Best Gobi Desert Tour 8 days

Day1. Khustai National Park & Elsen Tasarkhai Sands

We will pick you up from your accommodation & start the Gobi Desert tour. Then we will drive to Khustai National Park (100 km – 2 hours on the paved road). National Park Khustai where re-introduction of the wild takhi horses (Przhevalsky’s horses) has taken place since 1992. Takhi is last wild horse subspecies surviving in the 21st century. It was discovered in western Mongolia in the late 1870s by the Russian explorer N.M. Przhevalsky. Then we will be spent at leisure hiking in the surrounding mountains for seeing the wild horses. If we luck we may see also maral deer & other animals. Then we will drive to Elsen Tasarkhai Sands (225 km – 4 hours on the paved road). Its English meaning is Piece of Sand and considered the northern edge of the Gobi desert. It is small sand dunes, continuously lies in the lowland of legendary Khugnu Khaan and Bat Khaan Mountains. On arrival you will have dinner at the nomads’ ger. Enjoy the joyful atmosphere and learn the clever nomads’ way of life by taking every chance of taking part in the nomadic life activities like a nomad. Then we will ride camels here (1 hour). The two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as they walk slowly and gently and we will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Overnight there.

Day2. Karakorum & Tsenkher Hot Spring

Today is second day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Karakorum (75 km – 1 hour on the paved road). Karakorum, the capital of Great Mongolian State where today there is a small local township. After 200 years its sacked by Chinese, Erdene Zuu, built in 1586, is the first Buddhist monastery to have been built in Mongolia and by various construction materials were taken from the ruins of Karakorum. We will respectively visit  to Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum & other interesting historical sights there. Then we will drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring (125 km – 2 hours on the paved road). It is the most famous pool in the country & one of the most popular Central Mongolian attractions. The water has a perfect temperature of about 36 – 40°C and contains a lot of minerals. In fact, the Tsenkher Spring has now become so popular that in order to it may crowded. In the evening, we will stay in the open pool of the tourist ger camp. Overnight in the tourist ger camp. 

Day3. Tuvkhun Temple & Orkhon Waterfall

Today is third day of Gobi Desert tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Tuvkhun Temple (120 km – 3 hours on the dirt road). The monastery is located on the peak of the densely forested and picturesque mountain Shiveet at the elevation of 2000m. Mongolian first bogd (head of the Buddhism) Zanabazar’s followers built the temple in 1653 for meditation and art studio purpose. There is several interesting things to see. Meditation caves, foot print of Zanabazar on the rock, first drawn version of soyombe, independence symbol, etc. We will hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top or the monastery. After lunch time, we will drive to Orkhon Waterfall (60 km – 2 hours on the dirt road). Over 25 m high and 10 m wide Orkhon Waterfall is the biggest waterfall in the country and one of the most attractive destination in Orkhon River valley, UNISCO World heritage site. The surrounding areas of the waterfall was formed by volcanic activities dated back approximately 20,000 years and covered by over 10 m thick lava layer. Overnight there.

Day4. Ongi Monastery Ruin

Today is fourth day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Ongi Monastery Ruin (305 km – 8 hours on the dirt road). It is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery founded in 1760 and destroyed in 1937 by communist purges. Located on the shore of the Ongi River, the monastery was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Gobi Desert. Raw violence of the destruction at the site was still visible, still palpable, even though it happened over years ago. We will hike to the ruins for visiting to local ger museum displayed survived objects of destroyed monastery and a small lovely and active Buddhist temple. Overnight there.

Day5. Bayanzag – dinosaur site

Today is fifth day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Bayanzag (155 km – 4 hours on the dirt road). American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered this place and named as Flaming Cliffs. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as Protoceratops & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there in first time. The red colored cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun. We will walk around the site. Overnight there.

Day6. Khongor Sand Dune – camel riding & climb up to top

Today is sixth day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Khongor Sand Dune (150 km – 5 hours on dirt road). Khongor is biggest sand dune in the Gobi Desert that extend from 5 to 10 km in width, nearly 100 km long, with crests rising 80 to 300m above the surrounding landscape. The booming sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar when occurs windy day. Hence locals called it as Singing Sands. Near Khongor River at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. We will ride camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes and explore the area where climbing one of the dunes affords the energetic traveler with an unforgettable experience of endless vistas across a sea of daffodil-colored sand. Overnight there.

Day7. Yol Gorge – natural museum & horse riding

Today is seventh day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to Yol Valley (190 km – 5 hours on the dirt road). Yol means vulture in Mongolian and the gorge is located in Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range & stretches over 10 km. The narrowest part, only 3 or 4 person can pass in same time, of the valley is completely shaded from the direct sun shine by high cliff walls. Also, the valley is famous for the fact that there is ice created in winter by small stream of the valley present there even during the hot summer months until mid of Jul. We will do an hour hiking there & then also visit to the small natural museum. (optional horse ride is possible in here). Overnight there.

Day8. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar.

Today is last day of Gobi Desert Tour. After breakfast time, we will drive to the Gurvan Saikhan airfield (50 km – 1 hour on paved road) & fly back to Ulaanbaatar (1 hour flight). After you landed in the city, our driver will pick you up and transfer to your accommodation. END.