The Gobi Desert is an immense, desolate region stretching from northern China into southern Mongolia. Its sheer vastness makes exploring the area and seeing all the incredible attractions quite challenging.
Visiting much of the land without joining a tour is nearly impossible. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need: how to pack for a Gobi trip, what to expect along the way, and all the must-see attractions. I can confidently say it will be one of the most unforgettable travel experiences of your life, so it’s essential to start planning the right way.
- Mongolia Itinerary Map
- Things to Know Before Planning a Trip to Mongolia
- One Week Itinerary in Mongolia
- More Mongolia Activities
- Where to Stay in Mongolia?
- Mongolia Travel Video
- Why Visit Mongolia?
- When to Visit Mongolia?
- How to Get to Mongolia?
- What to Pack for Mongolia?
Mongolia Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Ulaanbator |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Yol Valley |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Khongor Sand Dune |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Flaming Cliffs |
| ☀️ Day 5: | Saikhan Ruins |
| ☀️ Day 6: | Kharkorin |
| ☀️ Day 7: | Khogno Tarna National Park |
| ☀️ Day 8: | Terelj National Park |
Things to Know Before Planning a Trip to Mongolia
How to Pick a Tour Operator?
So, you want to start doing some research on the Gobi tour? The best way to look for a tour is to do it when you are in Ulaanbaatar. The tour you booked from abroad is almost always more expensive than when you booked it here. If you are on a budget, I recommend coming to Ulaanbator earlier and spending a day finding good deals.
Since I was on a budget, I went with the tour organized by Sun Path Guesthouse. They were extremely reliable and professional. The guide was well-informed and spoke excellent English, while all the vehicles and gear they provided were reliable and sufficient to make my life quite comfortable.
Included in the price were unlimited drinking water, three meals per day, transportation, unlimited snacks, and sleeping bags.
Doljmaa, the owner of the guesthouse, speaks perfect English and can provide you with any information you need about Mongolia. I booked the tour with her the day before, and she was able to put me on one of the ongoing tours the next day by having her husband drive me all the way to the meetup point, which was 4 hours away from Ulaanbaatar. I have no idea how she manages all the logistical nightmares while catering to all the customers' needs, but she is really good at it, and she will find a way for you to have the best trip of your life in Mongolia.
For a 7-day Gobi Desert tour visiting Yol Valley, Khongor Sand Dune, Flaming Cliffs, Bayanzag, horseback riding, staying with nomad families, the Terelj National Park, and visiting the Genghis Khan statue, I paid 420 USD.
Unfortunately, as of 2024, it has been reported that now they charge 100 USD per day, so in this case the tour will likely cost upward of 700 USD, almost double the price I had a few years ago. This could be due to the popularity or the ongoing inflation, so please keep in mind of the price increase when you plan your trip here.
It may seem a bit expensive, but considering that it is all-inclusive for 7 days, I think it is pretty reasonable.
If you want to email Doljmaa and ask her something, try going to her website or emailing her directly at info@sunpath-mongolia.com.
If you do not mind the price and are looking for a great and comfortable experience exploring the Gobi desert, I highly recommend you browse through some of the Gobi desert listings here.
If you prefer booking online beforehand, here are some other recommended Gobi Desert tours that you can do with different itineraries to fit your needs.
What Can You Expect From the Tour?:
- You will be staying in a ger with the nomad families every day in the middle of nowhere, so don't expect to have access to power outlets, showers, and the internet.
- The tour I took stopped at a proper restaurant with power outlets every 2-3 days, so you can also charge your stuff there. However, don't rely on them too much.
- Seven days in the desert, we only had access to a warm shower once, so don't expect your hygiene to be at its best all the time. Plus, no one on the tour will care at that point.
One Week Itinerary in Mongolia
Day 1: Ulaanbator (1 day)
Ulaanbaatar is a great city to learn about modern Mongolian culture. First off, go check out Sukhbaatar Square and all the museums around the area to learn more about the country. On a Sunday evening, you may be able to see concerts or cultural events happening in the square. I was there when they held a breakdance battle. Who would have thought I would be seeing that in Mongolia!
