Discover Mongolia: From the Gobi to the Altai

Upon arrival at Ulaanbaatar International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel. After time to settle in and refresh, begin your introduction to Mongolia’s vibrant capital.

Visit Gandan Monastery, the country’s most important Buddhist monastery, where monks continue centuries-old religious traditions. Continue to Sükhbaatar Square, the ceremonial heart of Ulaanbaatar, surrounded by important government buildings and monuments. Next, explore the impressive Chinggis Khaan Museum, which traces Mongolia’s history from the ancient steppe empires through the era of Genghis Khan and beyond. If desired, conclude with a visit to the renowned Gobi Cashmere boutique, where you can browse some of Mongolia’s finest cashmere products before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, depart Ulaanbaatar for a scenic drive into Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful protected landscapes. En route, stop at the monumental Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue, the world’s largest equestrian monument, which commemorates the legendary founder of the Mongol Empire and offers sweeping views across the surrounding steppe.

Upon arrival in Terelj, visit the famous Turtle Rock, a striking granite formation shaped by centuries of wind and weather. Continue with a hike to the Ariyabal Meditation Temple, a serene Buddhist sanctuary perched on a hillside overlooking the valley below. Surrounded by forested slopes and dramatic rock formations, the temple offers a peaceful setting for reflection and panoramic views of the park's pristine landscapes.

Return to Ulaanbaatar in the evening.

This morning, board a commercial flight to Dalanzadgad, the gateway to Mongolia’s legendary Gobi Desert. Upon arrival, continue by luxury 4x4 vehicle through the desert landscape to the award-winning Three Camel Lodge, a refined wilderness retreat inspired by traditional Mongolian design.

During your stay, enjoy a range of immersive lodge experiences that showcase the culture and natural beauty of the Gobi. Activities may include stargazing beneath exceptionally clear desert skies, camel riding, electric biking, traditional ger assembly, and optional Mongolian-inspired wellness treatments at their spa.

After breakfast, set out for Moltsog Els, one of the Gobi Desert’s most picturesque dune systems, where rolling sands rise unexpectedly from the surrounding steppe. Explore the dunes on foot and take in the striking contrast between the golden sands and the vast open landscape. If conditions permit and a local herding family is nearby, enjoy a ride on a Bactrian camel, the distinctive two-humped camel native to Central Asia and perfectly adapted to the harsh desert environment. Should camels not be available here, an opportunity to ride them will be arranged elsewhere during your journey.

Following lunch, visit a traditional nomadic family, reaching their camp either by bicycle or vehicle depending on conditions and preference. Experience the renowned hospitality of Mongolia’s nomads as you share local cuisine and gain insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Learn about daily routines, livestock herding, and the traditions that continue to shape life on the Mongolian steppe.

Today, journey deeper into the Gobi Desert to Bayanzag, better known as the Flaming Cliffs. Named for the striking red sandstone formations that glow in shades of crimson and orange in the late afternoon light, this dramatic landscape is one of Mongolia’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Bayanzag is also renowned as one of the world’s most important paleontological sites. In 1922, American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews made groundbreaking discoveries here, including the first scientifically recognized dinosaur eggs, bringing international attention to the region. Since then, numerous expeditions have uncovered significant dinosaur fossils, and new finds continue to emerge from the surrounding desert.

Explore the cliffs and surrounding terrain while learning about the area's remarkable prehistoric history. As you walk through this extraordinary landscape, keep an eye out for fossil fragments and imagine the ancient creatures that once roamed these now-arid plains millions of years ago.

Depart the Gobi with lasting memories of its vast desert landscapes and continue by flight to Ölgii, gateway to Mongolia’s remote far west. Upon arrival at Ölgii Airport, meet your team and set out by 4x4 vehicles into the wild beauty of Bayan-Ölgii.

The journey leads across dramatic mountain and steppe scenery toward Bayan Lake, where glacial waters meet the braided channels of the Khovd River beneath the snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountains. Later, arrive at Vega Camp and settle into your signature Vega Room. This evening, take in the silence of the open landscape and toast the beginning of your adventure beneath Mongolia’s immense western sky.

This morning, set out to explore the spectacular Tsul Ulaan Valley, one of western Mongolia’s most dramatic and photogenic landscapes. Follow a scenic route through a region where striking red rock cliffs rise against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, while nomadic camps scattered across the valley offer a glimpse into a way of life that has endured for centuries.

Along the way, visit a local family in Bayan Village for a personal introduction to daily life in this remote corner of Mongolia. Share in their hospitality and gain insight into the traditions, customs, and rhythms of nomadic life on the steppe.

Continue to the banks of the Khovd River for a scenic lunch surrounded by granite mountains and sweeping valley views. Afterward, return to Vega Camp, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, reflect, and enjoy the tranquility of Mongolia’s far western frontier.

Today, journey deeper into the remote highlands of western Mongolia, following rugged tracks through the dramatic landscapes surrounding Noroolog Cliff. As you travel, vast open valleys, ancient rock formations, and the enduring presence of nomadic herders create a powerful sense of isolation and wilderness.

Along the route, enjoy several opportunities for short walks to explore the scenery more closely, including views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, and traditional nomadic encampments. The highlight of the day is the magnificent Tsambagarav Mountain, whose glacier-clad slopes rise prominently above the surrounding steppe.

Pause at Tavan Belchir for coffee amid spectacular mountain scenery before continuing to your next Vega Camp. Arrive in time to settle in and enjoy the tranquility of this remote region, where the vast landscapes and unhurried pace of life make the modern world feel very far away.

Today, travel to Yellow Lake to visit the summer camp of a renowned Kazakh eagle hunter, where you will gain insight into one of Central Asia’s most enduring nomadic traditions. Learn about the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles, passed down through generations of Kazakh families, and witness a demonstration of the remarkable bond between hunter and bird. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional horse games and enjoy a short horseback ride across the open steppe.

Following the eagle hunting experience, take part in a private Mini Naadam Festival, a celebration of Mongolia’s nomadic heritage featuring demonstrations of traditional sports and games. Activities may include horseback skills such as coin pickup, tug-of-war competitions, and Kyz Kuu, a traditional pursuit game in which a female rider chases her male counterpart across the steppe.

Later, continue to Vega Camp on the shores of the beautiful Tolbo Lake. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner accompanied by live local music, celebrating your journey through western Mongolia beneath the vast open sky.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Ölgii Airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar, bringing with you memories of the dramatic landscapes, nomadic traditions, and warm hospitality of Mongolia’s Altai region.

Upon arrival in the capital and after checking into your hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You may wish to explore Ulaanbaatar at your own pace, discovering a city where modern development meets Soviet-era architecture and traditional Mongolian culture. Browse local shops and galleries, sample the city’s increasingly vibrant dining scene, or simply soak up the atmosphere of Mongolia’s dynamic and rapidly evolving capital.

End your Mongolia adventure and fly onward to your next destination.