Gobi & Orkhon Valley: Self-Launched 9-Day Mongolia Loop

Land at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and head straight out of the city (the operator does airport pickup; you can pre-arrange a driver for ~£15-20 or take the airport shuttle bus to the centre for ~£1). Meet your shared vehicle/driver and drive south into Dundgovi province (~4-5 hours, with lunch at a roadside guanz). Arrive late afternoon at Tsagaan Suvarga — the 'White Stupa' limestone cliffs, a 10km wall of layered white and pink rock riddled with fossil shells. Walk the rim at sunset, arguably the best light. Overnight in a simple ger camp nearby.

🚌Airport pickup + shared 4WD south, ~£25 pp share

🛏Ger camp near Tsagaan Suvarga (shared, ~£15-20 pp)

• →Sunset walk along Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs
• →Roadside guanz lunch stop
• →Fossil-hunting on the cliff slopes

Early start for the long drive west to Yolyn Am in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (~5-6 hours, with a stop in Dalanzadgad for supplies and an ATM). Walk the narrow canyon between towering rock walls — in early summer there can still be ice at the bottom. Look for lammergeier vultures and ibex on the cliffs. Entry to the national park is a small fee (~£3-5); a local ranger may charge a modest fee to guide the canyon walk. Overnight in a ger camp near the valley entrance.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~5-6 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp at Yol Valley (~£15-20 pp)

• →Hike Yol Valley canyon
• →Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park entry
• →Visit Dalanzadgad for supplies

Drive west to the Khongor (Khongoryn Els) dunes — the 'Singing Sands', some 100m high and 12km wide. Climb the ridge for sunset and run or slide back down. In the afternoon visit a camel-breeding herder family and take a short camel ride (arrange via your driver or the camp; ~£5-10 per person, negotiate directly). Overnight at a ger camp by the Khongor River, where you can wade or swim in the shallow channel.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~3-4 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp at Khongor (~£15-20 pp)

• →Sunset climb of Khongor dunes
• →Camel ride with herder family (~£5-10)
• →Khongor River walk

Drive north-east to Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), the red sandstone badlands where Roy Chapman Andrews' 1920s expeditions found the first dinosaur eggs. Best visited in late afternoon when the cliffs glow orange — hence the name. Explore the canyons on foot and visit the small local dinosaur museum with its fossil collection (~£2-3 entry, often cash only). Overnight in a ger camp at Bayanzag.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~3 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp at Bayanzag (~£15-20 pp)

• →Walk the Flaming Cliffs canyons
• →Dinosaur museum visit
• →Sunset photography at the cliffs

A long transit day north through the open Gobi toward the Ongi Gol river valley (~4-5 hours). Ongi was one of Mongolia's largest monasteries, destroyed in the 1930s purges; the ruins of two temple complexes (Barlim and Khutagt) still stand among the sand. Wander the rubble and restored temples, and climb the small hill for views over the valley. Watch for antelope and raptors en route. Overnight at a ger camp near Ongi.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~4-5 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp at Ongi (~£15-20 pp)

• →Explore Ongi Monastery ruins and reconstructed temple
• →Wildlife spotting from the vehicle
• →Valley viewpoint hike

Drive north into Arkhangai and the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and the cradle of nomadic Mongolia. Visit the Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon) Waterfall, a 20m drop of the Orkhon River over volcanic basalt. Walk the rim and riverside trails; fishing and rafting can be arranged locally with herders or a nearby camp (~£10-15). This is prime horse-territory — a half-day horse ride with a herder family is a highlight if you have time (~£10-20). Overnight in a ger camp or family homestay in the valley.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~4 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp / herder homestay in Orkhon Valley (~£15-20 pp)

• →Orkhon Waterfall walk
• →Hike in the Orkhon Valley
• →Optional horse riding with local herders

A shorter transfer day (~2-3 hours) to Tsenkher, where geothermal springs bubble up at 80°C+ and feed pools at the hot-spring resorts. Spend the afternoon soaking — most resorts charge a modest day-use fee (~£5-10) or a discounted rate for guests. Overnight at a hot-spring ger camp with the Khangai Mountains on the horizon.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~2-3 hrs driving

🛏Hot-spring ger camp at Tsenkher (~£18-25 pp)

• →Soak in Tsenkher hot spring pools
• →Khangai Mountains views
• →Evening walk in the valley

Long drive back toward the capital (~5-6 hours) to Khustai National Park, the reintroduction site of the Przewalski's horse (takhi), the world's only truly wild horse. Enter with your driver, pay the park fee (~£5-8) and look for takhi herds, red deer and marmots in the steppe. Best sightings are early morning or late afternoon, so if you're running late, plan a dawn game drive the next morning. Overnight in a ger camp just outside the park.

🚌Shared 4WD, ~5-6 hrs driving

🛏Ger camp near Khustai (~£15-20 pp)

• →Khustai National Park wildlife drive
• →Spot wild Przewalski's horses
• →Steppe walk

Short drive back into Ulaanbaatar by mid-morning (~2 hrs). Visit the Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum (the last king's palace, ~£5 entry) and wander the State Department Store for cashmere, leather and souvenirs. Book a traditional Mongolian dance and throat-singing (khoomei) folk performance in the evening through the State Philharmonic or a hotel desk (~£10-15). Stay in a hostel or budget hotel in the city centre rather than flying out the same night — the operator's own note is that late flights are limited.

🚌Shared 4WD to city centre (~£10-15 pp share) + walking/taxis

🛏Ulaanbaatar hostel/budget hotel, city centre (~£15-25 pp)

• →Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum
• →State Department Store shopping
• →Traditional dance and folk performance (~£10-15)