Itinerary Details

1 Arrive Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

In the heart of Central Asia, Ulaanbaatar stands as a frontier town straddling past and present. Nestled in a narrow valley, its dusty streets hum with activity as modern buildings rise beside traditional markets.

In the vast Gobi Desert, ancient nomadic traditions endure amid sweeping landscapes, from the undulating dunes of Moltsog Els to the rugged canyons and cliffs of Yol Valley. See the dunes on the back of a Bactrian camel, settling into a hypnotic pace and soaking in the sight of an endless ocean of sand. Sleep over in a tented ger camp, and stargaze from your canvas-lined accommodation.

Set out by 4x4 to the Yol Valley, a narrow, craggy chasm of the verdant Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. In the afternoon, choose from activities offered at your lodge, including biking, hiking around Bulagtai mountain, horse riding and archery.

Explore the Flaming Cliffs, named for their striking reddish-orange hue that glows at sunset, where a local expert will guide you through jaw-dropping paleontological discoveries, including the first complete dinosaur eggs ever unearthed.

Back in Ulaanbaatar, discover Gandan Khiid Monastery’s majestic 75-foot Buddha statue, see replicas of Genghis Khan’s armor and ancient weaponry at the Chinggis Khaan Museum, the country’s largest museum, and stroll Sukhbaatar Square, home to the Great Khan’s Memorial. Finally, take in a traditional Mongolian cultural performance featuring dancers and khoomei throat singers.