Gobi desert & Altai Mountains tour /15 days/

Day3. (7th July)

Khongor Sand Dune – camel ride After breakfast time, we will drive to Khongor Sand Dune (190 km). Khongor is second biggest sand dune in the country that extend along the northern side of Sevrei and Zoolun mountain ranges. It range from 5 to 10 km in width, nearly 100 km long, with crests rising 80 to 300m above the surrounding landscape. The booming sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar when occurs windy day. Hence locals called it as Singing Sands. Near Khongor River at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. We will ride camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes and explore the area where climbing one of the dunes affords the energetic traveler with an unforgettable experience of endless vistas across a sea of daffodil-colored sand. Overnight there. from the top of the Khongor Sand Dune in the morning Khongor Oasis view Khongor Oasis view from a distance. Background white mountain is Khongor Sand Dune camel riding in Gobi Desert (more pictures & info of Khongor Sand Dune)

Day4. (8th July)

Bayanzag – dinosaur site After breakfast time, we will drive to Bayanzag (150 km). Bayanzag means saxual forest in English and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the water and wind over many millions of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as Protoceratops & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there in first time. American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered this place and named as Flaming Cliffs. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. It is an interesting place to wander about to get a closer look at one of the world’s most famous paleontological sites. In the evening we will walk around the site. Overnight there. Bayanzag view from car parking tourist usually do hike for explore the site dinosaur eggs found from here in first time (more pictures & info of Bayanzag)

Day5. (9th July)

Drive to Kharhorum we will visit on the way Ongi Monastery Ruin After breakfast time, we will drive to Ongi Monastery Ruins (155 km). Ongi Monastery Ruins is the visible ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1760 and destroyed in 1937 by communists. Located on the shore of the Ongi River, the monastery was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. Raw violence of the destruction at Ongiin Khiid was still visible, still palpable, even though it happened over years ago. It is a good place for overnight of traveling between Central Mongolia and Gobi. We will hike to the ruins for visiting to local ger museum displayed survived objects of destroyed monastery and a small lovely and active Buddhist temple. Overnight there. Ongi Monastery Ruins Ongi Monastery Ruin view Ongi River view Ongi Monastery Ruin view from a distance Ongi Monastery Ruin’s museum & active temple view from front side (more pictures & info of Ongi Monastery Ruin)

Karakorum (10th July) 

Former capital of Genghis Khan After breakfast time, we will drive to Karakorum (265 km). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. In the history, the city of Karakorum was founded in 1220 in Orkhon River Valley by order of Genghis Khan and after collapsing of Yuan dynasty of Khuvilai Khan Min state’s invaders sacked the city and massacred its inhabitants in 1388 and ruined it. After 200 years, Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia and by various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum. At its peak in the late 18th century the complex of ornate gardens and 62 temples was home to over 1000 lamas. But in 1937, by communist purges the whole monastery completely destroyed. We will visit to Karakorum Museum, Karakorum Ruin Open Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery Complex respectively. Overnight there. visiting to real nomadic family wall of the Erdene Zuu Monastery inside of the Erdene Zuu Monast

Day6. (11st July)

Back to Ulaanbaatar city. That day you will see Naadam Festival

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Day7. (12nd July)  

Fly from UB to Olgii, arrive in the morning, short town introduction (small town) go to Halal Restaurant ( Turkish restaurant) and have brunch. After the brunch, we will drive out of Olgii heading towards to Ranger station of Tavan Bogd mountain. 3000 meters height from sea level. Arrive at the Ranger station where many Tuvan nomads spend their summer. Experience differences of nomadic lifestyle. On your way you will stop to see Deer Stones  and overnight in tent

Day 8. (13rd July)  

Today you will do half day of horse riding and reach 20KM Potaniin glacier which is biggest glacier in Mongolia. Camping  next to glacier. After lunch experience the glacier and come back at your camp there.

Day 9. (14th June)  

Do hiking up to Malchin peak/4130m/. Malchin peak is the one of the highest mountains in Mongolia that bordering with Russia. You will have unreal views of Altai mountains. Come back to your camping spot.

Day 10. (15th July)  

From glacier side start horse riding back to Ranger station. The place where Tuvan Nomads staying.  Have rest. Enjoy healthy meal of your cook.

Day 11.(16th July)  

Drive from Ranger station heading to Khoton Khurgan lakes area where many Kazakh nomads stay during the summer time. Stop by snake river valley and see ancient burial mounds, petroglyphs and dear stones. Continue to drive to the lakes. Arrive at the Kazakh nomadic family. Settle down there for the next couple of days camping. Overnight in yurt.  ( Lakes area is with trees, snow capped mountains, pristine lakes and mineral water rivers). Today we will slaughter a sheep and invite all other Kazakh neighbors and have “five fingers” feast. Sing songs and have fun with nomads. ( Slaughtering a sheep is a tradition of Kazakh when they have important guests at their yurts). Camping at next to Kazakh yurt and experience nomadic life.

Day 12. (17th July)  

Hike to Ikh Turgen valley to see the beautiful  waterfall coming from glacier mountains on big rocks. Hike back to the nomadic family. Stop by Eagle hunter’s family on the way back. See golden eagles and share eagle hunter’s lifestyle. Same day you will do short driving to the west side and camp next to khoton lake.

Day 13. (18th July)  

During that day next to your camp you will able to hike up to mountain with full of rock paintings from Turkic age. Later that day you can do half day fishing on Khoton lake and relax by enjoying beauties of western Mongolia and we will make firework.

Day 14. (19th July)  

Drive back to Ulgii 5,6 hours. Stay at local Hotel in Ulgii

Day 15. (20th July)  

Fly to Ulaanbatar. That day you will visit Chinggis khaan Equestrian Statue Complex

Day 16. (21st July)  

Leave Ulaanbaatar