Mongolia: Nomads Of The Steppe
Mongolia: Nomads Of The Steppe
10 Days
Visiting: Mongolia
From:
$3494 (USD)Tour Overview
Mongolia's epic landscapes and striking beauty are legendary. From the undulating grasslands of Terejl National Park to the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai that rise up out of the seemingly endless steppe, it is an incredibly varied destination that never ceases to surprise and delight even the most experienced of travellers.
Interspersing many of the country’s better-known highlights with some hidden gems, we’ll head out across the roads and tracks of this sparsely populated country from the capital Ulaanbaatar towards the Orkhon Valley, said to be the cradle of nomadic civilisation as well as towards Kharhorin, once the capital of the mighty Mongol Empire established by Genghis Khan. En route we’ll encounter nomadic families whose culture of hospitality will almost certainly lead to us being welcomed into gers for a glass or two of to airag (fermented mare’s milk).
This is an adventurous 4WD trip, with much of the journey being on dirt roads but it is also highly rewarding with spectacular scenery and memorable sights throughout. Offering plenty of good walks and cultural interactions, this highlights tour offers a variety of experiences that is hard to beat.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Starting this morning, we’ll have an introductory meeting at the hotel before paying a visit to Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important in Mongolia. Wander around this fascinating site as you explore the different temples, including that of the Mijig Janraisig with its huge golden buddha statue. In the old temple complex we can listen to the chanting ceremonies which happen mid-morning. This afternoon we then take a walk across the expansive Sukhbaatar Square to the National History Museum which is a great introduction to the country's past. In the early evening, we enjoy a music and dance performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble. The hour-long performance shows us traditional Mongolian dance, singing and music with various instruments including the horse fiddle and singers along with traditional throat singers.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park
Accommodation: Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we journey east to the Terelj National park, stopping at
the sacred Turtle Rock. Here we can venture into the valley and climb up to visit the nearby Aryabal Meditation Temple. The National Park offers some great scenery which making it a very popular
weekend getaway for both locals and tourists alike. However, we will pass through the main
valley avoiding the crowds, visit the Terelj village and continue across - or rather, through
the river! After a short distance we reach a family's ger where we step inside and are welcomed by the local hospitality and a wonderful traditional homecooked lunch. Tonight we are hosted by the
family in their guest ger. This afternoon you can either take a horse ride up into the valley towards the Jalman Mountain and along the east side of the Saikhan Saridag range, or the family will arrange some traditional archery. This evening we are treated to a nomadic feast of khorkhog, a
dish of slow-cooked mutton and vegetables braised with red hot stones from the stove. Delicious!
Day 3: Terelj National Park - Khustai National Park
Accommodation: Khustai Ger Camp or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast there will be the option to continue our adventure by river in kayaks or if preferred by foot. The river is wide, shallow, obstacle-free, but is fast-flowing river with many twists and turns but great fun to navigate. We will be on the river for 2-3 hours depending on the current, and water levels. We then drive a short distance to the impressive Genghis Khan statue near Erdene. Amazingly, you can climb up inside the statue to a viewing platform in the mane of the horse, looking out across the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of Khan Khentii, and Genghis's homeland. Later we continue our journey West to Khustai National Park, and our Ger camp for this evening. At dusk we take a drive out from our camp to see the Takhi horses. This is the optimum time to see them close up as they gather to drink at streams. We may venture a little further into the park to stretch our legs before returning to camp for dinner.
Day 4: Khustai National Park - Khogno Khaan - Elsen Tasarkhai
Accommodation: Sweet Gobi ger camp or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you head to the nature reserve of Khogno Khaan, where we can explore the lower temple complex of Uvguun Khiid, see the reconstructed temples, prayer-wheel and take a wander around the ruins. We will then embark on some exercise by walking up to the older ruined temple complex in the hills where the scenery is fantastic. Heading back down to the valley floor, we continue onwards for a short drive until we reach the sand dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai. Here we have a chance to visit a family of camel herders, and head off on a Bactrian camel ride across the dunes for a short ride enjoying the beautiful landscape surrounding us. We then settle into tonight's ger camp nearby.
