5 Days in Mongolia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Mongolia: Monasteries, Mountains & Desert Dunes

This well-rounded Mongolian highlights itinerary is a great choice for travelers seeking a mix of outdoor and cultural activities. You'll have the opportunity to overnight in traditional camps and a local family homestay, eat traditional food under the stars, visit historic sites such as Ongi Monastery, ride a camel through the "singing dunes" of Khongoryn, learn how to build a yurt, take a trek in Yolyn Am Gorge, and more. 

Kick off your trip in Kharkhorin, a former capital of the Mongolian Empire, where you'll delve into its history at the UNESCO-listed museum and the 16th-century Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery. Then, you'll head to a ger (traditional camp) for dinner under the stars and an overnight stay in a yurt. In the morning, you'll continue to Saikhaan-Ovoo for a tour of the ruins of Ongi Monastery along the river. Next, you'll hear about the lamas working to revive ancient traditions before you move on to your next ger, where you'll feast on khoorhog (roasted goat) and try your hand at building a traditional yurt.

The adventure continues with a camel ride through the Khongoryn Els Dunes, Mongolia's largest sand dunes, known as the "singing dunes" for the melodic sounds they make when the wind blows. Afterward, enjoy a traditional Mongolian meal with a local family and spend the night at their homestay. Then you're off to Yolyn Am Gorge for a trek and horseback ride through the towering canyons, keeping an eye out for ibex, argali sheep, and other wildlife. After one final night in a ger camp, your driver will bring you to the capital, Ulaanbaatar, for your departing flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Central Mongolia Explorer: National Parks, Sand Dunes & Nomadic Culture

Connect with Mongolia's cultural heritage and natural beauty on this central Mongolia-focused tour. Culture enthusiasts and history buffs will appreciate the opportunities to visit the ancient temples of Kharkhorin, browse artifacts at the National Museum of Mongolia, engage with a local horse-breeding family, and learn about nomadic life and spiritual rituals at a performance by the Tumen-Ekh ensemble. Wildlife lovers and outdoorsy travelers will enjoy sandboarding in the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes and observing the endangered takhi horses in Hustai National Park. 

Get acquainted with Mongolia's history and culture on a guided tour of Ulaanbaatar that includes a traditional lunch in a local restaurant and a stop at the National Museum of Mongolia, where you can browse the exhibits and collections of artifacts. The following morning, you'll venture to Hustai National Park to observe the endangered takhi horses that have been reintroduced thanks to the park's conservation efforts. In the afternoon, your driver will take you to the Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center for a performance that includes archery, horseback acrobatics, and traditional wrestling.

Get some rest at a camp in Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes, then head out to try sandboarding. Spend time with a nomadic horse-breeding family who'll teach you about airag, a drink made with fermented mare's milk, before continuing to Kharkhorin, where you'll tour the ancient temples and admire the religious murals. Afterward, your driver will transfer you to Ulaanbaatar for a city tour that includes a performance by the Tumen-Ekh ensemble who play traditional instruments and tell stories of nomadic life and spiritual rituals. Finally, shop for souvenirs and sample buuz dumplings at Narantuul Market. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Experience Mongolia's Danshig Naadam Festival

Travelers keen on cultural festivals should plan to visit Mongolia in August for this Danshig Naadam Festival trip. After dinner and sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar, you'll have two days at the festival in Hui Doloon Hudag to witness archery competitions, meet monks and horse trainers, and sample Mongolian snacks. You'll also have the opportunity to overnight in a yurt in Argalant before concluding the journey with a tour of Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.

On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you'll get an introduction to Mongolian culture and cuisine with a tour that includes Gandan Monastery, home to an 85-foot (26 m) gilded statue of the Buddhist sage Megjid Janraisag, and a dinner of guriltai shul (noodle soup) and other dishes at a local restaurant. In the morning, your driver will take you to Hui Doloon Hudag for the opening ceremonies of the Danshig Naadam and Khuree Tsam Festival, a celebration of Buddhism's influence in Mongolia. Here, you'll observe archery competitions and masked dancers, interact with monks, and taste local snacks from the food stalls. 

Your next stop is Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, located in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its steppe landscape. You'll have a chance to visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of Mongolia's oldest and most significant monastic sites, and check out artifacts at the Karakorum Archaeological Museum. On your final morning in Mongolia, rise early to enjoy the morning chants at Erdene Zuu Monastery before transferring back to Ulaanbaatar for departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Wildlife Tour of Mongolia: Terelj National Park & Hustai National Park

Animal lovers and outdoorsy travelers will enjoy venturing deeper into Mongolia's natural landscapes with this active national parks adventure. Highlights include a bird-watching tour in Terelj National Park, camping in traditional ger tents, a hike to Turtle Rock, and a wildlife trek to see Przewalski's horses, saker falcons, and more in Hustai National Park. In between outdoor excursions, you'll stop off at cultural landmarks like the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Aryapala Meditation Temple.

Meet your driver at the airport on arrival in Ulaanbaatar and start the drive to Terelj National Park, stopping by Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex to see the 131-foot (40 m) tall statue of Chinggis Khaan and learn some Mongolian Empire history en route. Once at the park, you'll have a chance to pause for a quiet reflection at the Buddhist Aryapala Meditation Temple and enjoy views of the Tuul River on a trek to Turtle Rock. After an overnight at a ger camp, your next day will be dedicated to bird-watching, as you follow your guide through the park in search of rare species like the Siberian rubythroat.

From there, you'll head to Hustai National Park in the Khustai Mountains to see Przewalski's horses and learn about the conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals. After another night at a ger camp, you'll take a wildlife hike to observe more horses and birds—be careful where you walk, as the park is also home to ground-dwelling birds, such as the Mongolian ground jay and the demoiselle crane. Return to the camp for dinner and your final night in nature before your driver brings you back to Ulaanbaatar. If there's time before your flight, you can visit the capital's key landmarks. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Experience Mongolia's Nomadic Culture

This Mongolian cultural experience is perfect for travelers interested in immersing themselves in the country's nomadic culture and lifestyle. After a city tour in Ulaanbaatar, you'll see wild horses at Hustai National Park and have a chance to meet a nomadic family in Terelj National Park who'll teach you about horse milking and traditional cooking. You'll also sleep in a traditional ger camp, enjoy the steppe landscape while hiking and horseback riding, and attend performances in Argalant and Ulaanbaatar that will provide you with further insight into nomadic stories and traditions. 

Start in Ulaanbaatar, where you'll experience the chants of monks while admiring the temples at Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia's largest monasteries. Next, your driver will whisk you away to Hustai National Park to trek rocky outcrops and search for wild Przewalski's horse in the steppe landscape. Then, an evening performance at the Mongol Nomadic Cultural Heritage Center in Argalant will introduce you to nomadic life through elaborate costumes, traditional wrestling, archery, and music. After a hearty breakfast at your camp the following day, you'll continue to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

You'll take a horseback ride in the park and spend time with a nomadic family who'll show you how to milk a horse and prepare traditional Mongolian dishes. They'll also demonstrate a game of shagai in which players on horseback toss sheep bones and catch them on the back of their hands. Return to Ulaanbaatar, where you'll browse royal artifacts and Buddhist artwork at Bogd Khaan's Palace Museum and visit the Soviet monument at Zaisan Memorial Hill. Finally, you'll shop for cashmere souvenirs and cap off your trip with a Mongolian feast and Tumen-Ekh performance depicting nomadic life. Learn more

More Great 5-Day Mongolia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mongolia? Check out these other 5-day Mongolia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.