14 Day – Gobi Desert & Eight Lakes Trek

Today’s drive will be on the paved road. After packing up the camp site, will be driving to Tsagaan Suvarga – a formation about 30 meters tall and 100 meters long and shaped very strangely, as a result of wind and water erosion over thousands of years. From a distance, it can be mistaken for the ruins of an ancient city. Lunch will be in the town of Mandalgovi city.

Today we will be entering South Gobi Desert – Umnugovi province. After having breakfast, we will start the drive to Dalanzadgad city where you can have a shower, and guide will restock supplies with some fresh food. Lunch will be in a local restaurant, and we then continue to Yoliin Am (“vultures’ mouth”), which is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park in Southern Mongolia. Yoliin Am is notable for a deep ice field. This ice field reaches several meters thick by the end of winter and is several kilometers long and can sometimes remain frozen throughout the summer. Camping and supper will in the Valley.

Driving on this day can be adventurous, because the road is unpaved. We will start driving at 8am after breakfast. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the gorgeous canyon, and then continue to the last destination of the day. These dunes are the largest accumulation of sand in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The spectacular dunes are bordered by lush green vegetation supported by the Khongoryn Gol river, which is fed by underground sources from surrounding mountains.

Take the opportunity to relax and truly appreciate the surrounding landscape. You will spend the day camel riding for the day, hiking, sand sliding or hanging out with a local nomadic family. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a shower and cold drinks from the bar/restaurant as well as a night safari tour, where we will see some of the local wildlife.

Stay in a ger camp run by the local community, including a shower.

Your destination on this day will be the aptly named “Flaming Cliffs”. The adventure across the vast desert landscape will continue, this time across what was a prehistoric sea bed. The flaming cliffs are a dream for fossil hunters. They were named by American adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews who found the first fossils here in 1920. The Bayanzag area is great for hiking and hunting for fossils. Stay in a family ger camp.

Be ready for a refreshing swim in the waterfalls. ‘Red Flows’ is the English translation for this river. The area was formed by volcanic activity that dates back 20,000 years. This location is amazing for trekking, fishing, relaxing, and indulging your inner photographer if the weather is right for the day. Accommodation will be in a family guesthouse.

For the next four days trek through the beautiful Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) area. The area of Naiman Nuur (Eight lakes) area. The area of Naiman Nuur, which was created by volcanic eruptions centuries ago, is now part of the 115-sq-km Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve.

Trek by horse or by foot through this magnificent landscape which lies 2400m above sea level. You will see the wild Mongolia, mountain passes, lush valleys, thick forests and a plethora of birds and other wildlife. While trekking you will be carrying your small backpack, while your luggage, camping equipment and food will be carried on pack yaks/horses.

After completing your 4-day trek, return to Orkhon Waterfall family camp, rest and recover from your epic adventure and begin the journey to the Khar Khorin the next day.

After breakfast, we begin the 130km drive to the next destination of Khar Khorin, the local town that was once the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire built by Chinggis Khan in the 13th century. Visit the magnificent Erdene Zuu monastery, Khar Khorin museum, as well as some of the rock monuments in the town. Lunch in a local café. After big day of exploring the town and its incredible history, enjoy dinner at a local family home.

After last hearty breakfast the 9am. Return to Ulaanbaatar with nothing but fond memories, enjoying a local lunch on the way and one last day in the wild. Estimated driving duration 7 hours.