Trekking in wild Mongolia from the Khangai Mountains to the Gobi

The road leads to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan, this iconic city was a major stop on the Silk Road. The empire was administered from Karakorum until the capital was moved to Beijing under Kublai Khan. Today, only a few vestiges remain, bearing witness to the rich historical past of this essential site of Mongolian heritage.

Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomadic prince. This remarkable complex, marked by Chinese and Tibetan architectural influences, is surrounded by 108 sacred stupas that lend the site a unique spiritual atmosphere. The exploration continues at the Karakorum Museum, dedicated to the history of the ancient capital and its region.

You then leave the roads to take to the tracks and fully enjoy the surrounding natural landscapes. The route follows the sculpted formations of the Orkhon canyons as well as the verdant steppe where the herds of nomadic families graze.

Arriving at the home of a herding family in the heart of the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this immersive experience offers a unique first encounter with the traditional Mongolian way of life.

A 2-night stay with a local family. You will discover the daily life of nomads and share authentic moments. Depending on the season and current activities, you may be able to participate in milking animals or preparing local products.

Embark on a hike through the heart of the Orkhon Valley, from the campsite to the waterfalls. This trek, at the peaceful pace of the steppe, allows you to fully appreciate the vast landscapes that line the river.

Discover the Ulan Tsutgalaan waterfalls, where crystal-clear water cascades down dark walls before plunging into a natural pool. When sunlight pierces the mist, a fleeting rainbow can appear, enhancing this breathtaking natural scene. These 16-meter-high falls were formed nearly 20,000 years ago by a combination of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

At the end of the day, you'll witness the preparation of a Mongolian barbecue. This convivial moment will allow you to discover the different stages of this traditional cooking method before sharing the meal with your hosts.

Continue your journey towards the Khangai Mountains, where the track becomes more challenging as you cross a pass reaching an altitude of 2,800 meters. As you ascend, the landscapes transform and become more rugged until you reach Naiman Nuur National Park ("Eight Lakes"), a remote region comprised of larch forests and lakes nestled in the heart of the mountains.

This high-altitude area retains cool temperatures for much of the year: it is not uncommon for snowfall to still occur in June, or even as early as mid-August.

A 2-night stay with a nomadic herding family settled in this mountainous environment. You will share their daily life and, depending on the activities of the moment, may participate in some pastoral tasks, in a setting where life is organized to the rhythm of nature.

Enjoy a day in the fresh air of the highlands. A walk through the unspoiled landscapes of the park leads you to Shireet Lake, one of the most beautiful and iconic in the region.

Back at your host family's home, enjoy simple and authentic moments: sharing a traditional milk tea or learning the game of knucklebones, to extend this friendly immersion into the heart of nomadic life.

This day marks the transition between two major ecosystems. After leaving the verdant Khangai Mountains, you head towards the legendary Gobi Desert. The road first crosses a vast, undulating steppe, alternating between pastures and endless horizons.

Stop in Arvaikheer, the bustling provincial capital, for a break at the local market. A chance to stock up on supplies while observing the daily life of the locals and discovering regional products, before continuing on to the more arid landscapes of the south.

You then reach the sum of Saikhan Ovoo, nestled in a mid-altitude mountain range bordering the Ongii River. This stop is a popular resting place on the route connecting northwestern Mongolia to the Gobi Desert.

The landscape is defined by the peaceful meanders of the river, at the heart of which lie the remains of two ancient monasteries: Barlim, on the north bank, and Khutagt, on the south bank. These ruins recall the spiritual importance this valley once held, now offering a serene respite before continuing your journey south.

Discover the site known as the Ongii monastery and its small museum. This religious complex once housed up to a thousand monks before being almost entirely destroyed in 1937 during the Soviet purges.

Since 2002, a few monks have returned to settle there and have undertaken the reconstruction of the temples. Despite modest means, the fervent...

Last day of trail driving before reaching the gates of the Great Gobi and its "Three Beauties", emblematic peaks of this part of the Gobi-Altai chain: Baruun Saikhan, the Western Beautiful; Dund Saikhan, the Central Beautiful; and Züün Saikhan, the Eastern Beautiful, which rises to 2,846 meters.

