Classic Tours

Great Gobi Desert Tour

1100.0 $ per person

  • 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Adventure

Overview

From the capital of Genghis Khan, drive to the unexplored corners of the Gobi Desert, following the trails of dinosaur hunters. This remote and inaccessible area is home to wild asses, camels, and desert gazelles, offering visitors a vibrant display of diverse and stunning colors. The main activities include hiking, camel riding, and horseback riding.
Tented overnight stays throughout the tour, with immersive cultural experiences.

Tour Plan

Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Traditional music and dance, welcome dinner

Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan Airport in Ulaanbaatar, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you will explore Ulaanbaatar, starting with an impressive performance of traditional music and dance at 6 PM. The captivating sounds of huumii (throat singing) and the cherished two-string horse-headed fiddle, or morin khuur, will create lasting memories. A welcome dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants will follow.

White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
White Stupa
Explore the striking cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga in the Middle Gobi.

Our next stop in the Middle Gobi Province will be the White Stupa, a limestone formation approximately 30 meters tall and 100 meters long, shaped by wind and water erosion over thousands of years. From a distance, it resembles the ruins of an ancient city. At dawn, it offers a magnificent view with rainbow colors. We will also visit a cave known for its unique horizontal and vertical formations. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.

Yol Valley
Yol Valley
Yol Valley
Yol Valley
Hike through the scenic Yol Valley in the South Gobi.

We will visit Gurvan Saikhan National Park in the South Gobi. At the entrance, we will explore a small Natural History Museum to learn about the park's flora and fauna and view some dinosaur bones and eggs found in the region. We will then drive to the parking area and embark on a pleasant hike through Yolyn Am (Lammergeyer Valley), leading to a gorge that holds ice for most of the year. This valley is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and the surprising sight of thick ice amid the Gobi desert. Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.

Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Discover the ancient Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) and explore the vast Khongor Sand Dunes in the South Gobi.

In the early 1920s, an American expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews in search of ancient human remains accidentally discovered dinosaur fossils and eggs at Bayanzag, a site known locally for its saxaul trees. The western world recognizes this area, known as the Flaming Cliffs, for its abundant dinosaur remains. Even today, white fossilized bones are still found.

We will continue west to the extraordinary sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, one of the most scenic areas in the province. In the evening, we will climb the Singing Dune, one of the highest dunes, to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and slide down using a plastic bag if you have one. The shifting sand creates a distinct sound, similar to an airplane, which is why this dune is called the "Singing Dune" or "Sounding Dune." Overnight stay will be at a tourist ger camp.

Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor Sand Dunes
Enjoy camel riding at the Khongor Sand Dunes.

We will stay another day at the Sand Dunes to explore this magnificent place on camelback. Mongolia is home to two-thirds of the world’s two-humped Bactrian camels. These gentle, calm, and extraordinarily patient animals can go without water for up to a month. The Khongor Sand Dunes are an ideal location for camel riding. Riding a Bactrian camel is more comfortable than a Dromedary camel, which is found in the Sahara, India, and the Middle East. The two humps provide support from both sides, and the gentle pace is so relaxing you might even feel like falling asleep—though you won’t want to, as the surrounding views are spectacular. Overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.

Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Bayanzag - Flamming Cliffs
Renowned for its red cliffs and dinosaur egg discoveries.

We will take a short drive to see the lush saxaul trees and the red cliffs of Bayanzag, a famous site for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs, bones, and complete dinosaur skeletons in the world. If you're lucky, you might even find dinosaur eggs or bones here. You can also take a walk around the camp.

Ongi
Ongi
Ongi
Explore the Khongor Sand Dunes and visit the historic Ongi Temple.

Drive to Ongi Temple for sightseeing. Ongi Temple, or Ongiin Khiid, is a significant historical and spiritual site located in the Saikhan-Ovoo district of Dundgobi Province, Mongolia. It sits along the banks of the Ongi River, nestled within the Gobi Desert's stark yet beautiful landscape. Visit a nomadic family to explore their culture. Overnight stay at the site. (BLD)

Erdenezuu Monastery
Erdenezuu Monastery
Erdenezuu Monastery
Karakorum
Discover the historic ruins of Karakorum, the ancient Mongolian capital.

Early morning drive to Karakorum, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. Kharkhorin was Mongolia’s capital for 140 years and the Mongol Empire’s capital for 32 years. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 on the site where Kharkhorin once stood. The monastery covers 400 square meters and is surrounded by a stone wall with 108 stupas. Stone columns, blocks, and sculptures excavated from the city ruins were used in the construction of this monastery, which began in the 16th century and continued until the 19th century. Overnight stay at a tourist ger camp.

Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Ulaanbaatar city
Discover key landmarks and cultural sites in Mongolia's capital

We will return to Ulaanbaatar and visit a souvenir house. This tour is optional. Overnight at the hotel after the farewell dinner.

We will go back to UB and visit a souvenir house. Overnight at hotel after a Farewell dinner.

Tour Location

Inclusions

  • Stays in traditional ger camps
  • Hotel accommodations in Ulaanbaatar
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the tour
  • Traditional Mongolian meals at ger camps and restaurants
  • Camel riding for 1 hour
  • Horse riding for 2 hours
  • All ground transportations
  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • English or German speaking guide
  • All entrance fees to national parks and cultural sites
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Assistance with visa arrangements and travel planning
  • All service charge, local and Government taxes
  • Visa invitation letter, if required

Exclusions

  • Visa fee
  • International flights
  • Any kind of insurance
  • Hotel early check-in and late check-out
  • Tipping and other personal expenses