Mongolia Family Adventure
On this adventure we'll cross the heart of Mongolia, through the steppe and into the Gobi Desert!
Mongolia Family Adventure
On this 10 day adventure, we’ll delve into the mighty Gobi Desert, climb over flaming sandstone cliffs, walk through the mysterious Vulture Gorge, and so much more! We’ll stay in a series of ger camps, the Mongolian version of a yurt, decked out with more creature comforts than you might expect for a desert camp!
Starting in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar (meaning Red Hero City), we’ll explore the streets, shops, and monuments throughout this incredible capital before leaving civilization in search of adventures in the desert!
This trip is designed for family groups, so we’ve brought together some of the best highlights Mongolia has to offer, and sprinkled in some exciting museums throughout the tour. Follow in the footsteps of archaeologists at the Flaming Cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils, and marvel as we attempt to clamber up the mighty Khongor Sand Dunes, before heading back towards the lush green steppe to explore legendary caves, and magical springs.
Finally, we’ll return back to Ulaanbaatar with a phone filled with photos and a head full of memories!
After booking, contact your Tour Manager for details around discounts for children in your group.
Today our adventure begins with an arrival into Chinggis Khan International Airport and transfers to our hotel in the heart of the city. After a short break, we’ll head out to explore the Mongolian capital.
Right on our doorstep stands the grand Sukhbaatar Square, the centre of Ulaanbaatar, named for the revolutionary hero, Damdin Sukhbaatar, who led Mongolia to independence in the 1920s. The square is also home to the government palace, in front of which sits a huge statue of the famous Mongolian leader Chinggis Khan.
From here, we’ll cross the road to the National Museum of Mongolia, packed full of history dating from the prehistoric peoples of the steppe, right up to the communist government of the 20th century, including some strange and intruiging displays.
We’ll then continue down Peace Avenue, one of the city’s main arterial roads, to the State Department Store. A chance to change some money, and check out some weird and wonderful objects on display – including a stuffed eagle!
After the State Department Store, we’ll head back towards the city centre, passing the city’s Beatles State and walking along Seoul Street before arriving back at the hotel.
This evening, we’ll have a full pre-tour briefing, a chance to learn the plan for the adventure ahead, pick up some handy tips, and ask any questions of your tour leader about the tour.
Accommodation: Blue Sky Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Dinner
This morning we’ll depart Ulaanbaatar, leaving the city and heading towards the might Gobi Desert. As we head south, we’ll see the landscape around us change from gently rolling hills and vast green steppe to arid desert stretching as far as the horizon.
We’ll stop for lunch in the small town of Mandalgovi on the cusp of the desert before continuing down the road stretching as far as the eye can see. Eventually, we’ll turn off the road and begin an off-road trundle towards the first highlight of our adventure; the White Stupa Cliffs.
These wonderous multi-coloured cliffs are all that remain of a once great prehistoric ocean which covered the region. We’ll take in the view from atop the cliffs, and then for the bravest adventurers we’ll have the chance to climb down through the rocks to the bottom of the cliffs where some incredible views await us!
We’ll end the day with a short drive to the nearby ger camp and a chance to relax and take in our beautiful desert surroundings.
Accommodation: White Stupa Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll head out once again, driving further into the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. Our destination this morning is the city of Dalanzadgad, capital of the surrounding province and the only city for miles around.
Upon arrival in the city, we’ll head to the new Dalanzadgad Dinosaur Museum. Prior to 2020, the city hosted an old Soviet-era history museum, however this upgraded building is now home to great dinosaur skeletons, old military uniforms, relics of ancient Buddhist temples, and so much more!
After our foray into the region’s history, we’ll depart Dalanzadgad and head out into the desert towards our ger camp. This deluxe camp comes with a swimming pool and will serve as our base for the next two nights.
For those keen to continue the adventure, we’ll have an optional afternoon visit to a local nomadic family – a chance to meet true nomads living and herding as their ancestors have done for centuries. We’ll meet, chat and learn the traditions and customs of these wild indigenous people; from snuff bottles to curd snacks!
Accommodation: Jamo Deluxe Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’re up and out as we leave our heavy kit at the camp and make our way towards a surprisingly un-desert-like part of the desert. The closer we get to our destination, the higher the mountains and rocks around us will rise.
Our aim today is to explore Yolyn Am, which means Vulture Gorge – a great canyon filled with wildlife where great black vultures circle in the thermals above us.
First, we’ll make a stop at a small wildlife museum. In contrast to the modern dinosaur museum of Dalanzadgad, this is a more Soviet affair, bristling with stuffed examples of the animals we have a chance of seeing during our trip.
Finally, we’ll continue on to the start of the gorge, where we’ll disembark our vehicles and begin the leisurely wander through the great valley. The further we get, the tigher the canyon becomes and the higher the walls around us will rise. The valley is famed for its ice river, which lasts long into the summer months – depending on the recent weather, we may walk far enough to see remnants of this intruiging ice field.
Once our walking is complete, we’ll turn around and head back to our trusty overnight camp for an afternoon of relaxing by the pool and enjoying our stunning surroundings.
Accommodation: Jamo Deluxe Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today our journey begins in earnest as we pack up our kit and once again set out for a distant destination across the vast open plains of the Gobi. Our destination today is known by locals as either ‘Bayanzag’ meaning ‘Place of Saxual Bushes’ or ‘Ulaan-ereg’, ‘The Red Cliffs’. To use though, they’re known as the Flaming Cliffs.
Upon arrival, we’ll check out the nicely appointed museum at the gateway where we’ll learn about the great legacy of these cliffs; the first fossilized dinosaur eggs ever discovered were found here, and many dinosaur fossils have been unearthed in the thick sandy soil that makes up these distinctive cliffs.
