Itinerary
14 Days in Mongolia: Gobi, Orkhon Valley and Arkhangai
Short answer
Two weeks lets you see the Gobi and Central Mongolia at a sane pace: fly to Dalanzadgad, then drive north through Yolyn Am, Khongoryn Els (2 nights), Bayanzag, Ongi, Kharkhorin, the Orkhon Valley (2 nights), Tsenkher hot springs, Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake and back via Ögii Lake and Hustai. Add Khövsgöl only with 16+ days and a flight back from Mörön.
Key facts
- Length
- 14 days
- Route
- Ulaanbaatar → Dalanzadgad → Yolyn Am → Khongoryn Els → Bayanzag → Ongi → Kharkhorin → Orkhon Waterfall → Tsenkher → Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake → Ögii Lake → Hustai NP
- Driving load
- Heavy
- Pace
- Steady — mostly 4–6 h drives, three rest days
- Good for
- First-time visitors with time, Photographers, Families with older children, Couples
Fourteen days is long enough to see the Gobi and Central Mongolia without the trip becoming one long drive. The flight to Dalanzadgad removes the dullest stretch, and three no-driving days give the trip a rhythm.
Why this shape
- Fly south, drive north: the overland route from the Gobi to Central Mongolia via Ongi is interesting; the paved road from UB to the Gobi isn’t.
- Two nights at the dunes and in the Orkhon Valley.
- Hot springs at the midpoint of the driving.
- Gentle finish via Ögii Lake and Hustai.
The honest trade-off
Even with the flight, you’ll spend around 45–55 hours in the vehicle over two weeks. That’s Mongolia. Choose comfortable camps and a good vehicle.
Adding Khövsgöl
If the lake is a priority, you need more time (about 16 days) or should replace the Gobi section with Khövsgöl — see 10 days: Central + Khövsgöl and Gobi vs Khövsgöl.
Day by day
Day 1
Ulaanbaatar
Arrival, museums, money and SIM.
Day 2
Fly to Dalanzadgad → Yolyn Am
Your crew drove down the day before. Afternoon in the Yolyn Am gorge.
Day 3
→ Khongoryn Els
To the dunes.
Day 4
Khongoryn Els
Camels, dunes, herders.
Day 5
→ Bayanzag
Flaming Cliffs at sunset.
Day 6
→ Ongi
Monastery ruins by the river.
Day 7
→ Kharkhorin
Erdene Zuu Monastery, museum.
Day 8
→ Orkhon Valley
Into the upper valley.
Day 9
Orkhon Valley
Riding, waterfall, Tövkhön Monastery.
Day 10
→ Tsenkher Hot Springs
Soak after a week on the road.
Day 11
→ Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Khorgo volcano and the lake.
Day 12
→ Ögii Lake
Back east to a quiet steppe lake with good birdlife.
Day 13
→ Hustai National Park
Evening takhi watching.
Day 14
→ Ulaanbaatar
Final afternoon in the city. Fly home on day 15.
Ask about this itinerary We'll adapt it to your dates, group and pace.
Questions travelers ask
Can I add Khövsgöl to a 14-day trip?
Only by dropping something. A common version skips the return east and goes Terkhiin Tsagaan → Khövsgöl (two days) → fly back from Mörön, which needs about 16 days in total.
Is two weeks too long for Mongolia?
Not at all. Two weeks is when Mongolia stops feeling rushed. Many travelers wish they'd had more time at the dunes or in the Orkhon Valley.
Mongolia Relay
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