Western Mongolia in Focus

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be received by our tour guide with driver and then transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you. You can relax at the hotel to get over the jetlag, or wander around to glimpse the city on your own.

 Decipher the Secret of Genghis Khan
Cannot wait to meet with Genghis Khan? We suggest you head to the National Museum of Mongolia, where you can discover the life story of this nomadic leader and the history of the empire he founded. It opens from 9.00 am-6.00 pm. The ticket costs MNT 20,000 (about USD 5), and an extra MNT 10,000 (about USD 3) is needed if you want to take pictures in the museum. Mongolia, the birthplace of Genghis Khan, also cradles the enigmatic resting place of this warrior-king. It is said that upon his death in 1277, he was cremated, and his ashes were buried in a sacred valley of the Khentii Mountains. A boulder carved with his name and titles once marked his tomb, which has weathered away nowadays. According to the legend, to prevent the mausoleum from being found by his foes, the funeral procession was slaughtered, and for centuries, only his descendants and the tomb guardians knew the site’s specific location. After the insiders died, Genghis Khan’s tomb became a national secret, and the Khentii Mountains were considered holy land by Mongolians.

 Things to be Prepared for the Mongolia Tour:
1. Clothes and Sun-protective Gear: The temperature varies widely on the grassland from day to night, so a thick coat is necessary. Besides, the UV rays are intense during the day, so it is suggested to pack sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
2. SIM Card: The Mobicom SIM card is widely used by locals. It provides a smooth 4G network in Ulaanbaatar and can be slightly used in some rural areas where other mobile operators may not even have signals. You can buy one at its downtown business hall, costing MNT 12,000 (USD 3.4) for 15 GB of data valid for 15 days, which is more worthwhile than that at the airport. 
3. Mongolian Car-Hailing App: UBcab, aka Mongolia Uber, is workable. It is advisable to ask the hotel staff to help you hail a car as most drivers do not speak English. VIP taxi costs double but with no obvious advantage. Please exchange enough Mongolia Tugriks, as dollars, euros, and credit cards are unacceptable.

Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel Ulaanbaatar (4 stars) or similar

Today, you will be transferred to the airport to catch a morning flight bound for Ulgii, located in the west of Mongolia, boasting high Altai Mountains, Golden Eagle hunting festival, and Kazakhs’ traditional culture and traditions. Upon landing, we’ll drive to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park to glimpse its staggering natural beauty, including Mongolia’s highest peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and beautiful valleys. It is also home to endangered animal species such as snow leopards and argali sheep. Bird lovers may marvel at the park’s thriving population of golden eagles that soar above alpine meadows.

We’ll arrive at the Ranger Station of Altai, where you will have a Kazakh nomadic family stay tonight. Take the chance to talk with the host to learn more first-hand information about their traditional customs. Kazakhs earn their living not only from cattle and sheep, but more importantly, from eagles that are domesticated to hunt for fur. In this case, the eagle-hunting tradition has become the brightest jewel in their culture.

 Once-in-a-lifetime Experience: Partake in the Golden Eagle Festival
If you happen to visit Ulgii on the first weekend of October, you will have a chance to experience the two-day Golden Eagle Hunting Festival, a vibrant celebration where nomadic falconers gather to compete for the golden medal that symbolizes superior eagle-hunting skills. Clad in furs and leather, hunters ride their horses with majestic golden eagles perching on their arms. During the festival, you can witness heart-pounding competition as hunters release their eagles to swoop like lightning after the prey. Besides, a tug-of-war with a headless goat will leave you an unforgettable memory. Competitors ride the horse and scramble the dead sheep, and the one who puts the sheep into the designated place wins. Crave to experience the vigorous festival? We can craft a bespoke journey for you to immerse in this cultural spectacle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nomadic Family Stay

After breakfast, drive to the President’s Ovoo, the viewpoint of the Altai Mountains’ five main snow peaks: Khuiten Uul (Cold Peak), Nairamdal (Friendship), Malchin (Herder), Bürged (Eagle), and Olgii (Cradle). Rising over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), they form a natural barrier between Russia, China, and Mongolia. If you get up early, the jaw-dropping golden mountain sunrise will greet you when the snow-covered summits ignite like molten gold under the twilight. Following the bumpy roads, we will pass lakes and rivers and finally stand in front of the five peaks. Just immerse yourself in the stunning view of diamond-like glaciers under the azure sky. Then, we will return to the yurt. A one-hour horse ride is arranged for you to explore the surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nomadic Family Stay

Today, we will take a 4-5 hour drive along the White River and head to Shiveet Mountain to see three sites of the Petroglyphs Complexes. Viewing the snow-capped peaks on the horizon and the changing scenery along the river will enrich your car ride.

