Welcome to Mongolia, a landlocked country located in central Asia, which boasts its vast grasslands, nomadic culture, and the historical legacy of Genghis Khan. Upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll local guide will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel for a good rest before embarking on your Mongolia Road Odyssey through this mysterious and legendary land.

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 a.m. and embark on a scenic drive to Tsagaan Suvarga Cliff, covering 470 kilometers (approximately 6 hours on paved roads). This striking cliff features a near-vertical slope that was once an ancient seabed, shaped over millions of years into a remarkable sedimentary structure. The ground is a vibrant mosaic of colors, each representing a distinct geological era.

At its highest point, the formation rises over 50 meters and stretches for 400 meters, resembling a ghostly, ancient city when viewed from afar. While the exact timeline of its geological research remains unclear, this spot serves as an ideal rest stop and overnight destination for travelers journeying from the Middle Gobi Desert to the South Gobi Desert.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy some light hiking around the site to fully appreciate its natural beauty.

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a 200-kilometer (approximately 3-hour) drive along paved roads to Yol Gorge. Named after the Mongolian word for “vulture,” this stunning canyon lies within the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range and stretches over 10 kilometers. Its narrowest section is so confined that only three or four people can pass through at a time, shaded entirely from direct sunlight by touring cliff walls.

The gorge is renowned for a remarkable phenomenon: even during the scorching summer months, lingering ice formed by a small winter stream persists until mid-July, creating a surreal contrast against the warm surroundings. You’ll spend about an hour hiking through this unique landscape before visiting a charming local natural history museum to learn more about the area’s geology and wildlife.

After breakfast, you’ll set out on a 190-kilometer (about 5-hour) drive along rugged dirt roads to the awe-inspiring Khongor Sand Dune—the largest in the Gobi Desert. Spanning nearly 100 kilometers in length and 5 to 10 kilometers in width, its touring crests soar 80 to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, creating a dramatic, ever-changing landscape.

On windy days, the dunes come alive with a deep, resonant hum as shifting sands cascade down their slopes, earning them the poetic local name “Singing Sands.” At the northern edge, near the Khongor River, lies a lush oasis—a rare gem amid the golden sea of sand.

Today, you’ll ride camels to explore these vast dunes, climbing one of the touring peaks for an unforgettable experience: endless vistas of daffodil-yellow sand stretching to the horizon, bathed in the Gobi’s golden light.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a 150-kilometer (approximately 4-hour) drive along rugged dirt roads to Bayanzag, famously known as the Flaming Cliffs. Discovered by American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews, this iconic site gained global attention when groundbreaking dinosaur fossils—including the first-ever findings of Protoceratops and dinosaur eggs—were unearthed here.

From a distance, the crimson-hued cliffs rise dramatically, their fiery tones intensifying under the golden glow of the setting sun. You’ll spend time exploring the area on foot, walking among the ancient layers of rock that have preserved secrets of the prehistoric world for millions of years.

Today, continue to drive to Ongi Monastery Ruin (155 km – 4 hours on the road). It is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1760 and destroyed in 1937 by communist purges. Located on the shore of the Ongi River, the monastery was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Gobi Desert. Raw violence of the destruction at the site was still visible, even though it happened over years ago. You will hike to the ruins for visiting to local ger museum displayed survived objects of destroyed monastery and a small lovely and active Buddhist temple.

After breakfast, embark on a 340-kilometer (approximately 8-hour) journey along rugged dirt roads to Orkhon Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Mongolia and one of the most captivating highlights of the Orkhon River Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Towering over 25 meters high and 10 meters wide, the waterfall cascades down a dramatic cliff formed by volcanic activity nearly 20,000 years ago, leaving behind a thick layer of lava that now blankets the surrounding landscape.

After dinner, you’ll take a leisurely stroll to the falls, where the thunderous roar of tumbling water fills the valley long before the cascade comes into view. The air is cool and misty here, offering a refreshing escape. We’ll spend the night nearby, lulled to sleep by the soothing sound of flowing water.

After breakfast time, you will drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring (95 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). It is the most famous pool in the country & one of the most popular Central Mongolian attractions. The water has a perfect temperature of about 36 – 40°C and contains a lot of minerals. In fact, the Tsenkher Spring has now become so popular that in order to it may crowded. In the evening, you will stay in the open pool of the tourist ger camp. Overnight in the tourist ger camp. 

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a 95-kilometer (approximately 2-hour) drive along dirt roads to Tsenkher Hot Spring, Mongolia’s most renowned thermal pool and one of Central Mongolia’s top attractions. Fed by natural mineral-rich waters, the spring maintains a perfect temperature of 36–40°C, ideal for soaking away travel fatigue. Its popularity, however, means the site can get lively—especially during peak seasons.

In the evening, you’ll unwind in the open-air pool at a cozy tourist ger camp, surrounded by the serene sounds of the countryside. Overnight in the local tourist ger camp.

After breakfast, you will drive to Karakorum (125 km–3 hours mostly on the paved road). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. After 200 years its sacked by Chinese, Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia and by various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum. You will respectively visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum & other interesting historical sights there.

After breakfast, we’ll drive 125 kilometers (approximately 3 hours, mostly on paved roads) to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Today, only a small township remains where this legendary city once stood. Founded in the 13th century as the heart of Genghis Khan’s empire, Karakorum was later sacked by Chinese forces after 200 years of prominence.

Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, was constructed in 1586 using stones and bricks salvaged from Karakorum’s ruins. During the visit, you’ll explore this historic site, along with the Karakorum Museum—which houses artifacts from the empire’s golden age—and other fascinating remnants of Mongolia’s past.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a journey to Khustai National Park, located 300 km away and accessible via a 5-hour drive on paved roads. Khustai National Park is renowned for its successful re-introduction of the wild takhi horses, also known as Przhevalsky’s horses, a project that has been ongoing since 1992. The takhi represent the last surviving wild horse subspecies in the 21st century. They were first discovered in western Mongolia in the late 1870s by the Russian explorer N.M. Przhevalsky. Despite several expeditions since 1969 failing to locate these horses, likely due to interbreeding with half-wild domesticated horses and the subsequent loss of their distinct characteristics, specimens have been preserved and bred in zoos. In the late 20th century, Mongolia made a concerted effort to reintroduce them into their natural habitat. Upon arrival at the park, you’ll visit the research center and then proceed further into the park to observe and photograph these magnificent wild horses.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to Ulaanbaatar city, a 75 km journey that takes approximately 2 hours, mostly on paved roads. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

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.