Tour Description

Mongolian Gobi Tour 2022

Witness Mongolia’s endless prairies, untamed natural landscapes, and warm nomadic hospitality through our off-the-beaten-track Gobi Expedition small group tour. 

This Mongolian Gobi adventure expedition traverse through the least visited parts of the Mongolian Gobi desert including Nemegt Valley, Bichigt Khad, Khermen Tsav places famous for their dinosaur-related and archaeological remainings, also travels through Khongor – the singing dunes, Bayanzag – the flaming cliffs, Yoliin Am – Eagle Valley, Kharkhorin – the ancient capital of the Mongolian empire, and Terelj National Park. In the course of this Mongolia tour, travellers will ride horses, ride camels, hike through steep mountains, visit nomadic families, visit ancient Buddhist monasteries, and do walking trails through immense beautiful gobi landscape. This tour is more suitable for those who are interested in adventures, archaeology or the wilderness. The tour itself usually gets high reviews from travellers. And we may encounter Gobi strong sand storms [Gobi Ugalz], heavy wind, or heavy rain through the tour, but this tour will give you a lifetime experience. This is the ideal journey for those who want to walk out of their comfort zone and seek new perspectives and adventures in their life.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1:

ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR CITY

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, our driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up from the airport and be transferred to your hotel in downtown. After you settled in, we will start a sightseeing tour including a visit to Sukhbaatar’s square. The Square is in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, in front of the Mongolian Parliament House. Across from the central square, we will visit the National Museum of Mongolia, the biggest museum with over 54000 exhibitions from the prehistoric period till the 21st century. Our next stop will be Zaisan Hill Memorial. This hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, will enjoy the Deeltei Mongol Naadam, the traditional costume parade. You will see all different types of ethnic clothes and see every local in their traditional costumes.

• Transfer to Hotel from Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, about 35 km, and Ulaanbaatar City tour
• Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 2:

TRAVEL TO TSAGAAN SUVARGA CLIFFS- WHITE STUPA IN MONGOLIAN GOBI DESERT

After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up and begin our journey to the Mongolian Gobi. Today we will visit Tsagaan Suvarga. En route to the Tsagaan Suvarga, we will drive through Baga Gazryn Chuluu, a granite stone formation with an ancient stone temple and a cave and will continue our journey to the Tsagaan Suvarga. Once was an ancient sea, different minerals giving rise to different colours form the face of the cliffs. Enjoy hiking through the colourful natural cliffs. The Gobi sunset offers you an opportunity to shoot incredible photos and take an advantage of the moment. Overnight in a ger camp near the Tsagaan Suvarga Cliffs.

• Travel: 200 km on the asphaltic road and 30-40 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: Stay in a local nomadic camel breeder family, one of our long term cooperative family The family offers 3-4 extra “gers” to guests. You will share a ger with 2 guests. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. An option for a (brilliantly engineered) cold shower.

DAY 3:

TRAVEL TO YOLYN AM, A JEWEL IN THE GOBI

Today we will head to Dalanzadgad, a provincial town of southern Mongolia. Upon arrival in Dalanzadgad, we will explore ‘Yolyn Am Valley’, a jewel in the middle of the Gobi. The valley has a narrow canyon with a stream that flows through the Zuun Saikhan Mountain. The sheer rock walls stand 200 m, and the canyon has stunning green meadows with a thick glacier layer that is deeply set between the walls. Then we will trek along the canyon, and you may get a glimpse of rarely seen Argali – a mountain sheep, Ibex – wild goat and Lammergeier. After visiting the Yolyn Am, we go to Bayanza – the Flaming Cliffs, a classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, and unbelievable emptiness that has become known to the world as “Cemetery of Dinosaurs”. The red sandstone cliffs and canyons of Bayanzag are where the American palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews first discovered fossil beds of dinosaur bones and first-ever recorded dinosaur eggs in 1922 – discoveries that made world headlines.

