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Itinerary name: BIG LOOP
Area: Southern, Central and Northern Mongolia
Potential dates: From May to October, in each year
Duration: 19 days
Difficulty: easier - moderate (No experience necessary. Trips suitable for most ages and abilities)
Total distance: driving: 3500 km
Sights: Baga Gazryn chuluu, Tsagaan Suvarga, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan: Yolyn Am, Khongoryn els, Bayanzag, Ongiin khiid, Karakorum, Bulgan uul, Taikhar chuluu, Chuluutyn khavtsal, Khorgo-Terkh, Orookhyn davaa, Uushigyn Övriin bugan chuluu, Khövsgöl nuur, Ikh-Uul uul, Uran Togoo, Amarbayasgalant khiid and more...
Activities: Gobi precious stones, climbing in dunes, hiking, off road, visit to nomadic families, horse riding, boating etc.
Price: from 830 USD p.p 
Travel through most attractive tourist destinations in Mongolia. These destinations and attractions include Gobi Desert, the 4th largest biosphere reserve in the world, with its natural ecology and geographically unique landscape as well as its endemic & rare species of plants and animals. You will enjoy most beautiful valley (Yoliin Am) in the South Gobi, and will hike over the largest sand dunes (Khongoriin Els) in this northernmost part of the hemisphere, and spend some time with nomads who have lived in this territory for many thousands of years and have bred their livestock, especially camels, in the same nomadic way for all that time. Also, you will witness the paleontology sights (Bayanzag) where many ancient dinosaur fossils have been found in an area which, 130-200 million years ago was at the bottom of a sea.
| Lake Khuvsgul and its beautiful surrounding nature scenes. The far north of Mongolia is an area renowned for its high mountains covered in thick taiga forest, crystal clear lakes, rivers teaming with taimen and lennock and lush green open valleys. Right at the tip of northern Mongolia is Lake Khuvsgul which lies within the bounds of National Park Khuvsgul. This lake is sacred to all Mongolians and is known as the 'mother' or the 'sea'. To the north-west of the lake live the Khuvsgul-Tuvan minority group, more commonly known as the Tsaatan people or Reindeer people. These people use reindeer for transporting supplies, riding and milking and have done so for centuries. These 4 are the main destinations for tourist coming in Mongolia.
| Afterwards, you will vsiit Karakorum, a historical city which was the main administrative and merchant location of the historical Mongolian states, the historical valley of the River Orkhon. There, you will see & enjoy a nature beauty of this area, will visit an anicient famous monastery and get introduced into a specific lifestyle of real nomads. It is followed by drive to region of Volcano Khorgo and Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan (White Lake). These places are very beautiful and famous with their various nature scences & landscapes.
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Day1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar city either by train or plane. We will pick you up and transfer to the booked accommodation. Then we will enjoy Ulaanbaatar city tour. | City tour: | Listen to expert narration from your friendly tour guide as you enjoy all the major city sights. Ride in a local vehicle as you listen to this tour extraordinaire provide smart, interesting & engaging commentary of best sights!
- Check out Sukhbaatar Square, Museum of National History, & more on our downtown Ulaanbaatar City Tour.
- Enjoy a delicious nomads’ traditional lunch
- Enjoy a guided, tour of Gandantegchilen Main Monastery Complex with grand Megjidjanraisag Buddha statue & more.
- Shopping! Do you love high fashion at bargain prices? You will have chance to buy famous Mongolian cashmere products with some big discount.
- Welcome to Folk Music concert, listen to Khuumii and see to shamanism ritual dance.
- Take home a CD-ROM filled with many photos to show family & friends!
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Day2. Drive to Middle Gobi province. (260km).
After breakfast in our HTL, we will leave for the Mongolian countryside. The first stop on the Gobi trip list is Baga Gazriin Chuluu (more commonly known as the Small Stones of Middle Gobi). It is granite formation in the middle of the Mongolian Sandy plane. At the food of the formation we will visit the remains of a small monastery named Delgeriin Choir.
Day3. Drive to Tsagaan Suvarga. (240km).
After breakfast, we will start driving towards the Gobi desert. Today we will see the landscape changing dramatically from the fertile grassland to the inhospitably rocky land. In the evening we could get in Sagaan Suvarga or White stupas. You will watching the scenery change as you drive.
Day4. Drive to South Gobi province. (280km).
Today we will drive to Yolyn am. The valley begins from Zuun Saikhan Mountain, a branch of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain system, and stretches over 10 km. It is completely shaded from the sun in some parts by high cliff walls. You will walk through the valley which is famous for the fact that there is ice present there even during the hot summer months. The beauty of the valley, combined with the sound of vultures (Yol means vulture, in Mongolian) creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder – this is an experience not to be missed!
Day5. Drive to Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes. (200 km).
