Expedition to Mongolia
A journey to the heart of nomadic culture
Following the Footsteps of the Nomads: From the Empire of Genghis Khan to Traditions Preserved Through the Ages
13 DAYS
24 PEOPLE
3490 EURO
13 days
16.06 - 28.06.2026
DESCRIPTION
For many years, we have dreamed of an expedition to Mongolia — a true journey into the heart of nomadic civilization, immersing ourselves in its culture, way of life, and landscapes that seem to have come straight out of ancient legends.
We chose our favorite format — a jeep expedition. Only in this way we can reach the true treasures of Mongolia: the sandy dunes, mountain gorges, Buddhist monasteries, remnants of the empire of Genghis Khan, and, of course, the steppes where nomads still live today.
Our expedition is a 13-day true adventure with overnight stays in yurts and with local families, evening gatherings, starry skies above, and a road that’s almost invisible on the map.
We have gathered in this itinerary the best that Mongolia has to offer. Here you will experience power spots, the absolute silence of the desert, and an introduction to an ancient culture that is not being reconstructed — it is lived here.
Mongolia awaits us, nomads!
ROUTE
Ulaanbaatar ➙ Terelj National Park ➙ Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Yol Valley➙ Khongor Sand Dunes ➙ Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) ➙ Ongii River, Nomadic Experience ➙ Karakorum ➙ Hustai National Park ➙ Ulaanbaatar.
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Transfer from the airport on arrival and departure days as per the program
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Rental of Land Cruiser vehicles with local drivers, 3 people per vehicle; fuel included
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Accommodation in hotels, yurt camps (shared facilities, double occupancy), and with a nomadic family (in a tent with a mattress and sleeping bag)
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Three meals a day with traditional Mongolian dishes (except for the days in Ulaanbaatar)
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A master class on Mongolian barbecue with nomads
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Mini Naadam Festival
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Tickets to the eagle hunting show
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Russian-speaking local guide
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Entrance tickets to all attractions along the route
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Expedition leader support from Paganel Studio
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International flight from your city
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Meals on the first and last day of the program, drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks)
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Tips for local guides and drivers
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Fees for photography in museums
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Visa fees (if required)
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Insurance
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Optional activities not included in the program
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Additional charge for single occupancy
1. Our company operates as an international travel organizer, therefore groups are formed from travelers from Ukraine, the Baltic countries, the EU, Israel, North America, and other countries. The working languages of the trip are Ukrainian, Russian, and English, depending on the group composition and translation arrangements. Each guide speaks Ukrainian, and in personal communication we respond in the language of the inquiry. If a 100 percent Ukrainian-language trip is essential for you, please уточнюйте this before booking. The company does not cooperate with citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
2. Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
ITINERARY
Day 1
16.06.2026
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar.
Arrival in the capital of Mongolia. Transfer to the hotel. This day is free, with no planned activities. You can rest after the flight, adjust to local time, stroll around the city and get your first impressions of the Mongolian capital.
Night at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel
Day 2
17.06.2026
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and the Monument to Chinggis Khan
In the morning we head to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, just 70 km from the capital. The scenery is stunning: flowering meadows, pine forests, fantastically shaped granite rocks and a crystal-clear river.
We will visit the Genghis Khan monument - the tallest equestrian statue in the world. The climb to the observation deck is a must. We will then see the Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery, nestled at the foot of the mountains.
In the evening we will have one of the most memorable encounters with Mongolian nomadic culture - a real eagle hunter.
Eagle hunters are masters of traditional falconry (mainly with golden eagles), practised among Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, mostly in western Mongolia. This ancient art (over 1,000 years old) is passed from generation to generation: female eagles are trained to hunt foxes, hares and wolves, showcasing a profound bond between human and bird. During the meeting you will be able to examine the traditional gear, learn about the birds' training, the traditions of Kazakh hunters of Mongolia and take rare photographs alongside a golden eagle.
Day 3
18.06.2026
Granite Rocks of Baga Gazriin Chuluu (drive ~220 km)
After breakfast we head south through Mongolia - around 220 km across the boundless steppe. Along the way we will watch the landscapes change, with scattered yurts and herds as reminders of the country's nomadic life.
Our destination is the Baga Gazriin Chuluu area, one of the most remarkable natural sites in central Mongolia. Massive granite rocks rise unexpectedly from the open plain, like a stone island in a sea of steppe. Wind and time have shaped these boulders over millennia, carving gorges, arches, smooth walls and viewpoints with sweeping panoramas. You can wander through stone labyrinths, climb to lookout points and feel the silence and vastness of the Mongolian landscape.
We will then visit the ruins of Delgeriin Khiid Monastery, hidden in a secluded valley among the rocks. Once a place of spiritual activity, the surviving wall fragments and atmosphere of the site allow you to picture what this Buddhist centre was once like.
After the walk we continue towards the Gobi Desert. The road leads ever deeper south and the landscapes gradually grow drier, more austere and even more spacious - our introduction to the legendary Gobi begins.
Day 4
19.06.2026
Yolyn Am Valley (transfer ~280 km)
Today we head to Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park - the largest national park in Mongolia. Our destination is the famous Yolyn Am gorge, often called the Valley of the Vultures.
This striking mountain gorge was carved by ancient water flows among the Gobi rocks; ice can linger in its shade even in the warm season. Along the way we watch the landscapes transform as desert plains gradually give way to rocky slopes and mountain valleys. It is precisely these contrasts that make the Gobi one of Asia's most extraordinary regions.
During the gorge walk you may spot marmots, ibexes and birds of prey, and if you are lucky you might see a golden eagle soaring high above the cliffs. It is a day of breathtaking scenery, fresh air and the first close encounter with the true mountain Gobi.
