10 Days in Mongolia - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Mongolia: Desert, Mountains, History & Culture

Outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and travelers interested in experiencing the varied landscapes of Mongolia will appreciate this far-reaching highlights tour. You'll have the chance to search for fossils in the Middle Gobi, hike the Yolyn Am Gorge, overnight in traditional-style ger camps, ride a camel across the Khongor dunes, catch the sunset at the Bayanzag's Flaming Cliffs, observe endangered horses in Hustai National Park, and end with a traditional folklore show in Ulaanbaatar.

Get acquainted with Mongolia's history and culture on a self-guided tour of Ulaanbaatar, perhaps stopping by the National Museum of Mongolia to check out ancient artifacts and then ending the evening with a performance at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. In the morning, your guides will take you to the Middle Gobi region, where you can hunt for fossils amid the limestone formations of Tsagaan Suvarga before settling into your ger (traditional camp) for the night. After breakfast at camp, you'll set off on a guided trek and horseback ride through Yolyn Am Gorge. 

Spend a day traversing the Khongor dunes with your guide, then embark on a camel ride before overnighting at another ger camp. Your next stop is the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, where you'll take a hike and watch the rays of the sunset light up the rock formations in a fiery spectacle. Enjoy a walk along the Orkhon River before continuing to Kharkhorin, where you'll tour the ancient ruins of Erdene Zuu Monastery. Cap off your trip with a visit to Hustai National Park to observe takhi horses, followed by a final night in Ulaanbaatar for souvenir shopping and a folklore performance. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Active Tour in Central Mongolia: Ancient Cities, Nomadic Farms & Mountain Hikes

This regionally-focused central Mongolia itinerary offers a nice mix of cultural experiences, historic sites, and outdoor activities—perfect for first-time visitors. You'll have the chance to learn about Mongolian history and art on a guided tour of Ulaanbaatar's museums and monasteries, horseback ride through Terelj National Park, engage with nomadic farming families and enjoy stargazing in Orkhon Valley, hike to the Tuvkun Monastery for some meditation, and more. 

After touching down in Ulaanbaatar, you'll have time to see Buddhist art and artifacts at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum and explore the city at your own pace. Then, you'll learn about the Mongolian Great Empire at the Chinggis Khaan Museum before transferring to Terelj National Park. Ride horses to the tortoise-shaped geological formation of Turtle Rock, then continue to Ursa Major Geolodge in the Orkhon Valley. Here, you'll learn about nomadic farming from a local family, enjoy a stargazing session at your ger camp, and swim at Orkhon Waterfall.

Next, you'll have the option to hike or horseback ride to the Tuvkun Monastery, where you can pause for a moment of meditation with views of the Khangai mountain range. Your driver will take you to Kharkhorin next, an ancient capital and cultural hub, where you can check out prehistoric tools, pottery, and more at the Karakorum Archaeological Museum. Your final full day will be spent in Ulaanbaatar, paying respects (and enjoying the city views) at Zaisan Memorial Hill and attending a folklore performance by the Tumen Ekh ensemble, depicting nomadic culture and stories through music and dance. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Experience Mongolia's Gobi Desert & Naadam Festival

Dive into Mongolian culture on this seasonal Gobi Desert trip. Highlights include watching Mongolian wrestling and archery at the annual Naadam Festival, cooking with a nomadic family, hiking to ancient petroglyphs, and riding camels across the Khongor sand dunes. You'll also participate in traditional games at the Mongol Nomadic Show and catch a performance by the Tumen Ekh ensemble. Art enthusiasts will also enjoy free time to browse ancient and modern art in Ulaanbaatar.

Kick off your adventure in Ulaanbaatar with some street food and shopping at Naran Tuul Market, followed by a guided tour of Gandan Monastery, home to the 85-foot (26 m) statue of the Buddhist sage Megjid Janraisagand. You'll then fly to Bayanzag in the Gobi Desert for a trek through Yolyn Am Gorge and a cooking experience with a nomadic family at Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. The following day, you'll head to the village of Bulgan for the opening ceremonies of the Naadam Festival, where you can witness Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and you'll find attendees dressed in traditional attire. 

Travel the shifting sands of Khongor dunes, then hike to the ancient Khavtsgait Petroglyphs. Visit a camel breeding farm where you'll hear about camels' role in nomadic culture and taste camel yogurt. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and use your free time as you wish, perhaps to view contemporary art at the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery or ancient Buddhist texts at the Mongolian National Library. Lastly, you'll make a trip to the Khustai Mountains to see endangered horses and attend the Mongol Nomadic Show, where you can participate in traditional games and listen to morin khuur (horse fiddle). Learn more

Itinerary #4: Northern Mongolia Adventure: History, Culture & Wildlife

Bring your sense of adventure on this northern Mongolia expedition, where you'll have the opportunity to visit national parks and overnight at local family homestays and yurt camps. Ideal for those interested in Buddhism and seeking a blend of cultural immersion and outdoor exploration, you'll admire the collection of Buddhist art at Aglag Buteel Monastery, go sledding or horseback riding at Lake Khuvsgul, hike the extinct volcano at Uran Uul, visit the iconic Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, and see traditional Buddhist paintings and sculptures at the Winter Palace in Ulaanbaatar.

Ease into your Mongolia journey with a free day to experience Ulaanbaatar's ancient and modern sides through its museums, historic sites, and modern restaurants serving traditional flavors. Your driver will meet you in the morning to transfer you to Aglag Buteel Monastery, where you can take in the collection of Buddhist art before spending a night in a Mongolian yurt camp. Visit Amarbayasgalant Monastery, one of Mongolia's largest Buddhist monastic centers, before moving on to Khatgal, a small village on the shores of Lake Khuvsgul, where you'll overnight in a local homestay.

Depending on the time of year, you can go horseback riding, sledding, or ice skating on Lake Khuvsgul. Then, you'll move on to Uran Uul, an extinct volcano, for a hike and homestay with a nomadic family nearby. Following that, you'll see the endangered horses of Hustai National Park before arriving at Terelj National Park for one last night in a ger camp. Finally, you'll return to Ulaanbaatar to marvel at the 150-foot (46 m) tall Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, see traditional Buddhist paintings and sculptures at the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, and indulge in one last Mongolian meal before departure. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Mongolia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mongolia? Check out these other 10-day Mongolia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.