This journey showcases the dramatic contrasts of Mongolia, from the vast, otherworldly landscapes of the Gobi Desert to the lush green valleys of Central Mongolia.
Departing from Ulaanbaatar, the adventure heads south through the Middle and Southern Gobi, offering a true sense of the desert’s immense scale and beauty. Along the way, you will experience life on the steppe with unforgettable activities such as riding two‑humped Bactrian camels, visiting a nomadic family, and enjoying the desert’s spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
A highlight of the journey is Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, renowned for its diverse natural wonders. Here you will explore towering sand dunes, a dramatic ice canyon, the famous Flaming Cliffs, striking limestone formations, and a wealth of geological and archaeological sites that reveal the ancient history of this remarkable region.
After exploring the Gobi, the journey continues north into Central Mongolia, where the landscape transforms into rolling grasslands, river valleys, and forested hills. This region offers opportunities to enjoy refreshing swims at waterfalls and to visit some of Mongolia’s most important cultural and historical sites. Highlights include the ancient capital of Khar Khorin and the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery.
The tour concludes in the Orkhon River Valley, the cradle of Central Asia’s nomadic civilisation. Recognised for its outstanding universal value, this cultural landscape bears exceptional testimony to human history in the region. Scattered throughout the valley are ancient monuments, monasteries, temples, and archaeological ruins that reflect centuries of harmonious interaction between nomadic culture and the natural environment.
As a locally owned Mongolian tour company, we aim to support local communities by including family-run ger camps, guesthouses and traditional homestays. These stays offer a wonderful opportunity to experience Mongolian hospitality and learn about nomadic life. All basic accommodation throughout the journey is included in the standard tour price.
When staying in traditional gers, you will share accommodation only with your own tour group, with approximately 3–4 beds per ger.
Facilities vary between locations. Some family ger camps offer showers and Western-style toilets, while others provide more basic accommodation with limited hot water and bathroom facilities. In remote areas, comfort is simple, but the warm hospitality and cultural experiences make these stays truly special.
Optional Comfort Upgrade
For travellers who prefer additional comfort, tourist camps, lodges or hotels may be available at various stops throughout the 24-day journey. Depending on the location, upgraded accommodation may offer comfortable beds, heated rooms, hot showers and Western-style toilets.
Upgrade cost: USD $110 per person, per night. (April-October)
The standard tour price includes basic accommodation, such as local family ger camps, guesthouses and homestays. The comfort upgrade is entirely optional and can be arranged for selected nights throughout the trip.
Departure times are flexible, but a 7:00 am start is recommended to make the most of each day. Your driver and guide can arrange pickup from the airport, train station or your accommodation to suit your travel plans.
Road Conditions in Mongolia
Travelling through the Mongolian countryside often involves long drives on unpaved roads, rough tracks and uneven terrain. Some journeys may take several hours, with limited opportunities to stop for toilets, buy food or access other facilities. Travel times can vary depending on road conditions and weather.
Most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en-route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads or local restaurants. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Our GUIDE will organize the meal preparation and lead the way here. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements can be catered for but need to be specified prior to arrival.
Summer months in Mongolia are from early June to mid September. Although the Mongolian summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 14-20 degrees centigrade between day and night. So be prepared for all weather conditions.
Weather conditions can vary significantly between the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia. The Gobi generally experiences warmer, drier weather, while the Orkhon Valley is cooler, particularly at night.
June to September is generally the best time to enjoy this tour, with warmer days and greener landscapes. However, even during summer, temperatures can drop considerably after sunset.
Spring and autumn bring cooler weather, strong winds and occasional snow, while July and August can be particularly hot in the Gobi Desert.
We recommend bringing layered clothing, a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and waterproof clothing regardless of the season.
Sleeping bag (we can provide sleeping bag, if your luggage is full), sleeping bag liner, sunscreen, a hat, long underwear, shorts, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed), rain gear, flashlight.
