The Gobi, third largest desert in the world, straddles the border between Mongolia (Outer Mongolia) and the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in China. It is a truly amazing place boasting several big mountain ranges with caves and canyons, extensive golden sand dunes, colourful rocky cliffs and bizarre rock formations, as well as plenty of wild life.
Riding on camels with our local guides, we trek nearly 200 km over 7 days from the eastern end of the Gurvansaikhan (“Three Beauties”) mountain range to Khongoriin Els where massive sand dunes meet the edge of the Gobi Altai mountains. Whilst on trek all nights will be spent camping in tents, but at the start and end of the journey we stay in traditional ger camps which have comfortable facilities. There will be full vehicle support during the trek and all luggage and equipment will be carried in the jeeps. Some days are long and require stamina.
Trek starts from the eastern end of the Gurvansaikhan mountains and finishes at the western end of the mountain range.
Arrive in 'Ulaanbaatar' and go to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
Fly to "Dalanzadgad" (South Gobi). Meet tour staff and drive to 'Gurvansaikhan Uul' National Park. Hike into the "Yoliin Am" Valley “Vulture’s Mouth” canyon. Drive down to Ger Camp 1. Overnight ger camp.
Drive over the "Gurvansaikhan" mountains (140 km) to "Khavtsagait" (marked “Start” on map). Meet camels and local guides. Allocate camels and ride 13 km to "Gayalaan" (“Shining Place”). Overnight camping.
Ride to "Khar Chuluut" (“Black Rock”) and on to "Ayaldai Els" (“Moving Sands”). Overnight camping.
Ride along the east bank of the "Khongor" river. Overnight camping.
Ride to "Balgant Dund Us" (“Place To Gulp Water”) and on to "Chono Kharaikh" (“Leaping Wolf”). Overnight camping.
Ride through "Zag" which is a forest of Gobi 'Saksaul' trees. This shrub grows very slowly (1 meter in 25 years) and can survive the harsh conditions of the desert. Overnight camping.
Ride from "Baruun Shurguul" (“Western Drawer”) to the lowland area known as "Tsonjiin Khotgor". Overnight camping.
Ride to "Adag Nuur" lake and on to "Seruun Bulag" (“Fresh spring”) where we return the camels to their owners. Overnight Ger Camp 2.
Drive from 'Ger Camp 2' through an amazing mountain pass and across the desert to Ger Camp 1 (195 km). Overnight ger camp.
Transfer to airport at "Dalanzadgad" and 'fly to Ulaanbaatar' Overnight hotel.
Departure.
This trip is a fascinating cultural experience and a wild expedition in one of the world's most remote deserts.
All nights are spent under the stars, "wild camping" in tents, except at the start and end where you will stay in traditional GER camps - white felt tents, and there are restaurant and bathroom facilities.
Gobi Desert Camel trail description:
The following items are included in the price of the tour:
The following items will be in addition to the price of the tour:
The places you will see along the way:
Khongoryn Els is the largest accumulation of sand in the Gobi. The wind blows continually, so the dunes can reach an imposing 200 meters height. The highest dunes are called 'Singing Sands' by the local inhabitants.
The famous Gobi Desert is not all vast flat steppe under a deep blue sky. There are bizarre rock formations, canyons, the Gurvansaikhan mountain range and sand dunes 185 km long, as well as forests of small Saksaul trees.
The Gobi Desert is a vast, arid region in northern China and southern Mongolia. The flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad in the province of South Gobi is 841 kilometers and takes one hour ten minutes.
"Thank you all for a great tour. The trip was fantastic. I can't even begin to explain to folks who ask how it was."