Mongolia Small Group Trips

Our Mongolia small group trips are perfect for those looking to join a small group experience but who have an issue with organised travel.

Our maximum group size is between 4 and 6 depending on the style of trip. This refreshing group size – one of the smallest in the tourism industry – makes for a much more personal experience.  It also means we can offer you as much as possible the freedom and flexibility of independent travel. It also helps to limit our impact on the local culture and environment.

But, what’s it actually like to travel with us? Graeme Allen joined us in Mongolia on our 23-day Untamed Mongolia Mongolia small group tour. These are his thoughts interspersed with those by other Untamed Mongolia EL guests.

The Philosophy Behind Our Untamed Mongolia Experience

Our 23-day Untamed Mongolia active small group experience is part of our Wild Tracks series – road trips that allow you to stay for longer and to explore deeper. Our Untamed Mongolia allows you to explore, discover and hike the striking landscapes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, the high open steppe and the spectacular lakeland and northern regions, including sacred Lake Khovsgol and the interior region of the Khoridol Saridag Mountains.

We don’t include domestic flights as emissions per kilometer for domestic flights are always much higher because such a large proportion of the flight is spent taking off and landing. Also, domestic flights inevitably involve time spent queuing and boarding, and Mongolia’s weather leads to the risk of delayed flights. In addtion, we believe that flying from place to place gives you no context of location,  no real experience of the country or the lives of the people in-between. Travelling across country slows you down and gives you time to experience the ‘places in-between’, the places and communities not actually mentioned in the guidebooks.

‘For me, the constantly changing landscapes gave the most memories.  The place I felt most moved by was the Khongoryn Els sand dunes. I think the evening of song (and vodka!) on the warm sands in the moonlight (full moon rising) with the gigantic sweep of the steppe in the background and the trillions of stars above was one of the most wonderful, atmospheric/romantic evenings I’ve ever had. Lake Khovsgol National Park and the great day we spent climbing the mountain beside it into the Khoridol Saridag and looking over the vast sweep of water into Siberia was another. But there were really so many places.  What variety!  What experiences! Graeme Allen

‘Building a small ovoo on a rocky outcrop above our last campsite at Khustain Nuruu National Park, and leaving a prayer scarf on it, was moving.  I left a large slice of myself there!!’ Graeme Allen

‘The thing I needed most and the thing I got out of my trip to Mongolia is/was the refreshment of my soul and spirit.  Living such a simple life and camping, the extreme natural beauty and the wonderful company allowed me to do that.’ Untamed Mongolia, EL guest Sarah Cutler

‘My favourite Mongolian cultural experience was probably sharing airag (fermented mare’s milk) in a ger and getting the feel of the life of the herdsman/woman/children at the same time was special.  But all my visits to ger encampments were memorable.’ Graeme Allen

‘There is no “if I returned”.  Let’s be positive and say “when I return …” I’d go back tomorrow if the opportunity arose.  I probably won’t get back but the 23 days I spent with you gave me the greatest life-changing experience I’ve had in my over 70 years.  I’d especially love to see some more of the Altai in the west, and some of the more remote steppe country over that way, too.’ Graeme Allen

‘The trip was flexible and took advantage of situations that presented themselves. I liked that we could go at our own pace while exploring – no group hikes with pressure to keep up. I really felt that I got to know the rhythms of the country. Nothing was contrived. We truly experienced Mongolia. You really  delivered on what you promised.’ Untamed Mongolia, EL guest Marian Herz.

‘The days in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park gorges stood out.  Seeing the form of an Ibex mountain goat high up on the rocky crags, silhouetted against the evening tones of the sky was special. I’d have to say, Jess, that what especially made the experience for me so wonderful was the way we were looked after by your team in particular.  It was such a personal trip, not stereotyped and routine as “organised” trips usually are, but giving us a sense of discovery with what often seemed unplanned variations into new areas/experiences.’ Graeme Allen

‘Thank you for keeping a good, respectful and strong relationship with the locals in order t o allow us to experience/interact with them and their lives in a genuine way. We got exactly what we expected and wished for: a beautiful overview of a very large, magnificent and wild country, the real genuine and ‘raw’ way. The true story.’ Untamed Mongolia, EL guest Violaine Coard.