Internet, Mobile Reception and Charging Facilities
Mobile reception and internet access are limited in rural Mongolia, particularly in remote areas such as the West Taiga. Electricity may also be limited at family ger camps. However, all our tour vehicles have charging facilities, and our drivers are happy to help you charge your devices while the vehicle is running. Many drivers also carry different charging cables and adapters. We recommend bringing your own charging cables and a power bank.
We took part in a 10-day trip to Gobi Desert & Orkhon Valley. Mongolia’s scenery is stunning, with spectacular natural landscapes such as Tsagaan Suvarga, Yolyn Am Valley, Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes, Bajanzag, Orkhon Waterfall, and humanitarian attractions like Kharkhorin and Ongiin Khiid Monastery. From the very beginning of asking questions about the trip, you can feel Meg’s kindness, she always answered my questions carefully and patiently. Can ask them to arrange the airport transfer, the driver to wait in advance to the airport, the car is large, sitting is comfortable, will take you directly to the place of accommodation, very convenient! Then I would strongly recommend the tour guide Nandin and the driver Oogii, without them, our journey would not be so beautiful, Oogii would communicate with us in a lovely English, in a desolate place of smoke he always knows where to go, and he spoke very humorously, and no less to our care, like a funny father. Nandin knows about Mongolia’s history, religion and other cultures very well, you can get a lot of knowledge from her, during the journey she will pay attention to all our conditions, care that we will not stumble, will not starve, and have fun. Because one of our friends ate not used to Mongolian sheep, Nandin even cooked chicken and pork for us. She is also a language genius, speaks fluent Chinese, English, Mongolian, has studied Japanese, and recently started learning Spanish. Finally I want to say: Nandin cooked fries are the best food I have ever eaten in Mongolia!
Amazing Mongolia!
每天看著廣袤無垠的天地及浩瀚的銀河星系
以及沉浸於塞外的風情萬種
原來我眼前遮住的簾從未真正掀開
趕緊忘卻這一切，才能再次擁有這般讚嘆
原本對蒙古沒感覺，離時卻不捨地道別
走出低谷，就來蒙古
感謝導遊Ula及司機十來天的安排及照料！
Look at the vast sky and the vast galaxy every day
and all sorts of temperatures immersed in the outside
The curtain that was hidden before my eyes never really opened up
Quickly forget all of this, in order to have this admiration again
Originally did not feel for Mongolia, but did not say goodbye
Get out of the valley and come to Mongolia
Thank you to guide Ula and the driver for the arrangement and care of the day!
Mongolian Family Adventure
Our family of four (kids 12 and 14) did Meg’s 10 day tour of the Gobi and Central Mongolia. We had an amazing adventure. The landscapes were out of this world and we stayed in some stunning, secluded spots. We loved staying in the more “off-the-beaten-path” locales and just soaking up the grand nature and beautiful culture around us. The itinerary of the tour was well set up, but what really made the trip was our amazing guide Luna and our driver Eba. They treated us like their own family and we could not have asked for a better duo to guide us! Luna’s warmth, conversation, connection and cooking really made the trip for us. I would definitely recommend this tour, and especially the amazing duo Luna and Eba!
Amazing!
What an amazing tour! Our guide Bujinn and driver Oogi were absolutely brilliant, very knowledgeable and really friendly. The places we went were brilliant and they both looked after us really well.
Meg, Bujinn and Oogi too really went above and beyond to help us with a medical issue. Would highly recommend.
Great stay and great journey!!
My friend and I strolled into Meg’s to look into a 9 day journey around the Gobi and Central Mongolia and were greeted by Bunny who was super friendly and gave us some traditional Mongolian snacks while showing us our options. We needed to leave the next day and they arranged everything including a three day Naadam package at the end. The next morning we met Meg who sat down to get to know us and share her story with us. My luggage was lost and Bunny sorted it out for me with several calls to the airport. While we waited for word of the luggage, Meg took us to a cool coffee shop. Angie, our driver and Dari took us for my luggage at the airport and we were able to secure the luggage. For the next nine days Augie and Dari took care of us- making sure we were comfortable and well fed as well as entertaining us with stories. I highly recommend Meg’s tour company- it’s like traveling with family- the family you actually like and want to spend time with!
