Gobi Desert Wonders: Discover the spectacular landscapes of the Gobi, from the dramatic Tsagaan Suvarga and Flaming Cliffs to the vast Khongor Sand Dunes and Yol Valley.

Tour Highlights
Nomadic Life & Culture: Meet local nomadic families, experience their traditional lifestyle, enjoy authentic Mongolian food, and discover camel and yak herding traditions.
History & Heritage: Explore Mongolia’s rich history at Karakorum, Erdene Zuu Monastery, ancient rock paintings, and the Chinggis Khaan National Museum.
Adventure & Wilderness: Enjoy camel riding, hiking, outdoor dining, campfire evenings, and unforgettable nights surrounded by Mongolia’s vast and peaceful wilderness.
Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar & City tour
Day 02: Explore Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Day 03: White Stupa & Del Mountain rock paintings
Day 04: Yol Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan N”Park
Day 05: Khongor Sand Dunes & camel riding
Day 06: Discover Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
Day 07: Ongi Steppe & Sangiin Dalai Lake
Day 08: UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley & Orkhon Waterfall
Day 09: Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Monastery
Day 10: Return to Ulaanbaatar & Folklore Show
Day 11: Departure
Date & pricing
Private Tour Price 3000$
A private tour price is based on a group of 2 adults sharing one room. This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan between 15 may and 01 Oct.
What's included
- English -speaking guide at all times
- 10 nights accommodation based on twin/double (hotel) and twin/double share (Tourist camp)
- All meals as listed: Breakfast -10, Lunch - 10, Dinner – 10
- All transfers/ Transport with comfortable vehicles
- All entrance fees are as mentioned in the performances
- Complementary drink water during the tour
- Visa invitation letter, if required
Not included
- Visa to Mongolia (Get in advance)
- International flights & Travels insurance
- Hotel early check-in and late check-out
- Tipping and other personal expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
01Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by your Steppe Elite Travel guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy some free time to relax and recover from your journey. After lunch, we will take a leisurely walk to Sukhbaatar Square, the heart of Ulaanbaatar, located in front of the Government Palace. The square features impressive statues of Chinggis Khaan, Ögedei Khaan, Kublai Khaan, and Chinggis Khaan’s two famous generals.
We will then visit the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, where you can discover Mongolia’s fascinating history and learn about the life and legacy of Chinggis Khaan.
Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: L, D
02Baga gazriin Chuluu
At 8 am, your tour guide and driver will pick you up and start your trip to Baga gazriin chuluu which is a beautiful landscape with amazing rock formations. Lunch at local restaurant of Delger Tsogt town of Middle gobi province. You can buy a cup of coffee at the local small coffee shop. Drive to baga gazriin chuluu and explore the Explore the Choir Monastery, Discover the stunning rock formation of Baga gazar and visit the ruins of the solitary monk's monastery. The area is a home for many species of wild animals and birds, such as gazelles, ibex, vultures. Fox, hawks and eagles. we will arrive at our ger camp, check in, and enjoy a relaxing evening followed by dinner.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D
03Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa)
After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), traveling through the vast and open landscapes of Dundgovi Province. Once covered by an ancient sea, this spectacular geological formation has been shaped by 10 million of years of wind and water erosion. The area is rich in marine fossils and seashells, offering a fascinating glimpse into Mongolia’s geological past. Take time to walk around the formations and enjoy the dramatic scenery and panoramic views—an excellent opportunity for photography.
After exploring Tsagaan suvarga we will drive to Del mountain rock paintings where is located 20 km from White stupa. There are about 5000 well-preserved rock paintings and ancient people’s hut built by rocks, which date back to the bronze age and the medieval period.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D
04Visit Yol Valley, Three beauties of Gobi Mt. National Park
After breakfast, we will travel to Yol Valley, also known as Eagle Valley, within Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. We will stop in Dalanzadgad, the capital of South Gobi Province, to visit the local museum and enjoy lunch before continuing to the valley. Yol Valley is one of the most beautiful and surprising landscapes of the Gobi Desert. Surrounded by towering cliffs, the valley is home to wildflowers, small animals, and diverse birdlife. Enjoy a scenic walk through the valley, listening to the sound of the flowing stream and taking in the dramatic mountain scenery. Keep your eyes open for birds of prey and, with some luck, Siberian ibex and wild sheep moving along the rocky cliffs.
Accommodation: Tourist camp Meals: B, L, D
05Khongor Sand Dunes & Camel Experience
Today, we venture deeper into the Gobi Desert toward the spectacular Khongor Sand Dunes, one of the most impressive landscapes in southern Mongolia. Along the way, we will stop at a scenic location for an outdoor picnic lunch, surrounded by the vast beauty of the Gobi.
In the afternoon, we will visit a local camel-breeding family and learn about their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Guests will have the option to experience a camel ride through the surrounding desert. Later, we will climb the famous singing dunes, one of the highlights of the Gobi. stretching for more than 180 km, the dunes create a spectacular sea of golden-white sand, with some sections reaching around 300 meters in height. From the top, enjoy magnificent panoramic views and watch the sunset over the endless dunes.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D
06Bayanzag – Flaming Cliffs
Today, we continue our journey to Bayanzag, famously known as the Flaming Cliffs, one of the world's most important dinosaur fossil sites. The area is renowned for its dramatic red sandstone cliffs and formations, which glow like flames under the desert sunlight. Bayanzag is also famous for the discoveries made by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, whose expedition uncovered dinosaur eggs and fossils in the area. We will visit the local museum and watch a short film about the history of these remarkable discoveries. Afterward, explore the Flaming Cliffs on foot, walking among the red formations and the distinctive saxaul forest of the Gobi.
