8 Days Classic Gobi Desert Tour with Ulaanbaatar City Tour

On this day, you will take your scheduled flight to Mongolia, landing at the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (also known as Chinggis Khaan International Airport). After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, our local driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Ulaanbaatar city at your own pace.

Later in the evening, at 7 pm, we’ll gather in the downtown area for a delightful welcome dinner at a local restaurant. During this gathering, your guide will provide a comprehensive tour briefing, ensuring you are fully prepared and informed for the exciting adventures ahead.

Arrival Options for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: International flights to Ulaanbaatar are available from major cities including Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Moscow, Singapore, Istanbul, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Useful Travel Tips:

1. The best time to come to Mongolia is the summer season, during June-August. The temperature will be 20°C ~ 30°Cfor the period. You will have great fun for grassland tour, Naadam Festival. We strongly recommend booking your tickets 1-2 months in advance.
2. The airport is located 18 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar city center, approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour by car.
3. Standard hotel check-in time is 2:00 PM. Early check-in may be available upon request for an additional fee.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Ulaanbaatar into Mongolia's wild nature. Meet your local guide and driver in the hotel lobby before setting off. Your destination is the picturesque and legendary granite mountain, Baga Gazaryn Chuluu, 4–5-hour drive with a packed lunch along the way.

Arrive in the early evening at Baga Gazaryn Chuluu Mountain, where you'll check into a tourist ger camp for an overnight stay. Spend your time exploring the area, including a visit to the serene Surtiin Am, known for its stone temple ruins, and marvel at the ger-shaped stone formations nearby.

Return to the ger camp for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay, surrounded by nature’s tranquility.

In the morning, we will drive to Mandalgobi Town to attend an online meeting in a cozy coffee shop. At around 11:00 AM, after the meeting, we will embark on a picturesque journey to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The drive, spanning approximately 5 to 6 ****hours, offers ample opportunities for scenic photography stops along the way.

Our journey will include a stop in Dalanzadgad, a charming town in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Here, we will visit the newly constructed Umnugovi Province Museum and enjoy lunch. At the museum, you’ll discover a fascinating collection of dinosaur fossils and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Gobi Desert. Highlights include displays of rare animals such as the snow leopard, ibex, and the critically endangered Gobi bear (Mazaalai).

After exploring Dalanzadgad, we will continue with a short drive to the breathtaking Yolyn Am Gorge, also known as Eagle Valley. This natural wonder, located within Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, is famous for its towering rock walls, which rise 200-300 meters (650-980 feet) high, creating a dramatic and enclosed atmosphere. In some sections, the gorge narrows so much that only one person can pass through at a time, adding to its sense of mystery and beauty.

Upon arrival, you’ll have the chance to enjoy one-hour hike from the parking area. The hike immerses you in the gorge’s stunning natural beauty, with its cool, shaded paths, diverse wildlife, and the sound of running streams. Take in the serene atmosphere and marvel at the incredible views.

After our exploration of Yolyn Am, we’ll transfer to the hotel, where we’ll spend the night.

In the early morning, we set off on 5 to 6-hour drive to the magnificent Khongor Sand Dunes, traversing vast desert badlands that stretch to the distant horizons, adorned with remote mountain ranges.

We will stop at a village for lunch along the way. Later in the afternoon, we arrive at a ger camp and check in.

The Khongor Sand Dunes, a true natural wonder, are one of Mongolia's largest and most spectacular sand formations, famously known as the "singing" or "booming" sands. These incredible dunes stretch approximately 180 kilometers in length and 15–20 kilometers in width, with their tallest peaks reaching heights of 80–100 meters. The golden-yellow sands shimmer under the sunlight, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. When the sands shift or the wind blows, the dunes emit a low, rumbling sound, giving them their unique and magical name.

Upon reaching our ger camp, we will enjoy a satisfying lunch. Later in the afternoon, as the desert heat subsides, we will meet a local camel herder and embark on a serene one-hour camel ride. Following this, we will ascend the dunes to witness a mesmerizing sunset from their summit - a truly unforgettable experience.

After this memorable adventure, we return to the camp for dinner and peaceful night's rest.

In the morning, you will depart from the Khongor Sand Dunes and journey to Bayanzag. After a 4-5 hour drive, you will arrive at a ger camp near Bayanzag, where you’ll enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. This site is renowned worldwide for its stunning red sandstone landscapes and its significance as a major dinosaur fossil discovery location. The cliffs truly live up to their name, appearing ablaze with color during sunrise or sunset. It was here in the 1920s that American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews made groundbreaking discoveries, including the world’s first fossilized dinosaur eggs and skeletons of Protoceratops and Velociraptor.

Upon arrival at the Flaming Cliffs, we’ll visit the information center, where you’ll learn more about the site through informative exhibits and a documentary. Afterward, you’ll have time to immerse yourself in the wilderness, hiking along designated trails to explore the unique rock formations and observe drought-resistant desert plants like the Saxaul tree.

Later in the day, we’ll visit a nomadic camel breeder family, where you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon experiencing their traditional Gobi lifestyle, observing how they care for their goats and camels.

Enjoy some free time in the morning. After lunch in Dalanzadgad town, we will drive to Tsagaan Suvarga. Upon arrival at the camp, you’ll check in and prepare for a rewarding adventure.

The name "Tsagaan Suvarga", meaning "White Stupa" in Mongolian, reflects the formation’s appearance. This stunning geological site features white, pink, and reddish-brown layers of rock, resembling a giant Buddhist stupa when viewed from afar. The cliffs rise up to 30 meters (98 feet) high and stretch over 400 meters (1,312 feet), offering breathtaking views from every angle. Throughout the day, the cliffs' colors shift, transitioning from white to pink, orange, and reddish-brown.

In the early afternoon, we will take an excursion to the Tsagaan Suvarga scarps, where you’ll enjoy an unforgettable hike through the colorful cliffs. Climb to the top to take in the breathtaking views. At sunset, the cliffs glow with golden and pink hues, making it a dream location for photography.

After this refreshing adventure, we will return to the ger camp, enjoy a delicious dinner, and relax for the night in comfort.

After breakfast, we will depart from the ger camp and begin our journey back to Ulaanbaatar, 6-hour drive that will bring us to the city by early afternoon.

Upon arrival, we’ll embark on a short city tour, starting with Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chinggis Khaan Square). This iconic square is surrounded by Soviet-era historical buildings alongside modern skyscrapers, blending Mongolia's past and present. Named after D. Sükhbaatar, the hero of Mongolia's 1921 revolution, the square is rich in history. Take a leisurely stroll to admire landmarks such as the Damdin Sükhbaatar Statue, the State Palace, the Chinggis Khaan Monument, and the vibrant surroundings that make this square the city’s cultural hub.

Next, we’ll visit the Bogd Khaan’s Palace Museum, the former residence of Mongolia’s last king. End your day with a traditional folklore concert, showcasing Mongolia’s unique cultural heritage.

We’ll conclude the evening with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure, or to the train station for your onward journey to explore other parts of Mongolia. If your flight is in the afternoon today, you will have some free time to explore Ulaanbaatar at your own pace.

It is time to end your 8 Days classic Mongolia Gobi tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Mongolia Tour. We hope to see you again on your next journey!