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  4. Mongolia Expedition: Wilderness of the West

Travel nomad-style through mountains, deserts and steppes

This journey takes you into the wild west of Mongolia, a place where crystal-clear lakes, snow-capped peaks and giant dunes whisper the legendary stories of nomads and nature. Be mesmerised by khoomii (traditional throat singing), be welcomed into the gers of nomadic families, spot wildlife like ibex, argali sheep and the elusive snow leopard, and join Kazakh eagle hunters at a tight-knit local celebration. Beginning and ending in Ulaanbaatar, this adventure unveils the true spirit of Mongolia's wild west on an epic road trip with an unimaginably beautiful backdrop.

Start
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Finish
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Destination
Mongolia
Style
Original
Theme
Expedition
Code
CBSX
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 3, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Traverse the far west of Mongolia, where the landscape drastically changes from the largest sand dunes in the country to crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountains.

  • Stay with a family in Chandmani, famous for its traditional ‘throat singing’, and immerse yourself in music that captures a love for nature, family and animals.

  • Visit a World Heritage-listed petroglyph site with carvings from the Bronze Age and hike to a cave that features rock art painted over 15,000 years ago.

  • Join an intimate celebration to open the eagle hunting and falconry season and visit a traditional falconry school to learn about this proud Kazah tradition.

  • Stay in traditional gers with local nomads, sharing laughs and learning about life in West Mongolia over milk tea and mutton.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Sometimes you’ve got to rough it to get amongst it. Outside of Ulaanbaatar we stay primarily in ger camps, which have basic facilities like outdoor squat toilets and may not have hot or running water. The gers themselves, a traditional nomadic dwelling, are spacious covered tents used on a multishare basis. You must be prepared to share a ger with a mixed gender group. At some camps gers will be furnished with simple beds (bedding provided), with toilet and shower facilities.

  • During homestays you will be living like your nomad hosts. Beds may be mattresses on the floor in a ger shared with your host family and there will be no bathroom facilities. This is a true taste of Mongolian life and may be very different from what you are used to. You will need to bring a sleeping bag with you for these stays.

  • Once we leave the nation's capital most meals are included. Food served will be a mixture of traditional Mongolian cuisine (mainly meat and dairy products) plus Russian or Western food. If you have very specific dietary requirements you will need to let us know well in advance. We will do our best to cater for you, but you may need to be prepared to bring some of your own supplies or stock up at the supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar. Vegetarians can be catered for, though choices may be limited.

  • Driving times will vary and any times listed in the itinerary are approximate and subject to road (where there is one!) and weather conditions. As we have our own vehicles, it may be possible to make stops along the way for photos, meals or to chat with locals, but we need to aim to get to our destinations before nightfall so please understand that long breaks may not be possible.

  • Medical facilities can be as far away as a one-day drive. During this journey the group will spend time in remote areas without home comforts or easy access to medical facilities. You will need to have excellent physical health to join this trip.

  • It is important to realise that the emphasis on this trip is on the journey rather than traditional sightseeing. The group will spend a lot of time together in a compact vehicle. If you are looking for an active or independent trip with lots of choice for physical and cultural activities every day then this trip might not be for you. However, if you are keen to explore a remote and fascinating region ‘road trip’ style, take in the scenery and experience local life, this Expedition might be your travel experience of a lifetime.

Map of Mongolia Expedition: Wilderness of the West including Mongolia
Bactrian camel ride near Ereen lake in Mongolia
Traditional Kazakh eagle hunter in Mongolia
Tsendenbal Square in Ulaanbataar in Mongolia
Picnic lunch Intrepid style in Mongolia
Stay in a Mongolian Ger or Yurt camp in Mongolia
Take a break and soak up the stunning surrounds in Mongolia
Soljir Petroglyphs in Mongolia
Lovon Mountain in Mongolia

Itinerary
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Sain baina uu! Welcome to vast Mongolia, the ‘Land of the Blue Sky’. Your trip officially begins with a group meeting at 6 pm. Afterwards, choose whether to join your fellow travellers for an optional dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive in town with some spare time before the meeting, be sure to get out and explore Ulaanbaatar – UB – a fascinating city where modernity mixes with tradition. The Fine Arts Museum and Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan are both great introductions to Mongolia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Modern Mongolia is a fiercely independent nation that's trying to hold on to its traditional heritage and wild spirit in the face of immense challenges and change. Learn more about the country's storied history on a tour of Ulaanbaatar, beginning with a visit to Gandan Monastery, one of the largest and most important Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. Climb Zaisan Hill for a bird's-eye view of the ever expanding city and its ger suburbs, then explore the National Museum of Mongolia to learn about the country's past struggles and glories before finishing up at Sukhbaatar Square. The rest of the afternoon and the evening are for you to do as you please, but we recommend checking out the International Intellectual Museum, an institution dedicated to all things puzzles and games.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ulaanbaatar - Gandan Khiid Monastery
  • Ulaanbaatar - Zaisan Hill Memorial
  • Ulaanbaatar - National Museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The road trip begins today as you depart UB on an early morning flight to Uliastai (approximately 3 hours). Located in Western Mongolia, Uliastal is the capital of the Zavkhan Province and is surrounded by mountains. Meet your drivers at the airport and hop in a 'furgon', a trusty Russian van and the main form of transport for the rest of the journey. Drive approximately 3 hours to Ereen Lake, which is surrounded by the biggest sand dunes in Mongolia. Explore the area by camel and listen to the famous sounds of the sand dunes, which ‘sing’ in a strong wind or when the top sand slides across the surface. Tonight, enjoy your first ger experience in the Mongolian wilds. Settle into camp and enjoy the serenity and getting to know your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ereen Lake - Camel ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total travel time today is 6 hours.

