9 Day Gobi Desert Adventure Culture Nature and Nomadic Life

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Gateway to the Steppe
1 stop
1
Ulaanbaatar
Welcome to Mongolia! Your Travel Buddies driver will meet you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Take time to rest after your flight or explore the city — visit Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum, or nearby cafés and galleries. Meals: No meal Accommodation: Premium Hotel Ulaanbaatar Driving time: 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa)
1 stop
2
Tsagaan Suvarga
Travel Buddies team will greet you on your hotel lobby and start the tour by driving south to the breathtaking Tsagaan Suvarga, a 30-meter-high limestone escarpment eroded by wind and rain into surreal shapes resembling a ruined city. In the afternoon, arrive at Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) — wander along the cliff edges for sweeping desert panoramas, pause to admire the shifting colors of the rock layers, and immerse yourself in the serene stillness of Mongolia’s southern wilderness.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Flaming Cliffs
1 stop
3
Bayanzag Cliff
After breakfast, travel to the world-famous Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag), the site where dinosaur eggs and fossils were first uncovered in the 1920s. Explore the vibrant red sandstone formations that blaze under the sun, and wander through a landscape that feels frozen in prehistoric time.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Khongor Sand Dunes and Camel Ride
1 stop
4
Khongor Sand Dunes
Continue your journey to the legendary Khongoryn Els, Mongolia’s largest and most dramatic sand dunes, stretching more than 180 km along the Gobi’s southern edge. Meet a local camel-herding family and learn about their traditional nomadic lifestyle before setting out on a gentle, hour-long camel ride across the rolling dunes. As evening approaches, take a rewarding hike to the ridge line for an unforgettable sunset — golden waves of sand glowing in amber, rose, and soft violet as the desert shifts into twilight. It’s one of the most magical moments in the Gobi, where silence, light, and landscape come together in perfect harmony.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
South Gobi and Yolyn Am Gorge
1 stop
5
Yolyn Am
Continue into Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the largest national park in Mongolia. Afterward, drive to Yolyn Am (Vulture’s Mouth) — a spectacular canyon famous for its year-round ice field. Take a scenic 5 km hike (about 2 hours) through the gorge, where dramatic cliffs and cool breezes contrast the desert beyond.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Baga Gazriin Chuluu and Nomad Homestay
1 stop
6
Baga Gazariin Chuluu
Travel north toward the Middle Gobi, a region of open steppe dotted with herds and rare wildlife. Explore Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a striking granite rock formation rising from the flat steppe of the Middle Gobi. Scattered cliffs, narrow canyons, and weathered towers create a scenic landscape shaped by wind and time. visiting its granite formations, an old monastery ruin, and a sacred spring. In the late afternoon, arrive at your nomadic family homestay. Experience authentic herder life — help milk the livestock, taste homemade dairy products and traditional Mongolian vodka, try your hand at knuckle-bone and archery games, and learn about timeless nomadic traditions passed down through generations.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Terelj National Park and Horse ride
1 stop
7
Terelj
Traveling further north, leave the Gobi behind and return to lush steppes and rolling hills. Continue to Terelj National Park, where granite formations rise above lush valleys. Visit Turtle Rock, hike to the Ariyapala Meditation Temple, and enjoy a 1-hour horseback ride surrounded by forested mountain scenery.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Chinggis Khaan Statue and Ulaanbaatar
1 stop
8
Chinggis Khan Statue Complex
After breakfast, head back to Ulaanbaatar via Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, the world’s largest equestrian monument. Explore the museum, climb to the horse’s mane for panoramic views, and take an eagle photo opportunity. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, make a stop at the iconic State Department Store to browse for quality Mongolian souvenirs and gifts. As evening falls, attend a traditional performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble, a mesmerizing showcase of throat singing, dance, and contortion that captures the spirit of Mongolia in movement and sound. Lastly, gather for a memorable farewell dinner — a warm celebration of the experiences, landscapes, and connections that have shaped your journey across Mongolia.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Departure Horizons Beyond
1 stop
9
Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure. Your driver will ensure you arrive at least three hours before your flight.
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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