1 Week in Mongolia - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Mongolia's Natural Landscapes & Rich Culture

Dive into Mongolia's natural beauty and cultural heritage on this well-rounded highlights tour, which includes visits to national parks and a guided tour of the capital, Ulaanbaatar. First-time visitors can get a good intro to Mongolia through street food tastings in Narantuul Market, monastery and museum visits in Ulaanbaatar, a hike up Mount Tsetsee Gun, an overnight at a ger camp, an encounter with wild horses in Hustai National Park, and a camel ride across the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes.

On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you'll familiarize yourself with Mongolian history at the National Museum of Mongolia then sample huushuur (deep-fried meat pie) and other street eats at the Narantuul Market. In the morning, your driver will take you to the 131-foot (40 m) Chinggis Khaan Statue on your way to Terelj National Park. Here, you'll go horseback riding and pause for reflection at the Ariyabala Meditation Temple. Then, you'll head to Bogd Khan Uul National Park, where you'll search for musk deer or arctic hare on a trek up Mount Tsetseeg Gun. After your 10-hour hike, get some rest at a camp in Argalant.

Continue to Hustai National Park to observe the endangered takhi horses before making the four-hour journey to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. You'll have time to check out the stone sculptures at the 16th-century Erdene Zuu Monastery, then hit the road for the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes, where you'll learn about nomadic life from a local family and ride camels at sunset. Finally, your driver will bring you back to Ulaanbaatar, where you can shop for cashmere souvenirs and watch a performance by the Tumen-Ekh ensemble before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Hiking Adventure in Central Mongolia

This active southern Mongolia itinerary is ideal for avid hikers and outdoorsy travelers interested in nomadic culture. After visiting the museums, galleries, and monasteries of Ulaanbaatar, you'll hike in Bogd Khan National Park, observe wild horses in Khustai National Park, stargaze in Orkhon Valley, and trek to the UNESCO-listed Tuvkhun Monastery. Throughout your journey, you'll have a chance to overnight in traditional ger camps, learn about daily life from nomadic families, and sample Mongolian dishes. 

Experience the mix of traditional and modern in Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar with a guided tour that includes a visit to the Gandan Monastery and free time to wander the markets and browse contemporary art at the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery. The next day, you'll leave the city behind and take a hike in Bogd Khan National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch on a tranquil mountain. Continue to Khustai National Park, where you'll set off on a guided evening walk to observe endangered wild horses before returning to a ger (traditional yurt camp) for dinner and a peaceful night's sleep. 

In the morning, your driver will take you to the Ursa Major Geolodge in Orkhon Valley. Here, you'll feast on khorkhog (lamb cooked on stones) and spend a day with a nomadic family of yak and horse breeders who'll teach you how to milk a horse or yak and help with chores. As night falls, you'll try huushur (fried mutton), enjoy traditional music, and stargaze with the camp's telescope. Rise early and be rewarded with views of the Khangai Mountains as you hike to Tuvkhun Monastery. Your journey concludes with a camel ride on the Bayan Gobi dunes and a cooking lesson with a nomadic family. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Experience Mongolia's Capital & the Golden Eagle Festival

Culture enthusiasts keen on spending time with eagle hunters will appreciate this Golden Eagle Festival experience. After an introduction to Mongolian history and heritage on a guided tour of Ulaanbaatar, you'll spend a couple of days at the annual Golden Eagle Festival at Tolbo Lake, interacting with Kazakh eagle hunters and watching them showcasing their skills through various competitions. This trip is also an excellent opportunity for photographers to capture the ancient tradition of eagle hunting and the unique relationship between the hunters and their eagles. 

After touching down in Ulaanbaatar, you'll have some free time to explore the city on your own, perhaps shopping for handcrafted goods and tasting buuz (steamed lamb or beef-filled dumplings) and other local favorites at the Narantuul Market. In the morning, your guide will introduce you to some of the city's history and heritage on a tour that includes time to view traditional clothing and ceremonial objects at the National Museum of Mongolia. Afterward, you'll catch a flight to Ölgii, where a driver will take you to Sagsai to meet the Kazakh eagle hunters and learn about the tradition of training eagles to hunt.

The next two days will be spent at the annual Golden Eagle Festival, a celebration of the ancient tradition, at Tolbo Lake. You'll have the chance to dive deeper into the culture as you interact with eagle hunters and watch them demonstrate their skills in a series of contests. You can also join in some games and attend a Kazakh folk concert. The final leg of your journey brings you back to Ulaanbaatar, where you'll visit Zaisan Memorial Hill to pay your respects and enjoy the city views, enjoy a folk performance depicting Mongolian culture, and indulge in one last hearty Mongolian meal. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Active Adventures in Mongolia: Mountains, Glaciers & Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

Experience the rugged landscapes of Mongolia firsthand on this adventurous expedition. The blend of physical challenges and cultural experiences includes a hike along Potanin Glacier, a trek to the summit of Malchin Peak, a visit to a local Kazakh family to see their trained golden eagles, and an exploration of cultural history in Ulaanbaatar. You'll also have two opportunities to browse Buddhist art—at Choijin Lama Temple Museum and the Winter Palace. 

Kick off your adventure in Ulaanbaatar, where your guide will provide historical context as you tour the city, stroll the Main Square, and browse the collection of Buddhist art and artifacts at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. On your second day, you'll return to the airport for your flight to Ölgii in western Mongolia. After dinner at your campsite, you'll turn in early to rest up for your trek. In the morning, you'll set off through high mountain terrain, crossing marshes and streams en route to your base camp at Tavan Bogd Peak. The next day, you'll hike along the Potanin Glacier and then ascend Malchin Peak. 

After enjoying views of glaciers and nearby Russian territory from the top, you'll return to your camp for dinner and one more night in the wilderness. From there, your driver will bring you back to Ölgii, stopping to visit a Kazakh family and marvel at their trained golden eagles in action. Your last full day in Mongolia will be spent back in Ulaanbaatar, where you can admire more Buddhist art at the Winter Palace, learn more about the Mongolian Empire at the Chinggis Khaan Museum, and shop for souvenirs. Learn more

More Great 7-Day Mongolia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mongolia? Check out these other 7-day Mongolia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.