16 Day Mongolia in Depth
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
Our Patchies love that it’s excellent value. But they love their Mongolian memories even more. The most frequent feedback we receive is: “Our guides and drivers are just amazing!” and “Mongolians are the loveliest people”.
As you crunch through the sand of the Khongoryn Els dunes, listen closely to the sounds of the wind. Every step you take is a new note to add to the Singing Dunes’ melody.
Under Soviet rule it was forbidden to even mention his name! But it’s had a contrary effect. The Mongols are intent on keeping the memory of Chinggis Khan alive forever, so you’ll walk in his footsteps wherever you go.
Embrace your inner nomad by staying in ger camps and family homestays almost the entire way. Connect with Mongolian nomadic families, their precious lifestyle and humbly experience being a ‘dot’ in the ‘sea of grass’ that is, the steppe.
Go beyond the steppe! You’ll go deep into the Gobi desert with all its secrets, to hang out in the dunes with camel herders, even take one for a ‘spin’. While there, add your tree to the Gobi Oasis project to fight back desertification.
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
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Pricing Details
- $1,650 AUD deposit.
- 2-week cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available (max 4 spots) for those who would like to pay extra for their own private room.
- Tip Kitty (See FAQs for more information).
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs,
Trip length
16 days, 15 nights
Meeting point
Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar
Ending point
Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
Please see our “Participation” section to see the requirements.
Included
- Arrival and departure transfer
- All accommodation
- All meals: breakfasts, lunches and dinners included
- Transportation in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide
- Airport transfers
- All listed activities
- All entrance fees
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Any visas required
- Late check-out at hotels
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks with included lunches and dinners
- Tip kitty
- Personal expenditure
Click the tabs to find out more
What our Patchies say
Day 1: ULAANBAATAR
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. A friendly face will meet you at the airport and whisk you over to your hotel. Gather at reception with the other Patchies at 9am for a ‘long’ walk across the Sukhbaatar Square – it’s really big – to the National History Museum for an introductory snapshot of the country’s past.
Next, you’ll drop into a small theatre for a performance of traditional music and dance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble. Perhaps a bit touristy, but well worth seeing.
Dinner is at our favourite local restaurant.
Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 9 (or similar)
Drive time: 1 h 15 minutes
Day 2: CHINGGIS STATUE – TERELJ NATIONAL PARK
A hearty breakfast this morning before your face-to-face meeting with Chinggis Khan, to find out what he’s been up to. Then it’s time to get out the inflatable kayaks and reconnect with nature on a wide, shallow, beautiful river. Breathe in the air and relax: it’s just you and the group, flowing water and the steppe. It’s a gentle paddle and beginner friendly.
Terelj National Park is wonderful, but very popular. So, after visiting the iconic ‘Turtle Rock’, you’ll get away from the crowds and over to your ger camp – a peaceful little spot by the Tuul River. (Ger is the Mongolian word for Yurt, and is pronounced like the word ‘gear’.)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Deluxe En-Suite Ger, Terelj Lodge
Drive time: 2.5hrs
Day 3: TAKHI HORSES
Settle in for the drive to Khustai National park where you’ll be welcomed by Sanjaa and his family, your hosts for this night.
Sanjaa is a local park ranger tasked with protecting the local Takhi horses. Chill out with him as dusk falls, watching these wild horses gather nearby for a refreshing drink.
The world’s only truly wild horse breed, the Takhi horse became extinct in its native habitat of the steppe but was reintroduced to Mongolia from captive American stock in the 1990s, where to the amazement of scientists, it’s making a comeback. Although, it is still classed as ‘endangered’.
Dinner and fun follows with Sanjaa’s beautiful family for your second homestay experience.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ger homestay with Sanjaa’s family
Drive time: 3hrs/180km
GER CAMPS
Like many nights, tonight you will be staying in a Ger camp. Because Mongolia has very few towns and cities, it also has very few hotels.
