📍 Mongolia

MONGOLIA EPIC: WESTERN PEAKS, GOBI SANDS AND NORTHERN TRAILS

Eagle hunters soaring over Altai peaks, dinosaur fossils surfacing in glowing red cliffs, monastic chants floating across endless steppe. Mongolia, humbling scale.

≈ 25
Days
3990
Km
12
Stops
📖 10 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Cross the Altai terrain and its open passes, then let the Gobi impose its mineral silence. Camp near sacred lakes, walk at the foot of red cliffs where dinosaur history surfaces, then head back toward monastery ruins and nomadic camps. Mongolia is lived in space, wind and starry night.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Khovd

altai gateway eagle hunter traditions thrive

Khovd - Photo 1Khovd - Photo 2Khovd - Photo 3Khovd - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
City of Ölgii (panorama over the Khovd valley)
2
Khar-Us Nuur — lakeside and western viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic route Ölgii → Khovd through the steppes and foothills of the Altai
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 290 km
Travel time: 4h30
2
Day

Hyargas Nuur

vast salt lake western mongolia wilderness

Hyargas Nuur - Photo 1Hyargas Nuur - Photo 2Hyargas Nuur - Photo 3Hyargas Nuur - Photo 4Hyargas Nuur - Photo 5Hyargas Nuur - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Hyargas Nuur — saline shores and viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Wildlife observation (water birds) on the lake shores
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 280 km
Travel time: 5h
3
Day

Uliastai

remote provincial capital mountain valley settlement

Uliastai - Photo 1Uliastai - Photo 2Uliastai - Photo 3Uliastai - Photo 4Uliastai - Photo 5Uliastai - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Crossing the steppes from UVS → Zavkhan (viewpoints over river valleys)
🎯

Activities

→
Track Hyargas Nuur → Uliastai (track sections and light fords)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 320 km
Travel time: 7h
4
Day

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur

white lake volcanic crater emerald waters

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 1Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 2Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 3Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 4Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 5Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur — north and west viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Route Uliastai → Tariat through passes and valleys (photo stops)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 340 km
Travel time: 7h
5
Day

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur

white lake volcanic crater emerald waters

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 1Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 2Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 3Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 4Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 5Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Khorgo Volcano — ascent to crater and rim tour
2
Lava fields and lava tunnels of Khorgo-Terkhiin
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal walk at sunset on Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
6
Day

Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan

ancient capital waterfall cascades green valley

Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 1Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 2Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 3Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 4Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 5Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 6Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 7Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 8Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 9Orkhon Valley Ulan Tsutgalan - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Tsetserleg — quick tour of the center (Zaya Gegeen monastery exterior)
2
Orkhon Valley — Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfalls
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Orkhon riverbank (meadows and basaltic formations)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 310 km
Travel time: 6h30
7
Day

Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba

semi-gobi dunes monastery ruins sacred peaks

Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 1Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 2Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 3Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 4Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 5Khogno Khan Uvgun Erdene Khamba - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Khogno Khan massif — monastery (Erdene Khamba / Uvgun, exteriors)
🎯

Activities

→
Hike on granite ridges and mountain pass ovoo (~1930 m)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 130 km
Travel time: 3h
8
Day

Ulaanbaatar

capital city vibrant markets gandan monastery

Ulaanbaatar - Photo 1Ulaanbaatar - Photo 2Ulaanbaatar - Photo 3Ulaanbaatar - Photo 4Ulaanbaatar - Photo 5Ulaanbaatar - Photo 6Ulaanbaatar - Photo 7Ulaanbaatar - Photo 8Ulaanbaatar - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar — Sükhbaatar Square and Parliament (exteriors)
🎯

Activities

→
Crossing the Töv hills toward the capital (panoramic stops)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 300 km
Travel time: 5h30
9
Day

Ulaanbaatar

capital city vibrant markets gandan monastery

Ulaanbaatar - Photo 1Ulaanbaatar - Photo 2Ulaanbaatar - Photo 3Ulaanbaatar - Photo 4Ulaanbaatar - Photo 5Ulaanbaatar - Photo 6Ulaanbaatar - Photo 7Ulaanbaatar - Photo 8Ulaanbaatar - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Gandantegchinlen Monastery (exteriors and courtyards)
2
National Museum of Mongolia (historical tour)
🎯

Activities

→
Viewpoint from Zaisan Memorial (climbing the stairs)
10
Day

Ulaanbaatar

capital city vibrant markets gandan monastery

Ulaanbaatar - Photo 1Ulaanbaatar - Photo 2Ulaanbaatar - Photo 3Ulaanbaatar - Photo 4Ulaanbaatar - Photo 5Ulaanbaatar - Photo 6Ulaanbaatar - Photo 7Ulaanbaatar - Photo 8Ulaanbaatar - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park — Turtle Rock (Mélkhii Khad)
2
Aryapala Temple (exteriors and walkways)
🎯

