- Mongolia Escorted Tours
- Mongolia: The Lands of Genghis Khan with Istanbul City Stay
Travel across the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert, the great green steppes, and the striking forests of Mongolia. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural landscapes and explore countless natural wonders as you live the nomadic life, under a serene and starry sky and follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan on this incredible in-depth tour of Mongolia.
Situated with one foot in Europe and one in Asia, Istanbul is a fascinating mixing pot of cultures, sounds and experiences. Explore this enigmatic city for yourself during this extension.
Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Ulaanbaatar.
Lunch & Dinner
On arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel to rest for the morning. Enjoy lunch in a Mongolian restaurant. Visit the National History Museum and Sukhbaatar Square where Mongolia’s independence was proclaimed in 1921. In the afternoon, explore Bogd King Palace, a large complex that was the winter home of Mongolia`s last king, and the third line in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the Gandan monastery – the largest Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, housing over 500 monks. The full name of Gandan is Gandantegchilen which translates as ‘the great place of complete joy.’ Travel to Gun Galuut Nature Reserve via the imposing Chinggis Khan Statue Complex. Take a stroll along the Kherlen River.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit Ikh-Gun and Ayaga lakes to witness the incredible birdlife, including majestic white cranes. Stop off for a visit with a nomadic family to taste the local dairy products, airag is a traditional fermented dairy drink made from mare's milk is produced during the Autumn Months. Airag offers a unique taste and a range of health benefits, and is an important part of the culture for many Central and East Asian peoples.
Continue into the nature reserve in search of the elusive Ibex, a species of wild goat known for its impressive climbing abilities and majestic horns. As you explore the stunning landscapes, keep an eye out for other wildlife such as eagles, foxes, and various bird species that inhabit this rich ecosystem.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, located in the Middle Gobi. This destination features a unique rock formation and a range of canyons, caves, and a solitary lake. The area is known for its stunning geological features and offers a serene environment far from any light pollution. At night, enjoy the clear canvas of stars in the glittering night sky, providing an unforgettable stargazing experience.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, continue your journey through the Middle Gobi to the dramatic white limestone cliffs of Tsagaan Suvraga, believed to be over 10 million years old. These ancient formations offer breathtaking views and a glimpse into the geological history of the region. Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the stunning vistas and taking in the unique beauty of this remarkable landscape.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast you’ll start the journey to Yoliin Am in the Southern Gobi. The shimmers of heat and the vision of isolated gers and herds of camels set against glittering lakes appears as a mirage, endlessly stretching out to the horizon. Take a short walk and enjoy stunning photo opportunities at the Yol Valley, part of the Three Beauties Mountain range of the Gobi National Park. Prepare for the evening`s sunset, a magnificent moment to take away as a perfect memory of South Gobi.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, journey to Khongoryn Els, known for its towering sand dunes and stunning desert landscapes. After lunch, visit a family of camel breeders to learn about their way of life and the importance of camels in their culture. Stay overnight at a ger camp, providing a unique and authentic experience in the heart of the Gobi Desert.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Explore Mongolia's largest sand dune, affectionately known as the 'singing dune' due to the unique sound it produces when the sand is disturbed. Enjoy the beauty of the vast, clear landscapes that stretch out before you. For those feeling adventurous, climb to the very top of the dune to experience an unparalleled view of the surrounding desert.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you’ll begin your journey to the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs to witness the magnificent landscapes, and the place where the first-ever fossilised dinosaur eggs were found. The cliffs themselves are brightly coloured and completely flat on top, as rain and wind has eroded the layers which formed them from the edges. Be introduced to the history of how Roy Chapman Andrews made the ultimate discovery of fossilised dinosaur eggs and bones over a century ago.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up early to see the rising sun over the vast Gobi landscape. Afterwards, driving from the Central to the Northwest point of the Gobi, proceed to Ongyn Khiid. Located on the banks of the Ongi River, you’ll have a chance to view the ruins of two famed monasteries on your afternoon hike: the Barlim Khiid to the North, and the Khutagt Khiid to the South. Combined together, these form the complex known as Ongiin Khiid.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Get ready for another part of your adventure where you’ll explore Mongolia’s Ancient Capital City Karakorum, located in the Orkhan Valley. Chinggis Khaan chose Karakorum as the Capital of the Empire in Central Mongolia, and the surrounding Orkhon Valley was the centre of action for various nomadic dynasties that preceded the Mongol Empire, and so the area holds enormous symbolic importance. On arrival you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch that offers a taste of the local cuisine . The Orkhon River Valley is one of Mongolia’s four UNESCO World Heritage sites, and after lunch, take a walk along Orkhon river, the longest river in Mongolia. Continue on to the King’s monument, also known as the Imperial Map Monument, and take in the breathtaking panoramic views over the valley below.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the Erdenezuu Monastery, the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, established in 1585. This historic site, part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site, features impressive architecture and numerous stupas. Next, visit Turtle Rock, a striking geological formation in the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, symbolizing protection and resilience in Mongolian folklore. Continue your journey to Phallic Rock, a unique natural formation with cultural significance, often associated with fertility and local legends. Finally, explore the museum of Karakorum, which houses artifacts from various periods of Mongolian history.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you’ll be driving to the Khustai National Park; famous for the preservation of its ‘przewalski’ (wild horses) that have been re-introduced back to the natural landscapes and savannahs. The National Park is famous not only for its wild horses but for other mammals also, along with various floras and faunas. Get introduced to the National Park and proceed deep inside the park to search for the prized przewalski.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast you’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Once you’ve arrived at the city, spend a leisurely afternoon unwinding and exploring. Enjoy a colourful traditional Mongolian folk concert in the evening as you enjoy your dinner.
Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and then you are free to explore as you wish.
Breakfast
Make use of your time here and explore the fascinating city of Istanbul at your own pace. Marvel at the jawdropping Aya Sofya, lose yourself in the bustling bazaars, and sample the flavours of Turkey's delicious cuisine.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in September 2026
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Deluxe Ger Upgrade – £399 per person
Enhance your Mongolian adventure with an exclusive Deluxe Ger Upgrade.
For a supplement of £399 per person, enjoy the comfort and privacy of your own private en-suite bathroom — a luxury while travelling through Mongolia’s spectacular remote landscapes.
Only 5 deluxe gers per tour are available on each departure, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for your trip to Mongolia. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. Please Note to enter Mongolia, your passport must have an expiry date of at least 6 months after the date you arrive We strongly advise you check your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. We recommend you check with your destination's tourist board or embassy prior to departure for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
You will be travelling across the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert and it is advisable to pack a smaller/ lighter bag as you will be on and off vehicles most days with your luggage.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Mongolia: The Lands of Genghis Khan is rated Challenging. This is largely due to the driving distances on roads that are not always of a good standard and multiple one night stays in basic accommodation. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet or travelling long distances for more than four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, and may be getting on and off coaches as well as climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels and camps throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Mongolia is the Mongolian tugrik (MNT). Currency will need to be exchanged in Mongolia. US Dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended for exchange. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. While credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and larger stores in Ulaanbaatar and other tourist areas, they may not be widely accepted in more remote areas. It’s a good idea to carry cash for smaller purchases and transactions outside of major cities.
The currency in Turkey is Turkish Lira, however we recommend that you take GBP (Euros are also accepted). Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. Approximately £300- £400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases. It is at your customary/discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend to tip approximately 5 USD per person per day. This is a total of 70 USD per person to budget for tips on your trip. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your Local guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Your stay in Istanbul is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Mongolia. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Ger Camps
During this tour you will have various nights in Ger Camps. Accommodation and facilities are simple, although most camps are equipped with a toilet and shower block and have electricity running from a central generator. Individual gers are simple but always cosy and comfortable. Whilst this is a unique experience facilities in the desert are of a lower standard than those in hotels through the tour.
In the city breakfast is western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
In the countryside, meals are simple and most of are served as set menu. Some Mongolian and European meals are provided.
Vegan, vegetarian options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. 2 bottles of water are supplied per day.
Alcohol is readily available in shops, restaurants, and bars throughout the year. However, first day of every month is not available to buy alcoholic drinks.
Mongolia is primarily a Buddhist and Shamanist country. Naadam is Mongolia's largest and most significant traditional festival, usually held in June/July. It features the "Three Manly Games" of wrestling, horse racing, and archery, as well as cultural performances and celebrations. During Naadam, many businesses and government offices may close for a few days to observe the festivities.
On your arrival in Ulaanbaatar you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Travel On, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Travel On representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
On arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by the representative from our local agent, Libero Tours. Please follow these instructions when exiting arrival terminal at the airport; exit at gate number 14 and meet the local guide waiting at the Q7 meeting point.
If you have any issues or cannot find the representative please call the Emergency contact for further instructions. Contact number - + 90 549 618 1835
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Travel On Contact Number: 976 9404 4858; 77 555 222, Email Address: info@travelon.mn
Please find below the emergency contact details for Travel On Contact in Mongolia:
Telephone number 24 hr: 976 9404 4858
E-mail: ceo@travelon.mn
Istanbul City Stay:
If you need to contact a representative from Libero Tours during your stay. Contact number - + 90 549 618 1835
