›You are here

Home›Destinations›Asia›Mongolia›Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul Overview

Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul Overview

    • 120
    • CDONC
    • Total price tool tip
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Explore Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as you travel from Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul.

Travel along one of the world’s oldest trade routes - the Silk Road. Follow in the footsteps of armies, traders and explorers and traverse some of the world's hottest deserts, highest mountains and wildest tribal lands. Explore the ancient cities and cultures that became incredibly rich and powerful through the silk trade, stay with nomads, eat local delicacies, see modern Soviet history's indelible imprint, and walk along the Great Wall. Experience the invigorating mix of European and Asian cultures in Istanbul, visit the central Anatolian plain, journey into amazing Capadoccian Valleys, and uncover ancient civilisations in Georgia, China and Mongolia. Immerse yourself in the ancient tales and culture of this wild and rugged land on the Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul adventure.

  • Climb deserted sections of the Great Wall of China
  • Cross the infamous Torugart Pass from Kyrgyzstan to China
  • Explore the historic town of Bukhara
  • See the Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
  • See the dramatic glaciers adorning the Ala Archa Canyon
  • Spend time with nomad tribes
  • Visit Mongolia’s renowned national parks
  • Wander through Beijing’s’ Forbidden City

Trip Map


Ulaanbaatar to Istanbul Summary

Add to Shortlist

Days 1-2 Ulaanbaatar

This surprising city combines tradition with modern day in a Soviet-style framework. Ulaanbaatar may look grey, but the city's inherent spirit and its colourful people make this a city to remember.

Day 3 Baga Gazryn Chuluu

Located in the heart of the Gobi Desert, Baga Gazryn Chuluu’s intriguing granite rocks are atmospheric and photogenic.

Day 4 South Gobi

A number of dinosaur fossils and eggs have been found in the South Gobi Desert, a place of immense beauty despite its harsh exterior.

Day 5 Yolin Am (Vulture Canyon)

The desert reveals a shock of ice in the narrow gorge of Yolin Am, named after an Old World vulture called the Lammergeier.

Day 6 Bayan Zag

Bayanzag is called the Flaming Cliffs for the intense orange colour of its rocks. Indescribably beautiful, it is also home to numerous dinosaur fossils.

Days 7-8 Khongorin Els

Stretching as far as the eye can see, the Khongorin Els sand dunes are extraordinary, especially when they sing in the wind.

Day 9 South Gobi

The seemingly endless open plains of the South Gobi Desert are anything but barren. Dramatic rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes, shy animals and spectacular sunsets await.

Day 10 Arvaikheer/Bush camp

Located in the centre of Mongolia, Arvaikheer is a small, traditional city home to friendly people well known for their crafts and love of horses.

Days 11-12 The Orkhon Valley

Because the Orkhon Valley was of strategic and divine importance to the Turks, it is now full of fascinating ruins, some dating back to the 8th century.

Days 13-14 Tsenkher Hot Springs

Tsenkher is renowned for its delightful hot springs and is set amongst remote yet beautiful open scenery.

Day 15 Karakorum

Built by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, the ancient capital of Karakorum houses Mongolia's first Buddhist centre and impressive ruins.

Day 16 Ugii Lake

Often so still that the clouds are mirrored as they roll across the sky, lovely Lake Ugii is home to a diverse range of birds and fish.

Day 17 Khustain National Park

The impressive Khustain Nuruu National Park is blessed with an incredible array of plant, bird and animal species.

Days 18-19 Terelj National Park

There is an abundance of activities to enjoy in Terelj National Park, with the Tuul River, rocky outcrops, walking trails and a glacial lake to enjoy.

Days 20-21 Ulaanbaatar

Called UB by locals, the endearing Ulaanbaatar is surrounded by green hills and is a curious mix of Soviet buildings and ger districts.

Days 22-23 Choir/Sainshand

Say goodbye to Ulaanbaatar and make the long journey across Mongolia's diverse plains towards China. Spend nights camping under a blanket of stars.

Day 24 Erlian

Cross the border from Mongolia to China at Erlian.

Days 25-26 Beijing

Beijing has a long and colourful history and this rapidly modernising city is an amazing whirl of ancient sites, modern buildings, bicycles, people, shops and eateries.

