Gobi Desert tour
The Gobi Desert Tour in Mongolia is one of the country’s most spectacular adventures a journey through timeless desert scenery, ancient history, and nomadic life. Depending on your schedule, you can choose tours from 4 to 9 days, exploring famous landmarks such as Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), Khongor Sand Dunes, Yolyn Am Canyon, and Ongiin Khiid Monastery.
Each day offers new discoveries: golden sand dunes that sing in the wind, red cliffs glowing under the sunset, and peaceful evenings under star-filled skies. You’ll also have the chance to meet local herder families, ride camels, and experience Mongolia’s legendary hospitality.
Our Gobi Desert tours are fully customizable ideal for travelers who wish to combine the Gobi Desert with Central Mongolia, where green valleys, volcanic lakes, and ancient cultural sites await.
Embark on a journey where desert meets steppe the true essence of Mongolia.
🌄 Highlights of the Gobi Desert Tour, Mongolia
🏜️Journey Across the Legendary Gobi Desert
Venture into the vast and mysterious Gobi Desert, one of the largest deserts in Asia, covering over 1.3 million km². Despite its name, the Gobi is not only endless sand it’s a stunning mosaic of rocky valleys, dry steppes, red cliffs, and rolling dunes. Experience the incredible silence of the desert, where horizons seem infinite and every sunset paints the sky in gold and crimson. Perfect for: Landscape lovers, nature photographers, and adventurers seeking Mongolia’s raw beauty.
🐫Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs): The Land of Dinosaurs
Step into history at the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the world’s first dinosaur eggs in the 1920s. These striking red sandstone formations glow brilliantly under the evening light, creating one of the most spectacular sights in the Gobi. Walk through the canyons, spot fossilized bones, and imagine ancient creatures that once roamed here. Highlights: Paleontological history, fossil exploration, sunset walks, and geological photography.
🧭Combine Gobi with Central Mongolia (Optional Extension)
For travelers who want more, extend your journey to Central Mongolia, where green valleys, volcanic mountains, and historic sites await. Visit the ancient capital Karakorum, the sacred Erdene Zuu Monastery, and the magnificent Orkhon Waterfall a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This combination showcases Mongolia’s full diversity, from desert to steppe, from Buddhist culture to nomadic life. Highlights: Cultural discovery, nature diversity, and extended adventure routes.
🏞️ Yolyn Am Canyon: The Ice Valley
Located in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Yolyn Am (Vulture’s Mouth) is a dramatic canyon nestled deep within the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. Surprisingly, this desert valley often contains a thick layer of ice even in summer. Enjoy light hiking between towering rock walls, spot wild ibex, argali sheep, and Lammergeier vultures, and experience the refreshing contrast of cold mountain air within the hot desert landscape. Highlights: Wildlife watching, hiking, and exploring Gobi’s hidden ecosystems.
🐪 Nomadic Family Experience: Life in the Desert
Immerse yourself in the traditional life of Mongolian nomads, who have herded camels, goats, and sheep across the Gobi for centuries. Stay overnight in a family ger (yurt), learn how to make airag (fermented mare’s milk) and aruul (dried curd), and discover the secrets of survival in the desert. This personal experience offers a deep cultural connection with Mongolia’s heritage and hospitality. Highlights: Authentic home stay, cultural interaction, traditional food & lifestyle learning.
🏯Ongiin Khiid Monastery: Ruins on the Riverbank
Travel to the Ongiin Khiid Monastery, once one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia, founded in the 17th century. Though it was destroyed in the 1930s during the communist purges, part of it has been beautifully restored. The site, set between red cliffs and the tranquil Ongi River, offers a peaceful atmosphere and a glimpse into Mongolia’s spiritual past. Highlights: Cultural history, monastery ruins, short hikes, and sunset viewpoints.
🌅 Golden Sunsets and Star-Filled Nights
Witness the dramatic color transitions of the desert from golden sunrise to fiery sunset in some of the clearest skies on Earth. At night, enjoy breathtaking stargazing as the Milky Way stretches across the desert sky. With no city lights for hundreds of kilometers, the Gobi is one of the world’s best natural observatories. Highlights: Photography, astronomy, and serene desert atmosphere.
Top Gobi Desert tour packages
🐫 Tour Pace
🔹 Moderate Adventure
This is an active tour with long driving days across remote terrain and frequent exploration on foot or camelback.
You’ll experience:
4–8 hours of overland travel on some days
Easy to moderate hikes at cliffs, valleys, and dunes
A mix of comfortable hotels (Ulaanbaatar) and ger camp stays (rural areas)
This tour suits travelers who enjoy nature, cultural immersion, and some physical activity, but no strenuous trekking is involved.
