Camels crossing the Gobi near Khongor Sand Dunes
Riding through Yolyn Am
Ice in Yolyn Am’s deep gorge
Climbing the Khongor Sand Dunes
Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs
Gobi Desert
Overview
This tour follows the beautiful landscapes and must-see attractions of Mongolia’s Golden Gobi, offering a truly epic adventure through southern Mongolia. The scenery is wonderfully varied: deep canyon, ice-filled valley, sheer rocky mountains, vast sand dunes, endless steppe, saxaul forests, and the Flaming Cliffs, where the world’s first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered. The tour includes one of the main attractions in the Gobi Desert: the opportunity to ride two-humped Bactrian camels. With round-trip flights from Ulaanbaatar, this 4-day tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the Gobi in a short amount of time.
The tour starts and ends at your accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Our friendly local driver and guide are experienced professionals, committed to making your tour the best it can be.
Highlights
- Yolyn Am (Eagle Valley)
- Khongor Sand Dunes
- Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Itinerary
In the morning, our guide and driver will meet you at your accommodation in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the airport for your flight (about 1.5 hours) to Dalanzadgad, the center of Umnugovi province. After arrival in Dalanzadgad, meet your local guide and driver, then drive to Bayanzag, known as the homeland of dinosaur fossils. This place is rich with saxaul trees, which is why it was given the name “Bayanzag”, meaning “rich in saxaul”.
In 1922, an American paleontological expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews — an explorer, adventurer, and naturalist — discovered Protoceratops fossils here, along with the first fossilized dinosaur eggs ever found, proving for the first time that dinosaurs laid eggs. At sunset, the red cliffs in the area look as if they are burning in flame, which is why Andrews named this place the “Flaming Cliffs.” The Flaming Cliffs come alive at sunset, offering a surreal connection with nature and a dream canvas for photographers.
Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Driving Distance: Approx. 118km
After breakfast, drive to the Khongor Sand Dunes, Mongolia’s largest and most spectacular sand dunes, also known as the “Singing Dunes”. Enjoy the beautiful scene of the Golden Gobi along the way. Upon arrival, transfer to the tourist ger camp and check-in.
The Khongor Sand Dunes are a magnificent sight! Hiking here is unique, as there are no set trails — everyone blazes their own path. Upon reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Gobi Desert and the surrounding dunes. As you walk along the ridge, this breathtaking scenery, stretching for miles in every direction, is unequaled anywhere else in the South Gobi. This tour is suitable for everyone and requires no special physical prep. You'll come away with amazing memories and stories to share!
We will also take a short excursion to the “Seruun Bulag” oasis, located near the northern edge of the Khongor Sand Dunes, and ride two-humped Bactrian camels.
Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Driving Distance: Approx. 160km
Drive to the Yolyn Am canyon, also known as Eagle Valley, located in the east (Zuun Saikhany Nuruu) mountains of the Govi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain National Park. This spectacular gorge sits about 60km northwest of Dalanzadgad. Enjoy the clear air and refreshing cold streams as you hike through distinctive rock formations. A main highlight of this valley is the deep gorge floor, where ice and snow frequently remain frozen until late July. Fragrant Juniper grows here along the cliffs.
Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Driving Distance: Approx. 210km
Today you say “Goodbye!” to the beautiful Gobi Desert. Early in the morning, depart to the airport of Dalanzadgad city for your flight to Ulaanbaatar. After arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel/homestay.
Accommodation: Tourist ger camp. Meals: Breakfast.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Ulaanbaatar, and all transfers
- Domestic flights from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Desert and back
- English-speaking professional guide and driver
- All entrance and admission fees listed in the itinerary
- Bactrian camel riding in the Gobi, about 1 hour
- Accommodation in a tourist ger camp (3 nights), based on double/twin sharing. Travelling alone? A single ger is available on request for a supplement.
- Meals as per the itinerary: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
- Complimentary bottled water
- All taxes and service charges
Excluded
- Horse riding
- Other optional activities, personal expenses and souvenirs
- Soft drinks and alcohol
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended — please arrange before your tour)
- International flights
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
- Tipping for guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
- Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Notes
- This is a private tour for your group only — no other travellers will join you.
- The Gobi Desert has extreme temperature swings. While daytime can be hot and sunny, at night it can get cold and windy. In Eagle Valley, ice and cool temperatures persist even until the end of July. The weather can change quickly. Recommendation: Whenever possible, dress in layers. Always keep a windproof jacket or a warm garment in your car. Wear comfortable hiking boots.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat or cap are recommended.
- Personal prescription medications.
- High-capacity power bank (portable charger).
- Bring cash for personal expenses, as ATMs are rare outside Ulaanbaatar.
Frequently Asked Questions
June, July, and August are the best months. May and September are also good.
A tourist ger camp is the main type of accommodation outside cities — set in open countryside, away from traffic and towns, for travellers who want to be surrounded by nature. A typical camp has 30–40 guest gers, a large ger restaurant, and a shared toilet and shower building.
Each standard ger is a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) with beds, bedside tables, a table, chairs and a wood stove.
Read more: What is a Tourist Ger camp in Mongolia?
Each ger has beds with bedding and a wood stove for heating. Showers and toilets are in a shared facilities building a short walk from the gers, with hot water available. Electricity is available in the gers: 220V, 50Hz, with European type C and E sockets — please bring an adapter if you need one. The camp restaurant serves all meals.
Yes — single accommodation at the ger camp is available on request for a supplement. Please enquire when booking.
Meals included in the tour are listed in the Included section. We select restaurants and Ger camps that offer both authentic Mongolian cuisine and European dishes to suit all tastes. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or food allergies before your tour.
The official currency is the Tugrug (MNT, symbol ₮). Commonly used banknotes are 1,000₮, 5,000₮, 10,000₮ and 20,000₮. ATMs and currency exchange offices are widely available in Ulaanbaatar. Outside the city, ATMs are rare or unavailable, so we recommend bringing sufficient cash before departing Ulaanbaatar. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and major stores in the city.
