Ulaanbaatar, Terelj Granite, and the Gobi Desert
from/to Ulaanbaatar
9 days (8 nights)
private trip
Private Tour of Mongolia | 9 Days / 8 Nights | Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park & Gobi Desert | English-speaking guide
Dieses Privatlodge Erlebnis verbindet drei landschaftliche und kulturelle Pole der Mongolei: die Hauptstadt Ulaanbaatar including the Gandan Monastery and the Genghis Khan Museum, the Terelj National Park with granite turtles and Buddhist monasteries, and the Gobi Desert with flaming cliffs, sand dunes, and Bactrian camels.
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In der Gobi schlafen Sie drei Nächte in 40 traditionellen Filz-Gers in buddhistischer Soum-Bauweise, mit nahezu vollständig solarer Beleuchtung, eigenem Gewächshaus und einem Sternenhimmel ohne Lichtverschmutzung. Sie ist Gründungsmitglied von Beyond Green und die einzige Luxus-Ecolodge der mongolischen Gobi. Von dort aus durchstreifen Sie das Yol-Valley mit Lammergeiern und Steinböcken, steigen zu den Havsgait-Petroglyphen auf und stehen zum Sonnenuntergang an den Flaming Cliffs, an denen 1922 das erste Dinosaurier-Eier-Nest der Welt entdeckt wurde.
This tour is available as a private tour for groups of two or more and runs from April through November. You can choose your own dates. You’ll stay at the Shangri-La Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, one night at the Terelj Hotel & Spa, and three nights at a luxury ecolodge in the Gobi Desert.
We recommend this tour if you’d like to experience Mongolia’s most significant landscapes and cultures in a manageable way. Depending on the time of year, the private tour can be extended: in the summer to Lake Khövsgöl in the north, year-round to the ancient capital of Karakorum with the Erdene Zuu Monastery in the UNESCO-protected Orkhon Valley, or a day trip to Hustai National Park with its Przewalski’s horses.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Good to know
Arrival and Departure: We can book international flights to Ulaanbaatar for you upon request. The domestic flight between Ulaanbaatar and Dalanzadgad is listed separately.
Type of trip: Private tour for two or more people, with a dedicated English-speaking guide. Dates can be chosen freely from April through November (high season).
Entry requirements: German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Mongolia. A valid passport is required. Travelers of other nationalities should check with their respective embassy. Current information is available from the Federal Foreign Office.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gandan Monastery – Home to the 26-meter-tall gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig and a private blessing from the head lama — the center of Mongolian Buddhism.
- Genghis Khan Museum – A five-story museum with over 10,000 exhibits spanning 2,000 years of Mongolian history — a must-see before heading out into the steppe.
- Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum – One of the world’s finest collections of Buddhist art, including original works by Zanabazar (17th century, Mongolia’s first Buddhist leader).
- Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue – 250 tons of stainless steel in Tsonjin Boldog, featuring an elevator to the observation deck atop the horse’s head and a replica of the golden whip.
- Aryabal Meditation Monastery – 108 steps across the wooden “Bridge of Wisdom” lead up to an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the Tuul Valley.
- Turtle Rock – A granite turtle from the Ice Age, one of Mongolia's landmarks.
- Flaming Cliffs at Sunset – The orange-red cliffs, where the world’s first dinosaur egg nest was discovered in 1922, glow with a deep, fiery hue at sunset.
- Yol Valley – A lush gorge in the middle of the desert, home to bearded vultures, ibex, and argali sheep — ice formations often linger until July.
- Havsgait Petroglyphs – Rock carvings on a mountain ridge dating back as far as 7,000 years depict hunting scenes and animal figures from the early Gobi settlers.
- Three nights in a felt ger – 40 traditional felt gers built in the Buddhist soum style, almost entirely solar-powered lighting, a private greenhouse, and a starry sky free of light pollution.
- Bankhar Dog Shepherd Family – A private visit with a shepherd family that has adopted a Bankhar dog —an ancient Mongolian guard dog breed that is being reintroduced as part of a conservation project.
route
itinerary
Days 1 and 2 | Arrival and the Capital, Ulaanbaatar
Upon your arrival at Chinggis Khaan Airport, your Mongolian tour guide will meet you and escort you to the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. The evening is set aside for acclimatization.
