ADVENTURE TRIP

Journey to
the Enigmatic
Gobi

BACTRIAN CAMELS, SINGING SAND, MAGICAL SUNSETS, AND A SKY FULL
OF STARTS. JOIN THE ZAYA TEAM ON THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE TO THE
GOBI, EXPERIENCE THE FLAVOURS, NOMADIC CULTURES &
BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES THAT MAKE IT LEGENDARY
DAYS
4-9
Want to challenge yourself this summer? Prepare for a unique adventure loaded with breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences as you travel from the busy streets of UB to the quiet sands of the Gobi. Discover mysterious charm of the golden sands, stroll through the dunes with a friendly camel, call into the biggest monasteries & temples on the way, get a taste of Mongolian hospitality with a ger stay in in the middle of the Gobi and reflect on tragic folk stories told by the elders in the dim light of the candle. With an expert guide bringing the history to life, and plenty of freedom to explore at your own pace – this eye-opening adventure is so much more than a trip, but an experience of a life-time.

Why you will absolutely love this tour!

  • Make the most out of our package trip. We offer the best prices available on the market & all of your expenses are included. Safely fly over here & we will take care of the rest.
  • Experience the legendary hospitality of Mongolia. With five nights spent across Mongolian traditional yurts, you’ll immerse yourself in local life.
  • Surround yourself with the surreal landscapes of the southern Mongolia, including the enchanting sand dunes, eroded hills and watch dramatic sunsets from on top of the Bactrian camel.
  • Visit the biggest national parks, and monasteries on the way, immerse yourself in the history & culture of Mongolia.

Is this trip the one?

  • You need to have a good level of fitness and be in excellent health to take part in this trip. Medical facilities can be as far away as 1-2 days’ drive at times, as some locations are very remote. During this journey the group will spend time in remote areas without home comforts or easy access to medical facilities.
  • You’ll experience varying temperatures in the desert and out on the steppe or in the mountains, so check the weather forecast online before you visit and pack accordingly.
  • You’ll be spending some nights with a local family in yurt on this trip. While the “ger/yurt” is shared and small, this is a great opportunity to connect with the nomads (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals).
  • Eating can be pretty challenging for vegan/vegetarian travelers as Mongolians mostly depend on meat and dairy products. Vegan/vegetarian food options can be scarce. However, we will try our best to suit your needs.
  • Some destinations have outdoor bathroom facilities (squat toilets), and it won’t be possible to take a shower every day on this trip.
  • Daily drives range from 3 to 7 hours in duration. While this can be tiring for some travelers, the sceneries & experiences are well worth the ride!

Standard

Our Adventure trips are designed for travelers who want exceptional experience, plenty of free time and having the flexibility to choose where and how their time and money is spent. By working plenty of free time into the itineraries and keeping many of the activities optional, we aim to make travel possible for those on even the slenderest of budgets. After all, why pay for an activity or excursion you wouldn’t otherwise be interested in?

Rules

  • Illegal drugs are strictly forbidden on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the country, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travelers.
  • Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure on their trip. We do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment, either between passengers or involving our leaders or local operators. Sexual relationships (consensual or otherwise) between a guide or driver and a passenger are unacceptable. If you ever feel another person is behaving inappropriately, please inform us immediately by contacting us.

6 days & 5 nights

Day 1: Tsagaan Suvraga

Embrace an early start and make your way to Zaya hostel to meet your guide, driver, and fellow travelers for breakfast. Your Gobi Journey begins with a road trip to one of the most unique and impressive attractions on this trip. It is fascinating to witness the steep slope facing east, which, from a distance, appears to be the remnants of an ancient city. These magnificent rock formations have been sculpted by the wind over millions of years. You can descend the sandy ravine and observe the vibrant layers of Earth’s history. Challenge yourself to reach the bottom, where you will be greeted by a breathtaking display of pinks, oranges, and whites, hence the name White Stupa. This remarkable sight can only be witnessed at this location.

Tonight, you will have the opportunity to stay with a local herder family, indulge in authentic local cuisine, immerse yourself in the nomad culture, and sleep in a traditional Mongolian dwelling called a ger. Although the ger may be small and shared, it provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the nomadic lifestyle and connect with the local people. Please note that there are no indoor facilities available.

Day 2: Yoliin Am

Today, embark on a unique journey to witness the beauty of Yolyn Am, also known as the bearded vulture valley. Located within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Yolyn Am offers a surprising contrast to the arid Gobi landscape, with its lush green hills and ice fields. Stepping into the park feels like entering a completely different world, making it easy to forget that you are still in the Gobi.

