Mongolia Jeep Tours to Gobi Desert & Orkhon Waterfall

MONGOLIA JEEP TOUR TO THE DESERT AND ORKHON WATERFALLS ITINERARY

This Jeep tour is a wonderful combination of several stunning geographical and historical gems; one being a desert oasis, and the second being the famed Orkhon Waterfall. In between locations, you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to visit Karakorum that was the capital city of the Ancient Mongol Empire as well as the remotely located/hidden monastery known as Tuvkhun Khiid. This this itinerary has been tailor-made for those that wish to have a desert experience but may not have the time nor the funds to make such a long gobi desert expedition.

Day One – Desert horse riding to the famed Queen Manduhai monument, then onwards to “Swan Lake” desert oasis (L, D – Mongolia Jeep Tour to Gobi Desert, Orkhon and Overnight in Genuine Nomadic Ger): Today you will depart early in the morning from Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, you will begin to experience a variety of steppe landscapes and even see some small villages as you make your way to Rashaant village (280 kilometers). 

Hustai Park Option: If you’ve selected to visit Hustai National Park, then on this day you’ll fist drive to Hustai Park for a visit and a lunch before continuing to the nomadic family where you’ll continue with your day’s activities and have a nomadic dinner.

Upon arrival at Mr. Mongol’s family (a nomadic family), they will welcome you with a warm nomadic lunch and traditional milk tea. Afterwards, you will have a 7-8 kilometer round-trip by horseback to the picturesque Swan Lake (desert oasis) and the famous filming location of Queen Manduhai; Queen Manduhai, post Chingis Khan, is famed in Mongol history as being the first woman to united the Mongol Tribes. Upon arriving at Swan Lake, you’ll see that it is a pristine example of the beauty of co-existence of extremes (desert and water)… and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of lovely Swan Couple that are testament to strength, tolerance and passion – as they exist, as a pair, in such extreme yet beautiful environment.  Later you will return to the family where they will prepare and serve you a nomadic dinner and traditional tea. Tonight you can retire early to the family’s extra ger and get some rest as tomorrow morning you’ll have the option to wake up early in the morning (around 0600) to help the family milk some cows.

Day Two – Horse riding to Bugdiin Ovoo – to visit a location known to locals as shamanistic culture of worshipping point, it’s what local refer to as “natural energy points” (B, L, D – Mongolia Jeep Tour to Gobi Desert, Orkhon and Overnight in Genuine Nomadic Ger): After breakfast, you’ll horse riding along the nomadic route to the next nomadic family. Upon arrival at Mr. Otgonbayar’s family, they will start to prepare and serve you with freshly made nomadic lunch and traditional tea before continuing your 12-kilometer day ride towards the locally respected Bugdiin Ovoo (translation “Everyone’s Ovoo”). Ovoo worshiping originates from shamanistic practices that consider the entire universe to be alive and interconnected. Today, some nomadic families conduct the ceremony whereas many nomads across Mongolia struggle to keep it alive. An Ovoo is a small pyramid of collected stones as well as bones, woods and silk scarves that are often established on hilltops, mountains or other locally sacred sites. It is the customary practice to show respect by walking around the ovoo three times in a devotional state while you are making your silent wishes. Afterwards, you will begin your journey back to the nomadic family where you will have your evening dinner followed with the option to help herd the family’s sheep back to their livestock-pins – or – retire for the night in your own nomadic ger.

Day Three – Horse riding towards Mongol Desert sand dunes (Elsen Tasarhai), then by jeep to Orkhon Valley (B, L ,D – Mongolia Jeep Tour to Gobi Desert, Orkhon and Overnight in a Genuine Nomadic): After breakfast, you’ll horseback ride for 4 to 5 kilometers to Elsen Tasarhai sand dunes before returning to the nomadic family where they will prepare and serve you a farewell nomadic lunch and traditional tea. This afternoon, you’ll travel by jeep to the Orkhon Valley, which sprawls along the banks of the Orkhon River in Central Mongolia. UNESCO inscribed it in the World Heritage List as representing evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions spanning more than two millennia. For many centuries, the Orkhon Valley was viewed as the seat of the imperial power of the steppes. The first evidence comes from a stone stele with runic inscriptions which was erected in the valley by Bilge Khan in 8th-century.  Upon arrival at the nomadic family, they will prepare and greet you with the evening dinner and milk tea before retiring to nomads’ extra Ger for rest, relaxation and sleep.

Day Four – Walking to Orkhon Steppe Waterfalls and junior flow (B, L, D – Mongolia Jeep Tour to Gobi Desert, Orkhon and Overnight in Genuine Nomadic Ger): In the early morning you can participate with the family in their daily nomadic chores that includes milking or herding yaks (before breakfast). Afterwards, you’ll pack your day bag for the 5-6 kilometer (round-trip) walk to the Orkhon Waterfall. Ulaan Tsutgalan, a waterfall on the Ulaan River, cascades from an impressive height of 20 meters with a width of 10 meters and it extends for 100 meters from the Orkhon River; the Orkhon River flows through basalt rocks from Gyatruu Range to Karakorum. This is a great opportunity to bring your camera for some wonderful landscape shots during your walk. When you return to the nomadic family, you will have a lunch and milk tea followed by an afternoon of exploring the beauty of Orkhon Valley and even walk to Baga Tsutgalan (“Junior Flow”); locals call this small waterfall “Junior Flow” as it is a continuation of the River. People say rheumatism will be cured if you stand under the waterfall and have your back splashed on by its water. As the waterfall is not very tall, there is no risk of injury or of falling – nevertheless – travelers are advised to be cautious while walking as the river bottom below the waterfall has very big stones that might require a bit more balance to walk across – best to wear sandals. Later you will return to your overnight location where you will be warmly invited to enjoy an evening dinner before returning to the Ger for rest and sleep.

Day Five – Jeep journey towards Karakorum, then onwards to Ulaanbaatar City (B, L – Mongolia Jeep Tour to Gobi Desert, Orkhon): After breakfast, we’ll begin the 170 kilometer jeep  journey towards the famed ancient capital of the Mongol Empire known as Karakorum where you can spend some time walking through the ruins as well as visiting the Erdenezuu monastery that is located within its fortress walls. Karakorum was established in 1220 and flourished both as Mongol Empire’s Capital for 32 years as well as Mongolia’s Capital for 140 years; Erdenezuu Monastery is Mongolia’s first Buddhist Monastery established by Abtai Sain Khan in 1585. Afterwards, you will have a farewell lunch at the Ger Camp near Erdenezuu monastery before returning to Ulaanbaatar.

Included services:

• Jeep, Van or Car (depending on number of travelers)
• Interpreter Guide
• Visiting nomadic families
• All nomadic breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
• Herder guide service on route
• Sightseeing
• Horse riding according to itinerary
• Pack animals on route
• Cultural activities (milking animals, play ankle bone game etc)
• Boiled water on route
• National park fee & monastery entrance fee
• Night and/or Nights at nomadic family and/or families’ extra ger as stated in itinerary

Not included:

• Camping equipments /sleeping bag, mattress/
• International airfare
• Travel insurance
• Gratuity to guide and driver
• Alcoholic beverages
• Finances for personal use