Secret Of the Gobi Desert & The Winding Steppes Of Mongolia - 8 Days

Join an unforgettable 8 day journey through the Gobi Desert and the vast Mongolian steppes. This carefully crafted itinerary is part of our authentic mongolia set departure tour series and showcases some of the most stunning landscapes and cultural highlights found in mongolia tours. From golden sand dunes and dramatic cliffs to traditional camel rides and warm nomadic welcomes this adventure offers the perfect balance of exploration and connection.

Trip Price:

Supplement price:

Supplement for Airport transfer (one way):

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival (D)
Day 2: Gorkhi - Terelj National Park & Genghis Khan statue (70 km) (B, L, D)
Day 3: Baga Gazriin Chuluu (330 km) (B, L, D)
Day 4: Yolyn Am (280 km) (B, L, D)
Day 5: Bayanzag, flaming cliff (100 km) (B, L, D)
Day 6: Tsagaan Suvarga (270 km) (B, L, D)
Day 7: Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (480 km) (B, L, D)
Day 8: Departure (B)

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: City tour in Ulaanbaatar (D)

The tour will start at J Hotel Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar, a modern metropolis with over 1.5 million residents, awaits your exploration.

Depending on your arrival time, we will arrange a city tour, including the Genghis Khan Museum, Mongolia's largest, featuring over 8,300 artifacts spanning the country's history. We'll also visit the Bogd Khan’s Winter and Summer Palace, a former royal residence now showcasing artifacts, costumes, and the king’s collection of stuffed animals.

Next, explore Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Mongolia’s largest, and admire the 82-foot golden statue of Migjid Janraisig. The tour concludes with a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar from Zaisan Hill, lasting approximately 5 to 6 hours.

Accommodation: 

• J Hotel

Meals:

• Dinner

Activities: 

• Discover the historic Bogd Khan Winter and Summer Palace
• Experience the spiritual ambiance of Gandan Monastery
• Immerse yourself in history at the Genghis Khan Museum
• Hike up Zaisan Hill for panoramic city views

Day 2: Gorkhi - Terelj National Park & Genghis Khan statue (70 km) (B, L, D)

We'll depart Ulaanbaatar early in the morning and head 70 km east to Terelj National Park, a stunning landscape of forested hills, dramatic granite cliffs, and vibrant wildflower - filled valleys. Along the way, you'll see herds of yaks, horses, goats, and sheep grazing peacefully in the open meadows. Terelj is the perfect place to enjoy hiking, horseback riding, swimming, or simply relaxing in nature.

Our first stop will be the iconic Genghis Khan Monument - a towering aluminum statue of the legendary leader on horseback. You can climb to the top for panoramic views and visit the museum below to learn about the history and legacy of the Great Mongol Empire. We'll also explore the famous Turtle Rock and visit Aryaval Monastery, a tranquil meditation center nestled at the base of a mountain, offering scenic trails and more opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Accommodation: 

• Guru ger camp with shared facilities

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Visit the towering Genghis Khan Statue and enjoy panoramic views
• Discover the peaceful Aryaval Monastery nestled in the mountains
• Marvel at the unique natural formation of Turtle Rock
• Enjoy the opportunity to go horseback riding through scenic landscapes

Day 3: Baga Gazriin Chuluu (330 km) (B, L, D)

Your journey begins 250 kilometers south to the stunning Baga Gazriin Chuluu, where towering granite formations rise from the heart of Mongolia’s sandy plains. On this vast landscape, you’ll find the remains of the Delgeriin Choir Monastery. Inside a traditional Ger, a 12 - walled structure, monks chant during the cold months when the stone monastery becomes too chilly.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive and hike through the region’s towering granite hills. As you explore, discover the peaceful ruins of a small monastery nestled in a quiet valley. Baga Gazriin Chuluu is also home to a spring known for its healing properties, with locals using its waters to treat eye ailments

Accommodation: 

• Erdene Ukhaa ger camp shared facilities

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Explore the Choir Monastery
• Discover the stunning rock formation of Baga Gazar
• Visit the ruins of the solitary monk's retreat

Day 4: Yolyn Am (280 km) (B, L, D)

Today, we embark on a drive to Dalanzadgad, the vibrant town in Mongolia’s South Gobi province. Our route takes us through the awe-inspiring Gobi Desert, a vast expanse stretching across Mongolia and China. Spanning 1,610 kilometers from southwest to northeast and 800 kilometers from north to south, the Gobi covers an immense area of 1,295,000 km². As the fifth - largest desert in the world and the largest in Asia, it is a striking landscape dominated not by endless sand dunes but by rugged, bare rock.