Accommodation: Tourist camp Meals: B, L, D
07drive Through Ongi Steppe – Sangiin Dalai lake
This morning, journey south across the vast steppe, where the horizon shimmers, to reach the tranquil river valley. Here we will visit the nomad family, explore simple nomad life spirit and have lunch. Afternoon we will drive to Sangiin Dalai lake, explore the birds and admire the sunset in the lake. We eat Mongolian barbeque for dinner, in the evening sitting next to fire staring the stars, staying overnight in tent along the Sangiin Dalai lake. You will be close to the wild nature and nowhere in the world.
Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B, L, D
08Orkhon Valley & Orkhon Waterfall
After breakfast, our journey continues to the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mongolia’s most important historical and cultural regions. The valley is home to numerous archaeological remains reflecting centuries of nomadic civilizations and Mongolia’s rich history. We will hike to the spectacular Orkhon Waterfall, exploring the surrounding landscape and hiking along the banks of the Orkhon River. Later, we will visit a local yak-breeding family and learn how traditional Mongolian dairy products are made from yak milk. Guests can taste freshly made cheese, yogurt, and other traditional dairy products while experiencing the hospitality of a nomadic family.
Accommodation: Tourist camp Meals: B, L, D
09Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Monastery
In the morning, we will travel to Kharkhorin, the modern settlement located near the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum. Founded by Chinggis Khaan in 1220, Karakorum once stood at the heart of the Mongol Empire and played an important role in Mongolian history. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Karakorum Museum, where you can learn about the ancient capital and the history of the Mongol Empire. We will then explore Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, one of the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery complexes in Mongolia. Founded in the 16th century, the monastery is surrounded by 108 stupas and represents an important part of Mongolia’s Buddhist heritage. Guests may have the opportunity to hear monks chanting Buddhist sutras and experience the peaceful atmosphere of this historic site.
Accommodation: Tourist camp. Meals: B, L, D
10Return to Ulaanbaatar & Mongolian Cultural Show
After breakfast, we will begin our journey back to Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, we will stop at the scenic Small Gobi, located near Burd soum in Övörkhangai Province. Here, you can enjoy beautiful sand dunes and the surrounding steppe landscape. We will have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Ulaanbaatar. In the late afternoon, upon arrival in the capital, we will attend a traditional Mongolian folklore performance featuring talented singers, musicians, dancers, and contortionists. The performance offers a wonderful introduction to Mongolia’s traditional performing arts, including the unique sound of Mongolian throat singing (khoomei). After the show, we will transfer to the hotel and enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel J. Meals: B, L, D
11
You will be free at leisure in your hotel or wander around on your own until being transferred to the Chinggis Khaan international airport for your departure flight to home. End of service. Meal: Breakfast.
Ready to make this journey yours?
INQUIRE THIS TRIPFAQ & HELP
How to book this trip?
Choose your departure date and travelers, then pay the 20% deposit through secure Bonum checkout to confirm your trip.
A deposit of 20% of the total tour price is required to book and confirm this trip.
Pay the remaining 80% in cash on arrival or online from your account. There is no balance-payment deadline.
What about the payment options?
Pay the 20% deposit through our secure Bonum checkout to confirm your booking.
Pay the remaining 80% in cash on arrival or online from your account. There is no balance-payment deadline.
What kind of accommodation for this trip?
You will stay in a good 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. An upgrade is possible on request!
During the excursion in the countryside, you will stay in a Tourist Ger camp, which is a kind of hotel that serves customers with a ger (yurt) instead of a hotel room and is always located at the best viewing spot. It is the most popular accommodation type for a countryside trip in Mongolia and consists of 30–40 yurts, a restaurant and facilities. Most visitors are happy to stay in a ger, which provides an authentic taste of Mongolian culture and adventure, their most enjoyable experience in Mongolia.
What about the meals?
During your trip in Mongolia, you will be served mainly European dishes and sometimes authentic Mongolian foods. Lunch and dinner consist of 3–4 courses (soup and/or salad, main course, dessert) and bottled water.
If you require special meals due to religious or medical limitations, or vegetarian food, please inform us so that arrangements can be made in advance.
What about the transport and road conditions for this trip?
Car: A good car is an important part of your comfortable trip in Mongolia. There will be a good 4×4 car for this trip based on the number of people in your group.
Road: The asphalted roads are 40% and the unpaved roads are 60%.
During the trip, it takes approximately 2–6 hours of driving (80–280 km) from one destination to the next, depending on road and weather conditions on each driving day. This is not a nonstop drive! We can take frequent short stops along the road for photographs, toilets, stretching and meeting local nomads.
The best time to do this journey?
1st best months: June, July and August.
2nd best months: May and September.
Personal things you should bring with you
Hiking boots and sandals, waterproof jacket, raincoat, umbrella, sunglasses, hat, comfortable shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and prescription medication (if required).
Gear: Camera, binoculars, flashlight and travel lamp. Some Tourist camps do not have 24-hour electricity. It is therefore recommended to bring your own travel lamp!