The next day is devoted to the capital. At Gandan Monastery, the religious center of Mongolia, the 26-meter-tall gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig rises almost to the ceiling of the main temple. The tour then continues to the five-story Genghis Khan Museum, where over 10,000 exhibits chronicle 2,000 years of Mongolian history, and to the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of Buddhist art, including original works by Mongolia’s first Buddhist leader. The day concludes with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Days 3 and 4 | Terelj National Park and the Genghis Khan Statue
In the morning, the route heads east from Ulaanbaatar toward the Khentii Mountains. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue in Tsonjin Boldog. Standing 40 meters tall and weighing 250 tons of stainless steel, it is the world’s largest equestrian statue; an elevator inside the horse’s leg takes you up to the observation deck atop the horse’s head. In Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, vast birch forests and granite rock formations open up, interspersed with scattered ger camps and grazing herds of horses. You will spend the night at the Terelj Hotel & Spa.
The next day begins with a hike to the Aryabal Meditation Monastery. The trail leads across the wooden “Bridge of Wisdom” and up 108 steps to a small temple courtyard with a view of the Tuul Valley. On the way back, you’ll pass Turtle Rock, whose 24-meter-high silhouette resembles a resting turtle shell. Back in Ulaanbaatar, a performance featuring Khoomi throat singers and dancers in colorful deels rounds out the day.
Day 5 | Flight to the Gobi Desert and Yol Valley
The domestic flight to the Gobi takes you to Dalanzadgad. From the small desert airfield, you’ll drive to the lodge at Mount Bulagtai, on the edge of Gobi-Gurvan-Saikhan National Park. The lodge is a founding member of Beyond Green, employs a staff that is 100 percent Mongolian, and powers its 40 felt gers almost entirely with solar energy.
In the afternoon, you’ll drive to the Yol Valley, a lush gorge in the Altai foothills. Bearded vultures nest in the steep rock faces, while argali sheep and Siberian ibex roam the slopes above. The gorge is so narrow and shady that ice formations at the bottom of the valley persist well into July.
Day 6 | Havtsgait Petroglyphs and Moltsog-Els Dunes
In the morning, you’ll hike up a mountain ridge to the Havtsgait petroglyphs. Rock carvings dating back as far as 7,000 years depict hunting scenes, ibex, carts, and animal figures of the early inhabitants of the Gobi; from the heights, the view stretches far across the desert steppe.
In the afternoon, the trail takes you to the sand dunes of Moltsog Els. You’ll ride across the ridges on two-humped Bactrian camels, and then visit a family that raises camels. You’ll spend the evening back at the lodge under the dark desert sky.
Day 7 | Bankhar Dog and Flaming Cliffs
In the morning, you will visit a Mongolian herding family that has taken in a Bankhar dog. This ancient Mongolian guard dog breed has accompanied herds for centuries and is currently being reintroduced to the steppe through a conservation project. The family will show you how the dog, the people, and the herd work together in their daily lives.
Zum Sonnenuntergang stehen Sie an den Flaming Cliffs, an denen Roy Chapman Andrews 1922 das erste Dinosaurier-Eier-Nest der Welt fand. Die roten Sandsteinwände glühen im Abendlicht in tiefen Ocker- und Karminstönen. Mit einem Sundowner auf den Felsen klingt der Wüstenabschnitt der Reise aus.
Days 8 and 9 | Return flight to Ulaanbaatar and flight home
In the morning, your return flight will take you to Ulaanbaatar. If desired, the afternoon itinerary includes a behind-the-scenes tour of a paleontology lab, where a paleontologist will provide insight into the preparation of recent Gobi finds. The evening concludes with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
The next day, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your international flight home.
Accommodations for your trip
Shangri-La Hotel · Ulaanbaatar
Centrally located in Ulaanbaatar
The Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar is located directly on Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of the capital, within walking distance of Gandan Monastery, the Genghis Khan Museum, restaurants, and shops. It features spacious rooms meeting Western standards, a breakfast buffet served in German and English, a spa, a pool, and free Wi-Fi. You will spend the first two days of your trip and your return from the Gobi here.
Terelj Hotel & Spa · Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
The Terelj Hotel & Spa is located in the heart of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, nestled among birch forests and granite formations. The rooms are decorated in traditional Mongolian style and feature heating, private bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. The hotel offers a restaurant serving Mongolian and Western cuisine, as well as a sauna and a pool. It’s a perfect place to stay overnight between the capital and the Gobi Desert.
