11 Days Camel Caravan of South Gobi

11 Days Camel Caravan of South Gobi

General description
The largest desert in Asia, Mongolian Gobi desert has the most spectacular view and natural phenomena. As Mongolian people define, there are supposedly 33 deserts, out of which only up to 5% is sand dunes. Despite its unbelievably majestic landscape, Gobi desert has rich mineral resources, diverse flora and fauna, thousands of unrevealed dinosaur fossils and rare paleo findings and numbers of historical and archeological sites. One of the specific Mongolian desert is that it always been occupied by both humans and wildlife. During this trip you will discover some highlights of Gobi Desert.

Itinerary

Day 1: Zorgol Khairkhan

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar- Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain 150km
• Locally sacred mountain which name was mentioned in the “Mongolian Secret History”. This 20kms long granite rock mountain has all sizes of caves, sources of mineral springs and home for mountain goats and sheep, eagles and hawks. Also around the mountain there were found several ancient burial sites of Mongol warriors. According to traditional Mongolian shamanic beliefs, names of holy, sacred mountains shouldn’t be pronounced whilst you are there. Optional for hiking and moderate climbing.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Nomadic family ger / camping out

Day 2: Bayanzag- Flaming Cliffs

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Zorgol Khairkhan- Bayanzag 350km

• This beautiful alluring red cliff of sheer mud rocks are locally named “Bayanzag” is one of the world’s famous dinosaur site. Thanks to American explorer Roy Andrews Chapman Bayanzag became a cradle of ages old creatures and known to the rest of the world as “Flaming Cliffs”. During their expeditions Chapman and his team were the first to reveal dinosaur fossils and eggs in 1922 from Bayanzag and other neighboring localities which are today displayed in Mongolian dinosaur museums in Ulaanbaatar and other museums around the world.
• Not far from the cliffs there is a so called Gobi forest of Saxaul shrub. These trees are indigenous Gobi plants that are underground water fed and grow on the dunes. When its blossoms, it becomes a favorite vegetation for camels.
• Both of the above mentioned sites are ideal for hiking.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / a local family ger

Day 3: Buugiin Khar

Stop At: Dalandzadgad, Dalandzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Bayanzag – Buugiin Khar 25km
• Today we will begin our camel trekking towards a place called Buugiin Khar which is in 25kms distance from our starting point. Except just putting ourselves on the camel back, you will load up all our belonging together with a traditional ger pieces which will be built upon our arrival at the camping site by us. The scene will ideally resemble the nomadic family moving to their new spot.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight in the private ger

Day 4: Tugrugiin Shiree

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Buugiing Khar – Tugrugiin Shiree 30km
• Our camel ride will last for another 22kms in order to reach a place called “Tugrugiin Shiree”. This is an area of beige colored sand formation though became famous for its dinosaur fossils found here. One of the well-known to the world, finding was a complete skeleton of two fighting dinosaurs.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight in the private ger carried and built by ourselves

Day 5: Khongor- Singing Dunes

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Tugrugiin Shiree – Khongor Sand Dunes 160km
Continue driving to west of the park to Khongor sand dunes which are known as the highest and biggest dunes in the country.
• Stop at Khongoriin Els or Khongor sand dunes. These are the most astonishing dunes of Mongolia with extension of over 180kms length and around 3-15kms width and average height is 80ms. The highest dune is 200ms and from the top these dunes you will capture amazing view of Gobi with the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. When you climb the dunes they shift and cause a sound of vibration which very much resembles to the sound of an airplane hence it’s also called Singing Dunes.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: A tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 6: . Khongor- Singing Dunes

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
• When you are in Gobi, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get on the Bactrian Camels. It’s obviously is one of the remarkable experiences to trek on the camels along the dunes, on the green lush down the foot of the dunes. Our camel riding will last until we reach a small oasis where there are some Gobi bushes and shrubs. Camels are great lovers of Saxaul shrubs and it’s considered as the most precious wood in the desert for its outstanding survival and growth on desert soil. You will surely enjoy the pristine nature and high mountains during the ride.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger

Day 7: Three beautiful mountains- Gobi Gurvan Saikhan

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Khongor Sand Dunes – Yoliin am 180km
• Today we will reach Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park which covers some chain of mountain ranges as the southern end of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range. Gurvan Saikhan literally meaning “Three Beauties” referred to the highest three peaks of the range which is almost over 2800ms.
• Hiking in the Yoliin Am or Bearded Vulture’s canyon. Regarding the snowfall and shade in the canyon, oftentimes there formed a high layer of ice cover which sometimes will stay till mid July. During our walk, we may either walk on top or bottom, or just see the parts of this ice. The canyon is surrounded with steep Rocky Mountains creating some shade which is pleasant to hike thru during hot days of Gobi desert. During out hike, you may notice some rodents such as pica and ground squirrel along with colorful wild flowers and plants. Although mountains are the home for wildlife like ibex, mountain goat and argali, the wild sheep, spotting these animals will purely depend on fortune

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family ger.

Day 8: Tsagaan Suvraga- White Stupa

Stop At: Dalanzadgad, Dalanzadgad, Omnogovi Province
Yoliin am – White stupa 225km
• Today we will be driving thru vast and empty rocky desert and semi-arid steppe to reach out White Stupa. Mongolians always have admired and honored this unique natural formation of 30ms height, precipitous, stupa shaped slopes as White Stupa. The place definitely will remind travelers some lunar landscape with its mystery of fossils hidden underneath and stunning color combinations. The area deemed to be bottom an ancient ocean.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: Tourist ger camp / nomadic family / tents.

Day 9: Ikh Gazriin Chuluu National Park

Stop At: Mandalgovi, Mandalgovi, Dundgovi Province
White Stupa - Ikh Gazriin Chuluu 260km

• These marvelous granite outcrops will be our today’s destination. Another beauty of nature, granite rocks creates various interesting formations resembling different animal figures, even human beings. Besides that there are many caves which strongly related to the local stories and legends. These Rocky Mountains stretch 20kms towards the East. Ideal place for hiking.
• Another highlight of the place is an open air stage dedicated for the honor of a famous Mongolian traditional long son singer. Occasionally some singing contests are held here to commemorate the singer.

Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight optional: a nomadic family ger / tents

Day 10: Chinggis Khaan Statue

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
• After breakfast, we will drive to at our next stop Tsonjin Boldog complex which majestically bestows world’s largest statue of a man on the horse back. 40m high, made of stainless steel Statue of Chinggis Khaan is standing proud facing his birthplace, direction of East. As the legend says, great king found a golden whip, which for nomads meant symbol of immense fortune and victory. Don’t forget to get a selfie with a Man of the Millennium.
• An optional day of experiencing horse trekking along the Tuul River thru the vast steppes with abundant contrast of landscapes

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
• Dinner: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Overnight with a local Kazakh family.

Day 11: Terelj National Park and Ulaanbaatar

Stop At: Töv, Mongolia
Chinggis Khaan Statue-via Terelj National Park-Ulaanbaatar 130km
• Continue with the journey to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a place of granite formations created by natural erosions, slopes covered with pine and larch, fields shattered with colorful wild flowers, pristine rivers and lake.
• Visit other sites of the parks such as Cave of a Lama, Turtle Rock and Aryapalo Meditation Temple. By hiking to the elephant shaped temple along the trail you will be leaning various reasons to meditate, so you find your reason too. The view from the top of temple stairs is overwhelmingly beautiful. A great place to finish your Mongolian adventure.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: We would prepare everything /vegan, vegetarian and meat/
Accommodation included: • Mid afternoon return to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your accommodation.