Stargazing in Mongolia.
Sleep under a million stars
Overview
Our Stargazing in Mongolia program is an immersive 11-day adventure for students aged 11–18 who are curious about the world, nature and different ways of life. Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar, the route travels through Semi-Gobi landscapes, volcanic plateaus, alpine lakes and desert dunes, with multiple nights far from light pollution for unforgettable stargazing.
Key Features
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Camel Trek Across the Gobi
Ride together as a team through Mongolia’s huge sand dunes and open grasslands. Feel the desert wind, spot animals that survive the extreme, and learn how nomads and camels work together to cross the wild. -
Hike Around a Volcanic Lake
Explore real lava rocks, crater landscapes, and mountain trails near one of Mongolia’s most beautiful lakes. No pictures in a book — you’ll touch the geology, take field notes, and see how fire and ice built the land. -
Live in a Traditional Ger
Sleep and eat inside Mongolia’s iconic circular tents, built like nomadic homes. Share stories at night, work practically as a group, and experience life far from city lights and Wi-Fi. -
Stargaze at Milky-Way Level
Mongolia has some of the darkest, clearest night skies on the planet. You’ll learn constellations, track how the sky moves, and see the Milky Way stretched above you like a glowing space highway.
All-Inclusive Value: From program materials to entry fees, everything is covered to ensure a hassle-free experience for parents and participants.
Stargazing Masterclass with a Space Expert
Learn the universe from a real space professional or analogue astronaut (someone who trains for space missions on Earth!). Use telescopes and laser star pointers to map constellations, planets, and star movement across the sky. Ask scientific questions and think like future explorers while spotting the Milky Way blazing overhead in one of the darkest skies on Earth. It’s science, adventure and imagination combined - and hearing space stories from someone who lives the mission makes it feel like you’re training for the stars yourself. Get ready for goosebumps, gasps and the coolest night of your life!
Field Study at Zavkhan Desert Lake
Investigate a rare desert–lake interface ecosystem where aeolian (wind-driven) sand systems meet a freshwater body. Students observe dune morphology, sediment layers, and ripple structure to understand wind transport and deposition. Learners compare sand grain size changes from crest to shore and record evidence of desertification pressures on lake ecology. Basic environmental measurements like air/soil temperature, habitat observations, and evaporation effects help turn the site into real field science.
Volcanic Landscape Geo-Exploreration
Explore an inactive volcanic terrain and document magmatic landforms built from historic eruptions. Students classify volcanic rock types, observe vesicle density in lava samples, and analyze how cooling rate influenced surface texture. Learners identify crater morphology, lava flow indicators, and depositional patterns to interpret past eruption dynamics. Observations are linked to regional volcanism and long-term landscape evolution shaped by tectonics, magma activity, and erosion.
Start Your Expedition
Intro from a Space Expert
Unlock your potential with daily guidance from a real Space Science Expert, exploring the universe from one of the darkest skies on Earth - a learning experience found nowhere else in the world!
This high-energy expedition ignites STEM curiosity through real field science, astronomy sessions, and expert space mission insights, all delivered in a hands-on outdoor classroom.
No other program brings space science, geology, desert-lake ecosystem studies, and mentorship together like this - it’s bold, real, and built for young explorers ready for adventure!
Dates: October 16-26, 2026
Custom dates available on request, Minimum student number of 12 applies
Cost: $6,900 Fully Inclusive
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Live and sleep in traditional gers with local families.
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Observe daily life of herder nomads - animal care, food, traditions and hospitality.
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Reflect on similarities and differences between students’ own lifestyles and nomadic ways of living.
Cultural Intelligence & Global Citizenship
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See first-hand how semi-desert, steppe, mountains and lakes connect in one country.
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Explore volcanic landscapes, hot springs, rivers and canyons, building real-world geography knowledge.
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Discuss climate, water, land use and nomadic herding in a fragile environment.
Environmental & Geographical Understanding
Life Skills & Personal Growth
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Practice teamwork when setting up camp, helping with group tasks and supporting others on hikes.
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Build resilience on long travel days and in remote settings with limited comforts.
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Improve communication, problem-solving and confidence through daily briefings, reflections and group challenges.
Where will we stay?
Students experience a mix of comfort and authenticity:
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Ulaanbaatar – Hotel/Hostel on the first night and before departure.
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Family Ger Stays in the Semi-Gobi and other rural locations where students share space, meals and stories with local hosts.
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Tourist Ger Camps at Shiveet Mankhan, Telmen Lake and Ulaagch Khar Lake, combining the traditional ger experience with organized facilities.
Rooms are shared by gender, and staff stay onsite with the group.
Where will we study?
Our classroom is the Mongolian landscape - a real outdoor lab for Earth and Space science.
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Semi-Gobi desert and open steppe for camel trekking and ecosystem transition research
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Tsenkher Hot Springs to study geothermal heat chemistry and energy science
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Great White Lake & volcanic terrain to classify igneous rocks, lava textures and crater morphology
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Telmen, Ulaagch Khar & Zavkhan Desert Lake to investigate hydrology, evaporation stress, and desert–lake interactions
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Chuluut River Canyon & the Khangai Mountains for fluvial erosion, sediment deposition and river incision studies
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Stargazing Science Sessions on Evenings at selected low-light sites, students observe stellar motion, map 8-10 constellations, study planet visibility cycles, and analyze sky clarity variables like humidity and air density. Guided by a Space Science Expert, learners track the night-sky across 3-4 evenings to capture astronomy data and witness the Milky Way with the naked eye, turning the universe into the ultimate field study.
Who is leading the program?
Dr. Derrick Lim, an accomplished engineer, researcher, educator, and entrepreneur, boasts extensive experience leading innovative education programs with SkillUp Education over the years.
Specializing in STEM and space initiatives, he has organized global high-impact programs for students, including immersive space camps in Thailand and international trips. As founder of Natureverse Thailand, he integrates his passion for astronomy into hands-on learning.
Find Dr. Lim on Linkedin
What do participants get?
Signed completion certificate
All participating students receive a personally signed certificate from a NASA astronaut.
Signed program T-Shirt
Get your exclusive signed program T-Shirt; which serves as an iconic symbol, and commemorates your achievements on the program.
Exclusive Expedition Photo Pack
Students receive a curated digital album of high-quality photos capturing desert treks, volcanic fieldwork, teamwork moments, and Mongolia’s epic night skies.
INCLUSIONS
Flights
Return economy class airfare to Ulaanbaatar from one of our hubs is included in the price. Students will fly with a chaperone from one of our main hub airports to the Mongolia and back again
*Flight surcharges may apply for bookings outside of South East Asia and East Asia
Meals
All meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, are included, featuring healthy, balanced options with fresh ingredients to fuel your teen's adventures and learning.
All venue tickets
All venue tickets to museums, national parks, volcanic lake sites, canyon viewpoints, and organized stargazing fields are included. This means seamless entry to every educational and adventure-packed location, keeping the mission smooth and the science uninterrupted.
Insurance
Comprehensive insurance, for medical emergencies, travel disruptions, and liability, is included, ensuring your teen's safety and providing parents with complete peace of mind throughout the program.