Luxury Ecolodge · Southern Gobi
Sunrise at the Yurt Camp
The lodge is located at the foot of the sacred Gurvansaikhan Mountains in the Southern Gobi and is considered one of the most sustainable lodges in Asia. It is a founding member of Beyond Green, employs a staff that is 100 percent Mongolian, and powers its 40 felt gers almost entirely with solar energy. Guests stay in traditional gers (yurts) equipped with wood-burning stoves, double beds, and private bathrooms. The main building houses a restaurant, library, bar, and a star observatory with its own telescope. The Gobi is one of the regions with the least light pollution in the world.
Stone terrace overlooking the Gobi Desert
activities
Gandan Monastery and Genghis Khan Museum, Ulaanbaatar (included)
Half-day guided tour of Ulaanbaatar: Gandan Monastery, featuring the 26-meter-tall gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig, and the five-story Genghis Khan Museum, which houses artifacts from the Mongol Empire, ranging from equestrian armor to 13th-century dragon-decorated ceramics.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and Aryabal Monastery (included)
Day trip to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, featuring the Genghis Khan equestrian statue in Tsonjin Boldog (40 meters tall, the world’s largest equestrian statue, with a viewing platform atop the horse’s head) and a hike to the Aryabal Meditation Monastery via the wooden “Bridge of Wisdom” and 108 steps. Granite formations, birch forests, and the Tuul Valley characterize the landscape.
Yol Valley · Vulture Gorge in the Gobi (included)
Hike through Yol Valley, a narrow gorge in the Altai foothills with steep rock faces. A breeding ground for the rare lammergeier. Patches of ice remain in the shade of the gorge well into the summer. Easy hiking trails; sturdy footwear is recommended.
Havtsgait Petroglyphs (included)
Hike up to the Havtsgait petroglyphs along a mountain ridge. Rock carvings dating back as far as 7,000 years depict hunting scenes, ibex, carts, and animal figures created by the early inhabitants of the Gobi. From the heights, the view stretches far across the desert steppe.
Camel ride on Bactrian camels across the Moltsog-Els Dunes (included)
Ride on two-humped Bactrian camels across the ridges of the Moltsog Els Dunes, one of the most beautiful dune fields in the southern Gobi. Afterward, visit a nomadic family that keeps camels in their ger for tea and conversation, with the tour guide providing translation.
Flaming Cliffs at sunset (included)
The Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) are the site where the world’s first dinosaur eggs were discovered in 1922 by Roy Chapman Andrews. At sunset, the red sandstone plateau glows a deep orange. Hike along the cliffs with historical commentary from the tour guide.
Star Observatory in the Southern Gobi (included)
The Southern Gobi is one of the darkest regions in the world. The lodge operates its own star observatory equipped with a telescope and offers evening stargazing sessions to view the Milky Way, galaxies, and planets; on clear nights, these sessions include a guided tour by the lodge’s astronomer.
Dates & Prices
Information
- All transfers and ground transportation as listed in the itinerary
- All accommodations in a double room (Deluxe Room at the Luxury Ecolodge)
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Horseback riding and camel tours as per the itinerary
- All excursions, admission fees, and sightseeing tours as listed in the itinerary
- Comprehensive travel documents before departure
- An English-speaking private guide throughout the entire trip
- International flights to/from Ulaanbaatar
- domestic flights
- Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
- Passport and visa fees
- Travel and health insurance
- Alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, and laundry service
- Personal expenses
- Activities and excursions not included in the itinerary
- We recommend arriving one to two days before the trip begins to allow for any flight or baggage delays.
- Travel health insurance with unlimited coverage is mandatory, and proof of coverage must be provided.
- On site, you will be accompanied by English-speaking nature guides with local expertise. There are no plans to provide a German-speaking guide.
- The trip includes hikes on unpaved terrain, climbs up stairs and rocks, and a domestic flight in a small plane. A normal level of basic fitness is required; this trip is only suitable to a limited extent for travelers with mobility issues.
- Private tours for groups of two or more; dates can be chosen freely from April through November (high season). For requests from solo travelers, we reserve the right to cancel the tour or charge a solo traveler surcharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Ulaanbaatar?
Common flight routes go through Istanbul, Seoul, or Beijing. Depending on the route, the flight time is 8 to 14 hours. International flights are not included in the tour price. We would be happy to assist you with booking your flight.
Do I need a visa for Mongolia?
