Classic Gobi Desert Adventure – 9 Days

Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel in central Ulaanbaatar. After checking in and taking some time to rest, we will enjoy a welcome lunch and introduce you to the journey ahead. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax, recover from your flight, or take a short walk around the city. Your guide will also provide a short briefing about the Gobi expedition, road conditions, accommodation and what to expect during the coming days. Tonight, enjoy a comfortable hotel stay before beginning your overland adventure into the Gobi Desert the following morning.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver and leave Ulaanbaatar behind as we travel south toward the Middle Gobi. As the city disappears, the landscape opens into Mongolia's vast steppe, where herds of horses, sheep, goats and camels can often be seen grazing beneath an enormous sky. The drive itself offers your first real impression of Mongolia's scale and sparsely populated countryside. Our destination is Baga Gazriin Chuluu, an impressive granite mountain formation rising from the surrounding steppe. After arrival, explore the area's unusual rock formations, narrow valleys and natural scenery. Hidden among the granite hills are the ruins of an old Buddhist temple, adding a fascinating historical element to the landscape. There will be time for walking and photography before continuing to our nearby ger camp. In the evening, enjoy dinner and experience your first night in a traditional Mongolian ger surrounded by the peaceful landscape of the Middle Gobi.

After breakfast, continue south through the changing landscapes of Dundgovi Province toward Tsagaan Suvarga, meaning “White Stupa.” This extraordinary escarpment was formed over millions of years by natural erosion. From a distance, its steep cliffs resemble the ruins of an ancient city or a series of enormous Buddhist stupas rising from the desert. Layers of white, yellow, red, orange and purple sediment create one of the most colorful geological formations in the Middle Gobi. We will explore the upper viewpoints before descending into the valley below, where the scale of the cliffs becomes even more impressive. There will be plenty of time for walking, photography and simply enjoying the silence of the surrounding desert. Depending on weather and timing, the late-afternoon light can dramatically change the colors of Tsagaan Suvarga, making it an especially beautiful place around sunset. After our exploration, transfer to a nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight.

Today we leave the Middle Gobi behind and travel deeper into southern Mongolia toward Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, one of the most spectacular protected areas in the country. The scenery gradually changes as distant mountain ranges rise from the desert plains. Our destination is Yolyn Am, also known as the Valley of the Lammergeiers. This dramatic gorge cuts through the foothills of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains and provides a striking contrast to the surrounding desert. Upon arrival, we begin a leisurely hike into the valley. High rocky cliffs rise on both sides while a small stream winds through the gorge. Because of its elevation and narrow shape, Yolyn Am has a much cooler microclimate than the surrounding Gobi. Depending on the season, patches of ice may remain in deeply shaded sections of the gorge even after temperatures in the surrounding desert have risen considerably. The national park is also home to wildlife including Siberian ibex, argali sheep, pikas and numerous birds of prey. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the walk itself is one of the highlights of any journey through the Gobi. After exploring the valley, continue to our ger camp for dinner and a peaceful evening beneath the clear South Gobi sky.

After breakfast, we continue west across the South Gobi toward one of Mongolia's greatest natural landmarks — the magnificent Khongor Sand Dunes. Today's drive takes us through some of the most remote landscapes of the journey. We cross wide desert plains, rocky valleys and open steppe with the Gobi Altai Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop in the distance. Eventually, the enormous wall of sand at Khongor appears on the horizon. Stretching for more than 100 kilometers, Khongor is one of Mongolia's largest and most spectacular dune systems. Some sections rise several hundred meters above the surrounding desert floor. After settling into our ger camp, we will head toward the dunes for our first exploration. Those feeling energetic can attempt to climb one of the higher dunes. The climb through loose sand can be challenging, but the panoramic view from above is unforgettable — golden dunes on one side, mountains on the other, and the green ribbon of the Khongor River valley below. Khongor is also known as the “Singing Dunes.” Under certain conditions, moving sand produces a deep humming or resonating sound. We will stay in the area for the evening and, weather permitting, enjoy sunset over one of the most iconic landscapes in the Mongolian Gobi.

This morning we experience another essential part of Gobi life — Mongolia's two-humped Bactrian camels. We will visit a local camel-herding family living in the Khongor region. Spending time with a local family provides an opportunity to learn about traditional nomadic life and how people have adapted to the Gobi's extreme environment for generations. Depending on the family's daily activities, you may see livestock being tended and learn more about the importance of camels to local families. We will then enjoy a Bactrian camel ride through the surrounding desert landscape. These calm, powerful animals have been used for transportation across Central Asia for centuries. After saying goodbye to our hosts, continue east toward Bayanzag, better known internationally as the Flaming Cliffs. Bayanzag is one of Mongolia's most historically significant paleontological sites. During the American Museum of Natural History's Central Asiatic Expeditions in the 1920s, explorer Roy Chapman Andrews and his team made important discoveries in this region, including dinosaur fossils and eggs. In the late afternoon, explore the red sandstone cliffs on foot. The landscape is particularly beautiful as the sun begins to drop toward the horizon. The cliffs glow in deep shades of red and orange, creating the fiery appearance that gave Bayanzag its famous English name. After sunset, transfer to our nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we begin our journey north toward Ulaanbaatar. Instead of attempting the entire journey from the South Gobi to the capital in a single exhausting day, we divide the return journey into two stages. This allows us to travel at a more comfortable pace and continue enjoying the landscapes along the way. Today's drive takes us across enormous open plains where the scenery gradually changes from desert to semi-desert steppe. This is also a wonderful day simply to experience overland travel in Mongolia. Away from the main attractions, the vast empty spaces, distant horizons, grazing livestock and occasional nomadic settlements reveal another side of the country. We will make several stops along the way for photographs, short walks and lunch. By late afternoon or early evening, arrive in the Middle Gobi region and settle into our ger camp. Tonight is our final night in the Mongolian countryside. Enjoy dinner and, if the weather is clear, step outside after dark to experience the immense night sky far from city lights.

After breakfast at the ger camp, begin the final overland section of our Gobi adventure. We continue north through the open steppe toward Ulaanbaatar, watching the landscapes gradually change as we approach the capital. There will be stops along the way for refreshments, lunch and photography. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel and check in. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax after the journey, explore the city independently or do some last-minute shopping for Mongolian cashmere, handicrafts and souvenirs. In the evening, we will gather for a farewell dinner, celebrating the completion of our journey through the legendary Gobi Desert. Return to the hotel for a comfortable final night in Mongolia.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time depending on your international flight schedule. At the appropriate time, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight. Your 9-day Classic Gobi Desert Adventure comes to an end, leaving you with memories of towering sand dunes, dramatic canyons, ancient dinosaur landscapes, nomadic families and the immense open spaces of southern Mongolia. Thank you for traveling with us, and we wish you a safe journey home.