Mongolia's South gobi desert dunes Excursion

Included In-Country Services

Southern Gobi Desert Dunes

Along our Gobi Desert Dunes Excursion we head into the Gobi Desert region. The sites of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert are varied and unique, like the valley at Yoliin Am, known as Eagle Valley, whose depths support huge glacial sheets that remain until the hot summer months, or the massive sand dunes. Of great interest to foreign travelers and scientists alike are the dinosaur remains scattered throughout Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.

Day One in Mongolia

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

We’ll Start Our Gobi Desert Dunes Excursion with a Domestic Flight

You will be met at your hotel at a prearranged time, by a driver and guide and transferred to the airport for your local flight to Dalanzadgad. On arrival at the airstrip in the Gobi you will be met by a local driver and jeep and taken to a ger camp for lunch. After lunch, take a trip to Yolyn Am, or Eagle Valley. This is about 40 km from your ger camp and will take about an hour to drive. The valley is about 10 km long and is completely shaded from the sun in the some parts due to the high cliff walls. It is possible to walk through the valley and out the other side. You may be lucky enough to spot wild sheep and goat grazing high on the cliff walls. The valley is also full of soaring eagles hunting for prey. At the opening of the valley is a Natural History Museum displaying interesting information about the animals of the area. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp.(L, D)

Day Two in Mongolia

Gobi Desert Dunes Excursion – Overland by Jeep to the Gobi Deserts Famed Khongoriin Els Dunes

Early in the morning you will take a packed lunch and head out to the west along the Altai Mountain range to Khongoriin Els or the Singing Sand- Dunes. The drive is around 3-4 hours in one way. (Total km of driving is about 300). Upon arrival at the dunes you will visit a camel breeder’s family near the dunes. Enjoy the afternoon at the dunes. These are Mongolia’s largest sand-dunes, reaching a height of 800 meters in some areas.

The dunes give the impression that a beautiful silk scarf was dropped in the middle of nowhere. Mount Sevrei lies to the south of the dunes and the Khongorin Gol (River) runs along the northern edges allowing a lush green grass to grow, contrasting beautiful with the yellows of the dunes. The colours of the sand-dunes change with the hour of the day, from yellow to silver to rose-coloured at dawn. You will enjoy this impression by hiking, taking pictures or just relaxing. Some of us will appreciate the possibility of exploring the surroundings with our guide on camels. Overnight in a ger camp near the dunes.(B, L, D)

Day Three in Mongolia

Gobi Desert Dunes Excursion – Overland by Jeep towards the Gobi Desert’s Famed “Flaming Cliffs”

After a relaxed morning you will take another trip will be taken today to Bayanzag, the saxaul forest and the Flaming Cliffs. The Flaming Cliff is an area of red cliffs which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. It is also the site of several successful dinosaur excavations. The drive to Bayanzag from the ger camp will take about 4 hours and you will see some wide-open desert scenery on the way. After lunch in the open air you will drive back to the ger camp for dinner and overnight at the same camp.(B, L, D)

Day Four in Mongolia

Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast you will be driven to the desert airstrip for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. At the airport in Ulaanbaatar you will be met by our vehicle and transferred to Ulaanbaatar.(B)