Home » Mongolia Tours » Mongolia Discovery Tour: A Deep Dive into Mongol Nomadic Culture

Mongolia Discovery Tour: A Deep Dive into Mongol Nomadic Culture


Visit Gandan Monastery1

Ulaanbaatar

Visit Terelj National Park1

Ulaanbaatar

Kharakhorum1

Kharkhorin

Hustai National Park1

Ulaanbaatar

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About This Trip

Embark on this nine-day Mongolian exploration journey, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the unique charm of Mongolian nomadic culture, marvel at breathtaking natural wonders, stay in the highly distinctive gers (Mongolian traditional dwellings), savor authentic Mongolian cuisine, and meet the local friendly people. 

The journey kicks off from the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. At the museums, through the exquisite cultural relics on display, and at the ruins of the Bogd Khaan Palace, you’ll delve into the legendary and glorious history of the once-mighty Mongol Empire. Next, you’ll head towards Erdene. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and take a photo with the impressive Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue. You’ll also visit the oddly-shaped Turtle Rock and Camel Rock, and have the opportunity to pay a visit to a local herder’s family. After that, you’ll set off for the Desert and Kharkhorin, enjoy an approximately one-hour camel riding experience at the “Little Gobi” dunes, and visit The Museum at the ancient city of Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery. You will also make your way to “Khaadiin Hill” for a breathtaking panoramic view of the natural scenery and stay in a traditional Mongolian ger, a unique local accommodation. Following this, you’ll head to Orkhon Valley to admire the magnificent waterfalls. You’ll take a hike in the Tuvhun Monastery forest and climb to the top for a stunning bird’s-eye view of the monastery. In Hustai National Park, you can observe a variety of wild animals up close, including Przewalski’s horses, red deer, marmots, and different types of birds. Finally, you’ll travel to a Mongolian nomadic resort to visit herders. You’ll witness the process of making airag (fermented mare’s milk) and dairy products, enjoy a nomadic village performance show, ride in traditional wooden carts and on camels to experience the feeling of a herder’s family migration, and watch a performance show about the life of nomadic herders.

After the tour, you’ll travel back to Ulaanbaatar, bringing this unforgettable Mongolian exploration journey to a perfect and memorable end.

Highlights

  • Marveling at the 26-meter golden Maitreya Buddha in Gandan Monastery
  • Exquisitely carved wooden pillars and murals in Bogd Khan Palace Museum
  • 40-meter-tall Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue
  • Admire the magnificent waterfalls in Orkhon Valley
  • Wildlife and natural view in Hustai National Park
  • Visit the Mongolian nomadic resort and get to know their lifestyle

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Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar(4-star, city center)

Welcome to Mongolia, a legendary landlocked country located in central Asia, which is renowned for its vast grasslands, fascinating landscape, and unique nomadic culture.

Upon your arrival at Ulaanbaatar International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our local guide and be transferred to your hotel.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar(4-star, city center)

After breakfast, begin your exploration tour from the National Museum of Mongolia. Founded in 1924, the museum spans three floors. The first floor features exhibits from Mongolian Stone Age sites, the second floor houses a vast collection of traditional ethnic costumes, and the third floor showcases representative artifacts of Mongolian nomadic culture, including 12th-century armor and precious correspondence between Mongol khans and the Roman Pope. With approximately 60,000 historical, cultural, and ethnological artifacts, it serves as a vital gateway to understanding Mongolia’s history and culture. Chinggis Khaan Square, formerly known as Sukhbaatar Square, was officially renamed in July 2013. Located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, the square faces the State Palace to the north, which houses the offices of the President, government, and parliament of Mongolia, and features a majestic seated statue of Genghis Khan. The nest stop is The Sukhbaatar Memorial. It stands at the very center of Chinggis Khaan Square (formerly Sukhbaatar Square), commemorating this founding father of modern Mongolia. The monument is inscribed with traditional Mongolian script.

In the afternoon, you will visit the famous Gandan Monastery. With a history spanning nearly 200 years, it was constructed under the supervision of its abbot at the time and now stands as one of Mongolia’s most renowned attractions. Behind the Ochirdara Temple, there is a colossal statue of Tsongkhapa (the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism). Continuing along the main path to its end, visitors will encounter the magnificent Migjid Janraisig Sud hall, which houses hundreds of paintings of Amitayus Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Life), along with numerous smaller Buddha statues. Today’s tour concludes at the Bogd Khan Palace Museum. Comprising both a Summer Palace and a Winter Palace, this museum was originally the residence and religious center of the 8th Bogd Khan, Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (1870–1924). The Summer Palace, constructed in 1893, blends architectural styles of Mongolian-Tibetan and Chinese influences. It houses nearly 10,000 cultural relics, including personal belongings of the Bogd Khan, religious artifacts, and traditional paintings, making it a vital site for understanding the history, religion, and architectural art of late imperial Mongolia.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Bayan Mongolian Resort (sub 3-star hotel) or similar class

After breakfast, you will head to the scenic spots on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. Located approximately 70 kilometers east of Mongolia’s capital, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is a nature reserve nestled within the Khentii Mountains. Established in 1993, it spans 290,000 hectares and features a unique composite ecosystem where mountains, forests, and grasslands intertwine. The park is traversed by the Tuul and Terelj Rivers, creating stunning valley landscapes, while its iconic Turtle Rock, resembling a giant turtle, is regarded as a symbol of mystical power. You can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and traditional ger (yurt) accommodations, as well as savor authentic stone-grilled meat. Summer offers the best visiting conditions, while winter provides special experiences like ice climbing, making it an ideal destination to experience Mongolia’s natural and cultural charm. After that, you will visit a local herdsman’s home as guests to gain an understanding of the real life of the residents.

