Enjoy Singing and Dancing
Watch the singing and dancing while out under the stars in the ger camp.
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Experiencing Nomadic Life Tour
Visit nomad herdsman's family
Undoubtedly, one of the main attractions of traveling to Mongolia is that, in the 21st century, half the people retain the nomadic lifestyle. This trip gives you the opportunity to visit nomad families and experience their way of life, their culture and traditions.
Combine this with a visit to the symbolic ruins of Kharkhorin. Built under the orders of Genghis Khan in 1220, Karakorum became the real capital of the Mongolian empire during the late 13th century before being ultimately destroyed by the Ming army in 1410.
On its ruins was built the Erdene Zuu Monastery, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia and nearly destroyed itself during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. A fascinating tour of Mongolia's rich heritage and way of life - an experience you cannot afford to miss.
What we expect
Realistic travel conditions, comfort level, and daily experience explained clearly
Learn About Our History
You will visit Karakorum and visit the oldest monastery in Mongolia to learn our history.
Visit a Horseman’s Family
During your visit, try fermented mare’s milk and try milking a mare for yourself.
Visit with Camel Herdsman
Visit his family, learn about their life, and ride a camel through the dunes.
Visit Yak Herdsman
You will learn about herding yak and can even be able to try riding one.
Itinerary
Day-by-day travel plan with highlights, distances, and activities
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to the hotel.
After a light lunch in the hotel, there will be a program of sightseeing in the afternoon. This will include the Bogd Khan Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings where the last religious King of Mongolia resided.
Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
After breakfast begins the drive to the central region of Mongolia. Elsen Tasarkhai is 280 km west from Ulaanbaatar.
After lunch, we will visit a camel herdsman's family. Discover their daily life and ride a camel through sand dunes. In the evening sit out under the night sky and stars, watching the fun, singing, and dancing.
Overnight in tourist ger camp. (B+L+D)
Drive to Ugii Lake (altitude 1387 m; surface area—25 sq. km). After lunch at the camp, drive to visit the family of a horseman. You are free to taste the favorite drink of Mongolians - airag, fermented mare's milk.
Then volunteers are welcome to try milking the mares or participate by holding the foals next to their mothers or ride the horses. You may also enjoy tea and conversations with the family, take hikes or read a book around the family Ger. Enjoy a traditional Mongolian dinner.
Overnight with the family. (B+L+D)
In the morning see and help milking horses. Continue the tour in a nomadic family, giving you the chance to learn a little of the Mongolian way of life. After lunch attends the Mongolian Ger Program, which will give you an introduction to the traditional Mongolian dwelling, the ger.
Learn how to assemble a Ger and how to pack the components on a yak cart. Bring drinking water from a well by a cow cart. The program duration is two to four hours. You would like to watch sunset down on the beach of Lake Ugii.
Overnight in tourist ger camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, continue driving to Kharkhorin, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. On the way, we will enjoy a beautifully changing the landscape from semi-desert the Gobi into forest steppe.
Visit Erdene-Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586. Then visit the Kharkhorin museum and see the Great Mongol state period, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Ancient state period halls.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Up early to drive to visit yak herdsman family. You are free to taste dairy products and discover their daily lives. Yak ride trial. After lunch drives to Hustai National Park and sees the Takhi, the Asian wild horse.
Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi's small museum.
Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, drive back from the camp to Ulaanbaatar. You may choose an optional city tour where you will be taken to souvenir and cashmere shops before enjoying an evening concert of National Folklore.
Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)
Price & Date
Tour cost, departure dates, and price differences
Pax based price
Pax 1
2,740 USD
per person
Pax 2
1,735 USD
per person
Pax 3
1,399 USD
per person
Pax 4 or more
1,235 USD
per person
Tour schedule
What's included
Accommodation, transport, meals, guide, and entrance fees covered
Services included
Std twin room at 4* hotel
Stay at a nomad family
Shared accommodation at Ger camp
Private transfers
English speaking guide
All meals as listed
All entrance fee
Horse, camel ride
Mongolian barbecue
Letter of Invitation
Services not included
Personal expenses
Optional activities
Camera fee for museum & monastery
Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Single supplement
Good to know
Important tips, weather, packing advice, and local travel notes
The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
Accommodation
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
Meals
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
Transport
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
Personal things to bring with you
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
Reviews
Genuine traveler feedback from real experiences in Mongolia
2-Day Tour of Khustai and Terelj National Parks in Mongolia
I booked a private 2-day tour through DiscoverMongolia, coordinated by Shinee, and had an incredible experience from start to finish. Shinee was extremely responsive, organized, and helpful throughout the planning process, making everything smooth and easy.
My guide, Odka, was absolutely amazing: warm, insightful, and incredibly accommodating. She made me feel comfortable right away and was a wealth of knowledge about culture, history, nature, and nomadic traditions. I felt like I could ask her anything, and she always had thoughtful answers and explanations...
Great tour in the city and then to the semigobi.
Jack is an amazing guy that will tell everything about Mongolia and its history. The city has many gems to discover and the long trip by car to the desert is worth it.
The best first tour of Mongolia!
Discover Mongolia's "Discover Mongolia" tour was absolutely amazing! Very well-organised tour, with each day organised very well (driving in the first part of the day, and activities in the second part of the day). They tailored the itinerary a little to accommodate my husband and I with our two boys (12 and 5). There is a lot of driving around the country (unpaved roads) but this was the best way to see the beauty of the country and the children handled the long driving hours very well.
The tour guide (Uka) was amazing - well-informed and able to give us the background about everything we saw and did. She was so lovely and friendly, and our boys loved her. She was always very upbeat and happy and this was infectious...
Great first experience in Mongolia
We had a great 7 day experience with Discover Mongolia. The itinerary was well thought out and included a variety of activities, from riding camels/ horses, visiting a nomadic family to seeing the amazing scenery at the Flaming Cliffs and Eagle Valley.
Shoutout to our guide Tugu who took the time to connect with us and made sure everything was taken care of. His in-depth explanations allowed us to better appreciate the country’s culture and history. Our driver Tsend was equally helpful in ensuring a safe and comfortable journey. Also huge thanks to the tour manager, Shinee, who was very responsive to our queries and made us feel assured...
An unforgettable trip with beautiful Mongolian nature
A three-night and four-day trip to Mongolia with Discover Mongolia was a really special memory. Discover Mongolia was chosen by many travel agents for its fast, honest response, reasonable rates, and convenient online payment system.
During the journey, the rich experience and expertise of the driver Bodia became a great force. He drove safely when passing the non-powered road or mountain range, especially the crossroads he indicated on the way from the Orcano Falls to Hanher were a memorable highlight. The heavenly...
Amazing
It was perfect, safe and amazing
Professional Guide Tugu - Best Choice for Mongolia
Tugu is an exceptional professional guide! During our 7-day tour, he demonstrated deep knowledge of Mongolian history, excellent English skills, and outstanding organizational abilities.
What impressed me most was his storytelling about nomadic culture and Genghis Khan's history - every excursion became a captivating journey through time. Tugu was always punctual, detail-oriented, and genuinely cared about the group's comfort.
His connections with local people helped us get an authentic experience - from staying in traditional gers to tasting local cuisine. Safety was always a priority, and his good humor made even long drives enjoyable...
from 1,235 USD