This progression gradually reveals the mineral immensity of the desert and the slender silhouette of these mountains, true natural landmarks in the heart of the Gobi.

Discover the Bayanzag cliffs, nicknamed the "flaming cliffs" because of their ochre and red hues that glow in the sunlight. These spectacular formations are home to the famous "dragon graveyard," a major paleontological site surrounded by saxaul forests characteristic of the Gobi Desert.

This is where dinosaurs once lived, and their remains continue to fascinate researchers and travelers. In 1922, paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs and bones ever found here, now on display at the Natural History Museum in Ulaanbaatar and in numerous collections around the world.

You continue your journey west through the park to reach the impressive Khongor Dunes, whose name means "light bay sand." These majestic dunes form a long wave of sand at the foot of the "Three Beauties," the iconic peaks of the Gobi-Altai. Their golden hues and striking contrast with the surrounding mountains offer a remarkable panorama in the heart of the desert.

Stretching over 180 kilometers and reaching heights of up to 120 meters in places, these dunes are among the most spectacular in the Gobi Desert. Climbing them reveals breathtaking views of the vast landscapes, where the sandy hills merge into the steppe as far as the eye can see.

At the summit, you can hear the gentle hum caused by the sand shifting in the wind, a natural phenomenon that gave rise to their nickname, "singing dunes." A unique sensory experience in the heart of the Gobi.

You will spend the night with a Bactrian camel herder, who will welcome you to his camp. This immersive experience will allow you to discover his pastoral way of life and share an authentic moment in the desert, while understanding the essential role of camels in the daily lives of families in the region.

Head east of the "Three Beauties" to reach the canyon region. The track crosses striking mineral landscapes, alternating between desert plateaus, steep slopes, and deep valleys. An ideal stop to appreciate the full geological richness and spectacular contrasts of the Gobi.

Hike through Yol Canyon, also known as Bearded Vulture Canyon. You'll trek through the heart of this narrow gorge, whose bottom remains covered by a near-permanent layer of ice. The steep, tightly packed walls let in very little light; the ice generally doesn't melt until August. The rest of the year, the atmosphere is surprisingly cool, almost surreal, in this natural corridor carved deep into the rock.

You then continue towards Mukhart Shivert Canyon. Shorter than Yoliin Am but just as spectacular, it presents itself as a natural dead end bordered by high, vertical cliffs. The walk is on a ground often covered with smooth ice with bluish reflections—except in the height of summer. At the bottom of the canyon, a waterfall frozen solid for most of the year completes this impressive scene (approximately 1 hour round trip).

You'll travel through one of Mongolia's most remote regions, where rocky deserts alternate with seemingly endless semi-arid steppes. In the heart of this stark, mineral landscape, you'll reach Tsagaan Suvarga, a steep natural formation approximately 30 meters high, its silhouette reminiscent of a stupa, and a long-standing place of veneration for Mongolians.

The surrounding landscapes are striking for their almost lunar appearance: eroded formations, mineral hues, and vast, barren expanses give the site a unique atmosphere. By carefully observing the walls and the ground, you can also spot numerous fossils, evidence of a time when this region was covered by the sea.

A fascinating site, shaped by time and the elements.

You continue your journey through the desert landscapes of southern Mongolia to reach the Baga Gazriin Chuluu massif. This site is distinguished by its impressive granite formations, shaped by centuries of erosion under the influence of winds and extreme weather conditions. Rounded rocks, fissured cliffs, and stacked boulders create a striking mineral landscape, perfect for a walk in a peaceful and serene environment.

In the 19th century, two revered monks took up residence in this place. Their inscriptions, still visible today on some of the rock faces, lend the site a special spiritual dimension. According to legend, Genghis Khan himself stayed in these mountains, captivated by their beauty and tranquility.

A stage that harmoniously blends nature, history and contemplation.

Return to Ulaanbaatar across the vast expanses of the steppe. Along the way, the last herds of free-roaming horses, yurts seen in the distance, and open landscapes accompany you to the gates of the capital.

Upon arrival in the city centre, check into the hotel of your choice for a moment of rest.

The rest of the day is free. Accompanied by your guide, you can browse the city's shops to make any last-minute purchases and enjoy the atmosphere of Ulaanbaatar one last time.