Over the years, water erosion has sculpted this magnificent deep canyon, adorned with rocky cliffs and ledges. One of its main attractions is the thick ice fields that remain frozen year-round, thanks to the valley’s lack of sunlight. It is truly a remarkable sight to witness glaciers in such close proximity to the scorching heat. However, due to the effects of climate change, these ice fields tend to defrost towards the end of summer.

Exploring the valley can be done on foot, or you can arrange for a horseback riding experience on-site. As night falls, you will have the opportunity to spend another night in a traditional ger, belonging to a herder family. While the attractions in the Gobi are undeniably breathtaking, it is the Gobi people who truly make the experience special. As the older generation of Gobi people age, their wealth of history and tragic tales are fading away with them. Take the time to sit with them, sipping on a cup of hot milk tea in the soft glow of candlelight, and let them share their stories with you.

And don’t forget to take a short walk during the night to marvel at the mesmerizing Mongolian night sky. Its beauty is both thrilling and unforgettable.

Day 3: Khongor Sand Dunes

Wake up early today! Embark on an exhilarating 180 km drive that will take you to the Khongoryn Sand Dunes, undoubtedly the highlight of the Gobi. The road may be winding, but the reward is great views of the world’s greatest desert, standing calm and proud. Words cannot adequately describe the sensation of being out in the Gobi Desert and witnessing the beauty of the wilderness. Prepare yourself for a challenging climb up the dunes, as the falling sand can make it quite difficult. However, the view from the top is beyond beautiful, with perfectly contoured shapes, shadows of ripples, undulating crests, and mountains in the background. As the day comes to an end, prepare to witness a truly magical sunset from this vantage point. Although not included in the trip, we highly recommend taking a camel ride to fully immerse yourself in the Gobi experience. Tonight, you will be staying at a tourist ger camp, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower.

Day 4: Flaming Cliffs

This morning, embark on a drive to the breathtaking flaming cliffs! No picture can truly capture the beauty of this remarkable scenery. The flaming cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, are especially awe-inspiring during sundown, when the sun’s angle creates stunning shadows on the cliffs. However, the cliffs are most renowned for their dinosaur discoveries. In the 1920s, Roy Chapman Andrews led a historic expedition that unearthed fossilized dinosaur eggs for the first time. Located in the heart of the Gobi Desert, the area offers an uninterrupted view of the vast land, sky, and clouds. Standing atop the cliff, you can truly appreciate the magnificent vistas. It is a sight that brings joy to humanity and should not be missed. The afternoon is yours to explore this mesmerizing place at your own leisure. Tonight, settle in at a ger camp where you can enjoy a hot shower.

Day 5: Baga Gazariin Chuluu

Start your day by waking up with the sun and embarking on another exciting road trip to your final destination, Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Located in Dundgobi, this stunning area is home to a series of magnificent rock granite formations. Stretching over 15 km in length and 6m in width, these formations are a sight to behold. While exploring this area, you will also learn about its intriguing and somewhat dark history of Buddhist monastery purges. Your knowledgeable tour guides will share fascinating stories that shed light on this past. For those seeking adventure, hiking up the towering granite rock formations that have formed impressive towers and ridges is a must-do activity. It will provide a thrilling and memorable way to conclude your trip. As the day comes to an end, you will settle into a traditional herder family ger for the final time. Gather together with your fellow travelers to enjoy a delicious final dinner, reflecting on the incredible experiences and memories made throughout your journey.

Day 6: Back to Ulaanbaatar

We enjoy a morning walk around Ancient Capital of Mongolia souvenir shopping and head back to Ulaanbaatar City. We enjoyed our last lunch together on the road arriving at approximately 5pm-6pm.

7 days & 6 nights

Day 1: Tsagaan Suvraga

Embrace an early start and make your way to Zaya hostel to meet your guide, driver, and fellow travelers for breakfast. Your Gobi Journey begins with a road trip to one of the most unique and impressive attractions on this trip. It is fascinating to witness the steep slope facing east, which, from a distance, appears to be the remnants of an ancient city. These magnificent rock formations have been sculpted by the wind over millions of years. You can descend the sandy ravine and observe the vibrant layers of Earth’s history. Challenge yourself to reach the bottom, where you will be greeted by a breathtaking display of pinks, oranges, and whites, hence the name White Stupa. This remarkable sight can only be witnessed at this location.