Ger camps have been built to recognise this need and they cater for travellers. A typical ger camp has 20 to 40 gers, each containing two single beds. There are showers, toilets and a food hall where visitors eat dinner each night. This is where the group will gather to eat and have a Mongolian vodka or two. Beer and wine are also typically available.
Day 4: BAGA GAZRIIN CHULUU – MANDALGOBI
Heading south today, you’ll stop for a walk amongst the ruins of a 10th century temple before driving to meet Byamba Tseyn. He runs the Gobi Oasis tree planting nursery – an NGO that works to conserve the local environment and combat desertification (the Gobi is said to be the world’s fastest expanding desert).
Today, you’ll plant some of the seedlings yourself and contribute back to Mother Nature. A small portion of your trip fee is contributed to this project.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Simple Private Ger, Gobi Oasis
Drive time: 5hrs/320 km
Day 5: TSAGAAN SUVARGA
It’s time to say goodbye to your Gobi Desert hosts and head south to the Omnogobi province.
Your new ger camp is right near the eye-catching Tsagaan Suvarga. This rock formation has inspired many local legends that your guide will tell you all about. Taking in all the colours, you’ll lose count of all the shades of yellow and orange (and a surprising purple here and there).
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin Room, Ger Camp Gobi Caravanserai
Drive time: 3hrs/170km
Day 6: SOUTH GOBI – DALANZADGAD
Your next spot on your Gobi desert journey is Dalanzadgad, home to the Gobi Desert Museum.
After seeing a dinosaur egg (maybe for the first time in your life) and having all your desert-related questions answered, you’ll take a stroll around local markets and get a souvenir or two.
End your day in a new ger camp. Sit down with your new group of friends and try to choose the most interesting ger so far. Just don’t lose track of time, as you’ll have an early morning tomorrow.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Deluxe En-Suite Ger, Gobi Mirage
Drive time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Day 7: YOLYN AM = KHONGORYN ELS (SINGING DUNES)
Yolyn Canyon is a beautiful, nearby gorge and perfect for a leg-stretching, 90-minute hike. You’ll head over there in the morning.
On the road again and off into the heart of The Gobi Desert – you’ll reach your ger camp by mid-afternoon. Rising as high as 200m, the Khongoryn Els dunes stretch across the landscape for a hundred kilometres.
Around sunset, hike up to the top to hear the dune song, a phenomenon written about since the times of Marco Polo.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: En-suite Wooden Lodge, Gobi Erdene
Drive time: 4.5hrs/190km
Day 8: KHAVTSGAIT PETROGLYPHS – BAYANZAG
We’ve got a special reason for going back east: checking out artwork that dates back to 3,000 BC.
The Khavtsgait engravings depict life thousands of years ago. It’s intriguingly pleasant to walk amongst the rocks and discover the drawings for yourself. Take a moment to pause and let your mind wander back to those ancient times.
Later on, you’ll continue on to Bayanzag – one of the most famous paleontological sites worldwide, known for the first discovery of a dinosaur egg and also many bones.
Walk around the spectacular sandstone formations, known as the Flaming Cliffs due to their deep red hue.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ensuite Lodge, Gobi Tour
Drive time: 4hrs/190km
Day 9: ONGIIN KHIID
Another road trip today with a scenic journey north towards the Gobi Desert. Driving is part of the fun when it comes to this vast country. Most areas are still unpaved, so the driving can get a bit bumpy as the vehicle winds its way following tracks made by other vehicles.
After we enjoy the usual photographic and picnic stops en route, you’ll settle into your Ger camp next to the temple complex of Ongiin Khiid.
Feel free to go inside the tiny, reconstructed temple where you’ll be able to see the monks who run the Monastery.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ger camp
Drive time: 4hrs/180km
Mongolians and their Horses
Did you know that Mongolia has more horses than people? That’s because Mongolian nomads take care of their horses by frequently switching between them, to avoid overwork.
