Essence of Mongolia - 4 Days
4 Days Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar
Visiting: Ulaanbaatar, Gurvanbulag, Gurvanbulag Community Travel, Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park, Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex
Tour operator:
Tour code:
THTB/1902
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 4
Age range:
5-85
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
English , GermanTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
The Essence of Mongolia is an activity-packed tour into central Mongolia. Visit the Khogno Khan Reserve, and the dunes at Elsen Tasarkhai before venturing to the Hustai National Park to see the wild 'Takhi' horses and plenty of other wildlife. This condensed trip lets you experience as much of Mongolia as possible in four days. Overnight, stay at authentic guest gers next to local nomadic families and in a comfortable ger camp for one night. Learn about your hosts’ culture and traditions, socialize with them, ride horses and Bactrian camels, hike, and visit hilltop temples. This all-encompassing trip contains most of what Mongolia offers, including must-dos and must-sees, and is perfect for those with limited time in the country.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Gandan Monastery - Gurvanbulag - Nomad Family
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Gurvanbulag, Gurvanbulag Community Travel
Accommodation: Homestay, - Guest ger alongside the nomad family
Accommodation Name: Ger (Yurt)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
After meeting your guide at 08:30 am in your hotel or another Ulaanbaatar location of your choice board the vehicle for a morning visit at the Gandan Monastery in the western part of the city. Take a guided tour of the temples and see the monks chanting. Then head west to the northern part of the Gobi onto Gurvanbulag, where you will be staying at a guest ger alongside a nomadic family. The drive is mostly on a paved road and should take 4 hours (280km). On arrival, enter the family ger and experience nomadic hospitality — sample milk tea, homemade yoghurts, and curds, learning about the nomadic way of life and your hosts’ traditions. In the afternoon, if you are up for it, ride a horse to the nearby sand dunes — or you can walk if you prefer. The distance is not long, just 3km each way. In the evening enjoy a traditional nomadic meal of Buuz (steamed dumplings) or khorkhog (mutton seared with hot stones) — you can also help with cooking if you want.
Day 2 : Khogno Khan — Uvgun Temple — Elsen Tasarkhai Dunes — Camel Riding
Location: Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Gurvanbulag Community Travel
Accommodation: Homestay, - Guest ger alongside the nomad family
Accommodation Name: Ger (Yurt)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a home-cooked breakfast say goodbye to your hosts and drive for 1.5 hours (55km) to Khogno Khan nature reserve — the site of the Uvgun temple complex. Khogno Khan is an area where taiga meets rolling steppes and north Gobi’s sand dunes. Hike a short distance to the Uvgun temples which were built in the 17th century by Zanabazar but destroyed in the 1930s during communist purges. After coming down to the vehicle drive 25km to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, where you will stay next to a family of camel herders. Settle into your ger and once your camels are ready, mount up for a 1-hour Bactrian ride into the dunes, taking time for photographs from the camelback. In the evening return to your hosts and enjoy a home-cooked dinner, socializing in the evening over fermented mare’s milk with the family.
Day 3 : Hustai National Park — Wild Takhi Horses — Hiking
Location: Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi), Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Ger camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, board the vehicle for the journey back east to Hustai. The drive will take 3 hours (240km) and on arrival visit first the park’s information centre where you will learn about the plethora of wildlife roaming the National Park. Have lunch in the ger camp where you will be staying tonight, located right at the park’s entrance, then venture into the park to see the wild Takhi horses. Your guide will be in contact with the park rangers who will relay the animals’ location, and you have a high chance of seeing them close. You can also venture deeper into the park on foot if you wish, perhaps to track wild deer or foxes — Hustai offers wonderful wilderness hiking opportunities. In the late afternoon return by vehicle to the camp, take a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner.
Day 4 : Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex — Ulaanbaatar
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, Hustain Nuruu - Biosphere Reserve - Hustai National Park
Accommodation Name: NONE
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast set off for the remarkable Chinggis Khaan Statue complex. Once you arrive, climb up inside until you reach the exterior staircase which runs up the mane of the horse to a viewpoint overlooking the Tuul River, Terelj & the hills of the Khan Khentii. Then have lunch in the complex's restaurant. After lunch, come back down to the vehicle and return to Ulaanbaatar.
What's Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
1.5L mineral water
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Accommodation
During your journey, you will stay at authentic guest gers alongside nomadic families and in a ger camp in Hustai. Gers are equipped with beds, linen, stove, table and chairs and have electric lighting. Loos and showers are only available at the ger camp, with homestay facilities being more basic.
