Tour Overview
Mongolia is one of the last places on Earth where the road disappears into the horizon, where traffic gives way to herds of wild horses and camels, and the sheer vastness of nature makes you feel like a true explorer. Stretching across endless grasslands, dramatic deserts, rugged mountains and volcanic landscapes, Mongolia offers one of the world's most extraordinary self-drive adventures.
This 11-day self-drive takes you behind the wheel of a Toyota Land Cruiser 300, beginning in the vibrant capital of Ulaanbaatar and heading deep into the legendary Gobi Desert — the granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, the colourful cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga and the towering Khongoriin Els singing sand dunes, with exhilarating off-road driving through Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The journey then turns to Mongolia's cultural heart: Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, and the magnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery. Relax in the waters of Tsenkher Hot Springs, cross the highlands of Yak Country, and take in the extinct Khorgo Volcano and the pristine Terkhiin Tsagaan (White) Lake before returning through Khugnu Khaan Nature Reserve and Elsen Tasarkhai — Mongolia's "Mini Gobi" — and a final stop at Hustai National Park, home to the endangered, truly wild Przewalski's Horse. Expect nomadic Ger Camp stays, an experienced Indian Tour Manager, local guide, mechanic, support vehicles and a dedicated chef — every detail handled so you can focus on the adventure.
Route Map
Day-by-Day Itinerary
| Day | Date | Route | Activity | Meals | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sep 20 | Arrival in Ulaanbaatar | Arrival | Meals included — Dinner | — km |
| Day 2 | Sep 21 | Ulaanbaatar → Mandalgovi | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 380 km |
| Day 3 | Sep 22 | Mandalgovi → Dalanzadgad | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 400 km |
| Day 4 | Sep 23 | Dalanzadgad → Khongoriin Els | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 300 km |
| Day 5 | Sep 24 | Khongoriin Els → Arvaikheer | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 450 km |
| Day 6 | Sep 25 | Arvaikheer → Tsenkher Hot Springs | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 300 km |
| Day 7 | Sep 26 | Rest day at Tsenkher Hot Springs | Rest Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | — km |
| Day 8 | Sep 27 | Tsenkher Hot Springs → Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 300 km |
| Day 9 | Sep 28 | Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake → Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 363 km |
| Day 10 | Sep 29 | Elsen Tasarkhai → Hustai National Park → Ulaanbaatar | Driving Day | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 350 km |
| Day 11 | Sep 30 | Departure from Ulaanbaatar | Departure | Meals included — Breakfast | — km |
Vehicle Options
-
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Automatic
Tour Inclusions
- Toyota Land Cruiser 300 4x4 Automatic transmission rental SUV for self-drive
- Limited liability damage insurance and 3rd party insurance for the rental SUV
- Fuel for the rental SUV for the entire road trip
- All road tolls and overnight parking charges wherever applicable
- Two-way radio communication handsets and satellite phone for emergencies
- 10 nights' accommodation in carefully selected hotels and traditional Ger Camps (Two people sharing a room by default. Single room upgrade available)
- All breakfasts, lunches, tea/coffee and dinners (veg/non-veg)
- Bottled drinking water throughout the expedition
- Cutlery and camping equipment for picnic lunches
- A private cook accompanying the group for the tour
- Experienced MotoRover Indian Tour Manager
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Dedicated expedition mechanic
- MotoRover lead and support cars
- Entrance fees to attractions and activities mentioned in the itinerary
- MotoRover tour merchandise
- First-aid and vehicle breakdown assistance
- Comprehensive tour information booklet
Optional Services
- Single Room Supplement $700
- Additional Night in Ulaanbaatar (Twin/Double) $200
- Additional Night in Ulaanbaatar (Single) $160
Tour Exclusions
- Domestic and international airfare to and from Mongolia
- Mongolia visa fees
- International travel insurance (mandatory)
- USD 850 refundable security deposit for rental car
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, tips
- Any food and drinks outside MotoRover's arrangements
- Tips for local guides, hotel staff or other service providers
- Traffic fines or penalties arising from violation of local driving regulations
- Expenses arising due to flight delays, natural disasters, medical emergencies or circumstances beyond MotoRover's control
- Any item not specifically mentioned under Tour Inclusions
- 5% GST and 2% TCS (TCS refundable in next ITR)
Tour Details
Food and Water
All breakfasts, lunches, tea/coffee and dinners (veg/non-veg) as per the itinerary
Accommodation
3 and 4 star hotels and traditional Ger Camps
Total Travel Distance
Approx. 2,850 Kms
Driving Time
4-6hrs every day with multiple breaks
Terrain
65% paved roads, 35% dirt trails
Air Connectivity
There are no direct flights between India and Mongolia. Air connectivity is maintained entirely through one-stop or multi-stop connecting flights, primarily routing through major East Asian, Central Asian or Middle Eastern hubs.
Weather Forecast
Late September brings crisp, sunny autumn days and sharply cold nights. Daytime temperatures in Ulaanbaatar and the central steppes average 10°C to 15°C (50°F–59°F), dropping to 0°C to -5°C (32°F–23°F) overnight. Winds are common, with early frosts or light snow in the northern regions.
Additional Costs
Airfare: INR 95,000 Onwards
Visa: Approx INR 800
Personal Travel Insurance: INR 2,000 to 3,000
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Our Traveller Testimonials
Real, verified Google reviews from travellers who have toured with MotoRover.
Once you sign up, MotoRover takes away all your worries. I have done my second driving adventure with this family to Russia during the winters, the first being the Summer Baltic Tour. The tour managers are well trained and go out of their way to look after and pamper us. What I like best is they drive us through county roads as much as possible instead of the highways — this makes the drive a lot more scenic and you get a better feel of the country you are visiting. MotoRover feeds us very well, too well in fact, and the hotels they pick are amongst the best.
This was my first ever self-drive tour experience and I am glad my wife reached out to MotoRover for the Balkan Self-Drive Tour. Route planning (detours through National Parks), properties selected for night stays, coffee breaks and meals couldn't have been better. The local guide was an experienced professional, very passionate about giving us the best experience with safety first as his guiding principle. The ever-smiling tour manager from India added to the quality of experience. But the final takeaway was the awesome camaraderie that blossomed among fellow travellers — the best return on investment! Cheers to Kabir and Piyush.
This Russia 2024 Snow Drive with MotoRover has been by far the best experience for us. From fun to adventure and getting the best weather each day made the trip just amazing. Huskies, hovercraft, snow ATV, walks on a frozen lake, a stay in igloos, reaching the edge of the world, great local food, and so much more. Also making 16 friends who were unknown before and are now like family. BIG SHOUT to team MotoRover. This Russia Tour is a MUST do before you kick the bucket!
The self-drive trip in Kyrgyzstan in June 2024 with MotoRover was an exquisite experience. The unparalleled natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan was perfectly complemented by the meticulous planning and execution of the expedition by MotoRover and its team. Pragyesh, Simon, Luda, and the other members of the team put forth their best efforts to make the entire trip memorable for all of us.
Excellent tour management and hospitality. The team really cares about its customers and goes out of the way to ensure customer comfort and experience are maintained with high benchmarks. I have been with them on the Central Asia road trip and had the best experience from booking to arrival back in India. Customers are briefed well in advance regarding itinerary, routes, travel arrangements and vehicle support — the whole experience was seamless. The biggest highlight was two 70-year-old ladies who accompanied us; Piyush and his team took extra care to ensure their comfort was a top priority. A true example of customer-first thinking. Kudos to MotoRover!