Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Your 8-day itinerary will take you to Mongolia’s most stunning locations in an exhilarating journey full of history and natural beauty. Starting in the capital of Ulaanbaatar, you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Orkhon Valley - Mongolia’s ancient imperial capital - exploring the remnants of temples, palaces and forts. You’ll see plains where native wild horses graze and travel to the breathtaking Lake Hovskol, where you’ll hike and camp. Overnight stays in traditional ger tents are an unforgettable part of this journey. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Wild Horses: The rare and endangered Przewalski's horse is the world's last truly wild horse species and it can be found in the mysterious Hustai National Park.
  • Orkhon Valley: Explore the UNESCO-protected birthplace of Mongolian Buddhism and visit the city of Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uyghur Empire.
  • Lake Hovsgol: Hike Mongolia's largest lake, with waters so fresh it is pure enough to drink untreated, and keep an eye out for wildlife, as the area is frequented by ibex, elk, brown bears, and Siberian moose.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Ulaanbaatar

This morning, you will arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You’ll start your exciting 8-day journey in the city’s economic hub, Sukhbaatar Square, where historic monuments, ex-Soviet buildings and cultural landmarks will give you a sense of place. Next, you’ll head to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan - the only residence of the last Mongolian Emperor still standing. Now a museum complex, it houses six temples and many fascinating relics, art collections and regalia. In the evening, settle into your hotel. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Situated in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, this cosmopolitan hotel overlooks Nayramdal Park to the south and Great Chinggis Khaan Square to the north, and is just a 40-minute drive from Chinggis Khan International Airport.

History: This luxury hotel, which features both contemporary and indigenous design and includes nine large venue spaces, opened its doors for business and leisure guests in 2015, making it a recent addition to this historic city.

Service: The Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar - as with all of the esteemed Shangri-La locations - offers exceptional service to all guests. For even more exclusive and personalized service, guests at the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar can become part of the exciting Horizon Club, which includes express check-in and check-out, a private lounge, complimentary breakfast and cocktails, and use of a meeting room.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located in the heart of Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar, the hotel is surrounded by attractions and activities to fill the days and nights, from opera houses, to shopping malls, and fine dining restaurants.

History: Though the hotel is quite new, having opened in 2012, it is situated close to a host of Ulaanbaatar’s historical sites, from museums, to the Gandan Monastery, built in the mid-19th century.

Service: The Blue Sky Hotel is known for providing some of the highest quality service Mongolia has to offer.

See Hotel
The Blue Sky Hotel Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Hustai National Park

Rise early today and head to Hustai National Park, two hours away. You’ll go on a wildlife hike through the hills and forests of this protected zone, spotting Przewalski's horses and red deer, and keeping an eye out for resident birdlife - falcons and eagles both call this area home. Next, enjoy an activity with close ties to Mongolian culture - horseback riding - before heading to your accommodation for the night in a ger camp. A traditional nomadic dwelling, the ger tent is a comfortable round hut - the camp offers hot and cold running water and has a restaurant that provides authentic Mongolian meals. Located in a fertile plain, the camp is perfect for nature lovers. A luxury alternative can be arranged upon request.  

Hotel Options
About

Hustai National Park is located approximately 2 hours from the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. The park is celebrated for its stunning landscape and the wild roaming Przewalski horse population, as well as other wildlife.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Hustai National Park
Hustai National Park

Day 3

Hustai National Park

Today you’ll set out specifically to see the Takhi, or Mongolian Wild Horse. Not long ago, this beautiful creature was extinct in the wild, but a conscientious preservation program reintroduced the Takhi to these plains and the horses have made an unlikely comeback. Unlike other wild horses, the Takhi has never been domesticated - today you can see them roam free in their natural habitat. Tonight, spend another night in your tent under the stars.

Day 4

Karakorum

Believed to be the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, today you’ll make your way to the Monastery of Erdene Zuu. This beautiful site was built in the 16th century and features a long wall of stupas reaching out across the tundra. Next, visit the city of Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Uyghur Empire, founded by a group of nomadic tribes. Very little of the original fortifications remain, but as part of the larger Orkhon Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins offer a glimpse into Mongolian history and the location’s significance in the evolution of nomadic societies. Tonight, you’ll stay in a ger camp in your own private tent. The camp has communal Japanese-style bathing facilities, karaoke, and massage.

Hotel Options
About

The traditional nomadic Mongolian ger tents have en-suite western-style bathrooms, king size or twin beds, wooden furniture, heaters and air-conditioning. Although the camp is rather basic, there are various facilities including a restaurant serving local and international dishes, a bar and karaoke room, a sauna, Japanese style communal baths, a laundry service and massage is also available.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Karakorum
Karakorum

Day 5

Karakorum

Today you’ll explore more Mongolian history, starting with a visit to Tuvkhun Hermitage. This small, remote structure is still largely intact and is part of the Orkhon Valley UNESCO-protected site as one of the places Mongolian Buddhism was first developed. Next, you’ll visit one of the most significant historical landmarks in Mongolia - the Orkhon Inscriptions, carved in the old Turkic alphabet in the 8th century. The inscriptions recount the epic story of the Turkic tribes and were erected in tribute to two legendary Turkish princes. In the evening, return to your accommodation in the ger camp. 

