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Heartlands of Mongolia

Gobi Desert, Steppe Heartlands & Ulaanbaatar

Best time to travel
May - Oct
Ideal length
9 nights
Perfect for
Couples or Families
From (incl flights)
€5,369 pp

At a glance

  • International flights to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
  • Meet & Greet on arrival in Ulaanbaatar, private transfers for the whole itinerary included.
  • 9 nights’ accommodation included with our partner properties on a full board basis.
  • Experience true Mongolian hospitality when you stay with a nomadic family.
  • Horse ride on the Steppe to remote monasteries & scenic vistas.
Let's plan your trip!

Introduction

Follow in the footsteps of the hordes of Genghis Khan on this exploration of Mongolia’s capital and its heartlands. Begin your journey in Ulaanbaatar, a fascinating mix of world-class museums, Buddhist temples and industrial powerhouses. After an exploration of the city, journey deep into the Steppe Heartlands. Experience nomadic life, plunge into forested waterfalls and hike to mountain temples. Every adventure on this luxury holiday will show you a new side to Mongolia.

Trip Overview

Depart from Dublin to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Meet your guide and driver on arrival and you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel where you’ll spend one night. Walk across Sukhbaatar Square to the National History museum. You might also like to visit the Choijin Lama temple museum, before enjoying a meal at one of the capital’s excellent restaurants.

Next, it’s time to travel to Elsen Tasarkhai.

Meet your guide in reception for the drive to the Ger Camp in Elsen Tasarkhai, an arid area of rugged mountains, gravel plains and sand dunes. This area is home to camel herders and you can ride these majestic creatures across the dunes at sunset. Settle into your cosy gers and enjoy the incredible night sky.

Camel riding, Mongolia
Experience horse riding to Khugno Khaan mountain.

In the foothills, discover a small renovated monastery. The temples were rebuilt thanks to a two women, mother and daughter who were descendants of one of the monks killed during the Communist purges 1937 9. “Altai” is usually on hand to show you around the beautifully decorated temples. A path behind leads to the 17th century ruins of Uvgun monastery. Return to camp by horse or vehicle with your guide.

Altai, Mongolia
Next, transfer north west through the town of Kharkhorin towards Khotont (33km/40mins), before breaking southward off the paved road.

Meet your horses for the ride to your private camp hosted by traditional herders where you’ll spend the next three nights. The support vehicle will be on hand in case you need a rest. Meet your hosts, their family and animals. Help herd yaks to camp, milk the mares and separate the goats from the sheep. This is a great opportunity to talk to the locals and understand their way of life.

Private camp, Mongolia
Ride along the valley and through the forest to Tovkhon monastery, perched on a rocky mountain.

This collection of small temples and caves was built by Zanabazar, the 17th century theocratic leader and artist. Explore and return to camp, before returning by horse or by vehicle. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Khorkhog supper mutton cooked with hot stones from the stove family.

Horse riding, Mongolia
Say farewell to your hosts and transfer to Orkhon waterfall.

Climb down into the valley to take a refreshing plunge in the cool water. On returning to the upper level, meet Udus, your horse guide and host for the ride and stay at your next camp for one night.

Orkhon waterfall, Mongolia
Meet the family and play games in their yurt.

In the afternoon, ride to a deerstone in the middle of the next valley. This is excellent galloping country, if you are in the mood! Before dusk help Udus bring his yaks home.

Yurt village, Mongolia
Transfer to Kharkhorin, site of the 13th century capital, Kharakhorum and first Buddhist monastery, Erdene Zuu.

In the Orkhon valley, on the eastern edge of the Khangai mountains, this place has been the centre of several empires. Visit the Kharkhorin museum to learn about locally found artefacts and what the ancient city will have looked like. Walk up to Three Empires monument for a spectacular view over the Orkhon at sunset.

Erdene Zuu monastery
Enter the Tibetan style Lavriin temple for morning prayers.

After lunch, drive to Khustai Nuruu National Park to search for the Przewalski Horses and other wildlife. Stay overnight at the park ger camp. You may choose to enter the park again early for the best chance to see wolves.

Przewalski Horses, Khustai Nuruu National Park
Fly and return to Ulaanbaatar.

Visit Gandan monastery to see the massive Migjid Janraisig temple with its image of Avalokiteśvara . In the evening, enjoy a concert of traditional music and dance before dinner.

Avalokiteśvara
Depart from Ulaanbaatar for your flight home.

Arrive in Dublin.

Tailoring your holiday

OROKO Itineraries are created with you in mind and no two are the same. These can be used to help plan your trip - or we can design a completely different itinerary to suit you.

Let's plan your trip!
Accommodation

Where to rest your head

Looking for the best accommodation? We've got the contacts

Sweet Gobi Eco Camp

Sweet Gobi Eco Camp

This ecolodge is nestled at the foot of the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai facing Khugno Khan National Park. There is no electricity or running water in order to create as small a footprint as possible on the landscape.

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Ikh Khorum Hotel

Ikh Khorum Hotel

Ikh Khorum Hotel is built on the foundations of the most important city of this ancient, bygone empire. The hotel is conveniently located 500 meters from Erdene Zuu Monastery.

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Khustai Park Camp

Khustai Park Camp

A traditional Mongolian Ger camp, Khustai is the only camp in the park allowing you to enjoy a flavour of traditional Mongolian life.

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Best Western Premier Tuushion Hotel

Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel

Centrally located in Ulaanbaatar, Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel is only a 2-minute stroll from State Government House and a 2-minute walk from Sukhbaatar Square.

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What people are saying

OROKO created the honeymoon of our dreams in South Africa. The consultation process was very laid-back and conversational. The whole process overall was really quite quick and smooth. There was no trawling through the internet for hours late at night, weighing up costs and reviews of hotels and transfer companies etc – it was all done for us based on the OROKO travel experts’ experiences – which we found to be absolutely spot on. Choosing a ‘luxury travel’ company was a little daunting: We wanted a special honeymoon without spending silly money – and OROKO worked very well with this brief. Believe me when I say our accommodation could not have been more perfect for us. It really was the holiday of our dreams.

Angharad & husband – Honeymoon 2019

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