They’ve been pivotal in Mongolian culture for centuries and still today, it’s said that nomadic children know how to ride before they can walk. Horses are not only a means for travelling, herding stock and providing milk, they’re also a companion and a source of pride. Horse Festivals and Naadam are a Mongolian’s way of expressing that pride – and on this trip, you’ll be one of the few outsiders to witness this unique bond between horse and human
Day 10: KHUJIRT – ORKHON VALLEY – UURTIIN TOKHOI CANYON
Although your next drive is a bit longer, you won’t be putting your camera down until you reach the Okrhon Valley. Get lost in the sights of plains without an end and count the sheep (and goats) that pass you by.
Your daydreaming will be interrupted by a short visit to the village of Khujirt. Afterwards, you’re off to your ger camp, where you can treat yourself to a spa afternoon. If you feel like this day is missing an adventure, join your group for a walk to the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp
Driving time: 6hrs/250km
Day 11: ORKHON WATERFALL – NOMADIC HOMESTAY
You’re a ger-expert by now and you’ll prove it at your next destination. The road to reach it is not as smooth as we’d like it to be, but we’ll make the drive comfortable.
Your new hosts will greet you with a homemade meal and teach you how to build a ger. After sharing some belly laughs, head to the 20-metre-high Orkhon Waterfall.
Once you get back to the ger, you’ll see just how much the hosts have decided to spoil you. They’ll prepare khorkhog, a dish reserved for special occasions, made using hot stones.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Simple Private Ger, Galaa’s Family
Drive time: 3hrs/90km
Day 12: GALAA’S FAMILY
Today is a special one as you experience the day-to-day life of a nomadic family.
This is yak-herding country, so you can help milk the yaks and see how the milk is made into a variety of foods. Galaa’s family will welcome you into every aspect of their activities!
You will also have time to explore and relax in the beautiful surroundings – head off on a horse ride if you like. Try your hand at archery as well – another skill that the Mongols are accomplished at and is part of their heritage as an ancient sport. This is a day you won’t forget quickly.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Simple Private Ger, Galaa’s Family
Drive time: No drives today
Day 13: TOVKHON KHIID HIKE – KHARKHORIN
After breakfast and a brief drive, there’s a three-hour hike (of intermediate difficulty) to and from Tovkhon Monastery.
Walk up to the unique hilltop temples through the magical, forested countryside and catch a beautiful view.
If you prefer to sit out the hikes, of course, do so. You can catch your breath and wait for the rest of the group. Then, you’ll all continue your journey to Kharkhorin.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ger camp
Drive time: 4.5hrs/140 km
Day 14: ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY – KHOGNO KHAAN
The Erdene Zuu Monastery – the most important in Mongolia – has been waiting patiently for you, for more than five centuries. This morning you’ll get there in time to hear something very special and you’ll feel honoured to have been a part of it. That’s about all we can tell you; the rest is up to you to find out!
Inspect the main temples of ‘Hundred Treasures’, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery.
Head on over to the beautiful nature reserve of Khogno Khaan where the lower temple complex of Uvguun Khiid also waits. How does it make you feel, being amongst these reconstructed temples, prayer-wheels and old ruins?
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Deluxe Ensuite Ger, Burd Star Resort
Drive time: 4.5hrs
Day 15: ULAAN BAATAR
Back to Ulaanbaatar today. Is the trip finished already? Almost, it seems.
It’s time to say goodbye to the slow pace of the Mongolian countryside as you head back to the city, tarmac roads all the way! You’ll also get the chance to do some last minute shopping – cashmere, anyone?
After freshening up at the hotel, join your Patchie crew for a farewell meal at one of our favourite restaurants.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 9 (or similar)
Drive time: 4.5hrs/290km
Day 16: FAREWELL, FRIENDS…
And that’s it! There’ll be hugs and tears aplenty as we say goodbye to our trip leader and driver. After two weeks, you’ll have fallen in love with them.
You’ll arrive at the airport with head and heart filled with new memories.
We can tell you from experience – Mongolia will stay with you for a long time!
Trip Map
Good to Know
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?
