The Gobi desert is the habitat of the rarest animals and a unique natural landscape. Its desert and semi-desert ecosystems have hardly changed in many years. The Gobi is often imagined to be a place of unbearable heat and lifeless sand dunes, similar to the inhospitable Sahara desert, but the reality is quite the reverse. The Gobi has high mountains, springs, forests, sands, steppes and a rich animal kingdom.
Occupying 30% of the country’s vast territory and stretching from the east to the west through the southern part of Mongolia, it has a total of 52 mammals, 15 reptiles, 1 amphibian and 106 bird species and its plant kingdom comprises over 400 species including many valuable medicinal, fodder and decorative plants. Its numerous rare animal species include argali sheep, ibex, snow leopard, lynx, wild ass, gazelles, saiga, wild Bactrian camel and Gobi bear, just to name a few.
Major travel routes in the Southern Gobi desert include the flaming cliffs at Bayanzag site following the trails of 1920’s American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, Hongor sand dunes – the largest sand dunes in Mongolia and Yoliin Am or Eagle valley famous for its stunning beauty and rich flora and fauna.
Day 1, Middle Gobi
Morning visit to Sukhbaatar square and Zaisan hill in Ulan Bator. Then drive to Middle Gobi province. Picnic lunch stop in the Zorgol Hairkhan mountains. Continue driving to the Sum Huh burd monastery ruins with small lake around. Visit to Baga gazryn rocks. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 2, South Gobi – Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Drive further South Gobi and arrive in Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs where the first dinosaur fossils in Asia were discovered. Picnic lunch stop in the steppes, enjoy the wilderness of the endless steppe. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 3, South Gobi – Khongor Sand Dunes
After breakfast excursion to the Eagle valley canyon, nestled below thousand-meter-high mountains, a walk to see the Gobi glacier. Continue drive to Khongor els, an impressive drive into desert scenery. Walk the Khongor stream and the towering sand dunes, known as the singing dunes, which lie one thousand meters above sea level. The wildlife here includes ibex and gazelle and you may spot rare wild camels. Visit to nomadic family and camel riding. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 4, Middle Gobi – Ongi Monastery
Drive to Ongiin hiid through Ongiin steppes. Have picnic lunch on the way. Explore the ruins of Ongi monastery. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.
Day 5, Karakorum
After breakfast drive to Karakorum, 13th century capital of the Mongolian empire. Have picnic lunch on the way. Horse riding. Dinner and overnight stay in ger camp.
Day 6, Ulan Bator
After breakfast in the camp visit the Erdenezuu monastery, the first and once the largest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Visit Karakorum museum. Drive to Ulan Bator. Lunch on the way. Late afternoon arrival in Ulan Bator.
All rates are subject to change and must be confirmed before booking.
Services Included:
- excursions according to the program with local English speaking guide and entrance tickets
- transfers & transportation according to the program
- meals according to the program
- accommodation in gers
Services Not Included:
- optional excursions
- accommodation in Ulan Bator
- porterage
- gratuities
