Augi let us customize our private tour to be 15 days and we spent an incredible 3,700 km exploring Mongolia, and this tour was truly one of the highlights of our travels. If we had not booked a tour, we would have missed out on so much of what makes Mongolia special. The pace was relaxed, but we were always moving forward and seeing something new each day. I was traveling with my partner, but I would have felt completely safe traveling on this tour as a solo female traveler, which says a lot about how comfortable and well cared for we felt throughout the entire journey. Our guide, Augi, was absolutely awesome. He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and genuinely fun to follow. He also shared very interesting insights into both past and present-day Mongolia. He introduced us to so many aspects of Mongolian culture and even taught us how to play the traditional bone-flicking game using ankle bones from sheep. The position of the bones represents sheep, goats, horses, and camels. Our driver, Radnaa, was excellent and extremely safety-conscious. His Toyota Land Cruiser made the bouncy roads so much more bearable. Both gentlemen were always punctual each day and patient with our slower pace. One of the things I loved most about Mongolia was simply being out in the vastness of the country. There were so many incredible scenes along the way—the enormous open landscapes and the sight of even the domesticated animals wandering freely wherever they pleased. We loved meeting nomadic families and watching yaks get milked and visiting a reindeer family. These were experiences we will never forget. There were so many highlights that it is hard to choose favorites. I especially loved seeing local horses wandering freely around the grounds of Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Bogd Zonkhoba, and the Jarun Khashor Stupa. We had wonderful experiences riding camels, horses, and even motorcycles. It was also great fun trying different local foods and drinks along the way. Some of our other memorable stops included Tsagaan Suvarga (the White Stupa), the South Gobi Province Museum with its beautiful displays, the impressive Khongor sand dunes, the Khavtsgait rock paintings, and the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. We visited Ongi Monastery, which I found incredibly colorful and peaceful, and even saw gazelles running nearby. Orkhon Waterfall was another beautiful stop, as was Tövkhön Monastery, where we were fortunate to hear monks chanting inside the wonderfully colorful interior. In Kharkhorin, we visited the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery, built by the first Mongolian Tibetan Buddhist monk. We even had the opportunity to receive a monk’s blessing and the traditional tap on the head with a prayer book—an experience I will always remember. We also visited Buddha Park in Tsetserleg and Khorgo Volcano, and one of my favorite parts of the trip was Khuvsgul Lake. The speedboat ride to the island over crystal clear waters and the opportunity to make a wish at the fire-wishing rock were particularly memorable. The accommodations may vary depending on your tour, but we had some wonderful stays. I especially loved Gobi Caravanserai Lodge, where we had an amazing view of the Milky Way; Gobi Discovery Tour tourist camp; and the Secret of the Silk Road resort, which was designed in the style of a former capital building. We also enjoyed our stay at the Mandala Hotel in Erdenet. At Khuvsgul Lake, Dul Tourist Camp was another favorite. It had a fun game room where we played 9-ball, practiced mini golf, played foosball, and shot hoops. We also kayaked on the lake in clear-bottom kayaks, which was such a fun way to experience the incredible water. We took a side trip to Duut Hot Springs Resort in Tsenkher, and I highly recommend adding this if your itinerary allows. The surrounding scenery was beautiful, the springs had different temperatures, and we enjoyed a gorgeous walk to the hot spring source, where horses and goats wandered nearby. Overall, this was an unforgettable adventure through an extraordinary country. Mongolia is a place of enormous landscapes, fascinating history, incredible wildlife, rich culture, and wonderfully warm people. Having Augi as our guide and Radnaa as our driver made the entire journey even more special. We came home with so many amazing memories, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the real Mongolia—not just the famous sights, but the incredible journey between them as well. Augi is also a fun photographer and gives you 1-2-3 warnings for his many many pictures and he sends to you same day. This helped so much! He also helped make my birthday special with surprise cake. 🍰 Five stars all the way! We enjoyed our 15 days so much that we have already booked other trips in Mongolia to see even more sites. 😀









