Chinggis Khan Statue & Turtle Rock day tour from Ulaanbaatar

See three landmark sites in one day without arranging your own transport

A full-day guided tour from Ulaanbaatar visits the world's largest equestrian statue, a granite Turtle Rock formation in Terelj National Park, and a Buddhist meditation temple in the mountains. The itinerary includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide in English or Russian, lunch in a traditional Mongolian ger, and entry to the temple. The Chinggis Khan Statue Complex entry and any optional activities like horseback riding or camel rides are paid separately on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chinggis Khan Statue and Aryabal Temple

• Pick up from hotel in Ulaanbaatar
• Arrive at Chinggis Khan Statue complex
• Optional horse or camel ride and photo with eagle
• Drive to Terelj National Park
• Arrive at Turtle Rock formation
• Drive to Aryabal Meditation Temple
• Explore Aryabal Meditation Temple and enjoy views
• Drive back to Ulaanbaatar
• Lunch in Mongolian Ger
• Drop off at hotel in Ulaanbaatar

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Ulaanbaatar hotel between 7:15 and 8 a.m., then drives to the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, where you'll see the 40-meter equestrian statue. The world's largest of its kind. Inside the complex is an archaeology museum and a photo area where you can wear traditional Mongolian clothes. From there, the route heads 65 kilometers northeast to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, a landscape of granite mountains, forest-covered slopes, and wildflower meadows. You'll stop at the 24-meter Turtle Rock, a distinctive stone formation that rises from the park floor.

After Turtle Rock, the tour continues to Aryabal Meditation Temple, a Buddhist site nestled in the mountains where you can walk the temple grounds and take in views across the surrounding peaks. The guide will explain Buddhist traditions and the temple's role in the region. Lunch happens back in Ulaanbaatar around 1 p.m., served inside a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt), where you'll eat local food. The day ends with drop-off at your hotel by 3 p.m. The entire outing runs six to seven hours, with a professional driver and guide who speaks English or Russian. The vehicle is a comfortable sedan or SUV with full insurance.

Optional activities (horseback riding, camel rides, or a photo with an eagle) are available at the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj. You pay the owners directly in cash on the spot. Entry to the Aryabal temple is also paid separately on arrival. The tour suits travelers of all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ulaanbaatar.
• professional guide fluent in English or Russian.
• comfortable sedan or SUV with full insurance.
• lunch served in a traditional Mongolian ger.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 17.50

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by MJ

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit three major monuments and a monastery in one day with a group following set times, rather than coordinating your own transport and route.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chinggis Khan Statue, and why is it on this tour?

The Chinggis Khan Equestrian Statue is a 40-meter monument to the Mongol Empire founder and holds the title of world's largest equestrian statue. The complex includes an archaeology museum and a photo area where visitors can dress in traditional Mongolian clothes, making it a major stop on any Ulaanbaatar day tour.

How far is Terelj National Park from Ulaanbaatar, and what will I see there?

Terelj National Park lies 65 kilometers northeast of the city. The park features granite mountains with forest-covered northern slopes, wildflower meadows, and distinctive rock formations, including the 24-meter Turtle Rock that the tour visits.

What happens at Aryabal temple, and how much time do I spend there?

Aryabal Meditation Temple is a Buddhist site in the mountains where you explore the temple complex, learn about Buddhist traditions, and enjoy views across the peaks. The tour arrives around 11:30 a.m. and departs by 12:30 p.m., giving roughly an hour at the site.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch is included and served around 1 p.m. in a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) with local Mongolian dishes. You pay separately for the meal itself if you choose to order anything beyond what is offered.

Can I ride a horse or camel, or take a photo with an eagle on this tour?

Yes, both activities are available at the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex and in Terelj National Park. You arrange and pay the owners directly in cash on the day. Costs range from 10,000 to 30,000 tugrik depending on the activity.

What are the entry fees I need to pay separately?

Entry to the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex costs 30,000 tugrik for adults, and entry to Aryabal temple costs 5,000 tugrik for adults. Both are paid on arrival at each site.