Day 6

Lake Hovsgol

You’ll enjoy a private charter to Lake Hovsgol today, the largest lake in Mongolia and a breathtakingly beautiful destination. The fresh waters here are among the most pristine in Asia - pure enough to drink untreated. Surrounded by mountain ranges, this is one of the most picturesque locations in Mongolia: the mountainous home to an array of wildlife. On a hike around the lake, you’ll have the chance to spot ibex, elk, musk deers, brown bears and Siberian moose, among others. The best way to enjoy this remote location is to camp, and tonight you’ll be set up in your own modern campsite, with all amenities provided. 

Hotel Options
About

Camping is the best accommodation option in this remote region. The basic ger tents typically have a separate western-style bathroom tent, twin beds, wooden furniture, and heaters.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Lake Hovsgol
Lake Hovsgol

Day 7

Lake Hovsgol

For the best views of the surrounding countryside, you can’t do better than a vantage point on Ikh Uul Mountain. Today you’ll rise early for a day-hike up to Ikh Uul’s apex at 10,000 feet. It’s an intense day of hiking and the ascent is challenging in parts, but well worth the effort for the unsurpassed panoramas of Lake Hovsgol and beyond. After a full day of hiking, enjoy another night camping in the beautiful Mongolian wilderness.

Day 8

Departure

Today you’ll travel back to Ulaanbaatar where you will be transferred to the airport for your departing international flight. 

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar

In the heart of the capital of Mongolia, Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar is an urban oasis, ready to pamper business and leisure guests alike with its spacious suites, exquisite restaurants and expansive health club. The hotel features nearly 300 rooms and suites, each with an impressive vista over downtown Ulaanbaatar, and is in within walking distance of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and historical sights. Fusing contemporary and traditional design, the hotel also offers much for guests to do within its walls, from enjoying a meal and culinary show in the open-kitchen Café Park to enjoying a steam bath and jacuzzi in the luxurious health club.

See Hotel
The Blue Sky Hotel
Preferred Hotel

The Blue Sky Hotel

This five-star contemporary hotel is situated in the city’s business district and more interestingly in Ulaanbaatar’s tallest building. The hotel, decorated in a classic European style, has many top quality facilities including an indoor pool, gym, wellness centre, sauna and a business centre. There are many services on offer to make your stay as comfortable and convenient as possible such as 24-hour room service, car rentals, currency exchange, laundry services, luggage storage, safety deposit boxes and a 24-hour front desk. Diners will be spoilt for choice with the Cantonese, Japanese, Korean and western food on offer at the hotel’s restaurants. The rooms feature free WiFi, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, en-suite bathrooms with a bathtub and shower facilities as well as a minibar luxury toiletries, hairdryers and slippers.

See Hotel

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–3

Ger Camp

Ger Camp

Hustai National Park is located approximately 2 hours from the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. The park is celebrated for its stunning landscape and the wild roaming Przewalski horse population, as well as other wildlife. Hustai National Park has a simple ger camp situated in its rolling hills; there are also other hotels, camps and hostels outside the park.

The ger camp features basic amenities including a shower and toilet block with clean hot and cold running water, a restaurant serving western-style and Mongolian meals, an information center, a souvenir shop and a meeting room. Local cuisine in this area incorporates airag (fermented horse milk), Mongolian tea, yogurt, fried and steamed dumplings and fried mutton. In the park there is also a basic lodge with a collection of small wooden huts located in a naturally rich valley with plenty of flora and fauna, a great place for wildlife enthusiasts.

If you wish to stay in more refined accommodation, Remote Lands can arrange for a luxury ger camp to be set up for your trip.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

Ger Camp

Ger Camp

The traditional nomadic Mongolian ger tents have en-suite western-style bathrooms, king size or twin beds, wooden furniture, heaters and air-conditioning. Although the camp is rather basic, there are various facilities including a restaurant serving local and international dishes, a bar and karaoke room, a sauna, Japanese style communal baths, a laundry service and massage is also available. If you wish to stay in more refined accommodation than what’s available, Remote Lands can arrange for a luxury ger camp to be set up for your trip.

Suggested Hotel For Days 6–7

Ger Camp

Ger Camp

Camping is the best accommodation option in this remote region. The basic ger tents typically have a separate western-style bathroom tent, twin beds, wooden furniture, and heaters. The low-impact campsites are basic and some may feature various facilities such as a restaurant, communal baths, and laundry service. Alternatively, if you are looking for something a little more indulgent, Remote Lands can arrange for a luxury ger to be set up for your trip.