Mostly you’ll be in ‘ger camps’ during the trip. These are specifically set up for travellers. There are two people to a ger, and if you want to go to the toilet or shower, you need to step out. You get used to it quickly. The toilets and showers are clean and well-maintained, almost without exception.
Do the gers get cold? Not a huge amount. The gers are good at keeping the warmth in and they also have stoves for heating which the staff maintain. You’ll need warm clothes for cool evenings and we also recommend bringing pyjamas.
Homestays are a bit different – they’re more rustic but quite comfortable. Each ger sleeps 3-4 people. It definitely doesn’t feel like a hotel – expect random things like Mickey Mouse pillowcases and each bed to be different.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Mongolian food is simple and hearty. While there is a lot of meat, milk and cheese in Mongolian cuisine, we can cater for most dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
We guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised by the food available in Mongolia. This is partly because your expectations will below (!), but also because, contrary to popular belief, dietary options are not just limited to mutton and fat. In Ulaanbaatar, there is a range of great local and international restaurants, and although in the countryside the choice and ingredients are more limited, there are some traditional culinary specialities to enjoy and savour.
We like to vary meals during a trip – lunch may be with a nomadic family, or at a roadside cafe, or a picnic. Sadly, we cannot cater to those with severe nut allergies. In all of our homestays, you’re welcome to participate and learn, as much or as little as you like. It’s a great way to spend extended time with local Mongolian women, who traditionally occupy this role.
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love travelling and enjoying most of your time in a country.
You don’t like being rushed or herded around B-grade attractions, but you also understand that some places are worth the wait in line.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. Even in the best restaurants, the service sometimes is a little slow. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also know that a ‘great trip’ doesn’t have to mean sprinting from place to place. The best moments so often come when you hit the pause button, sit still, and just take it all in.
You’re young enough at heart to know that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting it. You understand that doing things right doesn’t always mean following a strict routine.
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that involves trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
Does that sound like you? I’d love to invite you to travel with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:0.67 USD.
A deposit of $1,650 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing: Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
You’ll need a reasonable fitness level to participate in this trip, but nothing extreme. If you can walk for several hours e.g. 8-12km at a moderate pace on undulating terrain, you’ll be fine. There will be some uphill/downhill walking and the dune walk will be tiring, although very much worth the effort. All activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it.
Mongolia has dropped its visa requirements for all Australian and New Zealand citizens.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
For your Mongolian adventure, we ask your contribution be: 190,000 Mongolian Tugrik (equivalent to $55 USD at exchange rate $1USD : 3,460 Mongolian Tugrik) and given to your guide on Day 1. The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way for included meals, hotel staff and other services.
What is not covered is a customary tip at the end of the trip for your guide and drivers. If they’ve ensured that your trip is memorable, we recommend the following guidelines:
Guide: 240,000 to 310,000 Mongolian Tugrik per person (equivalent to $70-$90USD)
Drivers: 70,000 Mongolian Tugrik per driver / per person (equivalent to $20USD)
(Exchange rate used – $1USD : 3,460 Mongolian Tugrik)
This trip begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We recommend that you fly into Chinggis Khaan International Airport, as that is where your hotel transfer will be waiting for you. Both transfers – on arrival and on departure are included in your price.
There are several flight options available when travelling from Australia or New Zealand to Ulaanbaatar. Flight schedules and routes may vary so we suggest you check with airlines or your travel agent for the most up-to-date information. While there are no direct flights, there are connecting flights via major Asian hubs, mainly Beijing, Seoul and Hong Kong.
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier is recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
Travelling in Mongolia is as unique as the country itself – endless stretches of rugged countryside, winding tracks, and the friendly smiles of locals greet you in the most unexpected remote places. But Mongolia has its own rhythm, and there are a few things that make it quite different from other popular travel destinations.
With a short travel season, remote camp locations, and a dependence on food and goods imports, ger camp accommodation is pricier than you might expect for its simple setup. Since these camps run on a limited four-month season (compared to the seven- to twelve-month tourist seasons in many other countries), we hope you understand the imbalance between cost and quality.