The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is one of Mongolia’s most famous landmarks and a symbol of Mongolian national culture and history. Crafted from stainless steel, the statue gleams with a silver radiance. Its meticulous design captures Genghis Khan’s majestic demeanor, holding a golden whip as if riding forward and gazing into the distance. Visitors can explore the interior of the statue’s base, which houses a museum and exhibitions showcasing Genghis Khan’s life, Mongolian history, and traditional culture. At the top, an observation deck accessible by elevator offers panoramic views of the surrounding vast steppe and breathtaking scenery.

Tonight, stay in local hotel in Erdene.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Mongolian yurt

After breakfast, you will head to the Little Gobi, a vast expanse encompassing both desert and grassland, which accounts for 30 percent of Mongolia’s desert area. You will enjoy a camel – riding experience in the desert (about a 1-hour camel-riding adventure in the desert), meandering through the sands to savor the charm and joy of riding in the desert. After that,  drive to the ancient city of Karakorum.

As the accommodation condition is very limited in Karakorum, there is no better choice for the accommodation. We will arrange you with the local Mongolian yurt.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Mongolian yurt

After breakfast, you will visit the famous Kharkhorin Museum, a specialized museum focusing on history and archaeology, which is built on the site of the former capital of the Mongol Empire. It is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and research of cultural relics from Yuan Shangdu (Xanadu) and the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. The museum’s exhibits span the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Mongol Empire periods, featuring precious artifacts such as silver coins of Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan, as well as Kublai Khan’s command token. With restoration workshops, a library, and a 3D reconstruction hall, it vividly recreates the city’s prosperity during its heyday through miniature urban models and virtual reality. Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Tibetan Buddhist Gelug Sect monastery in Mongolia, was built in 1586. Facing east and sitting west, the monastery covers an area of approximately 0.16 square kilometers and is surrounded by 108 white stupas. It once served as the center of Buddhism in Mongolia, boasting 62 halls during its heyday. Now, it functions as a museum, preserving precious cultural relics from the 15th to 17th centuries.

After that, continue to explore the charm of Khaadiin Hill, which boasts its unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views. The short hiking trail from the foot to the summit (approximately a 1-2 hour round trip) offers a moderate level of difficulty, allowing hikers to appreciate the grassland ecosystem and geological features along the way. From the hilltop, you can overlook the vast expanse of the Orkhon Valley’s grasslands, winding rivers, and distant mountain ranges. This spot is frequently recommended by travel guides as an ideal location for capturing sunrise and sunset photographs, with its ever-changing interplay of light and shadow creating a visually stunning landscape.

After the tour, drive back to your place and stay in the Mongolian yurt.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Mongolian yurt

Today, embark on a day trip to explore the amazing Orkhon Valley. The Orkhon Valley Canyon is a stunning natural canyon landscape and also a nature reserve, safeguarding a rich diversity of wildlife and plant resources, along with featuring clusters of waterfalls. This area is home to numerous rare animals, such as snow leopards, wolves, foxes, and red deer. It also serves as a habitat for many bird species, including vultures, eagles, and ostriches. Apart from its natural beauty, the canyon is dotted with numerous historical and cultural relics. It was once a settlement area for ancient nomadic tribes, leaving behind a wealth of ancient ruins and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore ancient tombs, rock-cut temples, stone carvings, and murals here to gain insights into history and culture. During your trip, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the waterfall clusters, hike through the Tuvhun Monastery Forest, and ascend to the summit of the forest to overlook the panoramic view from Tuvkhun Monastery.

After the tour, drive back to your place and stay in the Mongolian yurt.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Mongolian yurt

After breakfast, drive to visit Hustai National Park. It covers an area of 506 square kilometers and is primarily dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Przewalski’s horse. As one of the world’s key breeding bases for Przewalski’s horses, the park currently supports a population of over 220 wild horses. The park features diverse landscapes, including grasslands, forests, hills, and rivers. In addition to Przewalski’s horses, it is home to wildlife such as Asian red deer, Mongolian gazelles, argali sheep, and wolves. Visitors can drive deep into the park to observe wildlife through telescopes, visit the wild horse-themed exhibition center, stay in traditional yurts, and experience the charm of pristine natural ecosystems. Lunch will be served during the tour.

After the tour, drive to check-in the Mongolian yurt in Hustai National Park.


Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar(4-star, city center)

After breakfast, we will head to a Mongolian nomadic resort to explore Mongolian culture, the daily life customs of herders, and their traditional nomadic practices. You’ll have the opportunity to observe the production process of airag (fermented mare’s milk) and other dairy products. Additionally, you can ride in a traditional wooden cart or on a camel to experience the feeling of a herder family’s migration. Besides, in the nomadic village, you can watch the “Nomadic Tribe Mongolian Chief Herder’s Life Performance Show” (It will be held twice daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, with each performance lasting approximately 2 hours. Please notice that these times are for reference only and subject to change based on local schedules).

After the tour, you will return to Ulaanbaatar and check-in a local 4-star hotel.


Buffet Breakfast

Today, you are free and easy on your own. At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End your exploration tour in Mongolia.



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