Go to the National Museum, and you will learn that there was once a Mongolian cosmonaut who went to space! I never knew that before! You will also see how big the actual Mongolian Empire was.
Once you are done with the museums, hail a cab - and by that, I mean hail every car on the road, and don't hesitate to get into the car that stops for you because that is how taxis work in Ulaanbaatar. Any car can be a taxi, and they will charge you based on the kilometers on the car's dashboard. Bizarre, right? But it works quite efficiently!
After you get a cab, head over to the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan in the south to get a glimpse of what the Tibetan religion is like.
After you have walked around the palace, grab another taxi outside and head south to the Zaisan Monument. Then, climb to the top.
Zaisan Monument is my favorite spot in Ulaanbator. The Soviet-era monument depicts a beautiful illustration of the camaraderie between soldiers who fought in wars. The monument is located on top of a mountain, which gives you the best view of all Ulaanbator.
The colorful illustration and concrete structure really showcase the aesthetics of the people of Mongolia during the Soviet era.
From behind the monument, you can also see the mountains that surround Ulaanbaatar, protecting it from invaders for many centuries.
If you are looking for a great night out with the locals, head over to the LUX club around midnight and party your way through the city until morning.
Day 2: Yol Valley (1 day)
The first stop for the 7-day Gobi Desert tour is the Yol Valley. Prepare to get really cold and wet while hiking this bad boy.
The valley is located and structured in a way that intact ice blocks can still be seen deep in the valley. This is the kind of place I did not expect to see in a desert.
It should take you around an hour to walk through the beautiful green valley until you have to walk on ice, which allows you to explore all the ice tunnels and streams up close.
Day 3: Khongor Sand Dune (1 day)
It takes around 8 hours to get from Yol Valley to Khongor Sand Dune, our next stop, so prepare yourself for the long drive. Once you arrive, you can take a camel ride around the desert and become familiar with the land.
In the evening, right before sunset, head over to the sand dunes and hike up to the top to watch the sunset. This was one of the most surreal experiences of the entire trip, hands down.
As the sun dipped further on the horizon, you would witness the sand dunes turning golden while the sky turned purple.
The sand dunes may seem small from afar, but trust me, it was a challenge to climb up them. Walking on the beach is difficult enough, but now imagine the beach on a freaking mountain, and you have to climb up the sand.
But the view was totally worth the sweat!
It is also quite rewarding to run down the sand dunes.
Day 4: Flaming Cliffs (1 day)
On this day, we are going to visit the Flaming Cliffs, a site famous for its important fossil discoveries, including the first dinosaur eggs found by an American paleontologist.
Other significant fossils have also been discovered here, including specimens of Velociraptor and early eutherian mammals. Unfortunately, you won't find any of them here now as they have all been moved into museums in the US.
What’s cool about this place is that the sandstone cliffs glow a brilliant orange at sunset, which is how they earned the name "The Flaming Cliffs". It's definitely quite a sight to see.
When you are back at the ger, go for a walk to one of the few green areas in the desert located on the cliff near the ger and enjoy the sunset from up there.
At night, wake up around 4 AM as the moon sets, and you might catch a brief glimpse of the Milky Way before the sun rises around 5 AM.
Day 5: Saikhan Ruins (1 day)
Today, we are going to explore Saikhan Ruins, and one of the most important sites to see here is Ongi Monastery, which was once a grand Buddhist temple until the Soviets came and turned it to ashes, forcing all the monks to forget their religion and believe in the state's ideology only.
Behind the temple, there is a small hill that you can climb to get a view of the landscape surrounding the temple.
In the evening, return to the ger and join the nomad family in their daily activities, like helping milk the goats. The little girl you see with the family above was a total badass. Just before I took this photo, she was just wrestling the goats like a champ as she guided them into the pens after grazing.
Day 6: Kharkorin (1 day)
Kharkorin was once the capital of the Mongol Empire before it fell, and what remained was the beautiful temple complex with a massive wall surrounding it. Spend some time and talk to the guide to learn more about how significant this religious site was in the past.