Tonight, you will have the opportunity to stay with a local herder family, indulge in authentic local cuisine, immerse yourself in the nomad culture, and sleep in a traditional Mongolian dwelling called a ger. Although the ger may be small and shared, it provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the nomadic lifestyle and connect with the local people. Please note that there are no indoor facilities available.

Day 2: Yoliin Am

Today, embark on a unique journey to witness the beauty of Yolyn Am, also known as the bearded vulture valley. Located within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Yolyn Am offers a surprising contrast to the arid Gobi landscape, with its lush green hills and ice fields. Stepping into the park feels like entering a completely different world, making it easy to forget that you are still in the Gobi.

Over the years, water erosion has sculpted this magnificent deep canyon, adorned with rocky cliffs and ledges. One of its main attractions is the thick ice fields that remain frozen year-round, thanks to the valley’s lack of sunlight. It is truly a remarkable sight to witness glaciers in such close proximity to the scorching heat. However, due to the effects of climate change, these ice fields tend to defrost towards the end of summer.

Exploring the valley can be done on foot, or you can arrange for a horseback riding experience on-site. As night falls, you will have the opportunity to spend another night in a traditional ger, belonging to a herder family. While the attractions in the Gobi are undeniably breathtaking, it is the Gobi people who truly make the experience special. As the older generation of Gobi people age, their wealth of history and tragic tales are fading away with them. Take the time to sit with them, sipping on a cup of hot milk tea in the soft glow of candlelight, and let them share their stories with you.

And don’t forget to take a short walk during the night to marvel at the mesmerizing Mongolian night sky. Its beauty is both thrilling and unforgettable.

Day 3 and 4: Khongor Sand Dunes

Wake up early today! Embark on an exhilarating 180 km drive that will take you to the Khongoryn Sand Dunes, undoubtedly the highlight of the Gobi. The road may be winding, but the reward is great views of the world’s greatest desert, standing calm and proud. Words cannot adequately describe the sensation of being out in the Gobi Desert and witnessing the beauty of the wilderness. Prepare yourself for a challenging climb up the dunes, as the falling sand can make it quite difficult. However, the view from the top is beyond beautiful, with perfectly contoured shapes, shadows of ripples, undulating crests, and mountains in the background. As the day comes to an end, prepare to witness a truly magical sunset from this vantage point. Although not included in the trip, we highly recommend taking a camel ride to fully immerse yourself in the Gobi experience. Tonight, you will be staying at a tourist ger camp, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower.

Day 5: Flaming Cliffs

This morning, embark on a drive to the breathtaking flaming cliffs! No picture can truly capture the beauty of this remarkable scenery. The flaming cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, are especially awe-inspiring during sundown, when the sun’s angle creates stunning shadows on the cliffs. However, the cliffs are most renowned for their dinosaur discoveries. In the 1920s, Roy Chapman Andrews led a historic expedition that unearthed fossilized dinosaur eggs for the first time. Located in the heart of the Gobi Desert, the area offers an uninterrupted view of the vast land, sky, and clouds. Standing atop the cliff, you can truly appreciate the magnificent vistas. It is a sight that brings joy to humanity and should not be missed. The afternoon is yours to explore this mesmerizing place at your own leisure. Tonight, settle in at a ger camp where you can enjoy a hot shower.

Day 6: Baga Gazariin Chuluu

Start your day by waking up with the sun and embarking on another exciting road trip to your final destination, Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Located in Dundgobi, this stunning area is home to a series of magnificent rock granite formations. Stretching over 15 km in length and 6m in width, these formations are a sight to behold. While exploring this area, you will also learn about its intriguing and somewhat dark history of Buddhist monastery purges. Your knowledgeable tour guides will share fascinating stories that shed light on this past. For those seeking adventure, hiking up the towering granite rock formations that have formed impressive towers and ridges is a must-do activity. It will provide a thrilling and memorable way to conclude your trip. As the day comes to an end, you will settle into a traditional herder family ger for the final time. Gather together with your fellow travelers to enjoy a delicious final dinner, reflecting on the incredible experiences and memories made throughout your journey.

Day 7: Back to Ulaanbaatar

Your journey to the enigmatic Gobi has come to an end with a ride back to UB. Although it may evoke a sense of melancholy to bid farewell to such a magnificent place, it is now time to return to civilization!