A valid passport is required for entry. German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Different regulations may apply to travelers of other nationalities. For the latest information, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
What makes this luxury ecolodge in the Southern Gobi so special?
The lodge is located at the foot of the sacred Gurvansaikhan Mountains in the South Gobi and is considered one of the most sustainable lodges in Asia. It is a founding member of Beyond Green, built using traditional Buddhist soum construction methods with 40 felt gers, powered by solar and wind energy, and sourced primarily from locally procured food. Neighboring nomadic families are directly involved through a support program—so you’re not entering a hotel bubble, but a region that clearly benefits from tourism.
What amenities are available in the lodges?
You’ll sleep in traditional gers (round tents) with wooden frames and felt walls, equipped with proper beds, warm blankets, and a stove in the center. Bathrooms and showers are located in separate buildings. The lodge also features a restaurant serving fresh ingredients from its own greenhouse, a bar, a spa, a screening room for documentaries, and stables for horses and camels.
What exactly happens during the paleontology lab tour?
In Ulaanbaatar, you’ll first visit the Dinosaur Museum, which features original mounted skeletons of Tarbosaurus and Protoceratops excavated in the Gobi. Afterward, a paleontologist will take you behind the scenes of his laboratory. You’ll see the latest finds from the Gobi: bones, eggshells, and fossils that are still being studied and have not yet been assigned to any public collection. The Gobi is one of the world’s most important paleontological sites.
What level of fitness do I need for this trip?
A normal level of fitness is sufficient. The hikes in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park (Aryabal Monastery with 108 steps) and in the Havtsgait Valley require sure-footedness on uneven terrain, but are not strenuous mountain hikes. In the Gobi, you will travel primarily by vehicle and camel. Riding Mongolian horses and Bactrian camels requires no prior experience.
What is the Bankhar Dog Project?
The Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project breeds Bankhar dogs and places them with herding families in the Gobi. The Bankhar is an ancient Mongolian dog breed that protects herds of livestock from predators such as snow leopards and wolves. Without the dogs, herders sometimes resort to traps or poison, which threatens the ecological balance of the Gobi. During the trip, you will visit a family that has taken in a Bankhar dog and see how humans, dogs, and herds live together.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes, this trip is suitable for families with children ages 8 and up. Children will especially enjoy the camel ride, horseback riding, archery, and the visit with the nomadic family. Since this is a private tour, the itinerary can be flexibly adjusted if certain activities are too long or too strenuous. Please let us know when you book so we can tailor the itinerary to your family’s needs.
Can I customize the program?
Yes. This is a private tour, not a group tour. You’ll travel with your own guide and can tailor the itinerary to your interests. If you’d like to spend more time in the Gobi, add an extra day of riding, or skip certain museum visits, that’s possible.
Yurt camp at the foot of the Gurvansaikhan Mountains
Yurt camp at the foot of the Gurvansaikhan Mountains
Nighttime skyline of Ulaanbaatar featuring the Blue Sky Tower
The Ulaanbaatar skyline at night, featuring the Blue Sky Tower
Sunrise over a luxury ecolodge in the Gobi Desert
Sunrise over a luxury ecolodge in the Gobi Desert | © Tuguldur
The Turtle Rock rock formation in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, set against vast grassy steppes
Turtle Rock in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park | © Gary Lehman
Aryabal Meditation Monastery in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Aryabal Meditation Monastery in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Blue-and-white dragon ceramics from the 13th century at the Chinggis Khan Museum in Ulaanbaatar
13th-century dragon ceramics at the Chinggis Khan Museum in Ulaanbaatar
Rainbow over the mountain ranges of Yol Valley National Park in the Gobi Desert
Rainbow over Yol Valley National Park in the Gobi Desert | © Kleinberg
Hikers discover millennia-old petroglyphs in the Havtsgait Valley in the Gobi Desert
Petroglyphs in the Havtsgait Valley in the Gobi Desert | © Kleinberg
Hikers on the red sandstone plateaus of the Flaming Cliffs in the Gobi Desert
Hike across the Flaming Cliffs in the Gobi Desert | © Ken Spence
Starry sky viewed through a telescope in the Gobi Desert
Starry sky viewed through a telescope in the Gobi Desert
Sunrise over the yurt camp in the Gobi Desert
Sunrise at the yurt camp in the Gobi Desert
Stone terrace overlooking the vast Gobi Desert
Stone terrace overlooking the Gobi Desert
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