Activities

→
Valley walk in Terelj (meadows and rock formations)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 140 km
Travel time: 3h
11
Day

Baga Gazriin Chuluu

granite rock formations steppe island outcrop

Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 1Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 2Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 3Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 4Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 5Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Baga Gazriin Chuluu — granite chaos and valleys
🎯

Activities

→
Walking loop among slabs and narrow canyons
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 280 km
Travel time: 4h30
12
Day

Dalanzadgad

gobi gateway provincial town desert edge

Dalanzadgad - Photo 1Dalanzadgad - Photo 2Dalanzadgad - Photo 3Dalanzadgad - Photo 4Dalanzadgad - Photo 5Dalanzadgad - Photo 6Dalanzadgad - Photo 7Dalanzadgad - Photo 8Dalanzadgad - Photo 9Dalanzadgad - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Dalanzadgad — gateway to Gurvansaikhan (center and local museum ext.)
🎯

Activities

→
Desert road to the Gobi (plateaus and plains)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 250 km
Travel time: 5h
13
Day

Dalanzadgad

gobi gateway provincial town desert edge

Dalanzadgad - Photo 1Dalanzadgad - Photo 2Dalanzadgad - Photo 3Dalanzadgad - Photo 4Dalanzadgad - Photo 5Dalanzadgad - Photo 6Dalanzadgad - Photo 7Dalanzadgad - Photo 8Dalanzadgad - Photo 9Dalanzadgad - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Yolin Am (Gurvansaikhan park) — steep gorge and viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the gorge (residual snow possible early in season)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 2h30
14
Day

Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs

dinosaur fossils flame-red eroded sandstone sunset

Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 1Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 2Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 3Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 4Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 5Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Bayanzag — Flaming Cliffs (red cliffs and plateau)
2
Nearby dune sectors (walking on sand ridges)
🎯

Activities

→
Geological observation of strata and late afternoon lighting
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 110 km
Travel time: 2h
15
Day

Ulaanbaatar

capital city vibrant markets gandan monastery

Ulaanbaatar - Photo 1Ulaanbaatar - Photo 2Ulaanbaatar - Photo 3Ulaanbaatar - Photo 4Ulaanbaatar - Photo 5Ulaanbaatar - Photo 6Ulaanbaatar - Photo 7Ulaanbaatar - Photo 8Ulaanbaatar - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Long ascent Gobi → capital via Mandalgovi (panoramic view stops)
🎯

Activities

→
Photo stops on plains and badlands en route
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 600 km
Travel time: 9h30
16
Day

Amarbayasgalant Khiid

tibetan monastery steppe silence spiritual refuge

Amarbayasgalant Khiid - Photo 1Amarbayasgalant Khiid - Photo 2Amarbayasgalant Khiid - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Amarbayasgalant Khiid — monastic complex (exteriors and courtyards)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the verdant valley and grassy hills around the monastery
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 360 km
Travel time: 6h30
17
Day

Altanbulag Border

russian border crossing northern grasslands gateway

Altanbulag Border - Photo 1Altanbulag Border - Photo 2Altanbulag Border - Photo 3Altanbulag Border - Photo 4Altanbulag Border - Photo 5Altanbulag Border - Photo 6Altanbulag Border - Photo 7Altanbulag Border - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Selenge Valley — river viewpoints
🎯

Activities

→
Final northern stage toward Altanbulag (agricultural landscapes and open forests)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 180 km
Travel time: 3h30

🗺️ Itinerary map

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather (15-25°C), accessible remote areas, and traditional festivals including Naadam. All tourist infrastructure operational but highest prices and crowds.

Spring (April-May): Mild temperatures (5-20°C), fewer tourists, and reasonable prices. Some remote areas may still be inaccessible due to weather, but cities and main attractions fully operational.

Autumn (September-October): Comfortable temperatures (8-18°C), stunning fall colors, and fewer crowds. Excellent photography weather with clear skies, though nights become quite cold.

Winter (November-March): Extremely cold (-20 to -10°C) but unique experiences like ice festivals and winter nomadic life. Lowest prices but limited accessibility to remote areas and harsh conditions.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Mongolia?

Nomadic paradise with vast steppes, traditional culture, and incredible hospitality. Experience yurt living, horseback adventures, and authentic nomadic lifestyle. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and adventure activities. Mongolia provides life-changing cultural experiences with natural wonders and cultural authenticity.