There was a glimpse of Tibetan-style architecture in some of the temple's buildings, such as the one shown above.
The iconic wall of Kharkorin was built after the death of Genghis Khan in order to protect his city from invaders.
Day 7: Khogno Tarna National Park (1 day)
After traveling in the desolate desert of the Gobi for a few days, a little green hill and rocky mountains were a welcome change. Khogno Tarna National Park is filled with stunning rocky mountains that beg you to climb and green rolling hills as far as the eyes can see.
This is one of my favorite places in Mongolia. You can really see how vast Mongolia is from one of the mountain peaks here.
Go on a horse and ride around the park like Genghis Khan, enjoying the sunset while galloping into the Land of the Blue Sky. I actually imagined myself doing just that when I rode a horse in Mongolia.
Day 8: Terelj National Park (1 day)
After several days sleeping in yurts in the middle of nowhere, the change in scenery and the comfort of your accommodation at Terelj National Park will feel like a welcome upgrade. Here, you'll stay in a ger that has been converted to offer hotel-level comfort, complete with all the facilities you would expect in a standard hotel room.
Not only that, but since the park is so close to Ulaanbaatar, it attracts far more local tourists than any other place on this itinerary, which can be quite a shock. That said, I personally enjoyed my time here, as after a week with minimal human contact, being surrounded by people and a bit of comfort was a welcome change.
While you’re here, be sure to go and hike up to one of the temples perched on the cliffside to explore inside and enjoy a great view of the surrounding landscape.
Also, if you enjoy rock climbing, be sure to try the iconic Turtle Rock. We didn’t get the chance, though, as it was pouring rain all day.
Last but not least, stop by the massive Genghis Khan statue and climb onto his horse to reach the lookout point, where you can take in the stunning Mongolian landscape before returning to Ulaanbaatar.
Fun fact: This statue holds the title of the tallest man-on-a-horse statue in the world, towering an impressive 40 meters above the ground. Built to honor Genghis Khan, it’s not just a monumental piece of art but also a spectacular viewpoint, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape from atop the horse. This is a great place to end this itinerary as you head back to Ulaanbator and fly home the next day!
More Mongolia Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Nomadic Mongolia (14 days)
- Wild Mongolia (15 days)
- Essence of Mongolia - 5 Days (5 days)
Where to Stay in Mongolia?
In Ulaanbator
Gobi Desert
As mentioned before, you will be spending your time in a ger with the nomad families, so your version of basic needs and theirs may not coincide. That said, what they provide in the ger is more than enough to make your trip comfortable and fun.
The sleeping bags are in good condition, and extra blankets are provided when required. However, there is no internet access and no power outlets whatsoever, so... talk to each other!
Also, brace yourself for the worst toilet you will ever see. Prepare for a long drop hole with broken wood between you and your demise, located a million miles away from your ger (not really, but it felt like it sometimes!). The plus side is that you are guaranteed to have the best view ever for a toilet!
- Sunpath Mongolia (Budget)
- Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycenter (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace (High-End)
- Nomadic Mongolia (14 days)
- Wild Mongolia (15 days)
- Essence of Mongolia - 5 Days (5 days)
Mongolia Travel Video
Watch it on Youtube
Why Visit Mongolia?
Mongolia is not a popular destination among backpackers compared to places like Thailand or Indonesia, primarily due to the expensive airfare and the fact that most backpackers prefer not to go out of their way.
However, it is certainly not because of a shortage of beautiful places for them to explore. The advantage of this is that it preserves the country and its natural surroundings for the rest of us adventurers who enjoy deviating from the mainstream.
What Mongolia is well known for is its variety of landscapes, from steppes, valleys, and mountains, to deserts. In the Gobi desert, we were able to see a wide range of different landscapes, like the rainy valleys of Yol, the green rolling hills of Khogno Tarna, and the desolate rock formation of the Flaming Cliffs, all in one trip.
It was one of the most diverse deserts I have ever witnessed. Not to mention the century-old nomadic lifestyle they have perfected over the years, the mysterious culture of shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism, and you will get to experience all of that in the Gobi desert. Mongolia is truly one of a kind.
