Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia, blending modern urban life with rich nomadic traditions. Home to nearly half of the country’s population, the city is the main gateway for international travelers and offers museums, monasteries, restaurants, and shopping centers. For travelers, buying groceries in Ulaanbaatar is easy and convenient. Well-stocked supermarkets such as Nomin, E-Mart, State Department Store, and Minii Delguur offer a wide range of local and imported products, including snacks, bottled water, fruits, ready-to-eat meals, and travel essentials. It’s the best place to stock up on supplies before heading out to rural or Gobi destinations.

Mandalgovi

Mandal-Govi is the capital town of Dundgovi Province in central Mongolia, located about 260 km south of Ulaanbaatar. It sits in the semi-desert steppe of the Gobi region, known for wide open landscapes, dramatic skies, and a calm, authentic local atmosphere. Mandal-Govi serves as an important transport and supply hub for travelers heading deeper into the Gobi Desert, including sites like Tsagaan Suvarga. The town offers basic comforts, local markets, and a glimpse into everyday life in Mongolia’s central Gobi. We will eat lunch in this province.

Tsagaan Suvarga

Tsagaan Suvarga (literally “White Stupa”) is a striking natural geological formation in Dundgovi Province of Mongolia’s Gobi region. Despite its name referencing a Buddhist stupa (a sacred monument), the site itself is a natural cliff and escarpment, formed from ancient seabed deposits eroded over millions of years. Its layers of sedimentary clay and minerals have oxidized into vivid bands of white, yellow, red and other hues that change with the lighting. The cliffs can reach up to ~60 m (197 ft) high and extend ~400 m (1,312 ft) long across the flat Gobi plains. From a distance the shapes may resemble ruins or a white stupa, hence the name Tsagaan Suvarga.

Omnogovi Province

Ömnögovi Province is a vast region in southern Mongolia, famous for its dramatic Gobi Desert landscapes and world-class natural attractions. It is home to iconic sites such as Yolyn Am (Vulture Valley), Khongor Sand Dunes, Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), and Tsagaan Suvarga. Known for its wide open spaces, unique wildlife, and nomadic culture, Ömnögovi is one of Mongolia’s most popular destinations for adventure and desert tours.

Yolyn Am

Yol Valley (Yolyn Am) is a stunning gorge located in Gurvansaikhan National Park in southern Mongolia. Famous for its dramatic cliffs and cool microclimate, the valley often holds ice year-round, even in summer. Surrounded by rocky mountains and home to wildlife such as ibex and lammergeier vultures, Yol Valley offers beautiful hiking, fresh mountain air, and a striking contrast to the nearby Gobi Desert.

Khongor Sand Dunes

Khongor Sand Dunes, also known as the “Singing Dunes,” are the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. Reaching heights of up to 300 meters, the dunes stretch for nearly 180 km along the base of the Altai Mountains. When the sand shifts, it produces a deep humming sound, giving the dunes their name. Visitors can enjoy dune climbing, camel riding, and breathtaking views, especially at sunrise and sunset. At Khongor Sand Dunes, tourists can enjoy a variety of memorable desert experiences, including: Climb the sand dunes for panoramic views of the Gobi Desert, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset Listen to the “singing” sound created when the sand moves underfoot or by the wind Camel riding with local nomadic families along the dunes Walk the green oasis and small river at the base of the dunes, a striking contrast to the sand Photography of dramatic landscapes, shifting colors, and endless horizons

Khavtsgait Petroglyphs

Khavtsgait Petroglyphs are an impressive collection of ancient rock carvings on the slopes of Gurvan Saikhan Mountains in Ömnögovi Province, southern Mongolia. These petroglyphs date back to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (roughly 8000 – 3000 BC) and offer a rare glimpse into the lives, beliefs, and environment of prehistoric peoples who lived in the region. The site features hundreds of engravings showing wildlife like ibex, antelope, camels, and mountain sheep, as well as human figures, hunters, horseback scenes, and early carts — reflecting hunting practices, social activity, and symbolic expression of ancient nomadic cultures.