8 days & 7 nights

Day 1: Tsagaan Suvraga

Embrace an early start and head to Zaya hostel to meet your guide, driver, and fellow travelers over breakfast. Your Gobi Journey starts with a road trip to one of the most unique and impressive attractions on this trip. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east, which from a distance seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. Over millions of years the wind has created these wonderful rock formations. You can scramble down the sandy ravine and see all the many colorful layers of Earth’s history. Try to reach the bottom. From there you can see all the pinks, oranges, topped off with whites, hence the name White Stupa. It is an amazing sight, only to be seen at site. Tonight, spend the night at a local herder family, eat like a local, immerse yourself in the nomad culture, and sleep in a ger, a traditional dwelling for Mongolians. You share the ger with the family. While the ger is small and shared, this is a great way to experience the nomad lifestyle & connect with the people. There are no indoor.

Day 2: Yoliin Am

Today embark on a unique journey to see the Yolin Am/The bearded vulture valley. Located in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park Yolyn Am is an unexpected slice of the Gobi that features green hills and ice fields. Entering into the park is like being transported to a whole different place, you will forget that you are in the Gobi. Many years of water erosion has created this stunning deep canyon with many rocky cliffs and ledges. It’s famous for the meters thick ice fields that remain frozen throughout the year, as the valley is blocked from sunlight. It is an amazing site to witness glaciers, minutes away from walking in the blazing heat. However, due to climate change, they tend to defrost towards the end of summer. You can explore the valley by foot, or horseback riding can be arranged on site. Tonight, it’s another night in a herder family ger. The attractions in the Gobi are definitely breathtaking, but the Gobi people are truly the best part of the Gobi. As the Gobi people get older, all the abundant history & tragic tales are fading away with them, so have them pour it all over you with a cup of hot milk tea in the dim light of a candle. Don’t forget to go for a short walk during the night to gaze at the Mongolian night sky. It is thrillingly beautiful & never forgettable.

Day 3: Khongor Sand Dunes

Wake up early today! An exhilarating drive of 180 kms brings you to the Khongoryn Sand Dunes, undoubtedly the highlight of the Gobi. The road is winding but the you’ll be greeted with great views of the world’s greatest desert standing calm & firm/proud. The sensation of being out in the Gobi Desert, and witnessing the beauty of the wilderness is impossible to adequately put into words. Climb up the dunes, it can be pretty challenging against the falling sand, but the view is beyond beautiful… shapes perfectly contoured with shadows of ripples and undulating crests, mountains in the background. You will witness the most magical sunset while on top. Although not included in the trip, a camel ride is highly recommended to fully experience the Gobi. You will be spending the night at a tourist ger camp today, with an opportunity of a hot shower.

Day 4: Flaming Cliffs

This morning drive out to the picturesque flaming cliffs! Pictures simply can’t do justice to this amazing scenery. Flaming cliffs /Bayanzag/ are particularly impressive near sundown, when the angle of the sun paints the cliffs and yields wonderful shadows, but what the cliffs are really famous for are the dinosaur discoveries, starting with historic expedition of Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920s, which discovered for the first time fossilized dinosaur eggs. It’s just in the middle of the Gobi Desert, and there is nothing else in the vast land as far as the eye can see. Feel how it’s to be on top of the cliff, soak in the views of vistas of land, sky and clouds. It is a true delight to humankind, and a sight to behold. The afternoon is free for you to explore the mesmerizing place at your own pace. Settle tonight at a ger camp with an opportunity for a hot shower.

Day 5: Ongi Monastery

Rise with the sun, and enjoy another road trip to your next destination, Ongi Monastery. We will hike up to ancient ruins of a temple which was built in the 18th century, used to consist of 17 temples – among them one of the largest temples in all of Mongolia. Unfortunately, today both complexes of Ongi Monastery were completely destroyed and over 200 monks were killed in 1939 during anti-religious purges carried out under comunist leader of Mongolia Choibalsan. Meals included – Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6: Orkhon Valley

Today, you will be visiting the beautiful Orkhon Valley. Orkhon valley is one of the world’s most important cultural regions and recognized as a “Cultural Landscape” of the UNESCO World Heritage in 2004. It is a must destination for tourists to experience the nomadic and lush green lands of Mongolia. Thought the ride is exhilarating and challenging, it’s pleasantly peaceful and extremely beautiful. You can sit by the stream, listen to the sounds of nature, and watch the horses across the lush grassland.

