This journey begins with an overnight flight from Istanbul, taking in Mongolia's steppes and nomadic culture. Ulaanbaatar's Sukhbaatar Square, Erdene Zuu Monastery at Genghis Khan's former capital Karakorum, the Orhun Inscriptions, the earliest written Turkish records, and the giant Genghis Khan statue at Terelj National Park stand among the highlights. Part of the trip is spent at a traditional Mongolian ger camp.
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Seven nights on this Mongolia tour are split between the capital and the steppe: four in hotels and three in traditional ger camps. After a first day in Ulaanbaatar the road leads toward Karakorum, a drive of six to seven hours. One full day goes to the Orkhon Inscriptions, an important place for Turkic history. Terelj National Park brings the 40 metre Genghis Khan statue. The package covers breakfasts, four lunches, six dinners and a Turkish speaking guide.
01
Genghis Khan Statue
Seeing the world's largest equestrian statue, 40 metres tall, at Terelj.
02
Orhun Inscriptions
Viewing the 8th-century Bilge Kağan and Kül Tigin Inscriptions.
03
Erdene Zuu Monastery
Touring Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monastery, built in the 16th century.
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Planning your budgetA recommended gratuity of 80 USD per person for the guide and driver is not included in the tour price. The departure tax, personal expenses, meals and drinks not listed in the programme and travel insurance are also excluded. See details →
We arrive in Ulan Bator at 07:10 local time. We stay at the 3-star TOYOKOO INN or a similar hotel in Ulan Bator.
The line shows the order of overnight stops; it is not the actual road or flight path. Map: Natural Earth, GeoNames.
01DAY 1 - ISTANBUL - ULAN BATOROvernight flight from Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar.
Overnight flight to Ulaanbaatar
We meet tour representatives at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport.
After completing check-in and passport formalities, we depart at 18:15 on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia in Central Asia.
We spend the night on the plane.
02DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN ULAN BATOR - WHERE HISTORY MEETS MODERNITYSukhbaatar Square, the National History Museum and the Government Building.
Ulaanbaatar · night 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
We arrive in Ulan Bator at 07:10 local time. A private vehicle waiting for us at the airport takes us to our hotel. We have an early breakfast before resting, then begin our city tour.
On our tour, we visit Sukhbaatar Square, which features a statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar. The square, home to the statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar, a symbolic figure in Mongolia's struggle for independence, is the country's main ceremonial site.
At the National History Museum of Mongolia, we explore rare collections depicting the lives of Mongolian peoples from the time of the Göktürks to the present day.
We see the Government Building to the north of the square. A statue of Cengiz Han stands in front of this government building. We then have lunch.
We have dinner at our hotel and spend the night there.
We stay at the 3-star TOYOKOO INN or a similar hotel in Ulan Bator.
03DAY 3 - Ulaanbaatar → Karakorum (In the Footsteps of the Nomadic Empire)Karakorum Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery.
Karakorum · night 2
On to Karakorum
After breakfast, we set off for Karakorum across the Mongolian steppes. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours. This region was once the centre of Genghis Khan's empire.
On arrival, we visit Karakorum Museum to explore the remains of the historic capital and its archaeological finds. We then visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Built in the 16th century, the monastery and its walls, made from the old stones of Karakurum, are under UNESCO protection.
Dinner and overnight accommodation are at a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) camp. Accommodation will be at SILK ROAD GER CAMP or a similar property.
04DAY 4 - ORHUN INSCRIPTIONS (The Voice of Turkish History Carved in Stone)Seeing the Bilge Kağan and Kül Tigin Inscriptions.
Karakorum · night 3
The Orhun Inscriptions
After breakfast, we set off for the area approximately 100 km away to see the Orhun Inscriptions, among the most important written records of Turkish history.
Erected in the 8th century, the Bilge Kağan and Kül Tigin Inscriptions are the earliest written documents in Turkish to survive from the Göktürk period. Our guide will explain their linguistic and historical importance in detail. Lunch is also included in the program. We return to Karakorum in the late afternoon.
Dinner and an overnight stay will be at a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) camp. Accommodation will be at SILK ROAD GER CAMP or a similar property.
05DAY 5 - KARAKORUM - A DAY IN NATUREFree day at Karakorum, with nature walks available.
Karakorum · night 4
A day in nature at Karakorum
Today you have free time. Guests who would like to learn more about nomadic life can join nature walks in the surrounding area or rest at the camp. You can spend a quiet day taking part in activities unique to Mongolian culture.
Dinner will be served at the traditional yurt camp, where you will also stay overnight.
Accommodation will be at SILK ROAD GER CAMP or similar establishments.
06DAY 6 - KARAKORUM → ULAANBAATARDrive back across the Mongolian steppes to Ulaanbaatar.
Ulaanbaatar · night 5
Return to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we set off for our return to Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, we will observe Mongolia's steppes and nomadic life and experience the quiet of nature. We will stop for lunch at a suitable time. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, we will check in at the hotel. There will be free time after dinner.
Our hotel in Ulaanbaatar will be the 3-star TOYOKOO INN or similar.
07DAY 7 - TERELJ NATIONAL PARK and GENGHIS KHAN STATUEThe Genghis Khan Statue and Aryabal Meditation Temple.
Ulaanbaatar · night 6
Terelj National Park
After breakfast, we depart for Terelj National Park. Throughout the day, we visit the area's natural and historical sites.
The 40-metre-high Genghis Khan statue at the Genghis Khan Statue Complex is the world's largest equestrian statue. Visitors can take a lift up to the horse's head to enjoy the view.
We visit Aryabal Meditation Temple, located among the mountains. This Buddhist temple is considered a symbol of silence and inner peace. After visiting the temple, we have lunch.
During the day, we walk around the area, take nature photographs and enjoy the scenery.
In the late afternoon, we return to Ulaanbaatar. We have dinner and stay overnight at our hotel.
We stay at the 3-star TOYOKOO INN or a similar hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
08DAY 8 - ULAN BATOR - FREE TIMEFree time in Ulaanbaatar, with local markets to explore.
Ulaanbaatar · night 7
Free time in Ulaanbaatar
Today, guests who wish have free time in the city. During this time, you can buy souvenirs at local markets or visit cultural sites in the city on your own.
We will spend the final night at our hotel.
Our hotel is the 3-star TOYOKOO INN in Ulan Bator or a similar hotel.
09DAY 9 - ULAANBAATAR - ISTANBULFlight from Ulaanbaatar back to Istanbul.
Return to Istanbul
We leave the hotel early and transfer to the airport. We depart for Istanbul at 09:00 with Turkish Airlines and arrive in Istanbul at 13:40 local time.