🛖Accommodation
We provide the highest range of ger camps, equivalent to 4-star accommodation, ensuring you experience traditional Mongolian hospitality with exceptional comfort. These premium ger camps offer private beds, modern sanitation, and hot meals all while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
✨Customize your Mongolia tour
Every traveler is different and your tour should reflect that. We tailor each itinerary to your interests, whether it’s history, trekking, wildlife, or nomadic culture.
Contact us today to start designing your personalized Mongolian adventure. We’re excited to craft an unforgettable experience just for you!
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
📌 What is the best time to do this tour?
- June to October is ideal, offering warm weather and clear skies. July and August are peak months with more tourist traffic.
📌 Do I need a visa for Mongolia?
- Many nationalities require a visa. Check with your local Mongolian embassy or consulate for up-to-date requirements.
📌 Are the accommodations comfortable?
- Yes. In Ulaanbaatar, you’ll stay in 3–4-star hotels. Outside the city, accommodations are in traditional ger camps with clean beds and basic facilities. Some offer private bathrooms; others are shared.
📌 How many hours will we be driving each day?
- Expect 3 to 8 hours per day, depending on the route. Roads in the countryside are often unpaved and bumpy a part of the authentic Gobi experience!
📌 Can I join the tour solo?
- Absolutely! Solo travelers are welcome. You can join a group departure or request a private solo tour (see pricing table).
📌 What kind of food is provided?
- Meals include traditional Mongolian dishes, with occasional western-style options. Vegetarian meals can be arranged upon request.
📌 What should I pack?
- Light, breathable clothes for daytime, a jacket for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, comfortable walking shoes, and a refillable water bottle.
📌 Is Wi-Fi or mobile signal available?
- Wi-Fi is available in hotels and some ger camps, but mobile coverage may be limited or unavailable in remote areas.
📌 Will I need travel insurance?
- Yes, travel insurance is mandatory, covering health, accident, and trip cancellation.
🌤 Four Seasons Average Weather in the Gobi Desert (Mongolia)
❄️ Winter (December – February)
Average daytime temperature: –10°C to –20°C
Average nighttime temperature: –20°C to –35°C
Conditions:
Very cold and dry
Strong winds common
Little to no snowfall
Clear skies but harsh conditions
Not recommended for travel unless for special expeditions.
🌸 Spring (March – May)
Average daytime temperature: +5°C to +20°C
Average nighttime temperature: –5°C to +5°C
Weather features:
Fast temperature changes
Occasional dust storms in March–April
Dry air, strong winds
May becomes warm and pleasant
Best travel begins from late April & May.
☀️ Summer (June – August)
Average daytime temperature: +25°C to +38°C
Peak heat: up to +40°C to +42°C
Average nighttime temperature: +15°C to +20°C
Weather features:
Hottest season
Occasional short showers
Dry heat with strong sun
Perfect for desert photography & clear skies
This is the peak season for Gobi tours.
🍂 Autumn (September – November)
Average daytime temperature:
September: +15°C to +25°C
October: +5°C to +15°C
November: –5°C to +5°C
Average nighttime temperature:
September: +5°C to +10°C
October: –5°C to +5°C
November: –15°C to –5°C
Weather features:
Calm and clear skies
Cooler evenings
Best time for photography
September is one of the best months to visit the Gobi.
📌 Summary Table
Season | Day Avg | Night Avg | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
❄️ Winter | –10°C to –20°C | –20°C to –35°C | Very cold, dry, windy |
🌸 Spring | +5°C to +20°C | –5°C to +5°C | Windy, dust storms, warming |
☀️ Summer | +25°C to +38°C | +15°C to +20°C | Hot, dry, occasional rain |
🍂 Autumn | +5°C to +25°C | –15°C to +10°C | Cool, stable, clear |
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
What a pleasure to discover the Gobi desert and in particular the Khongor dunes. However, it must be understood that Gobi is not limited to sand dunes but that it is a vast expanse of desert which covers a third of the country...
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
Excellent place to live and raise a family!
Consider moving here. The sandstorms keep the bandits out and the skeletal remains of camels make for great playhouses for the kids! The local population of 3 entire humans is very friendly and...
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
Visited part of the vast desert and tried climbing up to the top of a pretty high sand dune. Unfortunately, couldn't make it all the way to the top as was carrying too much stuff with me. Best to climb with as little things as possible. Perhaps...