Mongolian Gobi Overland Adventure
Summary
Experience the best that Mongolia has to offer: a living nomadic culture, Buddhist heritage, and incredible landscapes. On our Mongolian Gobi Overland Adventure, you’ll witness the vast Mongolian landscape, uncover the rich natural history, and hike through national parks. At the Gobi we’ll traverse the immense Khongor Sand Dunes, enjoying epic views and have an opportunity to ride camels. On our return to Ulaanbaatar, we’ll immerse ourselves in the remains of Genghis Kahn’s ancient capital and look for wild horses on the endless steppe.
Why We Love this Tour
This tour is a fantastic introduction to what makes Mongolia unique. Only a small group tour like ours gets you out in the wild landscape of Mongolia, meeting nomad families, and staying overnight in gers. You’ll never forget a sunset from atop the huge dunes of the massive Gobi Desert. Combine this with our Experience Western Mongolia & Golden Eagle Festival for an unforgettable journey.
Tour by:
Photos
Itinerary
- Day 1Arrival to UlaanbaatarArrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Our driver will meet you at the airport. Transfer to hotel.
Accommodation: Ulaanbaatar at Hotel Nine or Equivalent
- Day 2Ulaanbaatar City TouringToday we will visit Gandantegchinlen Monastery and the National Museum of Mongolia. We'll enjoy a traditional art performance and welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Ulaanbaatar at Hotel Nine or Equivalent - Day 3Travel to Baga Gazriin Chuluu & Optional HikingTravel to Baga Gazriin Chuluu, is a picturesque mountain at an elevation of 1,751 meters in the Granite Belt of Mongolia. Enjoy walking around mountain for 2-3 hours.
Travel: 4hr driving / 240km to Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Accommodation: ger camp - Day 4Travel to Tsagaan SuvargaContinue traveling to Tsagaan Suvarga. This stunning area features 30-meter-high white limestone formations created naturally by wind over thousands of years.
Travel details: 4-5hr driving / 240km to Tsagaan Suvarga
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 5Yol Valley & HikingThis morning we will travel to the Yol Valley (Lammergeier’s Gorge). Sheltering abundant wildlife, this picturesque valley is situated between the beautiful peaks of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. We'll also visit the Gobi museum and hike through the valley for about 1.5-2 hours.
Travel details: 4hr driving / 220km to Yol valley
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 6Khongor Sand Dunes and Camel RidingToday we'll drive to the Khongor sand dunes. Known as the Singing sand dunes, the Khongor dunes reach up to 300 meters high, 15km wide, and 180km long. In the afternoon we'll walk over the golden sand dunes looking out at the incredible view from atop the dunes. Optional camel riding through the desert for an hour.
Travel details: 4-5hr driving / 180km to Khongor sand dunes
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 7Bayanzag Dinosaur Fossils & Flaming CliffsToday we'll drive to Bayanzag. Here we will see the saksaul forest in the Gobi desert and the red flaming cliffs, which formed by the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. 70 million years ago dinosaurs lived here and this place is internationally famous for its dinosaur remains including complete skeletons, eggs, and hatchlings from the Cretaceous Period. We'll hike through the saksaul forest for an hour or two followed by a Gobi sunset.
Travel details: 4-5hr driving / 170km to Bayanzag
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 8Ongi Temple RuinsContinuing north, we'll travel to temple ruins of Ongi. We'll explore the ruins by foot.
Travel details: 3.5-4h driving / 140km to Ongi
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 9Kharakhorum ancient capital of Chinggis KhanToday we will travel to Kharakhorum. Kharakhorum is the ancient capital of Mongolia where Chinggis (Genghis) Khan established his headquarters in 1220. In 1235, his son and successor, Ogodei built a palace enclosed by walls. You will visit newly built Kharakhorum Museum and Erdenezuu monastery, the largest and first Mongolian Buddhist temple complex built on the remains of 16th century Kharakhorum city. Then we will visit a local cooperative to attend a workshop for making felt items by hand.
Travel details: 5-6 hr driving / 240km to Kharakhorum
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 10Khustai National Park [wild Mongolian horses]Travel to Khustai National Park, home to the resurrected wild Mongolian horses, popularly known as Takhi (Przewalski’s Horse). Following our visit to the Information Center we have the option to hike for a couple hours, hoping to see Takhi horses and other wildlife.
Travel details: 5hr driving / 260km to Khustai National park
Accommodation: Ger camp - Day 11UlaanbaatarToday we'll return to Ulaanbaatar. There will be guided shopping for cashmere and souvenirs. We'll enjoy our farewell dinner together.
Travel details: 2hr driving / 100km to Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation: Ulaanbaatar at Hotel Nine or equivalent - Day 12DepartureAfter breakfast transfer to airport for departure. (If you are joining our Experience Western Mongolia & Golden Eagle Festival. you'll join the group in Ulaanbaatar.
More Information
Packing List for Experience Mongolia trip (recommended)
- Weather in Mongolia in September can be warm during the day and chilly at night. Pack layer clothing.
- Comfortable shoes/hiking boots for walking/hiking
- Cash (new, clean Euros or USD printed after 2006)
- ATM cards, credit cards (only useable/accepted in the cities)
- Headlamp and/or flashlight (and spare batteries) for use at ger camps
- Money belt
- Gifts from home like photos, pens, stickers, postcards, children’s books, souvenir pins for the Nomad family
Useful Information
- Please note that the temperatures during September can be warm to hot during the day and cool to cold at night. It is usually dry in Mongolia at this time.
For the current weather conditions in Ulaanbaatar, visit: http://www.bbc.com/weather/2028462
Accommodation
The accommodation will range from a three-star hotel for 3 nights in Ulaanbaatar before and after traveling through the countryside of Mongolia where we will spend 8 nights in ger camps.
Transportation
The transportation during this trip will be by bus/minibus in the city and by 4WD Russian minivan in the countryside.
Our trip provider: This exclusive Unquote Travel tour is brought to you in conjunction with local tour provider: Tour Mongolia. Tour Mongolia has been a local tour leader in Mongolia since 2001. We chose to work with them due to their experience connecting travelers with local Mongolian culture, their focus on adventure travel, and their continued dedication to Responsible Tourism. Hope you’ll let us show you the real Mongolia!
Important Notes
Cancellations and Refunds
If you must cancel your reservation for a tour and/or its extension, we will refund your payment, less the following fees per tour and/or extension:
| Days Prior to Trip Start Date | Trip Cancellation Fee Per Person |
| 60+ days | $250 |
| 31 – 60 days | 50% of trip price |
| 0-30 days | 100% of trip price |
Payment Schedule
Payment in full is due 90 days before trip start date.
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