This tour takes 9 days to cover Gobi and Orkhon Valley. The Gobi is a great combination of high mountains, sand dunes, vast steppes and spectacular valleys. From the Flaming Cliffs in Gobi, American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found first dinosaur eggs and nest in the world. Orkhon valley was formed by the unique combination of volcanic eruption and earthquake 20000 years. You will see the volcanic rocks everywhere. Orkhon valley is a historically very significant place for Mongolians because for many centuries Mongolian State Empires used to move around that valley and Genghis Khan ordered to establish the capital city there in 1220. It is a great opportunity to experience all those. Also you will ride a horse for a day.
Ulaanbaatar
In the morning
The scarp of Tsagaan Suvarga is located in Ulziit soum of Dundgovi province. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from a distance seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. The cliff is 30 meters high and 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years the wind has created this amazing structure.It is sheer slope and was an old seabed with sedimentary structure created by millions years and the different colors of the ground represent different times.
Yol valley is situated in east north part of Zuun Saikhan Mountain. This area has been main attraction of tourists for many decades. Very wide at the entrance, it narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. In spring two or three kilometers long winds its way through the defile and in July, freezing into a thick corridor of ice that stretches along a considerable distance. Also you will see the “Mukhar shivert” canyon where you will see the frozen waterfall. That stands there for whole year around.
Khongor Sand Dunes are the largest and most spectacular sand dunes situated in Sevrei soum. Also known as the “singing dunes”, they are up to 800 m high, 20 km wide and about 100 km long. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by a small river Khongor, which is fed by underground sources from surrounding mountains.
Flaming cliffs are located in the province of Umnugobi (“South Gobi”). Its name means “rich in saxaul”, an endangered Central Asian tree 2 to 9 m high, whose roots are precious to protect soil from erosion.Significant paleontological discoveries have been made there, especially by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews in 1920: fossilized dinosaur eggs and specimens of Velociraptor. Its nickname of “Flaming Cliffs” is due to the orange-red rock the mountain is made of.
Ongi monastery is the ruin of a big monastery on the bank of the Ongiin River. Ongi monastery has 28 temples and other buildings on the south slope of the Rocky Mountain like Balsa country and stupas which are not broken. Ongi monastery had about 1000 lamas and it was destroyed during the Stalinist purges in 1930s.The ruins of Ongi Temple are found in Saikhan Ovoo soum of Dundgobi (Middle Gobi) province.
Orkhon Valley is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Central Mongolia. It is formed by the unique combination of volcanic eruption and earthquake. The height of waterfall is 22m. The waterfall is located in beautiful Orkhon river valley with volcanic rocks which listed in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES for its historical value related to Great Mongolian Empire. There is opportunity to experience nomadic way of life, their culture and traditions. Next day we will ride horses around Orkhon Valley and see deer stone monument.
Karakorum was one of the most important cities in the history of the Silk Road. Although founded by Genghis Khan in 1220, Karakorum’s development as capital of the Mongol Empire occurred in the 1230s under his son Ugudei. The Mongols had a profound impact on the history of trade across Central Asia, as their vast empire connected east and west. We will explore the highlights of the city and visit to Erdene-Zuu monastery.
Mongolians are the last nomads in the world. Therefore this lifestyle makes us unique on the earth. We will visit a true nomadic family. The purpose of the stay at a local family is to experience the true culture of Mongolian nomads. You will see how they herd their livestock; make dairy products, and traditional clothes. Afterwards we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
