The Gobi Desert offers an awe-inspiring landscape filled with vast open spaces, towering rock formations, hidden oases, and nomadic camel herders. It is known as the largest and coldest desert globally, excluding the polar regions. This winter tour is a fantastic opportunity to explore this remarkable region while experiencing the unique culture and lifestyle of the Gobi Desert’s nomadic people.
Diary
Day 1: Tour to Baga Gazariin Chuluu
Our journey begins as we depart from your accommodation and head towards Baga Gazariin Chuluu. This area is home to determined granite mountains that cover 300 square kilometers in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Shy mountain sheep and ibexes are native to this region. As you arrive at Baga Gazariin Chuluu in the autumn, you’ll be enveloped by the refreshing desert air, tranquility, and natural beauty. Enjoy a hike through the picturesque canyons. Later, we continue our drive to Mandalgobi, the central city of Dundgobi province, where we will stay in a traditional hostel.
Accommodation: Original hostel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga and Dalanzadgad City
On our way to Dalanzadgad, we will explore Tsagaan Suvarga, a stunning natural formation featuring massive, stupa-like sedimentary cliffs that reach heights of 20-60 meters and extend for 400 meters. Hiking through this unique landscape offers excellent photo opportunities. After a day of exploration, we return to our original hostel in Dalanzadgad.
Accommodation: Original hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Hiking in Yoliin Am (Bearded Eagle Valley)
Today, we visit Yoliin Am, known as Eagle Valley, one of the most beautiful canyons in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. You might even spot wild creatures like ibex and mountain sheep if you’re lucky. Bearded eagles take flight in the morning as they catch the sun’s rays on the valley’s upper cliffs, giving this place its name. Hiking through this valley takes about 3 hours. Afterward, we journey to Mukhar Shivert Valley, where a small stream flows over beautiful rocks. Witness the frozen waterfall and then return to Dalanzadgad.
Accommodation: Original hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: The Largest Sand Dunes in Khongor
Prepare to be amazed by the stunning scenery as we drive to the Khongor Sand Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in Mongolia. Often referred to as the “Singing Dunes,” they rise 300 meters above the surrounding area and stretch for approximately 5-35 kilometers and about 100 kilometers in length. The sandy slopes are accessible, and the views from the top are simply breathtaking.
Accommodation: Guest ger
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Driving to Ongi Monastery via Flaming Cliffs
After breakfast, we continue our journey to the Flaming Cliffs, a famous dinosaur excavation site. These red cliffs were formed over thousands of years through the erosion of sandstone and rock. The Flaming Cliffs have been the site of significant dinosaur discoveries, including the first evidence of dinosaur nests. We will also take a short hike among the cliffs and see a grove of saxaul trees, unique to the Central Asian Gobi Desert. Our journey then leads us to Ongi Monastery, where you’ll stay with a nomadic family to experience life in the Gobi Desert.
Accommodation: Nomadic family’s extra ger
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu Monastery in the Orkhon Valley
Our journey takes us from the Gobi Desert to the mountainous Orkhon Valley. Kharkhorin, once known as Karakorum, was the capital of the Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the fall of the Empire, Karakorum was abandoned and later destroyed. Today, you can explore the ancient Erdenezuu Monastery, which coexists with the modern Kharkhorin city in the vast Orkhon River Valley. Visit the monastery’s gallery to see precious religious artifacts and its stunning architecture. Additionally, the Kharkhorum Museum displays archaeological findings from the ancient city of Karakhorum.
Accommodation: Original hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Horse and Camel Riding. Return to Ulaanbaatar
On the final day of our tour, we will visit a nomadic family of horse herders and experience horse and camel riding. Join the nomads for a traditional nomadic lunch. We’ll then return to Ulaanbaatar and transfer you to your booked accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Background
This Gobi Desert winter tour is suitable for those seeking a moderate adventure with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique culture and lifestyle of the Gobi Desert’s nomadic people. The tour includes stays with nomadic families, guest gers, and traditional hostels. While there is some light physical activity, such as hiking and horse and camel riding, there are no strenuous activities. You can choose to climb the high sand dunes, but it’s not mandatory, and lower dunes also offer a great experience. The tour ensures you stay warm and comfortable, with traditional gers heated by a fire.
Best Time to Take the Gobi Desert Winter Tour
This tour can be enjoyed year-round. Mongolia’s weather can be highly variable, so it’s advisable to check the seasonal weather conditions. Regardless of the weather, you’ll experience the warmth of Mongolian hospitality, and the trip is well-equipped to keep you comfortable. Traditional Mongolian clothing, known as Deel, can be provided upon request to keep you warm.
Winter Tour Meals
Meals are authentic and local, allowing you to savor traditional Mongolian dishes in original cafes and food courts where locals dine. Mongolians typically eat one substantial meal at a time, and the diet is rich in meat to combat the cold temperatures and high elevations. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, please inform us in advance.
Guides and Transportation
Most of our guides are English-speaking, but we can provide guides in other languages upon request, including German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese. Our guides are knowledgeable and friendly, with deep insights into Mongolia. We use well-maintained four-wheel-drive vehicles driven by experienced drivers for land transportation.