Day 7: Kharkhorin

After breakfast settle in a ride top the Ancient capital of Mongolia, Kharkhorin. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the nomads. You will be visiting Erdenezuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist Monastery and probably the most important one. The monastery went through periods of neglect and prosperity until finally the Stalinist purges of 1937 put it completely out of business. After the collapse of communism, it became active again, offering a peaceful haven & religious freedom top the ones that seek it. Main 3 temples were destroyed, and most of the monks were purged, but it still stands proud today in the beautiful valley. Next, drive to the Kharkhorin Museum, where you will get an insight to the ancient Mongolia, the legendary Chinggis khan, and his empire. You will be spending the night at a tourist ger camp today.

Day 8: Ulaanbaatar

We enjoy a morning walk around Ancient Capital of Mongolia souvenir shopping and head back to Ulaanbaatar City. We enjoy our last lunch together on the road arriving at approximately 5pm-6pm.

Airport pick-up & drop-off

Meals during the trip
breakfast, lunch, dinner

4-wheel car & driver

Accommodation during the trip
tourist ger camp
local family ger

English speaking tour guide

Entrance to parks & monasteries

Exclusions

  • Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar city
  • Meals in Ulaanbaatar city
  • Travel & Health Insurance
  • Snacks & alcoholic beverages

Check Available Dates
Journey to Enigmatic Gobi is available during entire year.
6 days & 5 nights

1 person $1990
2 persons $1164
3 persons $885
4 persons $745
5 persons $660
6 persons $600

7 days & 6 nights

1 person $2360
2 persons $1361
3 persons $1028
4 persons $861
5 persons $760
6 persons $690

8 days & 7 nights

1 person $2600
2 persons $1500
3 persons $1129
4 persons $930
5 persons $820
6 persons $745

Tour Booking Form

    ZayaTravel Reminder

    REVIEWS

    Gobi Desert was super nice. I went to there with my boyfriend in Dec of 2018. We had an incredible time on the 6 days tour to Gobi Desert. Gobi Desert was super nice. There was nothing. No tourists of course. We stayed in the local camel herder family. They use dried dungs of cattle as fuel for heading the tent. That is great smart eco-friendly stuff. We ride camels & really enjoyed learning about everyday life of Nomadic family. We did not feel like tourists but that it had become our home away from home for the time we spent there.
    Breanna Wilson
    This Mongolian experience made our trip, despite the weather not being on our side! From start to finish the team we’re amazing, accommodating is an understatement. We had some of the worst weather but Oyunaa did not let this damper our experience. Everything you get to do is just incredible, from visiting nomadic family, horse and camel riding along the beautiful open green fields. You’ll meet great people and have the time of your life.
    Simon Koh
    I traveled alone to Mongolia in June. A month before the trip, I couldn’t find suitable tour groups until I contacted Zaya Travel team. Zaya team was able to match me up with other 3 other travelers to cut cost and could go to Gobi for 7 days. I was not prepared for wide open, flat spaces, dirt roads, nomad camps, goats, yak, camels, horses, fresh air, starry nights, friendly people, some impressive scenery. Drink yak milk, eat tasty Mongolian food. My first night in a gur is amazing, then you become blasé. It’s basic with nomads but camps have toilets and showers. Take a sleeping bag, layers of clothing. Just let it unfold on a day by day basis – be impressed by a waterfall in a country with water shortages, ride a horse, a camel, be impressed by 25 or more brands of vodka, buy ice cream in a shop in a dusty town with a few houses, situated in the middle of nowhere. Wonder at the history of people who can live in incredibly harsh conditions and leave as I did – wanting to know more, hoping to return.
    Phil Gori
    We did the 4 days tour with Zaya Travel around central parts of Mongolia. My favorite spot during this 4 days was Orkhon Valley. This was a standout sight, we had traveled overland to meet with our Horse wrangler, and it was late afternoon on a nice August day as we approached. After parking up my guide went off to check that the horses were ready for our travels down the valley in the morning whilst I was taken in hand by the wrangler’s children who led me by secret paths to the base of the waterfall, where wonder of wonders the sun produced a magical rainbow. It really is a lovely site Cheers from Troy and the whole Zaya Travel family.
    Ryane Paschke
    This was a first-class trip all the way! Highly recommend for anyone traveling to Mongolia. From the time my husband and I had the idea to visit Mongolia, to the end of our journey, we were exceptionally cared for and our trip surpassed all expectations. Zaya’s worked with us to plan the trip, we gave them ideas of what we wanted to do, and the made it possible within our budget and timeline.
    Susan