Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads

13 days
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Small Group Tour
The rolling steppe of Central Asia makes way to stark desert; across this vast landscape, nomadic ger camps are peppered, camels and goats are herded on horseback, fermented mare’s milk is the tipple of choice, dunes sing and the first intact dinosaur eggs were found. Genghis Khan went forth from here to conquer the biggest land empire in history and, to this...
$7,290
From$5,400
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Experiencethe spectacularly varied landscape of Mongolia
    • Sleep in ger camps (traditional Mongolian tents)
    • Visit Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire
    • Marvel at the rolling dunes and landscape of the Gobi Desert
    • Discover one of the last remaining nomadic cultures in the world

What's this trip about?

    The rolling steppe of Central Asia makes way to stark desert; across this vast landscape, nomadic ger camps are peppered, camels and goats are herded on horseback, fermented mare’s milk is the tipple of choice, dunes sing and the first intact dinosaur eggs were found. Genghis Khan went forth from here to conquer the biggest land empire in history and, to this day, Buddhist and Animist traditions mix. Join this trip and travel through steppe, mountain and the Gobi Desert to explore the nature and culture of this fascinating, yet little known, country.Discover the remote Mongolian steppe, the Gobi Desert and nomadic traditions

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityUlaanbaatar
End CityUlaanbaatar

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks
  • Festivals & Special Events

Destinations

Attractions

  • Gobi Desert
  • Ulaanbaatar

Activities

  • Culture
  • Festivals & Special Events
  • Nature
  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, lunch and dinners
    • All accommodation
    • All transport, including 4x4s and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Ulaanbaatar

The adventure begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Anyone who arrives early can explore some of the city sites, including Sukhbaatar Square (the main square), the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store. A group welcome briefing is held at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 To Khustain Nuruu National Park; trek to see Przewalski's horses; overnight in ger camp

Before leaving UB, we visit the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia and the seat of Buddhist studies in Mongolia. Here we may see monks praying and a 65ft (20m) tall gold-and-bronze statue of Migjid Janraisig. We then drive on the main road...

Day 3 Drive to Little Gobi Desert; visit Khogno Khan Mountain; opportunity for bird and wildlife watching

We continue our journey westwards towards Karakorum along an asphalt road, travelling at an easy pace. Today’s destination, the Mongol Els (or Little Gobi Desert) is a unique belt of dunes in the steppe. Arriving at lunch, we check into a ger camp before exploring the...

Day 4 To Karakorum; visit Erdene Zuu Monastery

Today we have a 56mi (90km) drive to Karakorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. It was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongol power base until Kublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery was the l...

Day 5 Morning visit to monastery; along northern edge of Gobi Desert to Arvaikheer via Shankh Monastery

We continue along the paved road to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert. On the way, we visit the Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theologist Zanabazar. We should arrive at Arvaikheer mid-afternoon...

Day 6 To Bayan Gobi via Ikh Bogd Mountain

Today is a long day as we head properly off the tourist route into some of the wilder parts of the Gobi Desert. After an early breakfast, we start our journey and rapidly leave the paved road. The landscape changes as we head deeper into the Gobi, while the majestic I...

Day 7 See rock paintings; explore region of Bayan Gobi

After going over a desert pass and visiting the quartz-rich White Cave, our journey continues through classic Gobi Desert scenery of flat stony plains mixed with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch on th...

Day 8 Visit the Singing Dunes, the largest dunes in Mongolia

We have a full day to explore the dunes and surrounding area. The Khongoriin Els stretch for 125mi (200km) and are as high as 985ft (300m) in places. They are known as the Singing Dunes, because of the beautiful sound that resonates through them on a windy day. The So...

Day 9 Travel through the rocky plains of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park

This morning, we drive through the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means ‘Three Beauties of the Gobi’ and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai range. The park landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipi...

Day 10 Hiking around the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag

Today we have time to relax in our luxury ger camp. Either in the morning or afternoon, we take a 43mi (70km) drive to Bayanzag. Known as the Flaming Cliffs, the red-ochre colour can be striking and we have the opportunity for a short hike among colourful sands of red...

Day 11 Fly to Ulaanbaatar; to Terelj National Park

We leave the Gobi Desert and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we’re picked up by our bus and drive to Terelj National Park. Though it’s only about 37mi (60km) away, traffic is the main determining factor as to how long this journey takes. Terelj National Park i...

Day 12 Terelj National Park; Genghis statue; Ulaanbaatar

This morning, we visit the Tibetan-style Aryabala temple, a meditation centre on a mountainside with sweeping views over the national park. As we follow the walk up to the temple, we can read inspirational sayings on placards every few steps. The climb to the temple i...

Day 13 End in Ulaanbaatar

The tour ends after breakfast today and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,400
Price per day$415
Last Updated: 4/4/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
30 Jun 2025
14 Jul 2025
$6,450
$7,605
09 Jul 2025
23 Jul 2025
$6,450
$7,605
12 Aug 2025
24 Aug 2025
$5,400
$6,375
02 Sep 2025
14 Sep 2025
$5,400
$6,375
21 Sep 2025
07 Oct 2025
$7,650
$8,655

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

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Apr 2025

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Apr 2025

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Apr 2025

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

3 nights hotels, all en suite, and 9 nights traditional nomadic ger camps with shared facilities Travel by 4WD vehicle, bus and one internal flight Some long drives through very remote country
We use hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Arvaikheer and ger camps elsewhere. This traditional accommodation is airy and usually contains a central wood-burning stove (in the summer the stoves are not normally needed). The bathrooms are normally shared and all have hot water (due to the remoteness of the camps this can, at times, be erratic). Many of the ger camps now have 24-hour electricity in the ger itself for charging batteries. If there is no charging facility inside the ger, there are charging facilities in the common area (though this may be during limited periods of the day when the generator is turned on). There is normally no more than two people per ger; however, in some cases, due to availability issues, we may need to have triples in the ger. There may also be rare occasions when a single cannot be guaranteed in a particular ger camp.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All meals included. Traditional Mongolian diets are very meat and dairy heavy. While there are opportunities to try some of these products, such as dry curd and fermented mare’s milk, the meals provided in the ger camps are generally Western meals, at times with an Asian influence. There is normally some form of soup and salad plus a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for; if you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements, please inform us in advance. Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are buffets while others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot dish. On some days, a pack lunch is provided, this is often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and is generally from large water containers, so make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is the opportunity to buy snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple of other occasions along the way when we drive through towns or villages.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-ACMA

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