The ger tonight has toilet and shower facilities.

Buckle up for a long drive today (approximately 6 hours) to Dorgon Lake, stopping en route at the Soljir petroglyphs site to view carvings dating back to the Bronze Age. These carvings depict wild animals including ibex, camels and more, as well as some hunting scenes. The site has never been fully researched or studied, so it's a little-known destination. Take a short hike to reach the site, then enjoy time to explore and eat lunch. Continue to Dorgon Lake, which covers an area over 300 square kilometres. With an average depth of 14 metres, this saltwater lake makes up part of the Khar Us Nuur National Park, a huge region encapsulating lakes, mountains and vast open plains. Settle into your tourist ger camp and soak up the stillness and majesty of the area with your group.

Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dörgön Lake - Hiking & petroglyph site visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 6 hours.

Tonight's accommodation is a tourist ger camp.

Please note that from Days 5–7, you won't have access to electricity. Please make sure to charge your electronics or power banks here if necessary.

Travel approximately 4 hours to the Chandmani district, the legendary birthplace of khoomii, also known as overtone or ‘throat singing’. The origin of this mesmerising style of singing is said to be the sound of water running between rocks in the mythical River Eev, while some lore connects the practice with other natural and supernatural events. Though nobody knows the exact location of the mythical River Eev, the Tuvans, Uriangkai and Western Khalk Mongolians all agree that khoomii is connected to the river's magic. Many Chandmani men are gifted in the practice and tonight you'll learn about the practice during your stay with a local family in their ger.
Accommodation
  • Family Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chandmani - Khöömii (throat singing)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 4 hours.

Farewell your local hosts and drive approximately 3 hours to Tsagaan Sair Valley. This valley lies in the Jargalant Khairkhan mountains, an area sacred to the locals because the range determines the local climate and pastures that are of such importance to their lives. Mongolian nomads utilise the area for pasture during part of the year and it is home to hundreds of ibex, argali sheep and an estimated 24 snow leopards, among others. These mountains are also where the first ancient Altai Harp was unearthed, from the tomb of a fully armed young warrior. Take a hike through the beautiful landscape and spend the evening at a guest ger that was set up by some of the locals.
Accommodation
  • Guest Ger (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 3 hours.

Make the most of another day spent in this incredible landscape and continue to explore the Tsagaan Sair Valley. The group will take a short drive and begin hiking, looking out for ibex and wild argali sheep among the rocky surroundings. The argali live in high alpine areas and can weigh a mammoth 180 kilograms when fully grown, and the males have particularly impressive curved horns. They're also a favourite prey of the enigmatic snow leopard, and if you're lucky you may see evidence of the leopard's presence in the area. The length and nature of the hike today will depend on the weather and the group's fitness level, but one thing is certain – this is a spectacular region to explore on foot. Spend the evening back at the guest ger sharing a meal and stories with your group.
Accommodation
  • Guest Ger (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tsagaan Sair Valley - Hiking
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the day with an approximately 2-hour drive to Khoid Tsenkher Cave. Located above the Khoid Tsenkher River, this cave is famous for its rock art paintings, which were discovered in the 1960s and date back to the Paleolithic period (15–20,000 years ago). Entering the cave involves a bit of a scramble, which your leader can help you with, but once inside you'll find images of argali sheep, ibexes, camels, lions, elephants and ostriches. After visiting the cave, continue 2 hours to Khar Us Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in all of Mongolia. The lake covers an area of 15,800 square kilometres and the little islands dotting the surface are home to wild ducks, geese, wood grouse, partridges and on occasion migratory sea birds. Spend another evening in a tourist ger camp by the lake.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khar Us Lake - Khoit Tsenkher Cave
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 4 hours.

The best time for birdwatching is early morning and you may well be rewarded if you manage to drag yourself out of your ger. Enjoy a few more hours at the camp then depart for Khovd after lunch. The journey should take around 2 hours, and after the last few days of nature and wilderness, the small, multicultural town of Khovd will feel like a thriving metropolis. Established in the 18th century by the Manchus of China's Qing Dynasty, Khovd has long been a trade and business centre in Mongolia's west. It's now home to many different ethnic groups including the Zakchin, Uriankhai and Torguud peoples. Explore the city with your leader then perhaps take some time to shop for supplies or connect with your friends and family back home online. Mix things up in the evening and swap a traditional ger for a local hotel – talk about cosmopolitan!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khar Us Lake - Bird watching
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 2 hours.

