Gobi Desert And Central Mongolia Tour
About this tour
Mongolia is a land of miracles! There's no fences on this vast land, horsemen and animals roam free here! Traveling overland in safari style, you will visit to the ancient capital at Karakorum, where you will visit the legendary 15th century ErdeneZuu monastery. Then you visit the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert, where a three day circuit explores the lofty sand dunes of Khongoriin Els, the glacial canyon of Yolyn Am, and the red cliffs of Bayanzag, where the world’s richest deposits of dinosaur fossils are found. You will have the chance to visit families of nomads, remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional events, and to take part in horse-riding or guided walking if you wish – there are also endless opportunities for photography. Now come and take this wonderful trip and visit the Gobi and the Central Mongolia with us!
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia
We will drive to Tsagaan Suvarga. The scarp of Tsagaan Suvarga is located in Ulziit soum of Dundgobi province. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from cliff is 30 meters high and 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years the wind has created this amazing structure. Stay in ger camp (about 450kms -About 7 hours driving)
Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia to Yol valley, Ice stream, Mongolia
In the morning, we will drive to Yol Valley (Vulture Canyon). The Vulture Canyon, which nestles between the beautiful peaks of Gurvansaikhan of the Three Beauties. After arrival at the canyon, we will take 2-hour hike through the canyon. On our way in/out of the park we can visit the local Natural History Museum where dinosaur eggs and bones, petrified trees and a snow leopard are on display. Overnight in ger camp (about 280kms -About 4-5 hours driving)
Day 3: Yol valley, Ice stream, Mongolia to Hongorïn Els, Mongolia
Today we will drive to Khongor sand dunes. At 28 m in height the giant sand dunes stretch lengthwise some 180 kms. Sometimes the area is only several hundred meters wide but can grow to 7-20 kms. We will hike to the top of the sand dunes. Camel riding is possible. It around 10USD per person per hour. Overnight in ger camp (about 180 kms- About 4-5 hours driving)
Day 4: Hongorïn Els, Mongolia to Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia
Today we will drive to the Bayanzag area. Known as a Flaming Cliffs "Cradle of Dinosaurs" this is where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922. A site famous for the remains of dinosaur that lived here 60 million years ago. We will walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saxaul trees and other classic desert vegetation. On the way to Bayanzag, we will visit Khavtsgait Pethroglyphs, located at the Boginin Khyar ridge to the west og Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain Rainge. Stay in ger camp (about 190 kms –About 4hours driving)
Day 5: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Today, we will drive to Ongi temple. Ongiin Khiid is known as complex of ruins of two monasteries called Barlim Khiid and Khutagt Khiid. There is not much left to see, but there are plenty of interesting ruins to explore and one of the monasteries is rebuilt recently.. Stay in ger camp (about 150 kms –About 4 hours driving)
Day 6: Ongi Monastery, Saikhan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
Today we will drive to Orkhon valley, registered as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005, this Orkhon River valley is known as the cradle of the Mongolian civilization holding many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its basin. There is Orkhon waterfall also called UlaanTsutgalan, formed by a series of volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago. It cascades from the height of 22 metres and is 10m wide. So we will visit nomadic family and learn their life. Stay in ger camp (about 300 kms-About 7-8 hours driving)
Day 7: Orkhon Valley, Mongolia to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Tsenkher hot spring, take a relaxing hot spring bath. Stay in the ger camp (About 130kms- About 4 hours driving)
Day 8: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia
Travel beside the Chuluut River which has carved a deep canyon into the basalt rocks. This canyon is famous for its rich fishing grounds. Arrive Khorgo Volcano that is an extinct volcano, covered with basalt and lays to the east of Lake Terkhiin. It is an astonishingly beautiful lake formed by a dam of lava flowing from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago. Stay in ger camp (About 200kms- About 5 hours driving)
Day 9: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia to Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Drive to Kharakorum in the morning and visit Erdenezuu monastery. Kharakorum is the ancient capital of Chingis Khaan’s Mongolia and was established in 1220 and served as the capital for 140 years. The Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m X 400m wall. Only a few temples remain standing after the communist purges of 1930s. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for daily worship. Also, we will visit the museum of Kharkhorin. Stay in ger camp (about 300 kms- - About 6 hours driving)
Day 10: Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We will drive back to UB and take you to your hotel
What's included
All transportation listened in the itinerary Twin share Accommodation in ger camps for 9 nights Three meals per day Drinking water Services of English speaking guide All taxes and entrance fees to the protected areas
International transportation Travel and medical insurance Alcoholic drinks/soft drinks (juice and coke)
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia