your interest and we’ll come back to you as soon as dates are confirmed.
A minimum of 10 guests is required for the tour to run.
Land package cost
- Driver of vehicle: USD 8,880 per driver (approx. R155,400)
- Non-driver/passenger: USD 7,780 per person (approx. R136,150)
- Single supplement: USD 580 (approx. R10,150)
Use a currency converter for an approximate figure in your local currency, noting that the final cost is determined by the exchange rate at the time of confirmation and payment.
Budgeting for the rest
- International flights: not included. Budget roughly R40,000 per person return, Johannesburg to Ulaanbaatar via Hong Kong, with a long layover in Hong Kong on the way home
- Visa: required for South African passport holders, applied for online
- International Driving Licence: required for all drivers, obtainable through the AA
- Vehicle damage deposit: USD 1,000 per vehicle, paid on collection in Ulaanbaatar and refunded once the vehicle’s inspected at the end of the trip
- Travel insurance: compulsory. Fully comprehensive cover for medical expenses, an airlift, cancellation and curtailment, arranged within 48 hours of paying any deposit
- Gratuities for the crew: not included, budget around USD 100 per person