Southern Gobi
Overview
On the” Southern Gobi” tour we will travel to the Khangai and Gobi regions of Mongolia. We will first visit the ancient city of Karakorum and the famous Erdene Zuu Monastery. Then we will travel to the desert to see Bayanzag, the land of dinosaurs, and many other majestic spots of the Gobi desert.
Includes
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- English speaking guide at all times
- All other lodging will be in Ger camps, tents or nomadic family
- Meals are provided as mentioned in the itinerary that will be provided when you book the tour
- Ground transportation by chauffeured 4WD vehicle
- Park entrance fees
- Horses for riding fee
Good to know
BNM Tours will ensure that your stay in our beautiful country will be comfortable and enjoyable. In the city, you will be staying at the finest hotels for foreign travelers and during our trip, you will stay at Tourist Ger camps. These camps are modern in utilities yet traditional in design. You will have power (220V), water, showers, restaurants, and all required services and still be able to feel the Nomadic experience.
After you book your tour please make sure to include all dietary requirements. In the city and at certain Ger camps you will have the finest international meal choices. It will be no different from back home. Moreover, during long road trips in the countryside you will be provided with lunchboxes from the previous Ger camp we stayed at. There will be traditional food offered on our journey, which you may choose to take part in but it is not part of your meal plan. Alcohol is not provided but tourists over the drinking age may bring their own.
BNM Tours will provide the latest, air-conditioned 4WD vehicles for maximum comfort on your touring days with an experienced driver. A day’s drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km on average.
If you want to take videos or photographs yourself, we recommend you bring your camera equipment. If not, that is fine. Your tour guide team will be documenting your trip for you.
We also recommend you bring a first aid kit, sun cream, insect repellent, and all necessary medicine that you may require. (headache, cold, diarrhea, allergy, motion sickness, and any medication prescribed for you)
For clothing, we recommend you bring many layers of clothes. So that if it is too hot you can remove a layer, or if it is too cold you can add a layer. We also recommend a waterproof jacket, a hat, sunglasses, a headscarf, sturdy hiking shoes, and sandals.
Tour Schedule
After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, we will drive a couple of hours from the city to Terelj National Park. Terelj National Park is located within the beautiful Mongolian mountains and we will get to experience the beautiful scenery and outstanding natural rock formations. After sightseeing landscapes, we will go on a horse-riding trip that is designed for tourists. Your first day of the trip will be a serene day at Terelj, a great introduction to Mongolia.
After staying the night at a traditional but comfortable Ger camp, we will head back to Ulaanbaatar. In Ulaanbaatar, we will visit famous sights and have a modern Mongolian city night at renowned restaurants and bars.
Then we will travel to Karakorum. Karakorum was the capital of Mongolia during the 13th century. Here you can see the remains of the Mongol empire from the 13th century and visit the Karakorum museum to examine the relics and artifacts from Mongolia’s history. Then we will tour Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Mongolia that was built in 1586. This ceremonious place of worship showcases the true artisanship of ancient Mongolian architects.
Outside the city of Karakorum, we will be able to witness the beautiful nature of Ulaan Tsutgalan which is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Mongolia. Enjoy the water-filled scenery and hike along the canyon.
Ongi Temple was formerly one of the biggest monasteries in Mongolia and could accommodate over 1000 monks. It had northern and southern complexes and combined they had 28 temple buildings and also had 4 Buddhist universities. In 1939 it was destroyed and now only the ruins remain.
In the morning we will take a flight to Dalanzadgad to reach our next destination. Bayanzag is a region of the Gobi desert famous for essential fossils. The first known dinosaur eggs were also discovered here. We will get the chance to walk on the ground where dinosaurs once roamed freely 60 million years ago and trek along the Flaming Cliffs like Velociraptors once did. The name Flaming Cliffs refer to the red color of the sandstone cliffs in the area.
We will explore Khongoryn Els, which is the biggest dune in Mongolia that extends over 965 square km. We will have the chance to trek through the sands on two-humped Bactrian camels for a real authentic desert experience. In some areas, the dunes reach a height of 200 meters and if you are feeling energetic you can climb the dunes. Khongoryn Els in Mongolia is referred to as the Singing Dunes because when you slide down the dunes you will hear mysterious sounds coming from the sands beneath you. At night in the Gobi, because of the scarcity of rain clouds and because we are far from light pollution, billions of the biggest and brightest stars that you have ever seen will fill up the night sky.
Yolyn Am was originally established to conserve the region’s wildlife. Yol means Lammergeier vulture and is home to many birds of Mongolia and that is why it is referred to as the Vulture Valley. Yolyn Am is also famous for its dramatic rocky gorges that are so tall that the sun doesn’t reach the canyon floor. In winter, the stream turns into ice fields at the floor of the valley and in summer the ice stream doesn’t melt in some parts of this wondrous valley. After sightseeing landscapes, we will go on a horse-riding trip that is designed for tourists.
Tsagaan Suvarga or White Stupa is a 400-meter-long cliff that was formed around 10 million years ago when it was once an ocean bed. The exposed erosion by the wind around different areas has formed its unique colors of white, yellow, and purple. There are fascinating caves with the largest bronze age cave drawings here.
On the way to our capital city, our last stop will be Baga Gazariin Chuluu, an area filled with granite stones.
Once we end our trip through the wilderness of Mongolia, we will return to the capital city, and then you will have free time to relax, go shopping, go sightseeing, and prepare for your departure back home.
Our team will drive you and your luggage to the airport on time and make sure everything is for you to board your flight safely back home.
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