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Entrance Fees
All protected areas and Museums
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Fully Guided
At Tour Mongolia, we believe that a good guide is essential to the enjoyment of any trip. Knowledge, enthusiasm, good humour, proactivity, language and communication skills need to combine with responsibility and sensitivity to guests' needs. Your guide will be English-speaking by default, but we also can provide French, German, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Spanish-speaking guides - please let us know your preference. Your guide will be hand-picked by us to suit your itinerary and requirements. Each guide is personally briefed on all elements of the trip. You will be sent guide details in the confirmation document prior to your tour.
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Mongolian Barbecue -Khorkhog
enjoy a traditional feast of khorkhog - mutton and vegetables seared and steamed with red hot stones from the fire - at the Nomad family.
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Meals – Full Board
Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking. At ger homestays, meals will be traditional Mongolian home-cooking such as Mongolian rice porridge for breakfast and Tsuivan (stir-fry with homemade noodles), or Buuz (steamed dumplings) for lunch and dinner. During your time at the ger camp in Hustai meals will be a mix of western and Mongolian cuisine, and breakfast is a continental buffet style along with cooked options. Dinner is often a three-course set menu of traditional dishes with a western twist.
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Local Taxes
All road taxes
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
On the dust of the desert and mud of the steppe, the Japanese off-road MPV such as Mitsubishi Delica provides comfort and safety for your trip. These 4x4 vehicles are specifically tuned for the rough off-roading that's inevitable when travelling in the wilds of Mongolia. They provide ample space, and air conditioning and are well maintained while offering good luggage space, seat belts and speed.
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Mode of Transport
On the dust of the desert and mud of the steppe, the Japanese off-road MPV such as Mitsubishi Delica provides comfort and safety for your trip. These 4x4 vehicles are specifically tuned for the rough off-roading that's inevitable when travelling in the wilds of Mongolia. They provide ample space, and air conditioning and are well maintained while offering good luggage space, seat belts and speed.
Accommodation
During your journey, you will be staying at authentic guest gers alongside nomadic families, and depending on the season in a guesthouse or in ger camps. Gers are equipped with beds, linen, a stove, table, and chairs and have electric lighting. Bathrooms and showers are only available at ger camps, with homestay facilities being naturally basic.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers aren't included in this tour. However, private arrival and departure are available on request.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Guests will homestay at ger alongside the Nomad family in the rural areas. There is no available Wi-fi in remote areas.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Each person can bring a back sack of 3-5kg and a suitcase of 20kg on that tour.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa entries are not included in the price of the tour. Visa is required for all, except citizens of the following countries. Visas are available from the Mongolian embassy in your country. If there is no Mongolia embassy in your country, one-month visas can be obtained on the spot once you arrive at the airport or railway station. There will also be a visa fee of $53US.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
You can keep Mongolian Tugrug(MNT) during that your tour. It is necessary to buy something from locals and for souvenirs.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
A vaccination certificate is required if you are vaccinated with all types of vaccines.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Local tour guides speak English.
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What is the maximum group size?
The maximum group with 6 people.
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How to get relevant entry visas easily?
Some nationalities can obtain visas at the airport or train station, however, it requires an application through us to the Immigration Authority of Mongolia in advance. Please check the following website for your nationalities requirements. www.consul.mn
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All entrance fees are included in the tour price such as national park and museum.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Mainly, we provide 4WD Russian minivans (UAZ 452 type) and Japanese minivans (Mitsubishi Delica) in our tours travelling in the remote countryside. Only Japanese vehicles are equipped with air-conditioning.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We will arrange your pre-and post-tour accommodations upon on your request.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
– EASY: A basic level of fitness is required, the tour is generally easy-paced.
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Do you require a visa for this tour?
All travellers must obtain a visa before travelling to Mongolia. Some nationalities can obtain visas at the airport, however, it requires an application through us to the Immigration Authority of Mongolia in advance.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
kids can be part of the family trip or attend other tour groups with their care-taker.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
If you are not fully vaccinated, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip. During your trip you should follow all recommendations and requirements at your destinations including wearing well-fitted mask and staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart from anyone who did not travel with you. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will be sent tour
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Tour Mongolia has been trading their products such as cultural, active and adventure trip since they have established in 2001.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you noticed to your companions in 2 months prior your departure it is available to postponed till your alternative dates or cancel it according to policy.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All accommodations such as hotel, lodge, Ger camp and Ger of local communities are meet with local health and safety regulations.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Tour Mongolia's handpicked and experienced team will be companied with you during on your trip.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Dec 05, 2024 - Dec 08, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Jan 02, 2025 - Jan 05, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Jan 09, 2025 - Jan 12, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Tour Mongolia allows you to make 3 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 7 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Tour Mongolia allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform tour mongolia, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Tour Mongolia requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of tour mongolia charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.