10 Days Mongolia Adventure Expedition – Gobi Desert, Orkhon Valley & Kharkhorin
An immersive Mongolia expedition across the Gobi Desert, vast steppe landscapes, ancient monasteries, alpine lakes and authentic nomadic communities.
Explore the Journey
About This Journey
Embark on an immersive 10-day expedition through Mongolia, travelling from the vibrant capital of Ulaanbaatar into the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert, remote steppe regions and the historic heart of the Mongol Empire.
This adventure combines dramatic desert scenery, ancient monasteries, alpine lakes, volcanic landscapes, wildlife-rich valleys and authentic nomadic experiences. The journey takes you through iconic destinations including Tsagaan Suvarga, Yol Valley, Khongor Sand Dunes, Flaming Cliffs, Ongi Monastery, Orkhon Valley, Terkh White Lake and Kharkhorin.
Experience Mongolia beyond conventional sightseeing as you stay in traditional ger camps and remote guesthouses, travel across rugged terrain and discover landscapes that shift from red desert cliffs and golden dunes to lush valleys and mountain lakes.
From the legendary Gobi Desert to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin and the spiritual heritage of Erdene Zuu Monastery, this expedition offers an extraordinary blend of adventure, culture, history and natural beauty.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Ulaanbaatar, the vibrant capital of Mongolia.
- Visit the iconic Great Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue.
- Discover the dramatic limestone formations of Tsagaan Suvarga.
- Experience an authentic overnight stay with a nomadic family in a traditional ger.
- Hike through the spectacular Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park.
- Explore the legendary Khongor Sand Dunes and their surrounding oasis.
- Experience the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, famous for major dinosaur discoveries.
- Discover the historic ruins of Ongi Monastery.
- Explore the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley and visit Orkhon Waterfall.
- Relax beside the scenic Terkh White Lake amid Mongolia’s volcanic landscapes.
- Visit Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
- Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery and its historic complex.
- Experience traditional ger camps, remote landscapes and Mongolian hospitality.
- Enjoy an extensive overland expedition through Mongolia’s desert, steppe and mountain regions.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive at Ulaanbaatar Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to settle in. Later, explore the city and its blend of traditional Mongolian culture and modern urban life. Browse local markets and streets for handicrafts, souvenirs and a first glimpse into everyday life in Mongolia. In the evening, enjoy a meal at a local Indian restaurant before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight Stay: Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Great Genghis Khan Statue & Tsagaan Suvarga
After breakfast, visit the Great Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue and climb to the viewing platform for panoramic views of the surrounding steppe. Continue towards the Gobi Desert, travelling approximately 450 km across Mongolia’s open terrain with sections of off-road driving. Arrive at Tsagaan Suvarga, known for its striking red, orange and white limestone formations, and enjoy a short hike around the cliffs. In the evening, experience nomadic life with an overnight stay with a local family in a traditional ger.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Traditional Ger with Nomadic Family
Day 3: Yol Valley
Travel deeper into Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park towards Yol Valley in the Zuun Saikhan Mountains. Enjoy a gentle hike through the narrow gorge, known for its dramatic rock walls and patches of ice that can remain in shaded areas even during summer. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as ibex and lammergeier vultures. Continue to a tourist ger camp for a comfortable evening with electricity and hot shower facilities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Tourist Ger Camp
Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes
After breakfast, continue across the Gobi towards the spectacular Khongor Sand Dunes, also known as the Singing Dunes. Explore the expansive dunes and the nearby oasis, with an optional camel ride available for those who wish to experience the desert from a different perspective. Later, climb the dunes to enjoy the changing colours of the desert at sunset before dinner at the ger camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Ger Camp
Day 5: Flaming Cliffs – Bayanzag
Travel across rugged off-road terrain to the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, one of Mongolia’s most famous archaeological landscapes. Explore the red sandstone formations and learn about the area’s important paleontological discoveries, including the discovery of dinosaur eggs. Enjoy the dramatic colours of the cliffs around sunset before settling into a comfortable tourist camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Tourist Camp
Day 6: Ongi Monastery
After breakfast, drive approximately 130 km across the open steppe towards the historic ruins of Ongi Monastery. Explore the remaining structures, restored temples and small monastery museum, and enjoy a quiet walk through the surrounding valley. Continue to the Secret of the Ongi Camp for a relaxed evening in the Mongolian countryside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Secret of the Ongi Camp
Day 7: Orkhon Valley & Orkhon Waterfall
Travel north into the lush landscapes of the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by grasslands, rivers and volcanic formations. Visit the impressive Orkhon Waterfall and enjoy a scenic walk through the valley. In the evening, relax at an eco-friendly ger camp and experience traditional Mongolian hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Eco-Friendly Ger Camp
Day 8: Terkh White Lake
After breakfast, travel towards Terkh White Lake, a scenic alpine lake located at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level. Explore the lakeshore and enjoy views of the surrounding forests, volcanic formations and mountains. Spend the evening at Gerlee’s Guest House, known for its lake-view gers and peaceful setting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Gerlee’s Guest House
Day 9: Kharkhorin & Erdene Zuu Monastery
Travel to Kharkhorin, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit the magnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist heritage sites, and explore its historic complex surrounded by 108 white stupas. Continue to the Secret of the Silk Road Camp for your final overnight stay outside Ulaanbaatar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Stay: Secret of the Silk Road Camp
Day 10: Return to Ulaanbaatar & Departure
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, enjoying the final views of Mongolia’s expansive landscapes. On arrival, visit Sukhbaatar Square and the Chinggis Khaan Museum before transferring to the airport for departure. The source lists an 18:30 departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation throughout the expedition as per the itinerary.
- 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners.
- 1 bottle of water per day.
- English-speaking guide.