• Travel time: 210 km on the asphaltic road and 60 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route to the Yolyn Am Valley
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a classic Mongolian eco-friendly ger camp with a low-pressure shower and western toilet.

DAY 4:

EXPLORE KHONGORYN ELS – SINGING DUNES

This morning, we will have breakfast at the ger camp, and continue our Gobi journey to Khongor sand dunes. En route to the sand dunes, you will enjoy the stunning backdrop as you drive around 5 hours west, towards the vast Gobi landscape. Witness the remarkable desert landscape and explore the sand dunes both by 4WD and on foot. We will visit a camel breeder family and familiarize ourselves with their nomadic lifestyle. Once we visit, we will do a camel trekking through the Khongoryn Els dunes and Khorngyn River. There will always be time for climbing and exploring the dunes – best at sunrise or sunset.

• Travel time: Approx 160 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving, Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route to Khongoryn Els. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional camel breeder nomadic family, our long term cooperative family The family offers 3-4 extra “gers” to guests. You will share a ger with 2 guests. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. An option for a (brilliantly engineered) cold shower.

DAY 5:

TRAVEL TO NEMEGT VALLEY – A DINOSAUR BONEYARD IN THE MONGOLIAN GOBI DESERT

The Nemegt canyon area is one of the most famous dinosaur localities in Mongolia ever since the site was discovered in 1946. It yields abundant dinosaur skeletons; however, little attention had been given to dinosaur footprints at the locality. The only Nemegt dinosaur footprint study focused on descriptions of the footprints, gave only a few taxonomic implications, and provided no comparison with other dinosaur track sites. The Nemegt valley is also known as “the tomb of the dragon”. Overnight in a tent.

• Travel time: 190 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: We will stay in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  Don’t worry about the lack of showers – we provide heated water for washes en-route.

DAY 6:

TRAVEL TO KHERMEN TSAV DISCOVERY

In the Gobi, natural miracles are countless and one of them is named Khermen Tsav, a wonderful canyon made of red mudrocks. The spectacular rocky formations of Khermen Tsav are located North of the Gurvantes soum, in the extreme Northwest of the province of Omnogovi, between Mount Sharing at North and Mount Altan at South. The canyon stretches on 250 square kilometres (96,53 square miles) and is 200 meters (656,17 feet) deep, but between the lowest point and the highest one, there is a difference in height of 1000 meters (0,62 miles). The colours are a gradation of reds and will delight the photographers. Overnight in a tent.

• Travel time: Approximately 150 km on a dirt road, averagely 4-5 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will stay in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  Don’t worry about the lack of showers – we provide heated water for washes en-route.

DAY 7:

BICHIGT KHAD & WHITE CAVE

This morning we drive to Bayanlig soum, Bayankhongor province, which is located southern part of Mongolia. Today we will explore White Cave and Bichigt petroglyphs area. Rocky peaks loom over changing landscapes that are ideal for archaeological explorations, bird watching, wildlife observing, hiking and mountain climbing. Of its many peaks, canyons, and valleys, one of the province’s most revered sites is the highest in the Gobi Altai range. Bichigt Khad is a world-class petroglyphic site, whose rock paintings date back to the Bronze age. The nearby Tsagaan Agui [White Cave] is believed to be the place of the earliest human inhabitance in Mongolia, with evidence of human presence dating as far back as 700,000 years ago. Overnight in a tent.

• Travel time: 160 km on a dirt road, averagely 4-5 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: You will stay in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  Don’t worry about the lack of showers – we provide heated water for washes en-route.

DAY 8:

IKH BOGD MOUNTAIN & OROG LAKE

Today we will drive to Orog Lake via Ikh Bogd Mountain. Orog Lake is a beautiful salt lake nestled in a sumptuous mountain Ikh Bogd. The Lake’s water levels vary, depending on inflow from the Tuin River, which rises in the Khangai mountain range. The Tuin River creates a large wetland on the north of the lake. To the south, the lake is bordered by the slopes of Ikh Bogd Mountain, which support desert steppe, and give rise to several streams with associated wetlands. On the northern side of the lake, there are wide dunes that stretch along the shore. During the bird migration, it has plenty of opportunities to see the birds. Overnight in a tent near the lakeshore.