Similar Itineraries

All Itineraries
Multi Country
Ultra Luxe
Intrepid
Classic Mongolia

Classic Mongolia

Discover a world far off the beaten path on this exhilarating 8-day luxury Mongolia adventure. You’ll ride a camel through the Gobi desert, examine dinosaur fossils in flaming cliffs, partake in a meal with a nomadic family, and see wild roaming horses, all while staying in traditional-yet-luxurious Mongolia hotels.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,400
See Itinerary
A Jaunt into Mongolia's Past: Karakorum & Erdenezuu

A Jaunt into Mongolia's Past: Karakorum & Erdenezuu

Step back into Mongolia’s epic history on this whirlwind 4-day tour of Övörhangai province. You’ll drive around sand dunes, visit ancient monasteries, breathe in fresh mountain air, make friends with nomadic herdsmen, and spot rare wild animals, while staying in traditional-yet-luxurious Ger tents. 

Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Price Per Person
Extension: Optional add-on to your itinerary
See Itinerary
Breathtaking Lake Hovsgol

Breathtaking Lake Hovsgol

Experience one of Mongolia’s most picturesque sights - Lake Hövsgöl, the blue pearl of Mongolia - to its fullest on this thrilling 4-day journey. You’ll hike and picnic in the scenic countryside, and meet nomadic families along the way, while camping with modern equipment beneath the star-blanketed sky. 

Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Price Per Person
Extension: Optional add-on to your itinerary
See Itinerary
Golden Eagle Festival & the Altai Mountains

Golden Eagle Festival & the Altai Mountains

It is said that Mongolia is the last true nomadic society left on the planet and what better way to immerse yourself in centuries-old pastoralist tradition than by attending the Golden Eagle Festival?

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $19,900
See Itinerary
Hustai: A Glimpse of Mongolia's Past

Hustai: A Glimpse of Mongolia's Past

Take a quick and exciting 3-day journey into Mongolia’s fascinating history on this luxury tour of Hustai National Park. You’ll pursue the elusive wild takhi horse, hike through verdant steppe mountains, discover ancient Neolithic gravesites, and stay in luxurious Mongolian traditional Ger tents. 

Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Price Per Person
From $1,300
See Itinerary
Mongolia: Gobi and Grasslands

Mongolia: Gobi and Grasslands

Cross the rugged terrain of remote Mongolia on this exhilarating 7-day luxury adventure. You’ll explore the Northern Gobi desert on the back of a camel, ride horseback through lush pastures, stop at ancient, historically-important sites, and stay in luxurious-yet-traditional Mongolian Ger tents. 

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,900
See Itinerary
Mongolia's Naadam Festival & Altai Mountains

Mongolia's Naadam Festival & Altai Mountains

Visit Mongolia during one of the most exciting times of year for Naadam Festival. This is a time when the "Three Games of Men" are contested throughout the country in the disciplines of Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery - an expression of Mongolia's nomadic culture.

Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
From $15,100
See Itinerary
Moscow to Beijing on the Trans-Siberian Railway

Moscow to Beijing on the Trans-Siberian Railway

Embark on the world’s most famous overland journey from Moscow to Beijing, delving deep into the Siberian wilderness along the way. Cross three countries and two continents - accumulating almost 3,500 miles, all whilst bunking down for the night in the train, waking up to an ever-evolving landscape each morning.

Duration
17 days / 16 nights
Price Per Person
From $16,700
See Itinerary
Really Remote Lands: Siberia, Western Mongolia & Northern China

Really Remote Lands: Siberia, Western Mongolia & Northern China

Adventure-seekers looking to get off the beaten path are in for a real treat with this two-week journey through Siberia, Western Mongolia and Northern China. Starting in Russia, you’ll venture through the vast Altai Mountains - a range shared between Siberia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan.

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $19,900
See Itinerary
Secrets of the South Gobi

Secrets of the South Gobi

Explore Mongolia’s incredible South Gobi region on this remarkable 4-day journey. You’ll catch glimpses of rare wildlife like the snow leopard, explore the iconic sand dunes, marvel at dinosaur remains, and meet local herders, while staying at the ultra-luxurious Three Camel Lodge.

Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Price Per Person
Extension: Optional add-on to your itinerary
See Itinerary
Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

A couple from St. Louis

A couple from St. Louis

Remote Lands fulfilled their promise to take us to us to one of the world's best fishing destinations in comfort and style. We would be happy to travel with Remote Lands again and will definitely recommend them to our friends

China, Mongolia

A family from New York

A family from New York

I cannot rave enough about Remote Lands, they provided us with one great guide after another along with a remarkable itinerary.

Thailand

A family from Houston

A family from Houston

The trip was smooth and seamless throughout; there were no glitches at all. We had a wonderful time.

Myanmar, Indonesia

More Testimonials
Press
Travel + Leisure
Financial Times
The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
Departures magazine
Condé Nast Traveler