Today travel approximately 5 hours to the town of Olgii, the capital of Mongolia's Bayan-Olgii Province. Stop for lunch en route with views of Tsambagarav, a permanently snow-capped mountain that attracts both Mongolian and international alpinists. It’s peak sits at just over 4000 metres and the surrounding national park – replete with glaciers and lakes – is also inhabited by snow leopards. Stretch your legs after lunch on a short hike to a viewpoint. Continue to Olgii, which sits among the Altai Mountains and was first established by Kazakhs fleeing the Russian empire during the 1840s. It's a similar size to Khovd – around 30,000 people – and hosts the Golden Eagle Festival every year to showcase the ancient form of hunting. Following a period of struggle between China and the USSR that led to the suppression of traditional Kazakh culture, other traditions are also being revived here. Stay overnight in a tourist ger camp.
Accommodation
  • Tourist Ger Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tsamgarav Mountain - Hiking
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travel to Sagsai this morning (approximately 1 hour) for the opening ceremony of a small local festival that celebrates the opening of the local eagle hunting and falconry season. It's organised by a close network of friends and attended by about 40 berkutchi AKA eagle hunters. Though the event is traditionally male only, a few female hunters have also attended in recent years. The celebrations include competitions and events, including prizes for the best-looking eagle, best-dressed berkutchi and best-decorated horse. Other contests include tenge ilu, where horsemen grab coins from the ground at full gallop to determine the most skilled, and a competition to see whose eagle catches a dummy rabbit or fox in the shortest time. Spend the night in a ger managed by some local friends.
Accommodation
  • Guest Ger (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sagsai - Berkutchi festival
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 4 hours.

Visit a recently opened falconry school and meet the eagle hunters to learn more about their training and traditions. The school plays an important role not only in educating eager young Kazakhs about traditional hunting, but also in preventing eagle hunting from becoming commercialised or exploitative and protecting the wild eagle population. The hunters will share some fascinating insights into how they catch eaglets, communicate and feed the birds, train them to hunt, and how and when they release them back into the wild. Spend some time discussing these things with both the hunters and students on a walk, during which you'll learn more about the local landscape and wildlife from those that know it best. Return to Olgii (approximately 1 hour) in the afternoon and enjoy a Kazakh folk concert in the evening before retiring to the hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ölgii - Falconry school visit
  • Ölgii - Kazakh folklore performance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is 1 hour.

Say goodbye to Western Mongolia and take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar (approximately 3 hours), where you'll have free time to continue exploring the city and, in the evening, dine either by yourself or with the rest of the group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the flight schedule may change without much notice, so this itinerary intentionally plans for an extra day in Ulaanbaatar. Today's flight may in fact leave tomorrow, but your leader will be able to inform you of the exact plan at the group meeting.

Enjoy a free final day in Ulaanbaatar. There’s plenty to do, whether you’re keen to shop for souvenirs or just soak up the city’s vibe. If you didn't find time for the Fine Arts or Intellectual Museum earlier in the journey, be sure to check them out before gathering your group together for a dinner to celebrate and toast your adventure through this vast, eclectic land.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your journey through Mongolia comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities planned today and you're free to depart any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Your journey through Mongolia comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities planned today and you're free to depart any time after check out.

Meals

14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane, Furgon (Russian van)

Accommodation

Tourist Ger Camp (4 nights), Family/Guest Ger Camp (4 nights), Hotel (6 nights)

Included activities

  • Ulaanbaatar - Gandan Khiid Monastery
  • Ulaanbaatar - Zaisan Hill Memorial
  • Ulaanbaatar - National Museum
  • Ereen Lake - Camel ride
  • Dörgön Lake - Hiking & petroglyph site visit
  • Chandmani - Khöömii (throat singing)
  • Tsagaan Sair Valley - Hiking
  • Khar Us Lake - Khoit Tsenkher Cave
  • Khar Us Lake - Bird watching
  • Tsamgarav Mountain - Hiking
  • Sagsai - Berkutchi festival
  • Ölgii - Falconry school visit
  • Ölgii - Kazakh folklore performance

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip for hotel nights only, and excludes all ger camp stays. Please speak to your booking agent for more information.
2. A sleeping bag is required for the family and guest ger stays. You can bring your own, or hire one in Ulaanbaatar for USD 5 per day. Please let your booking agent know in advance if you require one.
3. Please provide your full passport details (including a scanned copy) to your booking agent no later than 40 days prior to departure in order for us to purchase domestic flights. Any inaccuracy in thw information provided may incur extra expense in changing or reissuing tickets.
4. While we do not travel at a very high altitude, there are some destinations on this trip that are between 2500–2800 meters above sea level, where some people can experience symptoms of altitude sickness.  
5. There are TWO included domestic flights on this trip. The luggage allowance is 10 kilograms for checked luggage and 5 kilograms for carry-on luggage. Your carry-on luggage should not exceed measurements of 55cm x 35cm x 25cm, including handles, wheels, etc. Personal belongings like cameras can be carried in addition to carry-on luggage. Extra charges apply if your luggage exceeds the limit, payable directly to the airline on ground. 
6. A minimum of THREE travellers is required for departures of this trip to run.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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