South Gobi in Mongolia
Many people picture the Mongolian Gobi as a sandy flat area, sand dunes, barren dried mud soil, or but after they traveled Mongolia, they completely deny it and define Mongolian Gobi it supports life and is an amazingly surprising area, every day. Some parts of the Mongolian Gobi are daunting rocky mountains covered with plants. The mountainous areas have plenty of streams, springs, and wild animals while other parts have views of marvelous blue mountains combined with high and long continuing sand dunes, lush green-shored streams, and endless steppes edge with the horizon. Hundreds of sheep and goat herds, horses, cattle, and the world’s rare Bactrian camels will be seen on the prairies or among mirages in the middle of nowhere is another picture of the Mongolian Gobi. You will stay at Ger camps allow you to enjoy 360° views of the steppes most of the time. Either the nights of the Gobi are amazingly quiet and beautiful with countless bright stars. You also see amazing sunrises and sunsets in the Gobi.
Except for the natural beauty, there are plenty of activities such as hiking in the mountains, climbing sand dunes, riding two-humped camels, visiting nomads and ancient monasteries. Travel Mongolian Gobi with us and discover more of its incredible beauties.
Trip itinerary
Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Day 1. Arrive in UB, Mongolia
Transfer to the hotel. On the first day of your travels, you will be visiting the Natural History Museum. After Dinner, you have a big chance to enjoy National Folklore Concert and overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
Day 2: Start the tour to Ikh Gazariin Chuluu in Dundgobi province.
Ikh Gazariin Chuluu is a unique area of granite stone mountains. Almost all rock formations look sculpture-like. If you wish, you can see the Gobi sunrise and sunset, up and down the steppe. On our way to Ikh Gazariin Chuluu, we will see how landscapes change quickly, many herds of domesticated animals and if you are lucky some wild animals. Today will be a special day for you to get a first impression about the Mongolian Gobi desert and the first night staying in Mongolian Ger . Overnight in tourist ger camp. B+L+D
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs
The journey continues on steppes. Tsagaan Suvarga literally means “White Stupas”. It is one of the most famous highlights in the Gobi. Tsagaan Suvarga is a strange natural formation of colorful, huge mud cliffs that look like stupas. Except for Tsagaan Suvarga, you are able to explore a cave. Overnight in tourist Ger camp. B+L+D
Day 4: Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain National Park, hiking in Eagle Valley
The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan literally means “Three beautiful mountains in the Gobi”. The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain is a beautiful national park itself rich in wildlife and scenic places. Among them, Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley is the accessible one by car. After our car parks at an allowed place, we will walk through the beautiful valley into depths of sheer rock canyon which accepts no sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. Golden eagles and very shy wild sheep and ibexes are indigenous to the valley. Overnight in tourist ger camp. B+L+D
Day 5: The largest sand dunes Khongor
Our journey will continue to Khongor, the largest sand dunes. After reaching the sand dunes, go hiking along the green river shore, climb sand dunes, and have an hour of camel riding. If you can climb one of the tallest sand dunes, don’t forget to spread the sand northwards against the wind to find the reason why locals call the sand dunes “Singing Sand”. The views are amazing from the top of the sand dunes. Overnight in tourist ger camp. B+L+D
Day 6: Flaming Cliffs
After breakfast, we will drive to the Flaming Cliffs (dinosaur excavation site). Flaming Cliff is an area of red cliffs, which were formed by the erosion of sand and rock over many thousands of years. It is also the site of several successful dinosaur excavations. The cliffs are famous for the discovery of the first dinosaur eggs in the world. It changed people’s belief that the dinosaurs gave birth to babies into they laid eggs. Due to human pressure, the dinosaur remains doesn’t exist anymore, but some lucky people still find some. 5 km from the Flaming Cliffs, there is a saxaul tree grove known as Bayanzag. It is a special tree, grows only in the Central Asian Gobi (semi-desert). Overnight in tourist Ger camp. B+L+D
Day 7: Ongi monastery ruins
The driving will take place on the boundless Ongi Steppe. When the steppes end, there are ruins of two separate monasteries on the north and south shores of the Ongi River surrounded by mountains of the Gobi. The monasteries have 220-300 years of history and had over 30 temples housed by 1000 monks. During the 1930’s communist purge, the monasteries were completely destroyed. When you see the ruins, you can picture how big the monasteries were. Visit ruins of the monasteries, an active temple, and a small museum. People believe that many secrets are hidden under the ruins. An example of this is: Once a local boy fell into a hole while playing and found many religious items hidden by monks to keep them from the purge. Overnight in tourist Ger camp. B+L+D
Day 8: Kharakorum, Erdenezuu Monastery
Our today’s tour takes place in the transition zone from the Gobi desert to mountain steppes. Kharakorum, formerly known as Kharakorum, was once the capital of Genghis Khan’s Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the move of the Mongolian capital to Beijing, and the fall of the empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by vengeful Manchurian soldiers in 1388. Today, in the wide valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery “Erdenezuu” coexists with Karakorum town. See some valuable religious items in the monastery museum and admire its stunning architecture. Visit the Karakorum Museum to see remnants of the ancient city. Overnight in tourist ger camp. B+L+D
Day 9: Elsen Tasarkhai
The Elsen Tasarkhai is a part of the Mongol Els- Sand Dunes, that continues 80 km long 5 km wide. The nature in this area is really spectacular and great for relaxing and located in Burd soum in Uvurkhangai Aimag (Province) 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar. The area is surrounded by sand dunes, hills covered with rare bushes, and a small forest near a river.
Together this presents a unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests, and Gobi-type landscape in one location. The Elsen Tasarhai literally means “an isolated torn-off piece of sand” and it is a small sequence of the real desert in the midst of green steppes. It feels like in the Gobi Desert, and visitors can hike in the sand dunes.
During the trip, you will also have opportunities to visit a local nomadic family, ride a two-humped Bactrian camel, walk on sand dunes, experience staying in a traditional Mongolian dwelling, the Ger, and walk and relax in beautifully serene nature. Overnight in tourist ger camp. B+L+D
Day 10: Drive to Ulaanbaatar city.
Today is the last day to spend in the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. On our way to Ulaanbaatar, we will visit a horse herding nomad family and have some horse riding. We also join the nomads for lunch. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and check in a hotel. A farewell dinner and overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)
Day 11: We will transfer you to the airport. Departure. (B)
Services included in the price:
- Hotel charge of 2 nights in UB city
- Shared accommodation in tourist Ger camp
- Air-conditioned and comfortable Toyota-Land Cruiser 100
- Airports pick up and drop off service
- Guides: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian speaking guide service
- All meals: meals as listed in the itinerary Finest Western and Mongolian meals. Daily supply of bottled water: 3 x 0.5 bottle per day and Hot coffee and tea
- Entrance fees: To all scenic spots as listed in the itinerary such as museums, parks, concert, monasteries, strictly protected areas, road fees
- Horse Ride, Camel Ride
- Invitation letter for an entry visa to Mongolia
Services not included in the price:
- International flight
- Mongolia entry visa fee
- Personal expenses: Such as laundry, alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing, or meals that are not included in the tour itinerary
- Travel insurance: Our clients are recommended to get travel insurance coverage from their local insurance companies before traveling
- Single Ger /Yurta/ supplement: Single supplement is available at $35 per night at Ger camps
