GOBI - CENTRAL MONGOLIA
1 OFF ROAD TOUR
3 TYPES OF TERRAIN
A guided expedition with Honda XR 400 adventure motorcycles and tents through the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert and the steppe.
This tour will give you the vastness of the Mongolian steppe, the immensity of the Gobi Desert and a sense of the beauty and power of nature. Besides its endemic flora and fauna, the Gobi Desert is also known for very well preserved dinosaur fossils.
The steppe, unlike the Gobi, is one of the largest habitats of nomads. The cattle breeders settle in large numbers with their yurts. This photogenic steppe landscape, surrounded by the green Khangai massif and the rich flora and fauna, is a perfect place for the most beautiful photo opportunities.
For this exciting group tour, or individual trip, we provide up to twelve motorcycles as well as a first class cook and an English speaking tour guide. Our well-rehearsed team will always provide the best service.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
ULAANBAATAR CITY
After your flight arrives in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia:
- Your tour guide will meet you at the airport
- Transfer to Hotel Bayangol
- Check-in and breakfast at the hotel
- Visit Gandan Monastery, the only active religious site during the communist period. Most Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia were destroyed.
- Lunch in the city
- Afternoon visit to the National Museum of Mongolian History, or alternatively free time for a nap at the hotel.
- In the evening a Mongolian folklore concert followed by dinner
Overnight stay at the Hotel Bayangol
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
DAY 2
ULAANBAATAR – BAGA GAZRIIN CHULUU
Driving distance: approx. 220 km
Once the luggage is stowed in the support vehicle, we drive south to Baga Gazriin Chuluu. The impressive rock formation consists of granite stacked on top of each other.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 3
BAGA GAZRIIN CHULUU – TSAGAAN SUVARGA
Driving distance: approx. 200 km
Today we drive mainly through the steppe of the Middle Gobi. Tsagaan Suvarga is primarily rich in copper, but other important metals are also mined.
The route is easy to drive and is a lot of fun.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 4
TSAGAAN SUVARGA – VIA DALANZADGAD – GURVAN SAIKHAN MOUNTAIN
Driving distance: approx. 200 km
Today we drive to the Gobi. Endless steppe leads us into the mountainous desert landscape. The panorama invites to stay.
Overnight stay in a yurt camp.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 5
VULTURE GORGE – DUNGENEE GORGE – BAYANZAG
Driving distance: approx. 180 km
We drive through the magnificent Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, where we visit the extraordinary Vulture Gorge with its exotic backdrop of greenery and icy landscape. At certain times, the caves fill with meter-thick ice, creating a stark contrast compared to the surrounding desert landscape and leaving lasting impressions.
During our drive to Bayanzag we are accompanied by a landscape consisting of mountains, rocks and sand, where numerous camels graze and the houses of the camel herders stand.
Today we will visit one of the most visited sights in Mongolia: the rock formations near Bayanzag. In the 1920s, the American scientist and adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered here a completely preserved dinosaur nest with eggs, which led to this place, as well as the rest of Mongolia, becoming an important site for paleontological research.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 6
BAYANZAG – KHONGOR DUNES
Driving distance: approx. 180 km
We drive through the magnificent Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, where we visit the extraordinary Vulture Gorge, an exotic backdrop of greenery and icy landscape that runs through the gorge. At certain times, the caves fill with metre-thick ice, creating a stark contrast compared to the surrounding desert landscape and leaving lasting impressions.
During our drive to Bayanzag, we are accompanied by a landscape consisting of mountains, rocks and sand, where numerous camels graze and the camel herders’ houses stand.
Today we visit one of Mongolia’s most visited sights: the rock formations at Bayanzag. In the 1920s, the American scientist and adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered a fully preserved dinosaur nest with eggs here, which led to this place, as well as the rest of Mongolia, becoming an important site for palaeontological research.
Overnight stay in a yurt camp.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 7
KHONGOR DUNES – BOGD
Distance: approx. 150 km
The landscape changes from the barren Gobi Desert to the green, mountainous landscape.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 8
BOGD – GUCHIN-US
Distance: approx. 190 km
Today we head east.
After passing many beautiful Gobi mountain formations, the landscape changes to steppe.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 9
GUCHIN-US – NAIMAN NUUR
Distance: approx. 200 km
The Mongolian highlands take us to over 2,200 m above sea level.
Naiman Nuur consists of eight interconnected lakes. Yaks and horses can be seen everywhere.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 10
NAIMAN NUUR – ORKHON VALLEY
Distance: approx. 140 km
Today’s destination is the dreamlike scenery at the Orkhon waterfall. The waterfall, which is about 20 m high and 5 m wide, has been part of the Orkhon National Park since 2006. It was formed 20,000 years ago by the interaction of an earthquake and a volcanic eruption.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 11
ORKHON VALLEY – TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS
Distance: approx. 130 km
Today the compass points in a north-westerly direction as we drive across the boundless steppe landscape, past forests and through smaller rivers. Again and again the local nomads wave to us.
In the afternoon we arrive in Tsenkher, where we enjoy a soothing bath in the Tsenkher hot springs and admire the sunset.
Overnight stay in yurt camp.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 12
TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS – KHARA KHORUM – KHUGNU KHAAN MOUNTAIN
Distance: approx. 200 km
Continue via Khara Khorum to our camp for the night, which lies just below the granite rock mountains of Khugnu Khaan.
In Khara Khorum we visit the impressive Erdene Dsuu Monastery, built in 1586 on the ruins and from the stones of the former capital of the Mongolian Empire. Today, the monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Towards afternoon we reach our destination. Then we have the opportunity for a break, a (climbing) walk with a magnificent view of the endless steppe or a drive to the enchanting sand dune landscape a few kilometres away, the foothills of the small Gobi.
Overnight stay in the tent.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 13
KHUGNU KHAAN MOUNTAIN – ULAANBAATAR
Driving distance: approx. 280 km
Around noon we arrive in the capital and return the vehicles.
Afternoon free time for shopping and your own activities.
Farewell dinner at the restaurant.
Overnight stay in Hotel Bayangol.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included.
DAY 14
TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Breakfast included.
DATES
04.06. – 18.06.2023
6500 € / PERSON
PRICE INCLUDES
Airport transfers · Accommodation (based on double occupancy*) · Meals and beverages (as specified) · Domestic flights (as specified) · Vehicles and fuel · Activities as per itinerary · English speaking guide · National park & museum entrance fees · Tents · Mechanical support vehicle with driver and English speaking guide · Catering support vehicle with personal luggage
*Surcharge for single occupancy (where available) €50 per night
PRICE EXCLUDES
Passport · Visas & Vaccinations · Travel Insurance · Private excursions · Bar bills · Laundry · Telephone / Internet costs & items of a personal nature · International flights, buses or trains.
In the case of wilful or negligent damage to the vehicles, the client shall pay a maximum of € 1,500 toward repair costs.
IMPRESSIONS
