Exploring the Gobi desert
Quick Reference Itinerary
Day 1Today you will arrive in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be transferred to the Bayan Gol Hotel to check-in and freshen up. In the afternoon we will have a leisurely program of sightseeing including the National History Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. Both museums house impressive displays of Mongolian National and Religious history. In the evening you will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 2In the morning, following breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the capital of the Gobi Aimag of Bayankhongor. The flight, to the township of the same name, will take about one and half hours. Upon arrival you will be met by our local jeeps and drivers and taken to the Tuin River for lunch. In the afternoon we will drive south to reach Orog Lake for our overnight tented camp. Orog lake is nestled in the foothills of Ikh Bogd Mountain. It is a salt lake of 140 square kilometres. The only species of fish inhabiting in the lake is the Osman. In the springtime, many kinds of birds migrate to the area and spend summer on the lake, such as Great Cormorant and different species of swans, goose, duck and seagull. The foreshore of Orog Lake is home to many of the Gobi's nomadic peoples. It is a picturesque setting with the light blue lake surrounded by yellow reeds and water plants with the backdrop of the mighty Ikh Bogd Mountain.
Day 3This morning we will drive to Mountain Ikh Bayan where we explore some ancient rock engravings. This historical site is famous not only in Mongolia but is also a valuable cultural heritage of an ancient civilization of the world. The engravings are on the rocky slope of the mountain and stretch for a few hundred metres and remain in good condition. On the way we will visit White Cave. Day 4This morning we will continue our driving to a place called Bambu and meet with our local camel man. Visit local herdsman family and experience their life style. We will make camp overnight near his ger. Day 5Today we start our linear camel riding tour. We will ride for about 15kms and reach Mount Burkhan Hailaast in the afternoon. This is a beautiful mountain in the middle of the Gobi desert that is formed from granite rock. The mountainous valleys are called Sixty Oasis and Seventy Oasis and have water pools that sustain wildlife and domestic animals of the area. The mountain is rich with flora and fauna. In the early evening and morning we will be able to see wild mountain goats and sheep grazing on the mountainside. Tonight we will make a tented camp for overnight. Day 6Continue the ride to Zuun Mod Oasis. Today we ride through the area of the Central Asian desert that has the harshest weather. The annual rainfall is not more than 50mm. The day temperature in July is 37-40 degree of Celsius and is 30-35 in August. Today's ride is about 30kms. Zuun Mod is an oasis in the middle of the desert and has bushes, trees, and low sand dunes and this is the start of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park 
Day 7
Continue riding through the desert for about 25 kms and reach a place called Bugiin Tsav. This is one of the places in Central Asia that is rich with palaeontologic findings of dinosaur bones. On arrival we explore the fossils of dinosaurs and other fresh water inhabitants. Day 8After a farewell breakfast with our camel men we return to the vehicles and drive to Hermen Tsav. This is a canyon made from thousands of years of erosion of red sand and which stretches for about 10kms in the Gobi desert. The area has desert plants and trees and many fossilized remains of ancient animals. We will make camp near the edge of the canyon's mouth. In the afternoon we will have time to walk through the centre of the canyon and explore the fascinating plant species and rock formations. Day 9Today we will continue driving in the National Park On the way we will stop at the foothills of Mount Nemegt to explore the amazing cliffs at Ulaan Hongil. In the late evening we will reach the sand dunes at Hongoriin Els and stay overnight at a local ger camp. Day 10Today will be a day of well-earned rest, after being constantly on the go for the past few days. We will have time to explore the sand dunes and beautiful setting at Hongoriin Gol (River), which runs on the northern side of the sand dunes. Dinner and overnight will be at the ger camp. Day 11Today we will continue driving through the National Park and make our way deep into the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain Range, which is part of the Altai Mountains, stretching from the northwest corner of Mongolia. We will reach the place known as Eagle Valley and make camp overnight near the entrance to the valley. In the afternoon we will explore the high cliff walls and the bird life that inhabits the area. Day 12This morning we will drive to the Aimag Capital of South Gobi Aimag, Dalanzadgad. From here we will take a local flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival we will be met and transferred to the Bayan Gol Hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 13Today will be a full day of sightseeing in the city. We will start at the Buddhist Monastery, the largest in Mongolia, Gandan Hiid. We will also visit the Natural History Museum and the ancient Palace of the last Bogd Khan. After lunch there will be time for some shopping and purchasing of souvenirs. The evening program will be of a local concert featuring Mongolia music and dancing followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Day 14This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure. |
Departure date: Available from 1 June to 1 OctoberPrices per person: Tour prices include:
Tour prices do not include: Alcohol drinks, all items of personal nature, airport taxes and international transportation to and from Mongolia |