• Travel time: 140 km on a dirt road, averagely 4-5 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: You will stay in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  

DAY 9:

DRIVE TO ARVAIKHEER TOWN

Arvaikheer is the provincial town of the Uvurkhangai province. This province is the cultural centre of central Mongolian provinces. You have a chance to see Mongolian most famous horses’ statues near the Arvaikheer town. Overnight in a ger camp near the town.

• Travel time: 200 km on a dirt road, averagely 6-7 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will stay in a local small hotel.

DAY 10:

DRIVE TO ORKHON RIVER WATERFALL

In the morning, we will have breakfast at the camp and head to the historical place Orkhon river valley. Once we reach the place, we will explore the biggest waterfall in Mongolia, and visit a nomadic family. We offer travellers to visit one of the nomadic families and experience their way of life in favour of learning about nomadic culture and traditions. You will be welcomed with open arms and you are invited to join in the milking, herding and general care of livestock. Overnight in a nomadic ger.

• Travel time: 150 km on a dirt road, averagely 4-5 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. Short photo stops and tea breaks are available en route
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: Today we will be invited by our community-based tour programme member, our long term cooperative family. The host family offers 3 extra “gers”, our group will share a ger with 2-4 other members of the group. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. An option for a (brilliantly engineered) cold shower.

DAY 11:

VISIT KHARKHORIN CITY

Today we visit Kharkhorin. The city had existed as a capital for the world’s largest contiguous empire through over 40 years. In Kharkhorin city, we will visit a museum, has many exhibitions which show the history of Mongolian nomadic life from hunter gatherers’ period till the most powerful and consummate empire throughout the world in the 13th century. After the museum, we visit Erdenezuu monastery, the biggest Buddhist Monastery Museum in Mongolia. Which has many expensive and precious Buddhist artworks from the 17th century including mould deities of gold and silver, thankas, split paintings and manuscripts. Overnight in a ger camp.

• Travel time: 130 km on a dirt road. Approximately 5-6 hours of driving. An average pace of 40-60 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a traditional ger camp on the Orkhon River’s shore. The Ger camp has a western toilet & shower. The next 3-4 days would not be available to use the western toilet and take a modern shower..

DAY 12:

DRIVE TO KHUSTAI NATIONAL PARK

We will pack up and continue our journey to Khustain Nuruu National Park. The national park is famous for its unique inhabitants such as the world’s last species of truly wild horses named ‘Przewalski’s horse’, Asiatic red deer, wild mountain sheep ‘Argali’, ibex, and lynx. Once we arrive in the Khustain Nuruu National Park, we will explore the national park and observe the wildlife, and you have a chance to see the last species of wild horses in nature. Overnight in a ger camp in the national park.

• Travel time: 300 km on the asphaltic road. Approximately 6-7 hours of driving. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on weather and road conditions. 
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
• Accommodation: We will sleep in a ger camp. (2 guests in a twin room). Shower, and western toilet.

DAY 13:

A LEISURE DAY IN ULAANBAATAR

In the morning, we will have breakfast at the camp and drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. En route to the capital city, we will behold the Mongolian pristine steppe landscape. We will arrive in Ulaanbaatar city in the afternoon, and you have time for visiting the world’s number one cashmere store and Mongolian souvenir shops or relax in your hotel until dinner. In the evening, our farewell dinner will take place in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.

• Travel time: 80 km on the asphaltic road. An average pace of 50-80 km/hour, depending on the weather and road conditions.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

DAY 14:

DEPARTURE

Today is the end of the Mongolian Gobi Adventure Tour 2022 Our team will transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight. Have a nice trip back home and thank you for choosing Expedics Mongolia Travel

• Meal(s): Breakfast
• Transport: Transfer to the airport from the hotel by vehicle.