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Gobi highlights
If you are traveling to Mongolia in the summer, dont miss a chance to visit the land of extreme contrasts - the Gobi desert. To reach Gobi's popular sites, travelers must first overcome a distance of 560km (350mi) from Ulaanbaator to the closest settled town. It can be done by local plane or a jeep. We do suggest to fly, unless you dont mind to "off-road" Mongolian country for 5-7 days. Local flights in Mongolia, in most cases, are conducted by Russian made planes AN-24. It is a reliable plane, but loud, and often, when boarded by locals with their pets and animals, might look very different from what you get use to at home. If you are ready, let's begin our adventure!
Highlights::
Experience Nomadic life by living in traditional Ger;
The Middle Gobi site of Baga Gazaryn Chuluu is an extensive series of granite ridges surrounded by desert-steppe. It has archaeological sites dating from the Paleolithic through the 20th century representing major events of the Mongolia's prehistory.
Bayanzag (or "Flaming Cliffs") site known for discovery of the first fossilized nest of dinosaur eggs;
Yolin Am (or Eagle's Mouth) is a valley in the middle of the Gobi desert famous for its dramatic and very unusual scenery. Here you will see remains of ice (in the desert!!!) almost all year round, small nature museum at the gate on the main road to Yolyn am with the collection of dinosaur eggs and bones, stuffed birds and a snow leopard. The surrounding hills offer plenty of opportunities for strenuous day hikes. If lucky, you might spot ibex or argali wild sheep along the steep valley ridges.
Hongorin Els is the site with amazing sand dunes (up to 30 meters in some places). Here you can try "downhill sand skiing" while enjoying spectacular views also known as "The Singing Sands".
Itinerary: (Tourist map of Mongolia)
[Option #1] - 4 days/3 nights by Plane + Auto:
day 1. Departing Ulaanbaator city...After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a 1.5 hour flight* to "Dalanzadgat" town ("Bulagtai" airport) located in the the Gobi desert. Upon arrival you will be met by our guide and driver. Transfer to the base Ger camp (~40km). Settle in your room, unpack, take a break if needed. Lunch. In the afternoon we will drive to a local museum (~25km). After the museum, we will drive (~20km) to the "Valley of Eagle" for sunset views. Return to the base Ger camp. Supper. Free time. Overnight at the shared (2-4 people) Ger.
day 2. Gobi sightseeing...After breakfast, drive for about 70km (44mi) to "Bayanzag (or Flaming Cliffs)" site. Try your luck for dinousaur fossils here. Continue driving for about 195km (130mi) to Hongorin Els Sand Dunes for breathtaking veiws. Picnic. Drive to closest (~20km) Ger camp. Supper. Overnight at the shared (2-4 people) Ger.
day 3. Gobi sightseeing...After breakfast, drive for about 270km (170mi) to Camel breeding family. Tea ceremony. Camel riding. Drive to the base Ger camp (~20km). Supper. Overnight at the shared (2-4 people) Ger.
day 4. Return to Ulaanbaator city...After breakfast, drive to "Dalanzadgat" town to take a return flight* to Ulaanbaator city. Upon arrival, you will be met and transfered to your hotel in Ulaanbaatar city.
[Option #2] - 4 days/3 nights by Auto:
day 1. Departing Ulaanbaator city...Drive to the Middle Gobi (~ 5 hours) until Baga Gazaryn Chuluu site. After a lunch, we will take a walk around the area. Free time. Supper. Overnight at the shared tent.
day 2. Gobi sightseeing...After breakfast, drive south to the heart of the Gobi desert (~ 5 hours). Upon arrival, settle the camp. After lunch we will visit Yolyn Am site. Free time. Supper. Overnight at the shared tent.
day 3. Gobi sightseeing...After breakfast, drive to to the Bayanzag (or "Flaming Cliffs") site for about 70km (44mi). Try your luck for dinousaur fossils here. Picnic. Drive to closest Ger camp. Supper. Overnight at the shared (2-4 people) Ger.
day 4. Return to Ulaanbaator city...all day drive.
*As a rule, flights Ulaanbaataar - Gobi desert occur on TUE & FRI year round with more flights (usually daily) in the summer.
Included:
Bilingual guide;
Full Board;
Accommodations (as described);
Ground transportation (as described);
Airfare Ulaanbaator - Gobi, round trip, economy (option #1)
Entrance fees for National parks;
Due to seasonal fluctuation of accommodation fees and airfares, Sokol Tours reserves a right to adjust the final fees accordingly.
Not included:
Travel/Health/Evacuation insurance;
First aid kit (medical);
Visa (if required);
Fees for oversized/weight luggage on domestic flights;
International air or train fares;
Related Tours:
4 X 4 Travel in Mongolia
Biking in Central Mongolia
Birds of Mongolia
Bogd Khan National Park
Classic Trans-Siberia-Mongolia RR (3 stops)
Fishing on Terelj & Tuul Rivers
GenghisKhan Steppes by horse
Highlights of Central Mongolia
Irkutsk the City
Lake Khovsgol highlights
Mirages of Ancient Capital
Nomadic Family Immersion
Perm36 - the Gulag story
Rocky Pillars (Stolby) Nature Reserve
Soviet Mongolia
Terelj National Park highlights
The Civilization
The Empire
The Great Wall and Ming Tombs
Ulan-Ude the City Comments:
Click here for information about Mongolian Gers.
Be prepared for "offroading" experience in the country.
When packing, keep in mind that most domestic flights in Mongolia have limits for luggage weight depending on the type of the plane: AN-24 (10kg/22 pounds).
Call our US office:
Tel/Fax: 1-724-935-5373
sokol@sokoltours.com
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