Exploring the Gobi Desert

The Gobi is a vast desert landscape in southern Mongolia of rocky terrain, sand dunes and sparse vegetation. Despite its harsh environment it is one of the most rewarding places to travel: the Khongoryn Els dunes for camel riding and sandboarding, the red-orange Flaming Cliffs famous for dinosaur fossils, and Yol Valley with its ice formations.

• Khongoryn Els — the Singing Dunes
• Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) & dinosaur fossils
• Yol Valley ice gorge
• Camel riding & hiking
• Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs
• Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj

1. 01

   Day 1

   Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

   Upon arrival at the airport you are welcomed by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Visit the Chinggis Khan National Museum — the nation's largest, with over 10,000 objects relating to the Great Khans of the Mongol Empire and the history of Mongolia from the Xiongnu to the end of the 20th century. After lunch visit the palace museum of the 8th Bogd Gegeen, the last emperor of Mongolia. Built between 1893 and 1903 and named "The temple of developing wisdom", it displays religious art, ethnographic objects and the Bogd Khan's royal collection.

   Overnight:

   Hotel

2. 02

   Day 2

   Baga Gazriin Chuluu

   After an early breakfast leave Ulaanbaatar for the Gobi. Visit Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a granite rock formation in the middle of the steppe polished by erosion — a rocky maze ideal for hiking. Its highest peak, Takhilgyn Khavtsal (1,768 m), has been worshipped by locals for centuries.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   230 km, 5–6 h (paved/dirt)

3. 03

   Day 3

   Tsagaan Suvarga & Del Uul

   Continue south to Tsagaan Suvarga, a 30 m tall, 400 m long white limestone formation whose coloured layers reveal different eras — a land of dinosaurs and a beautiful photo spot by day and night, with trails down through the cliffs. Drive on to Del Uul mountain, whose eastern face is covered with petroglyphs of ibex, horses, riders and camels.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   280 km, 6–7 h (dirt road)

4. 04

   Day 4

   Yol Valley

   Hike and photograph Yol Valley National Park: an 8 km long, deep and narrow gorge up to 2,800 m above sea level, named after the bearded vulture (yol). Shaded from the sun, it holds thick ice layers for much of the year.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   280 km, 6–7 h (dirt road)

5. 05

   Day 5

   Khongoryn Els — the Singing Dunes

   Drive to the magnificent Khongoryn Els dunes, stretching 180 km. The wind-blown sand makes a melodic sound, which is why these 200 m high dunes are called the "Singing Dunes". Climb a dune to hear the sand sing, and ride two-humped Bactrian camels.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   220 km, 5–6 h (dirt road)

6. 06

   Day 6

   Bayanzag — the Flaming Cliffs

   Visit the world-famous Flaming Cliffs: red sandstone cliffs and canyons, the Gobi's dinosaur cemetery and the trail of paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who found the first dinosaur eggs here in 1922.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   180 km, 5–6 h (dirt road)

7. 07

   Day 7

   Dalanzadgad → Ulaanbaatar

   Drive back to Ulaanbaatar on paved road. On the way, visit the Gobi Museum of Nature and History in Dalanzadgad, with stuffed Gobi animals, marine fossils from when the South Gobi lay beneath the sea, a Protoceratops skeleton and a dinosaur egg.

   Overnight:

   Hotel

   Distance:

   600 km, 7–8 h (paved road)

8. 08

   Day 8

   Chinggis Khan Statue — Terelj National Park

   Visit the Statue of Chinggis Khan, the largest equestrian statue in the world (30 m high without its 10 m pedestal), with an observation deck on the horse's head. Legend says that young Temujin found a golden whip here in 1177 — a sign of success before he united the Mongols. The 36 columns at the base symbolise the 36 Khans who ruled after Chinggis Khan. Arrive at the "Heaven Envoy" camp in Terelj National Park for lunch — a peaceful spot with a shamanic "world tree". Walk to the Aryabal Meditation Temple, hidden in the mountains near Turtle Rock. Built in the shape of an elephant's head, it is reached by 108 steps — an auspicious number in Buddhism — symbolising the elephant's trunk. The valleys around are full of granite formations and wild flowers, including edelweiss. Optional horseback riding or exploring the area.

   Overnight:

   Ger camp

   Distance:

   55 km

9. 09

   Day 9

   Ulaanbaatar

   Drive back to Ulaanbaatar and shop for souvenirs at the State Department Store or a cashmere factory store.

   Overnight:

   Hotel

10. 10

    Day 10

    Departure

    After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight.

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