KHARKHORIN, ANCIENT CAPITAL OF THE GREAT MONGOL EMPIRE

Driving for 80 km on asphalt road after breakfast will bring us to the start of monks’ Buddist ceremony at the  monastery Erdenezuu of Kharkhorin city which was once the first capital city of the Great Mongol Empire dated back to the 13rd century. In 1380, Kharkhorin was destroyed. But approximately two centuries later, on the same site, there arose the yurt of Avtai Khan, founder of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. But during the Stalinist purge in 1930s, the monastery was destroyed. In 1965 it restored and became a museum. In the afternoon, we will visit the museums to have the all necessary knowledge of our history, religion, about the ancient city and explore the city. 

TRAVEL TO GARID KHAD

Continue the drive to Garidyn Khad cliff  which is located on the eastern edge of Khangai mountains of Uvurkhangai province. The rock is in interesting shape and located in very beautiful landscape. You will feel freedom of nature and enjoy evening sunshine from there. 

TRAVEL TO OROG LAKE

After a relaxing morning at the camp,we will drive towards Lake Orog which lies on the north side of the Ikh Bogd Mountain range. Orog lake is located about 100 km south of the Bayankhongor city. It's located at the end of the Tuin river and is nestled amongst Ikh Bogd mountains.Orog Lake is a saltwater lake. Water levels vary, depending on inflow from the Tuin River,which rises in the Khangai mountain range. On the northern side of the lake, there is a wide sand dune which stretches along the shore.The Lake’s shore is a bird paradise. We will camp overnight in the middle of Elsengezeg small sand dunes along lake shore.

IKH BOGD MOUNTAIN 

Ikh Bogd "Great Saint" also known as Tergun Bogd, is a mountain of the Gobi-Altai mountains and located in the Bayankhongor province in Mongolia. It has an elevation of 3,957 metres (12,982 ft) above sea level  For beautiful views, we will drive to the top of the Ikh Bogd mountain where the lake looks like cloud in the sky from.  From there, you will also see how the big mountain range was splitted before over 70 years due to earthquake. Rocky peaks loom over changing landscapes that are ideal for archaeological explorations, bird watching, wildlife watching, hiking and mountain climbing. It is always great to camp on that mountain in summer time. 

TRAVEL TO BICHIGT KHAD

Today we will travel to Bichig Khad, literally Stone with inscriptions, are located in the Bayan range of Bayanlig. They have been dated to 3, 000 years ago and are considered sacred. While the animal drawings here also provide evidence that Mongolians have been domestic, there is other evidence that that they once farmed and domesticated animals. We will also continue to travel to White Cave, which is located in Bayanlig soum and is home to numerous ancient cave drawings. The inside of the cave is also decorated with crystals and painting is dated from 750.000 years. There are hundreds of images of human beings, animals and symbols (tamga) there were engraved by the prehistoric people on the rocks. The first petroglyphs were likely to have been made approximately 3000 years ago BCE and people had continued to add illustrations until the 8th century CE . Tsagaan agui cave and Bichigt rock drawings are protected by Mongolian government since 1998.

TRAVEL TO KHONGOR SAND DUNES

Today we will drive to the massive sand dunes ,Khongor Sand Dunes or Singing Dunes, which is one of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia, There is an oasis called Khongor river with stunning greenery in the summer.  It is a great place to ride two humped Bacterian camel named by locals “Prince of Gobi” and see camel breeder’s everyday life. Getting to the top (45 minutes to one hour) is exhausting; every step forward is followed by a significant backslide, but the views of the desert from the sandy summit are wonderful. This dramatic scenery features many colors of nature as white sand dune, the light green grass, red-blue mountains and the eternal blue sky. 

A LEISURE DAY AT THE SAND DUNES

Today is relaxing day without car. We will visit Mongolian nomadic camel family to see how they live, to have talk with members of the family about their life. In this way, you will have more natural feeling of who we are and able to see how they prepare dairy products from the camel milk and even how they milk the camels.  Then, it will be great to ride camel to the singing dunes to feel like real camel herder of the endless Gobi of Mongolia. Relax at the camp in the morning afternoon Camel trekking along Duut Mankhan, Oasis and visit local camel herder family.

TRAVEL FLAMING CLIFFS

 After good rest of 2 nights near the singing dunes, today we will head to Flaming Cliff which was the motherland of the Dinosours once in old times. We Mongolians call this place as Bayanzag which means ‘rich in saxaul shrubs’, is more commonly known as ‘Flaming Cliffs’, a name given by the palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, famous American explorer in the 1920s, first excavated in 1922, it is renowned worldwide for the number of dinosaur bones and eggs found in area, which you can see in museums around the world.  It is a classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun and awesome emptiness. You will feel mystical, wonderful feeling out there.

WHITE CLIFF

In this beautiful morning, we will leave South Gobi back for the Middle Gobi to the amazing White Cliff. The name Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is given by local people to the impressive and legendary cliff which is a sheer slope that was an ancient seabed that featured a sedimentary structure. Imagine a 400m-long jigsaw of white-sand cliffs, striped pastel shades of purple, orange and red, and the thrumming beat of swallows' wings as they zoom toward the cliffs, veering off at the last heartbeat before impact. Having 10 million years of history, the cliff indicates different times by its colored layers. During downpour water flows after fain from its vertical walls, it looks like a massive waterfall and also looks like a ruined city from big distance. 

TRAVEL TO BAGA GAZAR ROCK FORMATION

Drive for a few hours mostly on asphalt road to Baga gazariin chuluu, picturesque mountain in the middle of the Gobi Desert elevating up to 1,751 meters. The beautiful area sheltered Zanabazar, the first reincarnated Bogd, during the conflicts between the Khalkh and Oirad Mongols in 17th century. Later, the rock formation was home to two revered monks who left rock inscriptions in the 19th century. Also you can see Bolort cave, pure spring for people to wash their eyes for healthy eyes, petroglyphs, burial mounds and many other sightseeing. In this rocky area, we will go for hiking and relax mentally. 

TRAVEL BACK TO ULAANBAATAR 

After breakfast, we will still have some time to walk or enjoy the nature around. Then we will travel to Ulaanbaatar city on paved road. On the way, we will stop by a beautiful mountain rises from steppe, Zorgol Khairkhan.  The huge, red granite mountain does indeed have a diverse and beautiful nature to offer. It has many caves and water springs. In history, it is said that Chinggis khan used to go for hunting around this mountain. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and we will have farewell dinner while talking our wonderful trip through the Gobi Desert. Then we will transfer you to the hotel.