Finally, we’ll head out onto the cliffs themselves, a great chance for some photography, climbing, and exploration.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to our ger camp to relax and perhaps try our hands at traditional Mongolian archery!
In the evening, we’ll have an optional visit back to Bayanzag for a chance to see the flaming cliffs lit up by the desert sunset.
Accommodation: Gobi Oasis Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we’ll depart the flaming cliffs, making our way north. We have a couple of highlights on the itinerary for today, the first being a visit to the Moltsog Sand Dunes – a rare example of stereotypical desert landscape in this otherwise dusty landscape.
After a morning of attempting to clamber up and down the dunes and realizing it’s not always as easy as it seems, we’ll continue on a long drive through the desert. As we journey onwards, it will become clear that our surroundings are becoming less flat and lifeless. Our destination today sits at the border between desert and steppe; Ongiin Khiid, or Ongii Temple.
This monastery complex once spanned an entire hillside, home to hundreds of lamas, monks, and other buddhist believers. However, the purge of religion from Mongolia in the 1930s left the site abandoned and destroyed, left in ruins for decades. Today, a small museum and consecrated temple have been built on the site, amidst the ruins of the buildings which once housed a bustling community.
After our exploration of Ongii, we’ll head to our nearby riverside ger camp for a well-deserved rest and some dinner!
Accommodation: Secrets of Ongii Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll finally set off on the long journey out of the Gobi and back towards the bright green steppe that defines Mongolia in our imagination.
We’ll spend most of the day trundling off-road across the open plains of Central Mongolia, making our way towards our camp. On the way, time permitting, we’ll pay a visit to an ancient castle – a chance to connect to the old dynastic days of the vast empires which dominated this country’s history.
We’ll make regular stops to break up our journey, rest stops, photo breaks, and a few chances to stretch our legs and explore the vast expanse around us.
As we arrive at our camp, we’ll pass by some odd and intruiging rock formations, these will be our destination for tomorrow!
Accommodation: Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll head out to the weird and wonderful rock formations that we passed yesterday. This is a protected area known as Baga Gazriin Chuluu, famed around the country for its beautiful natural scenery and a chance to climb, explore, and wander through this wonderous natural landscape.
Our first stop will be some rocks in the middle of an otherwise empty area. They might not seem too interesting, however, as we get closer you’ll be able to see the intricate carvings of sheep, ibex, and other animals. These petroglyphs date back to the prehistoric peoples of the vast Mongol steppe; they used these symbols to let others know which animals were present in which areas of their territory.
From here, we’ll visit a mysterious cave onto which is attached a legend about a group of children who once entered the cave never to be seen again. Against ancient wisdom, we’ll have the chance to climb inside and peer deep into the earth beneath us.
The main attraction of the region is a ruined monastery, nestled deep amongst high rocks, and today overtaken by trees and plants. The area around this monastery is incredible beautiful, and we’ll spend some time here climbing, taking in our surroundings, and getting some amazing photos.
After a quick visit to a natural spring said to magically cure eyesight, we’ll head back to camp for our final night in a ger camp.
Accommodation: Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll enjoy our final day in the untamed wilderness of Mongolia’s countryside. Departing our ger camp, we’ll make our way north towards Ulaanbaatar.
However, before we return to the capital, we’ll take a detour out to the east, arriving at the famous statue of the great Mongolian patriarch, Chinggis Khan.
This great shining statue is the largest equestrian statue on earth. The base of the statue is home to a visitor’s centre and museum, from where we’ll be able to head inside the statue itself, emerging to stand on the head of Chinggis Khan’s horse from where we’ll get a commanding view of the area surrounding us, and the smaller statue of Chinggis Khan’s mother which stands facing him on the opposite hill.
Finally, we’ll return to the capital, Ulaanbaatar. After a short break, we’ll regroup for our final group meal and enjoy a traditional Mongolian artistic performance before heading back to the hotel one final time.
Accommodation: Blue Sky Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
All departures today will get an included airport transfer back to Chinggis Khan International Airport. We hope you’ll leave Mongolia with a head filled with memories and a phone full of photos!
For those looking to spend extra time in Mongolia, extensions or additional hotel bookings can be arranged. Speak to your tour manager.
Included Meals: Breakfast
END OF TOUR
Hotels & Traditional Ger Camps
On the first night of our tour, we’ll stay in the centrally-located Blue Sky Hotel on Sukhbaatar Square in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. For the rest of the tour, however, we’ll spend our nights in some of the Gobi Desert’s locally-operated Ger camps.
A Ger is a traditional Mongolian dwelling, often mistaken for the similar-in-design Kazakh Yurt. These camps offer fantastic views out over the surrounding environment and often come with modern amenities to make your stay more enjoyable. We’ll stay in a number of camps both in the Gobi and on the Mongolian steppe, giving us a taste of traditional nomadic life in Mongolia.
Where We'll Stay
Tourist Ger Camp The best way to picture a tourist ger camp is to replace a hotel room with a traditional Mongolian Ger (tented dwelling); these are dotted around a set area and offer comfortable beds and shelter. For many tourists, the Ger Camp is a real home away from home, offering beautiful Gers with gorgeous views across the surrounding environment.
Blue Sky Hotel, Ulaanbaatar The Blue Sky Hotel is perhaps the most famous building in the skyline of Mongolia. A distinctive cresent-shaped blue glass construction right in the heart of the city. The hotel is very comfortable, and just a step away from Sukhbaatar Square, the centre of Ulaanbaatar. The ideal rest stop whilst in the city.
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