The Gobi is a desert of extremes - harsh winters transform it into a frigid wilderness, with frost and snow dusting its dunes. Its northern latitude and high elevation (910 - 1,520 meters above sea level) contribute to its bitterly cold temperatures. With an average annual rainfall of just 194 millimeters, the Gobi is arid, yet winter winds carry snow from the Siberian Steppes, bringing precious moisture. Temperatures swing dramatically, from a bone-chilling –40°C in winter to a scorching +50°C in summer.

Our adventure will lead us through the dramatic gorges of Altai Mountain Range, including a visit to Yolyn Am in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. This striking gorge, carved by ancient rivers, is famed for its lush green valleys nestled between towering cliffs. Along the way, we may encounter the desert’s remarkable wildlife - majestic Argali sheep, nimble Ibex, swift desert gazelles, and even the soaring Golden Eagles. Each sighting is a reminder of the resilience of life in this extraordinary landscape. 

Accommodation: 

• Khan Bogd ger camp with shared facilities

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Visit the park museum showcasing Gobi wildlife, geology, and traditional culture
• Trek through Yolyn Am’s dramatic cliffs and lingering ice formations
• Hike along ancient riverbeds and keep an eye out for native wildlife

Day 5: Bayanzag, flaming cliff (100 km) (B, L, D)

We're off to Bayanzag, the world-famous "Flaming Cliffs" - where explorer Roy Chapman Andrews made history by uncovering dinosaur fossils and eggs in the 1920s. Walk among the striking red-rock formations and desert vegetation. Explore the site of groundbreaking paleontological discoveries. Visit the local museum to see fossils and expedition artifacts.

Learn about the historic Gobi Desert expeditions that rewrote science. This surreal landscape of rust-colored cliffs against the blue desert sky will transport you back to the age of dinosaurs! Later we will explore Moltsog sand dunes. Nestled in the Gobi Desert, Moltsog Els offers a spectacular landscape of rolling sand dunes surrounded by rugged mountains. Unlike the more famous Khongoryn Els, these dunes provide a more secluded and intimate desert experience.

Accommodation: 

• Gobi Tour ger camp with shared facilities

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Explore the Bayanzag cliffs, the famous dinosaur fossil site
• Discover the secluded Moltsog sand dune
• Visit a local camel-herding family and experience nomadic life firsthand

Day 6: Tsagaan Suvarga (270 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we begin our journey to the Gobi Desert, where the scenery gradually shifts from green grasslands to dramatic, rugged terrain. By afternoon, we arrive at Tsagaan Suvraga, a breathtaking 30 meter high and 100 meter wide cliff shaped by centuries of wind and erosion.

From a distance, it looks like the ruins of an ancient city, with natural stone formations resembling crumbling towers and walls. This site is a highlight of many Mongolia tours, rich in ancient history and culture. Visitors can find petroglyphs depicting ibex hunters, wild animals, and cattle, along with Turkic inscriptions carved into nearby cave walls.

A deep fissure cuts across the landscape from east to west, revealing towering mud columns and layered rock walls. Some of the caves extend over 70 meters inside, offering an otherworldly experience that feels like walking into the mouth of a giant creature.

Accommodation: 

• Tsagaan Suvarga ger camp with shared facilities

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Discover the stunning Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs

Day 7: Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (480 km) (B, L, D)

It's time to head back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's vibrant capital. On your return, enjoy a captivating cultural performance featuring skilled contortionists, powerful throat singers, and the lively, rhythmic dances that showcase Mongolia's rich heritage.

Accommodation: 

• J Hotel

Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities: 

• Enjoy a folklore performance featuring throat singers
• Shop for unique souvenirs or luxurious cashmere

Day 8: Check-out and end of Mongolia Tours (B)

This morning, have breakfast at your hotel. Please check out before 12:00 PM. Thank you for making your Mongolia trip with Go Mongolia Tours!

Meals:

• Breakfast

Notes:  

• Please be aware that hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. Where flights are cancelled or delayed Go Mongolia Tours will endeavour to secure alternative arrangements of similar value as noted in our booking conditions.  

• The travelling times mentioned within this dossier are approximations only. These times will vary according to weather, road, traffic or any other prevailing conditions.  

• This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at time of writing. However, it DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and Go Mongolia Tours.