Days 27-28 Chengde

Sitting pretty in the mountains, Chengde is a breath of fresh air, especially the enchanting Mountain Resort which is a former royal summer residence.

Day 29 Jinshanling

Jinshanling is a mountainous area with an attractive section of the Great Wall, which zigzags up the steep terrain and straddles peaks like a suspension bridge.

Days 30-31 Datong

Bordering Inner Mongolia, Datong is a coal rich city that founded in 200BC and is the gateway to the incredible Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery.

Days 32-33 Wutai Shan

Wutai Shan is also called 'Five Plateau Mountain', and is home to the Bodhisattva of wisdom and harbours some of China's most sacred monasteries and temples.

Days 34-35 Pingyao

Walking through the beautifully preserved streets of Pingyao is like stepping back into Imperial China with red lanterns lighting streets, imposing city walls and traditional buildings at every turn.

Day 36 Lijiashan

With cave dwellings adorning the hills around Lijiashan, this fascinating town is a definite highlight of any trip to China.

Days 37-38 Yan'an

Yan'An was where Mao's Long March ended in 1935, and was the Communist Party's base until 1948 - it's also filled with cultural sites and nature to enjoy.

Days 39-42 Xi'an

As the start of the ancient trading route the Silk Road and an imperial centre for 2,000 years, Xi'an has a fascinating history and rich cultural sites to discover.

Day 43 Pingliang/Mount Kongtong

Pingliang is a city in China's Gansu Province that is overlooked by the beautiful and sacred Kongtong Mountains.

Day 44 Gansu Corridor, Lanzhou

With the Yellow River running through the city, Lanzhou has a number of interesting mosques, temples, parks and museums to visit.

Days 45-46 Xiahe

The colours of Tibet can be seen on the streets of Xiahe, a celebrated town for Tibetans due to the Labrang Monastery and its stunning surrounding landscapes.

Day 47 Liujiaxia

Liujiaxia lies along the Yellow River and is known for its hydroelectric power station and close proximity to the intriguing Bingling Si Caves.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

  • Finish:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (31 nts), Camping (with facilities) (5 nts), Cave house (1 nt), Guesthouse (3 nts), Homestay (6 nts), Hostel (1 nt), Hotel (55 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt), Yurt (11 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle, Overnight ferry

  • Included activities:

    Baku City Tour, Bingli Si Buddah Caves, entrance, Lanzhou, Bisu Shanzhuang, Black Dragon Temple, Chinggis Khan Monument, City Tour, Bukhara, Darwasa Gas Crater, Erdene Zuu Monastery Entrance, Forbidden City Tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided Tour of Terracotta Warriors, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Hanging Monastery, Entrance, Datong, Hike to Tuvkhon Monastery, Hiking, Jaohe Ruins, Turpan, Kashgar - Sunday & Animal Bazaars, Khan's Palace, Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op, Kokand Khan's Palace and Mosque, Kow Ata Underground Lake, Kultigen monument, Maogao Grottoes, Entrance, incl local guide,Dunhuang, Mud Volcanoes, Museum of History, Ongii Monastery Ruins, Petroglyphs, Gobustan, Puning Temple, entrance,, Revolution Museum & Headquarters site, Shaumta Monastery/Nunnery, Stalin Museum, Sumela Monastery, Sunday Market, Taihui Temple Cluster, Tsminda Sameba Church, Turkish Museum, Visit Baga Gazryn Chuluu, Visit Bayan Zag, Visit to ancient ruined city, Visit to old city ruins, Visit to the Great Wall, Visit to the Takhi (wild horse) reintroduction project, Visit to waterfalls, Visit to Yolin Am Ice Canyon

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    4920kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. Some destinations visited on this trip do not have consulates in Australia and New Zealand. We recommend that travellers from these countries book the WESTBOUND itinerary of this trip where some visas can be obtained en route.
    2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
    3. Combination trip. Please see Trip Notes (Important Notes) for more details.
    4. Due to a British government travel warning, from September 2012 this itinerary will no longer be able to visit Iran. It will instead travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and then through Georgia to Turkey.
Contact us

About Azerbaijan , China , Georgia , Kyrgyzstan , Mongolia , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan

    • 120
    • CDONC
    • Total price tool tip
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Shortlist

No trips.

Recently Viewed

Clear list

intrepid meet up