And it’s not just the accommodation that’s pricey – transport, fuel and staffing costs have increased too, since the influx of post-covid travellers – including from close-neighbouring countries like South Korea.
Mongolia has only recently moved away from its Soviet-influenced past, and their service culture is still evolving. Thirty years of democracy have brought change, but it’s been a slow journey. They are still finding their own path in tourism and service standards, so please be patient.
Some visitors try to compare Mongolia to travelling in parts of SE Asia, but in truth, there’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world! The landscapes, the nomadic way of life, and the genuine charm of its people who have lived this way for centuries, are all unique. Come prepared to embrace the adventure, and you’ll be awed!
During tourist season, especially in July, August and September, you’ll find gers all across the Mongolian countryside.
There are two types of Ger-stays you’ll encounter on this trip.
First, there are the more polished ‘tourist ger camps’ with higher service standards – where it’s more like staying in a remote caravan park (but in gers instead of vans or tents). As we mentioned earlier, you’ll usually have access to shared toilet and shower block facilities, as well as a communal dining hall.
The other types are homestay-style Gers, owned by local families. They are simpler, more rustic and authentic to the nomadic way-of-life. Beds aren’t usually as comfy and you shouldn’t expect facilities like showers. Toilets are squat, and more often, whole-in-the-ground long-drop-style (we hope you’re getting the picture by now that you will be roughing it!) inside a little lean-to, set in the middle of a paddock.
Because you have the opportunity to stay with local families, you’ll experience their daily life and completely unplug from your usual routine. Your local hosts will warmly welcome you into their homes, even though most don’t speak English. Your guide will be there to help with translations, making sure you can connect and share with these wonderful people.
Whilst a few ger camps will have Wi-Fi we advise all guests not to rely on this being available, and if you absolutely must have access during a trip, you can purchase a local SIM card with data. Just ask your trip leader for assistance.
The reliability and opportunity to do any laundry during your trip may be somewhat unreliable, however your guide will be able to assist with this during your trip.
Once you’re on the road, you’ll be mostly using either squats toilets, or very basic longdrop squats. Sometimes you may even decide to take a ‘bush wee’- but be warned, bushes are hard to come by out on the steppe and in the Gobi Desert!
In UB your comfortable hotel room has an ensuite. Once you’re on the road, tourist ger camps usually have caravanpark-style toilet blocks. Home stays get even simpler again (remember – many Mongolians still live a nomodic existence, so toilets are usually hand dug drop squats – and sometimes the modesty screens are pretty makeshift!
Meanwhile, Mongolia’s capital is a whole different world, with bustling traffic and little public transport, creating an exciting contrast to the peaceful, open countryside. So, get ready to experience both ends of the spectrum: a lively city with plenty of hustle and wild landscapes that feel like they go on forever.
Mongolia is a big and untamed country. The landscape is rugged, with open plains that stretch on for miles and miles. Most days do involve long stretches of driving and you need to be the kind of person who enjoys road trips.
Ulan Baatar (UB) is its only big city and the rest of the country has a small splattering of regional hubs. Once you leave UB, much of the country is only accessible by makeshift tracks made by vehicles that have travelled before you. So, the journey from one place to the next can be quite long and bumpy. On those long drive days, you’ll be stopping along the way to break it up and have a stretch. By lunchtime, your driver may steer you unexpectedly to an isolated store in the middle of nowhere, make a lunch stop with a welcoming nomadic family, or pull up on the side of the track for you all to share a simple picnic.
Imagine an old Combi van on steroids – That’s what these 4WDs are usually like and your group will travel in a mini convoy of them – with 3 to 4 per van. Think of this trip as a true off-road experience, with 4WD-style rides that make you feel like a real explorer.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
We take animal welfare seriously and do not work with providers who treat their animals poorly. Please note that animals often coexist with their owners in what can be very difficult conditions. This is part of the reality of life for them and we accept this.
