Camel Trekking in South Gobi

Arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport of Ulaanbaatar, transfer and check-in to 3-star hotel in downtown. Welcoming lunch and tour briefing by a tour guide. Afternoon city tour – The Zaisan memorial hill, constructed in memory of fallen soldiers and it makes an ideal point to start our tour with a 360° panoramic view of the city. The next stop is Sukhbaatar Square, the central square named after the people’s revolutionary hero. The last sightseeing is the National History Museum. No tour of Ulaanbaatar is complete without a visit to the landmark, State Department Store/Ikh Delguur – or Great Shop – here we can stock up on last-minute provisions before starting the next day’s journey. (L/D)

Fight to Dalanzadgad, the center of South Gobi province. Drive to “Vulture’s Gorge” – Yol Valley situated in the northeastern part of Zuun Saikhan Mountain of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. This area has been the main attraction of tourists for many decades. The valley is named after the Mongolian name of Bearded vulture, Yoliin Am. The valley is very wide at the entrance and it narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. The area, as part of the Gobi Desert, sees little precipitation. However, Yoliin Am is notable for a glacier, in recent years it’s melting by July, due to global warming. The ice field reaches several meters thick by the end of winter and stretches several kilometers long. Trekking along the beautiful valley. Overnight at Gobi Mirage ger camp. (B/L/D)

After breakfast drive to Bayanzag – the cradle of dinosaur fossils. Many rare archaeological and historical findings have been found here and some of them can be found in the American Museum of Natural History. American Expedition to Central Asia led by Roy Chapman Andrews traveled through the Mongolian Gobi in 1922 and 1923. The findings were carried by 70 camels to China and shipped to the USA. This place is well-known as “Flaming Cliffs” in the world because it looks like a flame in the sunset and that’s why some American archaeologists called so when they were in the Gobi in 1923. Mongolia is one of three leading countries with dinosaur findings with counterparts USA and China. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we drive to a local camel herder family and will be greeted by nomads and prepare for camel trekking. Then we start our journey through canyons, saxaul forest and sand dunes for about 15km, dismounting for lunch along the way. Our driver and cook stay ahead of the main group to set up camp and prepare the meals. Overnight in a tent. (B/L/D)

Today we continue our camelback ride and reach Moltsog Els – barren of sand dunes, take pictures and have lunch. Then we continue towards the Gobi Tour ger camp and stay overnight in a tent. (B/L/D)

Today we will reach the Gobi Tour ger camp and finish camel trekking. Free afternoon on your own leisure. Overnight in ger camp. (B/L/D)

We take the morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Check-in to a 3-star hotel and in the afternoon visit the Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum, a temple complex with beautiful tangkas and the taxidermy collection of the 8th Bogd Khaan. This evening we will enjoy Mongolian traditional art performance by the world-famous Tumen Ekh Ensemble. The most interesting performers are the throat singers, contortionists and Tsam dancers. Khoomii or throat singing is a musical art delivered with the help of a guttural voice and specific way of breathing. Have a farewell dinner after traditional art performance. Night owls may want to sample the nightlife of Ulaanbaatar! (B/D)

Check-out from the hotel and transfer to Chinggis Khan International Airport/Departure. (B)