Short and time-effective tour to fly to and back the Gobi Desert to see its famous attractions. You will trek in the Eagle Valley, climb Khongor Sand Dunes, visit nomads, ride two-humped camels, read ancient rock drawings, and explore the former dinosaur fossil area Flaming Cliffs.
Every day will be picturesque, with stunning natural formations and continuously changing landscapes while driving. Hundreds of sheep and goat herds, horses, cattle, and the Bactrian camels will be seen on the steppes. You will stay at ger camps allow you to enjoy 360° views of the steppes. Either the nights of the Gobi Desert are beautiful with countless stars. You also see the amazing sunrise and sunset in the Gobi Desert.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to the Gobi Desert, Explore Rock Drawings & Flaming Cliffs
Our driver transfers you from your accommodation to the airport for a flight to Dalanzadgad. View Mongolia team will welcome you at the Dalanzadgad airport (Central town of Southgobi /Umnugobi province). The flight takes one and half-hour. You will start the countryside adventure, driving on the vast-open Gobi Desert steppe to the northern slope of Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain. Hike 1 km in a return way to explore the ancient rock drawings in Khavtsait Valley. Next, travel to Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the remains of dinosaurs, including the dinosaur nest, which proved the dinosaurs laid eggs. Arrive at a ger camp on the 360° views steppe and refresh from early morning wake up. Late afternoon, you will hike through the cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils you may find and see the Gobi Desert tree grove Bayanzag. Bayanzag means “rich in saxaul trees.” This tree only grows in the Central Asian Gobi Desert. Picture of the Flaming Cliffs is the most beautiful in the evening when the sun goes down.
Accommodation: Ger Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Khongor Sand Dunes, Visit Nomads & Camel Riding
Your journey will continue to Khongor, the tallest solid dunes. Upon reaching Khongor, visit a nomad family, ride two-humped camels, and climb one of the dunes, depending on how much physical challenge you wish to face. If you can climb one of the tallest dunes, spread the sand northwards against the wind to find out why locals call the dunes "Singing Sand.” The Gobi Desert views are fantastic from the top of the dunes.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Hiking in Eagle Valley/Yoliin Am
Today you will drive with the views of long continuing sand dunes, rugged blue mountains, and steppes heading the Zuun/East Saikhan Mountain in beautiful Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park. The national park is one of the largest and most unique national parks. It is also the end of the Altai mountain range. There are many scenic places in the national park. Among them, Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley is accessible by vehicle. After your car parks, you will trek through the beautiful valley into the depths of the sheer rock canyon. The bottom of the canyon does not accept sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. People always feel fascinated when they see such a lush green valley in the Gobi Desert. Bearded eagles, shy wild sheep, and ibexes are indigenous to the valley. The hiking takes 2.5 hours on the two ways.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Fly back Ulaanbaatar
Have early breakfast and fly back Ulaanbaatar. We will transfer to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
Background
Is the short Gobi Desert short tour suitable for you?
The Gobi Desert flight is usually early in the morning. Thus the hotel pick-up time is around 4 AM. This tour does not include any challenging activities. You will have only 3.5-4.5 hours of daily driving on steppes and through scenic views between the attractions. Rest of the day, you will have some light activities such as 1-2.5 hours of soft hiking, short camel riding with the help of a camel herder, visiting a nomad family, seeing the attractions, exploring rock drawings and surrounding areas, etc. Khongor sand dune climbing could be a demanding experience. Although, this is not mandatory. You can enjoy the dunes and yourself while climbing one of the low sandhills.
Meals
Tour meals are included as indicated in the itinerary. In the countryside, ger camps serve occasional European but mainly Mongolian meals. Meat is the main ingredient for meals and is served for lunch and dinner with vegetables, salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals. A typical breakfast is tea or coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, and sausage. There are some cookies, cheese, cereals, pancakes, and more at some ger camps for breakfast. For lunch, meals include salads, Mongolian soups, main course (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers), dessert, and tea. Ger camps serve salads, the main course, a dessert, and tea for dinner. With nomads, you will try authentic Mongolian meals. Different types of meals offered simultaneously are not customary in Mongolian tradition. If you are a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance, and we will make arrangements accordingly. We will supply two 0.5L bottles of water a day. Providing one large bottle (1.5 liters) of water instead of 2 small water bottles is available upon request. More information on Mongolia meals
Accommodation
You will stay in the nomadic dwelling Gers of the Ger camps for 3 nights in the Gobi Desert. Tour does not include hotels in Ulaanbaatar. If you wish, we pleasedly book your preferred category of hotel. For more detailed information about the main accommodation ger camp, please visit Mongolia ger camp
Guides
English-speaking Gobi desert local guide will serve you.
Transportation
The tour includes return domestic flights to and back from the Gobi Desert. The domestic flights run between 19 June and 16 September. The daily flights are between 3 July and 6 August, and fewer flights in June, the rest of August, and September. Regarding land transport, Japanese and Korean vans and jeeps serve. Different car types are available upon request, and you may check the travel vehicle details at Mongolia transportation
Best time to take this Gobi Desert Tour
The return flight Gobi Desert tour availability depends on the domestic flight schedule. The domestic flights run during the high season; June, July, August, and September. Please feel free to request a short custom Gobi Desert tour if you travel during the other period. The Gobi Desert is a day's driving distance from Ulaanbaatar and tours are available year around. Generally speaking, 15 May and 30 September is the most suitable time to travel to the Gobi Desert. During this period, the weather will be warm and enjoyable. The beginning of October is another no-crowd good time, but the weather is crisp in the morning and evening. The Gobi Desert is the warmest region in Mongolia. The annual temperature is usually 5°C to 10°C higher than in the other parts of Mongolia. The temperature drops by 10°C to 20°C in the evening and at night. Chill wind is occasional in May, September, and October. Average monthly temperatures are +20°C, highest +30°C daytime at the end of May, June, late August, and September. The night temperature may drop to +8°C. July is the hottest, as well as a humid month. The average day temperature of July is +28°C, the hottest is +38°C, and the night temperature could drop to +12°C. Although, some nights could be sultriness. The temperature dramatically falls if it rains. For your pre-departure preparation, you may check the discovery tours packing list.
To plan your dream holiday or customize the tour exclusively for you, please check Gobi Desert attractions, Gobi Desert Facts, and Central Mongolian attractions.
