Grasslands Gobi Steppe Tour
About this tour
The Mongolian Gobi considered as the world’s great desert covers much of the southern part of Mongolia. ‘Great Gobi National Park’ is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland. It contains the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-humped) camels, wild ass, and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear. The tour takes 7 days to cover the best travel destinations including the ancient homeland of Dinosaurs Bayanzag ‘Flaming Cliffs’ and Khongor Sand Dunes' “singing dune” and Yolyn Am “ice canyon” and most interesting in Terelj National Park.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Улаанбаатар, Mongolia
In the morning, our guide and driver will pick up from your hotel or guesthouse and start our tour. We leave the city before we will pass some shops. After shops directly driving towards to Terelj National Park for 70 km. On the way, visit “Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue ” which is currently the biggest (40m high) equestrian statue in the world. There is a recreation area, restaurants, and souvenir shops occupy the base structure. From here, you can ascend to the head of the horse using an elevator. There you have a good panoramic view of the complex area and the scenery beyond. Have lunch and then driving to Terelj N.P. Terelj is considered one of the most scenic areas in all of Mongolia and is a short drive outside of the capital. It's a rather mountainous area with a beautiful river, forests, and some interestingly shaped rocks and It is a landscape of transition from Siberian taiga forest to grass steppe. Overnight in Ger guesthouse /nomad family/.
Day 2: Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Улаанбаатар, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia
After breakfast, our next destination is a Tsagaan Suvarga or known as White Stupa for around 340 km. Around 4hours (240 km) first stopping at the Mandal Gobi town, have lunch and then continue for 100 km to the Tsagaan Suvarga are located on the Southern border of the province of Middle Gobi. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, which from the cliff is 30meters high and 100meter wide. Over 10 million years the wind has created this amazing structure. Overnight Ger guesthouse /nomad family/.
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia to Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia
After breakfast, we will drive to Yolyn Am or known as Vulture Valley located in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park for 220 km. 2 hours (100 km) after first stopping at the important mining outpost of Dalanzadgad. Take a short tour of the city, visit the local market. Have lunch and then continue for 50km to the Yolyn Am. This is a beautiful deep canyon with many rocky cliffs and it has been created by many years of water erosion. The canyon keeps some ice until August. In the summer there is usually less ice, but you should still be able to walk on it. The area is also a habitat of ibex and birds of prey and you may be able to spot wildlife on top of the cliffs. After returning to the vehicle, head to tonight’s ger camp. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 4: Yolin Am Ice Field, Mongolia to Khongoriin Els, Mongolia
After breakfast, continue tour (off-road) to Gobi Desert, destination name is a Khongor Sand Dunes for 140km. We will stop picnic lunch and photos on the way. Khongor Sand Dune is one of the biggest sand massifs in Mongolia, which covers 180 km long, 27 km of widest. The incredible roaring sounds of distant dunes are an unforgettable experience, particularly during the quiet hours of darkness and daybreak. In the evening climb to the dune with sand sled and could see a sunset on the top the sand dune as well as camel riding an hour. Camel riding is one of the main activities and camel local guide will take to the sand dunes and two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as the walk slowly and gently. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 5: Khongoriin Els, Mongolia to Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia
After breakfast, (off-road) to Bayanzag for 160 km know as well Flaming Cliffs. On the way, you will stop at an ancient sacred site of Khavtsgait, where on top of a rocky hill there are hundreds of ancient stone engravings, called petroglyphs. Some of them are as old as 3000 BC and were painted by hunters while waiting for prey. The site also offers wonderful views over the desert. Have lunch in a village of Bulgan and soon after you will arrive at Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. This place is popular with the name “Flaming Cliffs”. In the world, 1922 after The American paleontological expedition found an Asian first dinosaur skeleton and a dinosaur egg with 10-15cm length. Arrive in a Bayanzag, literally means “rich in saxaul trees” short hiking around. Overnight Ger guesthouse.
Day 6: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia
After breakfast, (off-road) to Rock formation of the Baga Gazar Chuluu for 300 km. Have lunch in a local some canteen for Mongolian dishes. Baga Gazar Chuluu beautiful landscape which is consisted of much shaped specific granite rocky mountain and with mineral spring in the bottomland. This stone massif also involved in the Mongolian granite stone zone. Wild sheep, ibexes, mammals, rare rodents, and birds are seen here. Surtiin Am is one of the many beautiful and eye-catching places in Baga Gazriin stone massif. This is a narrow canyon with different trees, namely, asp, birch, white wicker, and elm trees, as well as the ruin of a stone temple and site of two yurts where Buddhist monks lived and meditated since the 17th century. Overnight Ger guesthouse local nomad family. Tonight special dinner (Khorkhog is a barbecue dish in Mongolian cuisine).
Day 7: Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast drive to Ulaanbaatar city and lunch on the road.
What's included
An English-speaking tour guide at all times (Korean, Chinese languages upon requests) Ger accommodation fees (shower) Meals as a list (breakfast, lunch, dinner) All transports + experienced drivers All sightseeing and entrance fees are mentioned as program Camel and horse riding Complimentary drinks water during the tour Visa invitation letter, if required
Visa fee to Mongolia International and domestic flights & Travels ticket and insurance Check-in and late check-out Ulaanbaatar Tipping and other personal services Camera or video fees Other services not mentioned in it
What to know
FOOD AND COOKING SERVICE GUIDE AND DRIVE SERVICE AIRPORT AND TRAIN STATION PICK UP AND DROP OFF MONGOLIAN VISA SUPPORT LETTER CAMPING EQUIPMENT CAR RENTAL DOMESTIC FLIGHT BOOKING SERVICES HOTEL OR GER CAMP BOOKING SERVICES
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Улаанбаатар, Mongolia