Today we drive to Khongor sand dunes that extend along the northern side of Sevrei and Zoolun mountain ranges for 180 km, get to ger camp, explore the area, climbing up the Singing Dunes. They extend for 185 kilometers and include dunes that can reach 20 meters in height. The sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar, and when it occurs, it is said that it can be mistaken for the sound of an aero plane. Hence their name is 'singing sands', or 'musical sands'. Near Hongor Gol (Hongor River) at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. We will be riding on camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes. The two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as they walk slowly and gently and we will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Our camel man will take us to the sand-dunes.
Day6. Hiking over the sand dunes, drive to Bayanzag. (120 km).
The sand dunes, which stand 800 meters above sea level, continue for over 100 km, and are about 20 km wide, making them the largest distribution of sand dunes in Mongolia. After lunch, continue the drive towards Bayanzag, a saxual forest and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as skeleton & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there. American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews named this place as “End of the World”. As scientists defined it was an inland sea bottom some 200 million years ago. There, we will visit local dinosaur museum. The Flaming Cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun, and it is an interesting place to wander about to get a closer look at one of the world’s most famous palaeontlogical sites.
Day7. Drive to Middle Gobi province, Ongi monastery ruin. (180km).
After breakfast, we will head to Saikhan Ovoo, a small village in the Middle Gobi province. During the way visit the mountainside remains of the Ongiin Monastery, which now has a small number of novices after years of turmoil. There we will enjoy the peace and beauty of the Delger Khangai Mountains. We will explore the ruins of of Ongi Monastery.
Day8. Drive to Karakorum, (250 km) visit monastery of Erdene-Zuu.
After breakfast we will drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia where today there is a small local township. On arrival you will notice the first and most obvious landmark which is the massive wall of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. The monastery was built in 1586 by a well-known Mongolian king called Abtai Sain Khaan, and is surrounded by a vast 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for their daily worship. We will visit there after lunch.
Day9. Drive to Arkhangai province, drive to Taikhar rock. (150km).
Today we will drive to Arkhangai province. After few hours driving we could get in small town Tsetserleg. The town is refreshingly pollution free and picturesquely situated among several peaks making it a good place to resting on your way to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the Great White Lake. After lunch we will drive to Taikhar rock.
Day10. Drive to a gorge of River Chuluut, Great White Lake region. (200 km).
In the morning we will enjoy typical nomads’ breakfast including yak milk products. Our today’s destination is Gorge of River Chuluut and Extinct volcano region of Khorgo-Terkh and Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur(Great White Lake). Our today’s lunch will be a picnic near the beauty Tamir river. After Lunch we will continue to driving to Khorgo-Terkh N.P. On the bay, your costumers could see a huge gorge Chuluut. In the afternoon, around 17 o’clock we will have been got in our destination.
Day11. Great hiking around the Great white lake and Khorgo died volcano.
Hiking here is really fantastic. The landscape here is equally fascinating with extinct volcano craters producing various rock formations and huge gorges with fast flowing rivers and cascades. Terkhiin White Lake, where once-active volcanoes have formed some beautiful terrain suitable for hiking. Today we will hiking to Khorgo volcano and climbing up to top of volcano.
Day 12. Great White Lake – Murun provincial center. (320 km).
For three days we will drive to northwards into the direction of Khuvsgul Lake. We will drive through the central grassland where you will see large herds of horses, cows and yaks. You will cross several rivers, smaller and larger ones, all full of fishes. Will arrive in Moron the centre of the provnice in the late afternoon.
Day 13. Moron – Lake Khuvsgul. (120 km).
Arrive at Lake Khuvsgul which is the deepest fresh water lake in Central Asia. It is a huge 2750 square km alpine lake (130km in length and 30 km in width) surrounded by mountain chains of more than 2000meters high, thick pine forests and lush meadow with grazing yaks and horses. More than 1000 small rivers and streams feed the lake with crystal clear water. Water exist the lake through only one river, the Egiin, whose waters eventually reach the Baikal Lake. The lake contains about 1.5% of the world’s fresh water. Tourists call it the ‘Switzerland of Mongolia’. Rest of the day, you will go on a sightseeing.
Day 14. Horse riding, boating – Relax on beautiful shore of the lake, visit reindeer herder family.
Early morning, we will boat to an island in middle of the lake with joined other passangers and back to the tourist camp in the afternoon. Rest of the day is for your relax.
Day 15. Lake Khuvsgul – Voclano Uran. (250 km).
Passing through Moron, we will continue the tour to volcano Uran. It is a dormant volcano and its surrounding is very beautiful. We will set up a base camp.
Day 16. Voclano Uran – Monastery Amarbayasgalant. (250 km).
Drive to a famous monastery Amarbayasgalant. After having a packed lunch, we walk around the monastery which is the second most important monastery in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu, and was built by Zanabazar in the 18th century. It was badly damaged during the religious purges of the 1930s but restoration work has brought the monastery back to something like its former glory. The area around the monastery is justly famous for its beautiful wild flowers and is a lovely place to spend some time relaxing, hiking and camping. We will set up a base camp.
Day17. Monastery Amarbayasgalant – UB.(220 km).
We head back to Ulaanbaatar via Darkhan city which is the capital city of Darkhan Uul province, and is Mongolia's second largest city, with a population of 90000 residents. The modern city of Darkhan, with foundations which were laid in 1967, is one of the Mongolia's largest industrial centres and has many functioning steel processing factories. Once back in UB you will be transferred to your hotel. Shopping optional.
Day 18. Ulaanbaatar free day.
Today you can go shopping. Afternoon is free to you. You may need to pack your luggage for your tomorrow’s return.
Day19. International departure.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station or international airport for your international departure.
Price range: Our company offer 2 kind of prices based on customers' specific request and budget for the travel itinerary.
Leave All Matters With Us! First one is standard arrangement and you will stay in 3 or 4 star tourist hotels in urban area and tourist camp in rural area and will be served 3 meals in a day and use Japanese Jeep etc.
Save Your Money In Easy and Happy Way! About budget arrangement, it is good way to save your money. You will stay in local guest house or hostels and you will arrange your food yourself and will use Japanese minivan for driving. But you will see same things just like standard arrangement.
Please carefully check what is include and what is not include in these prices! STANDARD ARRANGEMENT | | BUDGET ARRANGEMENT | 3760 USD (based on single person)
2370 USD p.p (based on 2pax)
1930 USD p.p (based on 3pax)
1710 USD p.p (based on 4pax)
1570 USD p.p (based on 5pax)
1470 USD p.p (based on 6pax) | | 2830 USD (based on single person)
1620 USD p.p (based on 2pax)
1230 USD p.p (based on 3pax)
1040 USD p.p (based on 4pax)
910 USD p.p (based on 5pax)
830 USD p.p (based on 6pax)
| Up from 6pax please
see our group service
| | Up from 6pax please
see our group service
| Prices included:
| | Prices included:
| - land transportation within country and its fuel cost
- English-speaking TGM Tour Manager or local guides (Other languages are possible)
- entrance fees to museums, conservation fees or permits to national parks and government charges
- special events and excursions as described in the itinerary
- horse or camel hire where specified
- support staff including horse/camel men and camp assistants
- airport or train station pick up and drop off transfers
- accommodation in countryside
(15 nights in tourist camp)
- accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
(double occupancy in three star hotel)
- food service (three meals in a day)
- mineral waters
- Ulaanbaatar city tour
| | - land transportation within country and its fuel cost
- English-speaking TGM Tour Manager or local guides (Other language are possible)
- entrance fees to museums, conservation fees or permits to national parks and government charges
- special events and excursions as described in the itinerary
- horse or camel hire where specified
- support staff including horse/camel men and camp assistants
- airport or train station pick up and drop off transfers
- accommodation in countryside
(15 nights in local guesthouse)
- accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
(dorm room of guesthouse)
| Prices not included:
| | Prices not included:
| - travel insurance, visas, departure tax
- alcoholic drinks, items of a personal nature
- gratuities for staffs
| | - travel insurance, visas, departure tax
- alcoholic drinks, items of a personal nature
- gratuities for staffs
- food service
- sleeping bag
- Ulaanbaatar city tour
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Confusing about those 2 arrangements? If Yes, please click here...
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- Above prices are changeable by changing components (kind of services) of the itinerary!
- If you want to book this travel itinerary, please send us your email to
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Hello? Is there someone? 
Yol bird
 In Gobi, in August, some ice in Yolyn Am, It is miracle. 
Yolyn Am Valley, It is narrow and very picturesque
 A camel at Sand dunes Khongor
Hose and Maria walking on the Sand dunes Khongor
Our guide and Hong Kong traveler at Sand dunes Khongor
Cow skull and camels in Khongor
Khongor River and Khongor Sand dunes
Bayanzag
Camels at Bayanzag
Bayanzag, Ulaan Ereg
Ongi Steppe, endless
A photo shooter taking photo of Ongi monastery ruins
Ongi river basin at Ongi monastery ruins
Gobi road
Kharkhorin town
Wall of Erdene Zuu Monastery Complex
Erdene Zuu monastery wall
Phallic rock at Karakorum
Turtle Rock at Karakorum
Another (bigger) turtle Rock at Karakorum
Countryside roads
River Canyon Chuluut
extinct Volcano Khorgo
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
Oxes in Khorgo Terkh National park
Valley River Toin
Horseback riding team riding along the shore of the Lake.
Horseback riding team riding along the shore of the Lake.
With Tsaatan people
Uushig deer stone site
Lake Khuvsgul
Ovoo
 Crossing River in Northern Mongolia extinct Volcano Uran Amarbayasgalant monastery Amarbayasgalat monastery
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