Day 5
20.06.2026
Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes (transfer ~200 km)
Today we enter the legendary Gobi Desert. One of its most spectacular areas awaits us - Khongoryn Els, the highest sand dunes in Mongolia, stretching over 100 kilometres. These gigantic dunes amid the harsh expanses of the Gobi create a truly surreal landscape.
Those who wish can climb to the top of one of the dunes. The ascent demands effort, but the reward is silence, endless views and a sunset over the desert - trust us, it is absolutely worth it.
Day 6
21.06.2026
Rest in Khongoryn Els
A free day to rest. Today you can sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and relax in the camp. There will be an opportunity to ride camels, stroll along the dunes and take stunning photographs in traditional dress.
We will also visit a nomadic family that keeps Bactrian two-humped camels. This is an opportunity to see everyday desert life, learn about nomadic traditions and encounter a way of life that has been preserved here for generations.
If the night is clear, tonight is one of the best chances to see a truly unpolluted sky, far from any city lights.
Day 7
22.06.2026
The Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag (transfer ~160 km)
We move on to Bayanzag - one of the most famous sites in the Gobi Desert, renowned for its world-class dinosaur discoveries. It was here in the 20th century that ancient eggs and fossilised remains were found, transforming scientific understanding of the prehistoric world.
We will visit a small palaeontology museum, walk the trails where famous scientific expeditions took place in the 1920s and imagine what a revelation these lands were for the world of science.
On the way to our ger camp we will also reflect on the great Silk Road: for centuries, trade routes connecting East and West passed through the regions of Mongolia.
Day 8
23.06.2026
Ongiin Khiid Monastery (transfer ~150 km)
We continue to the ruins of the Ongiin Khiid monastery complex, situated on the banks of the Ongi River along a major caravan route between northern Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. Thanks to its location, the monastery was for a long time a prominent religious and cultural centre of the region.
Founded in the 17th century, the complex gradually grew into two large monastic sections on opposite banks of the river. It had over 30 temples, four Buddhist universities and hundreds of lamas. In 1937, during the anti-religious purges, much of the monastery was destroyed.
Previously there were over 30 temples and four Buddhist universities here. Most were destroyed in 1937. Some have now been restored and we have the chance to soak up the atmosphere of these extraordinary places. In the evening we relax at our picturesque ger camp on the riverbank.
After a full day, the calm atmosphere of the steppe, sunset views and a night in a traditional Mongolian dwelling await. Camp staff will also give a small presentation of traditional Mongolian clothing, where you can see national costumes from different regions of the country, with their distinctive details and features.
Day 9
24.06.2026
Guest Visit to Nomads
The highlight of our programme and, without exaggeration, one of the most vivid experiences of the entire trip - a guest visit to a real nomadic family. A unique opportunity to spend an entire day (and night) alongside people who still live in the rhythm of the steppe, preserving a traditional way of life.
An early start will allow us to arrive by lunchtime and spend more time with our hosts. A real nomadic camp awaits us, with yurts, flocks and endless open spaces all around. Together with the family we can take part in daily chores: milking a cow, helping to round up sheep and goats and seeing how the household is run in steppe conditions.
We will also take part in making traditional Mongolian barbecue, learning local culinary secrets and tasting home-cooked dishes. Our hosts will show us how a ger is assembled and dismantled - a remarkably well-designed dwelling perfectly suited to nomadic life.
In the evening we will gather around the campfire, talk, listen to the silence of the steppe and gaze at an incredibly bright starry sky.
Day 10
25.06.2026
Karakorum – the Capital of Genghis Khan’s Empire (transfer ~160 km)
We now head to the legendary Karakorum - the capital of the 13th-century Mongol Empire, founded in the time of Genghis Khan and the political centre of a vast state stretching from Asia to Europe. It was from here that one of the largest empires in world history was governed.
We will visit Erdene Zuu Monastery - the first major Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded in 1586 partly from the stones of ancient Karakorum. Behind its white walls and stupas lies an important part of the country's spiritual history.
We will also visit the archaeological museum of Karakorum, which houses finds from the ancient capital: everyday objects, crafts, jewellery and artefacts from the time of the Mongol Empire. It is the best way to picture what Karakorum looked like in the age of great conquests.
Day 11
26.06.2026
Hustai Nuruu National Park (transfer ~260 km)
We conclude our journey with a visit to Khustain Nuruu National Park, home to the famous Przewalski's horses - the only surviving species of truly wild horses. Once extinct in the wild, Mongolia became the key site for their successful reintroduction.
During the drive through the park we will admire the steppe scenery and, if we are lucky, see herds of horses in their natural habitat, as well as deer, marmots and other wildlife.
Today there will also be an optional horseback ride. For many guests this is a particularly vivid experience - galloping across the open steppe and feeling just how deeply Mongolian culture is bound to the horse.
Day 12
27.06.2026
Return to Ulaanbaatar
Today we return to Ulaanbaatar, but before that the route will end with a vibrant immersion in Mongolian traditions - a mini Naadam festival. This is a chance to see the country's main cultural symbols all in one place and in the lively atmosphere of a celebration.
There will be spectacular Mongolian wrestling, archery competitions, horse performances, national music and elements of traditional nomadic life. You can also see crafts, ancient costumes and ceremonies that have accompanied steppe peoples' lives for centuries.
In the evening we arrive in the capital, check in to the hotel, enjoy a farewell dinner and rest.
Day 13
28.06.2026
Departure Home
Today is our final day in Mongolia. After breakfast - transfer to the airport and departure home. We say goodbye to the land of boundless steppes, nomadic traditions, the Gobi Desert and vast skies. Until we meet again, Mongolia!
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club-family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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