Route: Ulaanbaatar → Chinggis Khaan Statue → Terelj → Khustai → Kharkhorin → Orkhon Valley → Ulaanbaatar
This journey leads into the cradle of Mongolian civilisation, where Chinggis Khaan's empire was born and nomadic life still follows the rhythm of the seasons. You start among the granite rock formations and larch forests of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, stand on the head of the giant Chinggis Khaan statue and watch the rare takhi, the world's last truly wild horses, return to the hills of Khustai at dusk.
In Kharkhorin, once the imperial capital Karakorum, you explore Erdene Zuu, Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery. The highlight is the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley, where you visit the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall and spend a night as guests of a herding family – milking, cooking and sharing stories in their ger.
After meeting your guide at the airport, drive east to Tsonjin Boldog and the 40-metre stainless-steel Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue, where a lift and stairs lead up to a viewing platform on the horse's head. Continue into Gorkhi-Terelj National Park to see the famous Turtle Rock and settle into your ger camp among granite cliffs and larch forests.
In the morning, hike up to the hillside Aryabal Meditation Temple for sweeping views of the valley, then enjoy a gentle horse ride with local herders. After lunch, drive via Ulaanbaatar to Khustai National Park (about 4 hours). At dusk, a ranger takes you to spot the takhi, or Przewalski's horses, successfully reintroduced here in the 1990s.
Drive west across the steppe to Elsen Tasarkhai, a striking strip of sand dunes known as the 'Mini Gobi', for a short walk or optional camel ride. Continue to Kharkhorin (about 5 hours in total), the site of Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, founded in 1586 and enclosed by a wall of 108 white stupas, and the Kharkhorum Museum.
Follow the Orkhon River upstream through the wide, green valley (about 3 hours) to the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall, which plunges about 20 metres into a basalt gorge. In the afternoon, you are welcomed by a herding family: help with milking the mares, learn to make dairy products and try your hand at lassoing. Dinner is cooked together, and the night is spent in the family's guest ger.
Say goodbye to your hosts after a traditional breakfast of milk tea and fresh bread, and begin the long drive back to Ulaanbaatar (about 8–9 hours with breaks). In the evening, celebrate the end of the journey with a farewell dinner and a folk show featuring throat singing and the horse-head fiddle.
After breakfast, free time for a last visit to Gandan Monastery or the State Department Store, depending on your flight time. Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
Prices per person in USD. The final price is confirmed with your booking. Child (2–11 years): −20%.
The cancellation terms for this tour are confirmed in writing together with your booking, before you pay anything.
Read our cancellation & refund policyGuests share a ger with basic beds; there is no shower and the toilet is an outdoor pit latrine. In return you experience everyday nomadic life up close.
Day 1 assumes arrival by early afternoon. For later arrivals we recommend an extra night in the city before the tour.
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