When to Visit Mongolia?
The best time to visit is in the summer, from June to August. If possible, try to align your visit with their annual Nadaam celebration. The Nadaam celebration is when the whole country erupts with sports competitions, from archery to wrestling, and it occurs on the 11th of July every year. Mongolia is most active during this time.
One word of warning: stay as far away from Mongolia as possible during winter because the temperature can drop below -40°C!
How to Get to Mongolia?
The best way to get here is to fly into Ulaanbaatar. There are only a few flights flying into Mongolia, most of which will either go through Hong Kong, China, or Kazakhstan. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Ulaanbator that best fits your itinerary.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Mongolia?
If you go with Sunpath Guesthouse's tours, your backpack will be much lighter because water, sleeping bags, and food are all provided. What you have to pack yourself is:
- Clothing for the whole trip: Pack some layers (1 fleece jacket and an outer shell jacket) as well since the desert can get really cold sometimes. Here are the jackets I recommend you get for the trip: fleece jacket and the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.
- Snacks for the ride: Keep in mind that every day, you will be riding the jeep for at least 5 hours, so prepare your food intake accordingly.
- Toilet paper: This is very important because, in the Gobi desert, a proper toilet is a luxury, and you will most likely be shitting in holes for the rest of the trip. So, prepare your own toilet paper!
- Sunscreen: because you are in a goddamn desert!
- Headlamps: Because you do NOT want to tip a cow when you want to go to the outdoor toilet at night! I recommend you get the Cree LED headlamp.
- Power Bank: I have a 20,000 mAh power bank to keep all my electronics charged up and ready to go every morning. Even though they usually stop at a proper restaurant with power outlets every 2 days, you can bet there will be a lot of people trying to charge their stuff as well, so it's better to have a backup. I recommend you get the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank, which should be enough for all your electronics for the entire duration of the trip.
- Camera: To capture the best landscape you will ever see! Looking for a great lightweight camera and lens for this trip? I recommend the Sony a6600 and pair it with either the 16-70mm f4 Zeiss lens or the best lens you can get for this camera, the 16 - 55mm f2.8.
- Wet wipes: because they are the next best thing to actually showering.
- Books and Music: Or any pastime activities you would like to do because you will be in the jeep most of your days.
- A Backpack: And you will need a backpack to carry everything with you for the entire duration of the trip. I highly recommend the 65L Osprey Atmos AG Backpack with its mesh grid back support that makes your backpack lighter, a good capacity to carry everything you need for your trip, and you can't beat the Osprey lifetime guarantee.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
30 Comments
it's an awesome review... any comments you would like to make for a family of 4 with two kids ages 10 and 5? Doable?
Yes doable. :) It depends on how you feel about sitting long hours everyday. That said, it's adventurous but not dangerous.
Photos and videos are amazing :( will I regret if I don’t bring my dslr along?
Thank you Joyce! I highly recommend you bring all the camera gear you need. It is definitely worth the extra weight. Plus, you won't see stars like in the Gobi desert so often :) Be sure to bring a big power bank though as you will only have access to electricity every 2 days or more. I had 20,000 mah and it was more than enough for my camera and phone.
Great post, so informative. Breathtaking pics. Looking forward to my trip but until then, I guess I'll have to make do with my playlist of Mongolian music: https://resfeberblog.tumblr.com/.../comongolia-mongolia...
Thanks,
Ian
Hey Ian, Thank you for the comment! :) Glad you like the post!
Hi Pete, I think your article is fantastic and you're also a really talented videomaker :)
It reminded me a lot of Stanislas Giroux's work (some examples here https://tinyurl.com/yb5n4fuf - sorry, couldn't find original source), which I'm sure you'll agree is a big compliment!
Thank you Lola! I try my best to convey my trip into the video. I hope you feel the energy too :)
Great photos! Really useful information as well. I'm going on the same tour in a month! What filter/photo editing app do you use for your photos? They look great! Cheers mate
Thank you! One of the best country i've been to so far! Very unique and refreshing! I edit them with Lightroom using the VSCO presets on my macbook but i think you can do on your mobile devices too.