Day 5: Elsen Tasarkhai - Tovkhon Khiid - Uurtiin Tokhoi
Accommodation: Talbiun Ger Camp or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we continue your journey west across the open flat plains that give way to greener undulating countryside, with a greater number of people and livestock. We will take a walk up to the stunning hilltop monastery of Tovkhon Khiid where we can enjoy great views of the surrounding Arkhangai Hills, along with the interesting temple architecture. Arriving at our ger camp in the afternoon affords us an opportunity to take a walk to the Uurtiin Tokhoi Canyon close by.
Day 6: Uurtiin Tokhoi - Orkhon Valley
Accommodation: Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our first stop this morning is to see the ancient Bronze age burial stones of Temeen Chuluu. We continue up the Orkhon valley where the scenery is beautiful but the roads are rather challenging and rough! As such, covering a relatively short distance may take us some time to reach our home for the next couple of nights. We will stay with a local family who will greet us with a traditional home cooked lunch. We then take a walk, or ride, to the Orkhon Waterfall, created by a combination of volcanic activity and earthquakes. Just so you can immerse your self in Mongolian life, this afternoon we will learn how to put up a traditional Mongolian ger - with a little help from the locals of course. There will also be an opportunity to learn how to make traditional Mongolian dumplings, to be enjoyed as part of your dinner this evening.
Day 7: Orkhon Valley
Accommodation: Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spending today enjoying the tranquility of the open countryside, we have the opportunity to get involved in daily nomadic
life. We have the chance to try our hands at a plethora of activities such as walking, riding, herding and milking animals. For those more interested in traditional nomadic practices in the home, we get to see how the family distill homemade vodka, make milk tea, dry curds, and make felt. If horse riding is you preference then you can head off on a full day's trek up into the Khangai Hills, complete with picnic lunch. Alternatively, you could just do a half day or a couple of hours. (Please note that any horse riding is optional and payable locally)
Day 8: Orkhon Valley - Sea Buckthorn Farm & Erdenesiin Khuree - Kharkorin
Accommodation: Monkh Tenger ger camp or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we continue through the high passes to Kharkhorin, built on the site of Karakorum, briefly the capital of the Mongol Empire during the 16th century. Here we can visit the local market, the small but interesting museum, the Monument of the 3 Kings overlooking the Orkhon River, and the fertility stone on the edge of town. We shall also plan a visit to Purevnambar's family, who grow sea buckthorn and blueberries on a small commercial scale. We’ll have the chance to walk around their plantation and sample the superfood berry in one of its many formats - most common is to have it as a hot reviving beverage. Purev is also an artist renowned for Buddha painting, sculpture and felt making. Depending on timing, we'll plan for a traditional homecooked lunch at the family's homestead. In the afternoon, we visit the Erdenesiin Khuree Mongolian script and calligraphy centre and art exhibition gers before settling into our camp nearby.
Day 9: Kharkhorin - Erdene Zuu Monastery - Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive the short distance to Erdene Zuu Monastery, probably the oldest surviving Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia. The monastery was founded by the Khalkha Mongol ruler, Abtai Sain Khan, after declaring the Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion. This beautiful structure has witnessed monumental change during the various regimes, but has luckily survived until today. We arrive in time
to hear the monks chanting and then take a stroll around the main temples and the grounds. We will then head back
to Ulaanbaatar, stopping en route for lunch. If time allows you may choose to do some last minute shopping for some souvenirs. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the local restaurants in town.
Day 10: Tour Ends In Ulaanbaatar
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour officially ends after breakfast those on the suggested group flights will have an early breakfast and will then be transferred to the airport.
What's Included
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MEALS
9 x Breakfasts9 x Lunches9 x Dinners
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use sturdy UAZ 4WD minibuses for the whole of the journey.
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Mongolia if staying for up to 30 days.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Mongolia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as all the walks are optional. Horse riding is available on some days of the tour, as an optional extra but only for those with previous riding experience.
There are some long drives to be taken on consecutive days (especially on Days 8 & 9) but that is part of the Mongolian experience, and there will always be time for walks, photos and local encounters. Some of the areas visited are remote and see few foreign visitors so be prepared for the unexpected and be aware that changes to local conditions can dramatically affect envisaged timings and exact routings.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be very limited, therefore we recommend packing a few extra bits to fill the gaps!
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except the nights where you will be staying in the ger homestays, where sharing a ger would be necessary.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.