Wild Mongolia Tour with 1 Review by Intrepid Travel

15 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ends

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Highlights

Mongolia is a far-out destination, but you'll be in excellent hands. Your experienced drivers, manning sturdy Russian vans fit to tackle the rugged environment, will take you on a ride to some of the most fascinating places in the country

Whether by camel or on foot, experience Mongolia's incredible landscapes, from the rolling dunes just outside of Karakorum to the volcanic craters of the Great White Lake among the mountains and witness the wild horses run freely in Khustai National Park.

Two family ger camps allow you to experience nomadic life from the inside – a rare and rewarding cultural experience to remember

Situated in the valley of the Delger River, the Tsenkher Hot Springs offer the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long journey on the road

Itinerary

Imagine traversing the vast steppe, ancient ruins, and wild rivers of Mongolia—"Wild Mongolia" is a 15-day adventure tour that brings this remote land’s beauty and traditions to life. Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll journey through the Selenge River, Ikh Uul, Shine Ider, and other spectacular locales, uncovering the legacy of the world’s largest land empire.

Moderate physical activity means you’ll be active but never overwhelmed, making this trip ideal for travelers comfortable with daily exploration. Ride alongside nomadic herders, visit crumbling monasteries, and camp in tranquil grasslands, all while absorbing Mongolia’s unmatched diversity of landscapes.

What sets this tour package apart is its authentic immersion into Mongolian life—discovering a land that feels frozen in time, yet is welcoming adventurous travelers anew. For those drawn to raw nature and cultural depth, this journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

day 1 - Ulaanbaatar

Sainbainuu! Welcome to Mongolia. You can arrive at any time before your group meeting at 6 pm. Please have your passport, insurance and next of kin information ready to give to your leader at this meeting. Afterwards you'll have the option to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. If you arrive in town earlier and have time, be sure to get out and explore 'UB', a fascinating town where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young business elite. A great place to start is Gandan Khiid, Mongolia's largest and most important monastery. The Fine Arts Museum, Winter Palace Museum of Bogd Khan and Intellectual Museum are also well worth visiting.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Today your adventure begins as you drive out through the beautiful Mongolian countryside. Most of the drive today is on paved roads, but be prepared for some bumps after the final turnoff to the the remote Amarbayasgalant Khiid. Your leader and drivers will be glad to teach you some basic Mongolian words on the way – a great way to prepare for interactions with the locals, few of whom speak English. Your final destination today is Mongolia's second most important place of worship (after Gandan Monastery in UB), situated in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley, at the foot of Burengiin Mountain, in the Selenge province. After seeing the monastery, you will get your first taste of life in a ger at the first camp of the trip. This is the way that the majority of Mongolia's population has always lived – away from the city and in the wide open spaces of seemingly endless countryside. It's the quintessential Mongolian experience. Although such camps are set up for visitors, this type of housing is still used around the country, even in the capital where you will have seen many 'ger suburbs' surrounding the city centre.
Our drivers and leader also often double as our cooks in those places where we prepare meals ourselves. You are always welcome to lend a hand too! We share our meals together in the dining quarters. Vegetarians can be catered for although choices may be limited - please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements at time of booking. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day until our return to Ulaanbaatar. Some food will be traditional Mongolian style but as the traditional diet consists solely of meat and dairy products, most meals are less challenging and based more on Russian or Western meals which are now also common in the Mongolian diet.

included:Amarbayasgalant - Monastery

accommodation:Tourist Ger Camp