Flaming Cliffs

Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) are a famous red sandstone formation in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, best known as the site where the world’s first dinosaur eggs were discovered. The cliffs glow bright orange and red at sunset, creating a dramatic “flaming” appearance. Things tourists can do there: Walk along the cliffs and explore the unique red rock formations Learn about dinosaur fossils and Mongolia’s paleontological history Enjoy sunset photography, when the cliffs are most colorful Visit nearby saxaul forests and desert landscapes Experience the quiet, vast atmosphere of the Gobi Desert Flaming Cliffs is a must-see destination combining natural beauty, history, and science.

Ongi Monastery

Ongi Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery located along the Ongi River in central Mongolia. Once one of the country’s largest monasteries, it was largely destroyed in the 1930s and later partially restored, offering a powerful glimpse into Mongolia’s spiritual heritage. Things tourists can do there: Explore the ruins and restored temples of the monastery Learn about Mongolian Buddhist history at the small on-site museum Enjoy photography of the monastery set against wide open landscapes Ongi Monastery is a meaningful stop for travelers interested in history, culture, and quiet reflection.

Saikhan-Ovoo

A nomadic family in Mongolia lives a traditional, mobile lifestyle, moving seasonally with their herds of livestock—such as horses, camels, sheep, goats, and cattle—across the steppes and desert regions. They typically reside in gers (yurts), portable round tents that are easy to assemble and transport. Visitors staying with a nomadic family can experience daily life, including milking animals, herding, cooking traditional meals, and learning about Mongolian customs and culture, offering a unique insight into the country’s centuries-old nomadic heritage.

Kharkhorin

Kharkhorin is a historic town in central Mongolia, located near the site of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. The area is rich in history and culture, surrounded by wide steppe landscapes and the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Erdene Zuu Monastery

Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in the 16th century, is Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery. Enclosed by 108 white stupas, it combines Tibetan, Mongolian, and Chinese architectural styles. Visitors can explore active temples, see Buddhist artwork, and learn about Mongolia’s spiritual and imperial history, making Kharkhorin a key cultural highlight of the country.

Kharakhorum Museum

Kharkhorum Museum is located in Kharkhorin, near the site of the ancient Mongol capital, Karakorum. The museum showcases Mongolia’s rich historical and archaeological heritage, focusing on the Mongol Empire, Buddhist culture, and the daily life of people in the Orkhon Valley region. Things tourists can do there: Explore artifacts from Karakorum, including pottery, tools, and ornaments Learn about ancient Mongol history and the empire’s rise under Genghis Khan See exhibits on Buddhist culture, including religious objects from nearby monasteries Understand the archaeological findings from the Orkhon Valley World Heritage Site Enjoy educational displays and guided tours that provide context for the surrounding historical sites The museum is a great stop for travelers wanting to combine history, archaeology, and culture when visiting Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery.

Elsen Tasarkhai

Elsen Tasarkhai is a picturesque sand dune area located near Sainshand in Dornogovi Province, Mongolia. Often called the “mini Gobi dunes,” it features gently rolling sands surrounded by grassy steppe, making it more accessible than the larger Khongor Sand Dunes. Things tourists can do there: Photography of the scenic desert-steppe landscape Enjoy peaceful walks in a quieter desert environment compared to the bigger dunes Elsen Tasarkhai is perfect for travelers looking for desert experiences close to town without the long drives into the Gobi.

Erdene Khamba Monastery

Erdene Khamba Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery site located on the southern slopes of Khogno Khan Mountain in central Mongolia. It was founded in the 17th century by Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first great Buddhist leader, in honor of his teacher Erdene, and once served as a peaceful meditation retreat and center of spiritual practice. Although much of the original complex was destroyed over time, including during political upheavals in the 20th century, ruins and some restored sections remain visible today, offering a glimpse into Mongolia’s religious heritage.

Ulaanbaatar

After exploring the Gobi Desert or central Mongolia, tourists typically head back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, to conclude their journey. What to expect on the way back: Scenic drive through vast steppes, semi-desert landscapes, and occasional small villages, offering one last glimpse of Mongolia’s open landscapes. Stops at local towns or roadside markets for snacks, souvenirs, or rest breaks.