Few places on the planet remain as open and untrammeled as Mongolia. Under a blue bowl of sky, wild Takhi horses—an ancient equine known as the Przewalski's horse—graze on shimmering grass that stretches to the horizon, sharing the landscape with wapiti deer and Mongolian gazelle. In the eastern Gobi steppe, Argali sheep and Siberian ibex roam while raptors glide overhead. Far to the west, the Altai Mountains rise where Mongolia, China, Russia and Kazakhstan meet. On this genuine adventure, search for wildlife among alpine tundra, granite cliffs and glacier-fed river valleys, and learn about Mongolia's enduring cultures as we meet Kazakh and Mongol nomads who live as they have for centuries.
Trip Highlights
Private & Scheduled Flights Maximize Time in the Wild
Private and scheduled air travel seamlessly links the rolling steppe, Eastern Gobi and Altai Mountains, so you spend more time in nature—not in transit
See Protected Wild Horses in Hustai National Park
From our camp on the periphery of the Core Zone of the national park, enjoy wildlife drives with exclusive access to areas not open to the public
Stay in Nomadic Style at Distinctive Ger Camps
Engage Mongolian tradition in three traditional ger camps, with comfortable accommodations in felted yurt-style suites inspired by classic nomadic dwellings
Why Choose Nat Hab?
The Ultimate Mongolia Encounter for Those Passionate About Nature
Mongolia is a fascinating destination for adventurers keen on discovering the unique and less-traveled. From its 5,000-year-old nomadic herding culture to its 800-year veneration of Genghis Khan, its human history is remarkable—but its natural features may hold even more allure for the nature traveler. On this one-of-a-kind itinerary, explore varied landscapes from alpine heights to desert steppe, track wolves, see the world's last true wild horses, and more. Here's what sets this trip apart:
A Unique Itinerary No One Else Offers
Over a year in the making, our itinerary has been meticulously researched and planned to highlight rare experiences in nature, a conservation focus, and small-scale authentic cultural interactions with local people. Your experience of Mongolia with Nat Hab will be very different from anything a standard commercial tour operator provides.Travel with Just 10 Guests
Your small coterie of fellow adventurers and outstanding guides ensures an exclusive, intimate and enlightening journey. Our group is limited to no more than 10 travelers, with a top Expedition Leader at the helm throughout—plus an expert local guide in each of our three main locations.Internal Flights, Including Private Charters, Maximize Your Time in Nature
Mongolia is vast and larglely undeveloped. Only recently has an international highway connecting Mongolia with Russia and China been completed to facilitate trade, and there is still no paved road that crosses Mongolia from west to east. Overland travel is typically rugged and slow. That’s why we’ve included strategic flights, including two private charters, to avoid long hours of rough driving—giving you more time for what you came for, exploring Mongolian nature.Experience Three Distinct Biomes
A biome is a large geographic region defined by its climate, vegetation and wildlife, and our itinerary encompasses three that contrast dramatically: the mountain steppe of Hustai National Park, a region of high-altitude grasslands; the Eastern Gobi steppe, an arid realm of rocky desert and shrublands; and the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, encompassing mountain subdesert and steppe, conifer forests, and alpine meadow and tundra.Exclusive Access to the Inner Sector of Hustai National Park
From our private ger camp located in the national park buffer zone, bordering the core zone that is typically the province only of researchers, we have been granted special permission to access to this area of Hustai that is off-limits to regular tourists. This means virtually private wildlife viewing, and a greater chance to see more species deep within the park.Track Gray Wolves with a Local Biologist Researcher
We’ve made special arrangements through our local connections to join a wolf biologist in a quest to view gray wolves. We’ve timed our departures for the very best time of year to see them, and with our high-powered spotting scopes in tow, our odds are very good for sightings.Small & Exclusive Accommodations in Remote Locations
Steeped in local character, our traditional ger camps offer authentic Mongolian and Kazakh design and decor while providing essential comforts, from en suite self-contained mobile port-a-potties to hot showers and hearty meals. Get a taste of rustic nomad-style life while being assured of the amenities you need. One of the three ger camps we use is private for Nat Hab guests alone.Search for Native Wildlife at Optimum Times
We choose accommodations for their proximity to wild, natural places, and we arrange our schedule to be there when wildlife is most active. This means some very early mornings, but we think you’ll agree it’s worth it. And we slot in some downtime so you can rest and recoup from your sunrise outings.Authentic Encounters with Two Unique Nomadic Cultures
Mongolia nomadic herding culture dates back some 5,000 years, although it is now in decline due to a complex mix of environmental, economic and social factors. The number of nomadic or semi-nomadic Mongolians still numbers around 40%, however, and we learn about this traditional way of life during visits with two different nomad families, one Mongol and one Kazakh. While both share similarities, including living in portable, round dwellings called gers, they differ in language, religion and other cultural aspects.Travel with Peerless Expedition Leaders
Our Nat Hab Expedition Leaders are outstanding naturalist guides who are passionate about Mongolia, its history, nature and wildlife. In addition, you’ll travel with a local Mongolian guide at each of our primary destinations, ensuring an optimal balance of scientific knowledge, authentic cultural insight and attentive personal service. Furthermore, our Expedition Leaders have the benefit of additional training and resources from WWF's renowned scientists and researchers. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Mongolia Adventure
With Nat Hab, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures Is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures its worldwide travel partner—a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
