Tour overview

This 15-day overland adventure loops through the lakes, forests and steppe of northern and central Mongolia. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, in sturdy Russian vans with experienced drivers. You stay fourteen nights in a hotel, tourist ger camps and two nights with nomad families, with almost all meals included.

From Ulaanbaatar you drive to the remote Amarbayasgalant Monastery and the Selenge River, then spend your first night with a nomad family before reaching Lake Khovsgol, a vast, clear lake ringed by forest, for two nights of walking or boating.

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After another family stay you reach Terkhiin Tsagaan, the Great White Lake, for a free day among volcanic craters, then soak in the Tsenkher Hot Springs. You visit Erdene Zuu Monastery at Karakorum, ride a camel among the dunes of Khogno Khan and look for wild Takhi horses in Khustai National Park.

The physical rating is medium, with long days on dirt roads. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to see the real Mongolia.

Trip highlights

  • Amarbayasgalant Monastery (Day 2)
  • A nomad family stay (Day 4)
  • Lake Khovsgol (Days 5–6)
  • The Great White Lake (Days 8–9)
  • Tsenkher Hot Springs (Day 10)
  • Wild horses in Khustai (Day 13)

Your route

15 stops from Ulaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar

15-day route: Ulaanbaatar – Amarbayasgalant – Selenge – Khovsgol – Terkhiin Tsagaan – Tsenkher – Karakorum – Khustai – Ulaanbaatar
  1. Ulaanbaatar Day 1
  2. Amarbayasgalant Monastery Day 2
  3. Erdenet Day 3
  4. Selenge River Day 3
  5. Ikh Uul Day 4
  6. Murun Day 5
  7. Khovsgol Lake Days 5–6
  8. Shine Ider Day 7
  9. Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake Days 8–9
  10. Tsetserleg Day 10
  11. Tsenkher Hot Springs Day 10
  12. Karakorum Day 11
  13. Khogno Khan Days 11–12
  14. Khustai National Park Day 13
  15. Ulaanbaatar Days 14–15

Why choose this tour

Northern lakes and central steppe in one loop. Two nights with nomad families.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Nature lovers
  • Solo travellers
  • Photographers
Traditional Mongolian gers

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

  1. Day 1 · Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar

    Welcome to Mongolia.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Amarbayasgalant Monastery Amarbayasgalant

    Into the countryside.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Erdenet, Selenge River Selenge

    To the river.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Ikh Uul Ikh Uul

    A nomad family.

    Hotel
    Family ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Uushig Valley, Lake Khovsgol Lake Khovsgol

    Deer stones and the lake.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Lake Khovsgol Lake Khovsgol

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Murun, Shine Ider Shine Ider

    Another family stay.

    Hotel
    Family ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake Great White Lake

    The Great White Lake.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Khorgo Volcano Great White Lake

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Tsetserleg, Tsenkher Hot Springs Tsenkher

    Hot springs.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Karakorum

    The old capital.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Khogno Khan Khogno Khan

    Dunes and a camel ride.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Khustai National Park Khustai

    Wild horses.

    Hotel
    Tourist ger camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar

    Back to the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The shore of Lake Khovsgol, Mongolia

Where you stay

  • Ulaanbaatar (1 night) Hotel
  • Amarbayasgalant (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Selenge (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Ikh Uul (1 night) Family ger camp
  • Lake Khovsgol (2 nights) Tourist ger camp
  • Shine Ider (1 night) Family ger camp
  • Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (2 nights) Tourist ger camp
  • Tsenkher (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Karakorum (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Khogno Khan (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Khustai (1 night) Tourist ger camp
  • Ulaanbaatar (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in a hotel, ger camps and family gers
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners
  • Private overland vans with drivers
  • Amarbayasgalant and Erdene Zuu monasteries
  • Tsenkher Hot Springs and a camel ride
  • Cultural performance in Ulaanbaatar
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Meals not included 1 lunch and 2 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Erdene Zuu Monastery at Karakorum

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels
  • You dislike long drives on rough roads
  • You need private bathrooms
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Days 2–13 · Dinner: Days 2–13
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Mongolia
Mongolian horses grazing

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,920 per person, twin share, tour only. 32 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Mongolia?

UK citizens can currently visit Mongolia visa-free for up to 30 days. Check the latest advice before travel.

What are the ger camps like?

Traditional felt tents with beds and bedding, with shared toilets and showers; hot water can be intermittent.

How long are the drives?

Some days involve seven to nine hours on dirt roads, with stops along the way.

What is a family ger stay?

A night in a simple ger with a nomad family, sharing their daily life.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available for hotel nights only.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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