Explore the Highlights of Mongolia on a fascinating self drive tour!

Highlights of Mongolia

01 Start

This self-drive Mongolia tour takes you through the most impressive landscapes of central Mongolia in ten days – from the vast steppes around Ulaanbaatar to the green Orkhon Valley and the tranquil lakes of the Arkhangai region.

Shortly after your arrival, you will experience your first spectacular impressions of granite formations, open valleys, and nomadic culture with the monumental Chinggis Khan statue and Gorkhi Terelj National Park.
As you continue your journey, you will discover the country’s diverse geology: the striking rock formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, the gentle dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai, and the vast river landscapes of the UNESCO-protected Orkhon Valley. Along the way, you will meet nomadic families, experience traditional ways of life, and enjoy the special silence and vastness of Mongolian nature.
The trip combines active nature experiences with cultural highlights: hikes through volcanic landscapes, relaxation in the hot springs of Tsenkher, a visit to the historic capital Karakorum, and the Erdene Zuu monastery. At Lake Ugii, you can enjoy peaceful sunsets and excellent bird watching opportunities before seeing the rare Przewalski’s horses in the wild in Khustai National Park.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to discover the famous highlights of Mongolia in a flexible and intensive way. You drive independently, but are accompanied by a detailed briefing and remote support, and travel through constantly changing landscapes – from steppes and sand to river valleys and alpine plateaus. A journey full of contrasts, nature experiences, and authentic encounters that provides a deep insight into the original heart of Mongolia.

1.1 Why choose this tour?

This self-drive journey is ideal for travelers looking for:

  • Exploring many of Mongolia’s most famous attractions like the Chinggis Statue, Orkhon valley, Kharakorum & Erdene Zu Monastery, Northern Gobi and more
  • Remote overlanding in SIXT-maintained 4×4 Mongolia rentals like Toyota Land Cruisers

  • Authentic cultural encounters with nomadic families

  • A balanced mix of camping, local stays, and frontier towns

  • Spectacular driving stages through Mongolia’s open and vast steppes

With GPS-mapped routes, pre-arranged camps and stays, and optional support vehicle service, this adventure delivers maximum independence with professional support.

02 Overview

  • Style: Self-Drive
  • Terrain: Asphalt, Dirt Tracks, Sandy Tracks, Sand Dunes
  • Tour Level: 3

Our tour levels are graded from 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging), with each level reflecting the complexity and challenge based on multiple factors.

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4
2
3

From:  2,500

11 Days

1400 KM

03 Itinerary

Chinggis Khaan Statue

Day Arrival in Mongolia - Chinggis Statue and Terelj

  • Lodge
  • Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle pickup. Visit the Chinggis Khan Statue and drive to Gorkhi-Terelj.

Bagaa Gazriin Chuluu

Day Driving to the edge of the Gobi

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Drive south across the steppe to the granite rock formations of Northern Gobi Desert.

Altan Els Northern Sand Dunes in Mongolia on 3 weeks Mongolia tour

Day Conquering Gobi sand dunes

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Offroading to the “Mini Gobi” sand dunes. Visit a nomadic family and enjoy a sunset camel ride.

Orkhon valley on the Mongolia self drive tour

Day Off Road to Orkhon Valley - UNESCO World Heritage

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Drive on remote tracks to the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley.

Day Exploring Orkhon Valley

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Free day for hiking, horseback riding, or visiting Orkhon Waterfall.

chairs in a room with a hot spring

Day Swimming in Hot Springs

  • Lodge
  • Drive over a mountain range and relax at the natural hot springs.

kharkorum monastery with a large doorway

Day Visiting the capital of the Mongolian Empire

  • Camping or Hotel
  • Continue to Karakorum and visit Erdene Zuu Monastery in the ancient capital.

A vast lake with a hill in the background beneath a blue sky full of clouds in Northern Mongolia

Day Ugii lake shore relaxation

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Visit the oldest turkish script on rocks and explore lake Ugii.

Day Wild horses National Park

  • Camping or Ger Camp
  • Wildlife watching of wild horses, deer and gazelles in Khustai.

Day Ulaanbaatar

  • Hotel
  • Arrive at the modern capital city Ulaanbaatar and enjoy its vibrant city life.

Best flight from Europe to Mongolia is from Germany Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar

Day Departure

  • Airporttransfer to Ulaanbaatar International Airport and your departure from Mongolia.

04 Contact Us

It's natural for you to have questions, and our team is here to answer them!

Complete the form or choose one of the options below to let us know how we can help you have the most amazing time in Mongolia.

Request a callbackSend us an emailRead our FAQs

05
What's Included

5.1 Basics

Prepare to immerse yourself in everything Mongolia has to offer, as we take care of every detail for you to simply unwind and enjoy!

  • Around-the-clock Remote Support
  • Detailed Route Map
  • Complete Camping Gear

Our goal is to make your journey purely about adventure and completely free of any inconvenience!

5.2 Car

Feel confident driving anywhere in Mongolia with our modern rugged and reliable range of off-road rental cars for Mongolia. We offer a variety of models; choose the one that suits you best.

Standard
UAZ
Patriot

Premium
Toyota
Land Cruiser 76

Luxury
Toyota
Land Cruiser 250

5.3 Accommodation

5.4 Acccommodation

Dive into a unique blend of comfort and adventure with our thoughtfully selected accommodations. From cozy hotel stays that bookend your journey to serene nights camping under the vast Mongolian sky and authentic experiences in traditional Ger camps, each night is an invitation to connect deeply with the land's spirit and tranquility. Your rest is as adventurous as your days, ensuring a journey that touches the soul.

5.4 Not Included

5.3 Not Included

We aim to make your trip as easy and enjoyable as possible, and we're always on hand to answer questions or provide assistance. However, please note that you will need to manage your own food and fuel needs during the journey.

  • Mongolia vacationBagaa Gazriin Chuluu

    Nature's Nomad

  • Staying in a mongolian ger yurt is best to experience nomadic cultureMongolian yurts in countryside Terelj National Park, Mongolia

    Mixed Nomad

  • The view from a balcony at a mountain lodge in Northern Mongolia with a snow covered landscape

    Comfort Nomad

(Click to view summary)

07 Book Now

7.1 Choose your dates

View Booking

Our tours are designed for one or two people in each car. You can add backseat passengers below for €2,400 per person. For those traveling alone, there will be an extra charge of €2,000 on your final bill. Custom dates can be given during the checkout. If you want a customized tour, please use the form below.

Read our Booking Terms & Conditions here.

Not Included

Package does not include a 4,000,000MNT car rental deposit, flight to Mongolia, visa fees, or any travel and health insurance. Remember to arrange these separately for a smooth journey!

7.2 Upgrade your ride

  • Our standard car is the rugged and reliable UAZ Patriot

  • Upgrade To Toyota Land Cruiser 250

    Offroad in luxury with a state of the art 2024 Land Cruiser 250

  • Upgrade To Toyota Land Cruiser 76

    Upgrade to the legendary Landcruiser 76

7.3 Upgrade your Trip

  • Insurance Upgrade

    Loss Damage Waiver with reduced excess to 503EUR, Gravel Protection, Sand and Ash Protection, Tire and Windshield Protection, Roadside Protection.

  • Backseat Passenger

    Add up to two additional passengers per car

  • Driver Service

    Sit back and relax as a SIXT professional driver takes you on your adventure (price per day).

08 Custom Tours

09 FAQs

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