The UNESC-listed Petroglyphs Complexes feature a large number of stone carvings and burial monuments that show the development of human culture in Mongolia about 12,000 years ago. Images of herds of horses and deer frozen in stones alongside vanished mammuthus and woolly rhinoceros. Wander among these complexes as if flipping through the diary of Mongolian ancestors and decoding the scenes of their ancient nomadic life, funerary and ritual scenes, for example, hunters drawing bows, herders waving whips, and even some figures gliding on primitive skis. These rock paintings provide valuable historical data for understanding the prehistoric society in North Asia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

Today, a 5-hour drive along the bumpy road meandering past a wooden bridge will lead you to Lake Khoton and Lake Khurgan. En route, you may encounter flocks of sheep crossing the road, baaing loudly. These two alpine lakes are fed by the melt water from the Altai Mountains and are connected by a stream. Due to the remote location, the twin lakes are not overdeveloped, keeping their pristine beauty with sapphire shimmering waters under the flawless sky and attracting many animals to live, such as snow leopards, marmots, and ibexs. Surrounded by dense forests and vast grasslands, the lakes provide diverse landscapes. Facing south, you can see the snow-capped mountains afar. Beyond the lakes, you can also hike to explore beautiful waterfalls and admire the stone statues of ancient Turks nearby.

Want to respite from the fatigue of car riding? Just enjoy fishing! Home to various kinds of fish species like Altai bigmouth Osman and Mongolian grayling, the lakes are paradise for fishing lovers. You can rent gear at yurts on the lakeside. Tonight, we will stay at the Ger Camp by the lake, where you can enjoy the starry sky lying on the meadows.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp

A short drive will take you to the highest waterfall in Bayan-Ulgii Province, Baga Turgen. The water thunders down from a 36-meter (118-foot) high cliff and is divided into two cascades of 23 meters (75 feet) and 13 meters (42 feet). Surrounding the falls wrapped in mist are jagged rocks, where you can scramble up to the top and be rewarded by a serene alpine meadow dotted with wild Siberian spruce and larches and framed by snow-capped ridges. Please watch your step while climbing, as the wind-worn rocks may be loose. You will be accompanied on a small hike, during which you may encounter local eagle hunters and have a chance to talk with them.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Guest House

Ready for the last long drive of the vacation! Today, a 6-7-hour drive will take you back to Ulgii. Herds of cattle, rolling hills, and galloping herders will add more interest while traversing the monotonous plains. At a sunny dusk, you will see the golden-tinged snow mountains in the distance. On the way, we can stop anytime to capture beautiful scenery. When you see the rainbow-hued wooden houses, it means that we are approaching Ulgii. After arriving, you will be escorted to check in at the selected hotel. If you have enough energy, wander around to glimpse the local life of Kazakhs. 

Aside from the eagle-hunting tradition, their handiworks, especially embroidery tapestries, are also well-known. It is said that they need to spend over 200 hours to finish one, using vibrantly dyed treads to sew figures of eagles, wolves, and stag antlers on wool or cotton cloth, where you may also see delicate floral vines intertwined with fascinating geometric patterns accented with golden thread.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mediana Hotel (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport and board the flight back to Ulaanbaatar. The guide and the driver will pick you up after your arrival and accompany you on an afternoon city tour.

First, worship in Mongolia’s most important Buddhist temple, Gandan Buddhist Monastery, which features a 26.5-meter (87-foot) high gilded statue of Buddha, adorned with more than 2,200 jewels. Then, we will continue to Sukhbaatar Square. Dominating its northern end is a bronze statue of Genghis Khan, sitting regally before the Government Palace. Born Temüjin, Genghis Khan showed a ruthless streak at his youth. At the age of 13, he killed his half-brother with a bow in rage who had stolen the fish that he caught. His ruthlessness foreshadowed his merciless conquests. By adulthood, with his strategic genius, he forged an empire stretching from the Danube to the Pacific. 

Later, we will drive to Zaisan Memorial Hill. Along the paved staircases to its top, you will find a striking circular monument honoring the Soviet-Mongol camaraderie during WWII. Its mosaics depict many pivotal moments, such as the Soviet Union cosmonaut going into space and Mongolians celebrating their independence in 1921. At dusk, you can see not only the skyline of Ulaanbaatar but also the surrounding golden-hue hills.

In the evening, a Mongolian folk dance and singing show will be arranged for you, during which you can admire the UNESCO-listed music art-Khöömei, aka throat singing. After the performance, we will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel Ulaanbaatar (4 stars) or similar

Today, our guide and the driver will transfer you to the airport and see you off. Your private tour of Ulaanbaatar will end here. If you want to extend your tour to central or northern parts to explore the Bayan Gobi Desert or the Hustai National Park, just inform us so that we can craft you a bespoke itinerary. Besides, trips to China, Japan, Thailand, and Russia are served on our website. Click for more details!

Meals: Breakfast