- Experienced drivers.
- Mechanic for self-drive vehicle arrangements.
- SUV vehicle arrangements including Toyota Starex, Toyota Delica or Russian Van as applicable.
- Self-drive vehicle options including Land Cruiser 100 Series or Lexus, as applicable.
- Petrol for self-drive vehicles.
- Entrance tickets to attractions included in the itinerary.
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Ulaanbaatar.
- Visa assistance.
Not Included
- International and domestic flight tickets.
- Visa fees and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses including laundry, tips, shopping, additional snacks and beverages.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Single occupancy supplement, if applicable.
- Activities not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.
- Satellite phone usage beyond emergency purposes.
- Medical evacuation costs in case of emergency.
- Costs arising from weather disruptions, roadblocks, vehicle breakdowns beyond control, political situations or force majeure.
- Additional accommodation or transportation required due to unforeseen delays.
- Personal riding gear or clothing suitable for extreme weather conditions.
- Damage to camping equipment or vehicles caused by negligence.
- Extra fuel required due to detours or route changes.
- Personal power banks or charging solutions required at remote camps.
- Private rescue arrangements.
- Any service not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions.
- Applicable GST and TCS as stated by the source.
Package Costing
Starting Price: ₹1,59,999 per person
Original Price: Not Listed
Tour Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Accommodation: Twin Sharing with a combination of hotels, ger camps, guesthouses and nomadic ger stay
Meals: 9 Breakfasts + 9 Lunches + 9 Dinners
Transport: SUV / 4×4 and self-drive vehicle options as applicable
Pickup & Drop: Ulaanbaatar
Flights: International and domestic flights not included
Visa: Visa assistance included; visa fees excluded
Taxes: Applicable GST and TCS extra
Available Batches
- Previously Listed Departure: 21 June 2026 — Past
- Custom Departure: Available on request, subject to confirmation
- Next Fixed Departure: To Be Confirmed
- This is a remote overland expedition involving long driving distances, off-road sections and changing terrain across Mongolia.
- The listed fixed departure date of 21 June 2026 has already passed. The package should currently be treated as a custom-departure option unless a new fixed batch is confirmed.
- The live source lists the package at ₹1,59,999 per person on Twin Sharing, plus applicable taxes.
- International and domestic flights are not included.
- Visa assistance is included, but visa fees are excluded.
- Accommodation includes a combination of hotels, traditional ger camps, a nomadic family ger stay and guesthouse/camp accommodation rather than a single hotel category throughout.
- Self-drive vehicle arrangements are mentioned in the source. Driver, mechanic, fuel and vehicle arrangements should be confirmed according to the final selected travel format.
- Optional camel rides at Khongor Sand Dunes are not separately included unless confirmed in the final package.
- Extreme weather, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns, roadblocks and remote-area conditions may affect the itinerary.
- Personal riding gear, suitable clothing, charging solutions and other personal expedition equipment are not included.
- Medical evacuation and private rescue arrangements are excluded and should be considered separately for this remote expedition.
- Single occupancy supplements may apply.
- The source states 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners; the final Day 10 meal arrangement should be confirmed before publishing because the departure is scheduled for the evening.
- Final accommodation, vehicle configuration, meal arrangements and operational details should be reconfirmed before booking.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be communicated to Go Alive through an official communication channel.
- Booking amounts may be non-refundable once reservations or supplier services have been confirmed.
- Cancellation charges may vary depending on the cancellation date, supplier commitments and services already booked.
- Closer-to-departure cancellations may attract higher cancellation charges.
- Single occupancy, special arrangements, transport and other expedition-related services may have separate cancellation conditions.
- No-show or unused services may not qualify for a refund.
- Changes caused by weather, road conditions, government restrictions, force majeure or operational disruptions may be subject to supplier terms and availability.
- Any applicable refund, cancellation charge or rescheduling condition will be communicated before final confirmation wherever applicable.
Privacy Policy
Go Alive respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information shared with us during your travel enquiry and booking process.
- Personal information may be collected to process enquiries, bookings, payments and travel arrangements.
- Information may be shared with relevant hotels, transport providers, activity operators, visa partners and other service providers when required to deliver the requested travel services.
- Information may also be used for customer support, service updates and relevant communication where permitted.
- Go Alive takes reasonable measures to protect customer information from unauthorized access or misuse.
- Customers may contact Go Alive regarding their personal information or communication preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 QuestionsEverything you may want to know before booking this journey.
01 What does the 10-day Mongolia Adventure Expedition cover?
The expedition covers Ulaanbaatar, the Gobi Desert, Tsagaan Suvarga, Yol Valley, Khongor Sand Dunes, Flaming Cliffs, Ongi Monastery, Orkhon Valley, Terkh White Lake and Kharkhorin, combining adventure, landscapes, history and nomadic experiences.
02 Are international and domestic flights included in the package?
No. International and domestic flight tickets are excluded from the package and should be arranged separately unless specifically added to the final booking.
03 What type of accommodation is provided in Mongolia?
The itinerary uses a combination of hotels, traditional ger camps, guesthouses and a nomadic family ger stay. The exact accommodation arrangement should be reconfirmed before final booking.
04 Are meals included during the Mongolia expedition?
Yes. The source package includes 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners, along with one bottle of water per day. The final meal arrangement should be reconfirmed before departure.
05 Is the camel ride at Khongor Sand Dunes included?
The itinerary mentions a camel ride as an optional experience. It should therefore be treated as optional unless specifically included in the final Go Alive booking confirmation.
06 Can this Mongolia expedition be booked for a custom departure date?
Yes. The source provides a custom-date booking option. Since the previously listed 21 June 2026 departure has passed, the next departure date should be confirmed with Go Alive before publishing or accepting bookings.