Steppes, Mongolia

Highlights of Mongolia

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

15 Days

Prices Start from

£3,855pp(ex. flights)

Experience epic landscapes, nomadic culture and diverse wildlife on this 15-day holiday showcasing the highlights of Mongolia.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Hustai National Park, Mongolia 1

Desert Camping

Camp in traditional gers in the south Gobi – the least populated province in Mongolia.

Close up of bay coloured przewalski horse with black mane. 2

Przewalski Horse

See the Przewalski horse, re-introduced from extinction in Hustai National Park.

Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia 3

Ancient Karakorum

Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery where resident monks still perform religious duties.

Two young Cinereous vulture sat on nest against blule sky. 4

Ikh Nart Wildlife

Stay amidst the rocky landscape of Ikh Nart, home to argali sheep and cinereous vulture.

Why we like it

This holiday journeys from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to the vast Mongolian steppe and the dunes of the Gobi Desert. Mongolia is a huge country with a small travel window and this holiday offers a first-time visitor the chance to take in everything one would expect from a holiday to Mongolia. Wide, cinematic vistas ranging from lush grasslands to towering sand dunes and rugged deserts coupled with the iconic site of ger tents, home to traditional nomadic families. Search for wildlife and immerse yourself in a nomadic lifestyle far from traditional creature comforts.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Ulaanbaatar

  • Day 2

    Ulaanbaatar

  • Day 3

    Ulaanbaatar - Dalanzadgad - Gobi Desert

  • Day 4 - 5

    Gobi Desert

  • Day 6

    Gobi Desert - Dalanzadgad - Ulaanbaatar

  • Day 7

    Ulaanbaatar - Karakorum

  • Day 8

    Karakorum

  • Day 9

    Hogno Khan - Hustai National Park

  • Day 10

    Hustai National Park - Ulaanbaatar

  • Day 11

    Ulaanbaatar - Ikh Nart

  • Day 12 - 13

    Ikh Nart

  • Day 14

    Ikh Nart - Ulaanbaatar

  • Day 15

    Ulaanbaatar

Day 1

Ulaanbaatar

Day 2

Ulaanbaatar

Zaisan Memorial, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Explore the National Museum of Mongolia for an unparalleled overview of Mongolian history and culture.

Day 3

Ulaanbaatar - Dalanzadgad - Gobi Desert

Day 4 - 5

Gobi Desert

Hustai National Park, Mongolia

Camp in traditional gers in the south Gobi – the least populated province in Mongolia.

Day 6

Gobi Desert - Dalanzadgad - Ulaanbaatar

Day 7

Ulaanbaatar - Karakorum

Day 8

Karakorum

Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia

Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery where resident monks still perform religious duties.

Day 9

Hogno Khan - Hustai National Park

Close up of bay coloured przewalski horse with black mane.

See the Przewalski horse, re-introduced from extinction in Hustai National Park.

Day 10

Hustai National Park - Ulaanbaatar

Day 11

Ulaanbaatar - Ikh Nart

Day 12 - 13

Ikh Nart

Two Siberian Ibex on the crest of a hillside in Ikh Nart in Mongolia.

Stay amidst the rocky landscape of Ikh Nart, home to argali sheep and cinereous vulture.

Day 14

Ikh Nart - Ulaanbaatar

Day 15

Ulaanbaatar

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Camel laid down by traditional ger tent amidst rocky desert landscape.
Bactrian camel alongside a traditional ger

Yurt Camping and Mongolian Wildlife

Camp out in Ikh Nart spending days exploring the reserve on foot, mountain bike or camel. Located in the East Gobi Province and covering 66,000 hectares, Ikh Nart is a community-supported nature reserve. Memorable for its huge rock formation and deep crevices, wildlife that inhabits the reserve includes the unique argali sheep. The the largest wild sheep in the world, around 700 of them live on the plateau here. Frequent visitors to the reserve also include birds such as the regal black or cinereous vulture, Mongolian gazelle, Siberian ibex and wolves.

Also explore a range of archaeological and historical sites from various epochs, including petroglyphs, burial sites and temple ruins. There may also be the chance to meet some local herding families. Being reliant on pastures and precipitation, the hardy and hospitable Gobi herders, frequently migrate in and out of the area with their herds of livestock.

 

 

 

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Three przewalski horses drinking on grassy steppe.
Przewalski horses

Could Wild Horses Drag you There?

Declared as a protected area by the Mongolian Government in the late 20th century, Hustai National Park covers an area of 51,000 hectares and extends though the Khentii Mountains. Combining forested steppes, grasslands and hills it is packed with wildlife and is the reserve of the endangered Przewalski wild horse. These are the last-surviving true wild horses and they can only be found in three Mongolian reserves. Take an evening game drive in search of the horses who venture to lower ground to graze and drink later in the day.

Row of buddhist prayer wheels in Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Gandan Monastery

Ulaanbaatar and Gandan Monastery

This holiday begins in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, where more than half the population still lives in gers. Founded by nomadic Buddhist monks, Ulaanbaatar didn’t settle in a permanent location until the 18th century. It then took until the 20th century for the city to really develop, fuelled by its industrial growth. The Gandan Monastery is one of the largest and most significant monasteries in Mongolia. Built in the mid 19th century, it was the only Buddhist monastery that continued to function throughout the communist era.

 

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £3,855 Per person

When to travel

Mongolia in January

Travel not recommended as temperatures can reach as low as -20C.

Mongolia in February

Whilst marginally warmer than January, travel is still not recommended, with temperatures reaching lows of -15C.

Mongolia in March

During the Winter months, travel is not recommended. March will experience average temperatures below freezing.

Mongolia in April

Spring finally starts to emerge during the sunny spells, but the wind can still make it feel wintry. Sunshine is intense but the weather is unpredictable.

Mongolia in May

Temperatures rise quickly, but there is still a chance of snowfall in the north. The countryside is lush and bursting with flowers.

Mongolia in June

Usually dry and warm in central and southern regions. Visitor numbers pick up, but it is a very good time to travel with long, warm days to explore.

Mongolia in July

The hottest month, with temperatures reaching 40°C in the south. There is also the highest chance of rain, because of the influence of the Chinese monsoon.

Mongolia in August

Peak season, as it ties in with school holidays. Temperatures remain warm in the north, and hot in the Gobi.

Mongolia in September

The country quietens down, and it can be a very pleasant time to visit. Temperatures generally remain mild in the north and warm in the south. Towards the end of the month, the weather starts to become more unpredictable.

Mongolia in October

Temperatures drop rapidly, with some snow potentially up north. It is a good time to explore the Gobi desert as it could be warmer, but the weather is unpredictable.

Mongolia in November

November marks the beginning of Winter with temperatures across the country averaging somewhere below freezing, so travel is generally not recommended.

Mongolia in December

Travel to Mongolia is not recommended during the Winter months. December will see temperatures reaching lows of -20°C.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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