A Taste of the Gobi by Air - a Short Acquaintance with the Desert (MN-08)

The Gobi Desert is a legendary place. Feared as uninhabitable yet attracting travellers with its myths and folklore. It is a massive swathe of land, covering one third of Mongolia, and it is as fascinating as it is forbidding. Here, geography, history and pre-history mix with plants, animals and human society. Mongolians list no less than 33 types of ‘gobi’, depending on soil colour and composition – it is a surprisingly complex place. There is a lot of variety within the Gobi Desert, from wildlife parks and mountains to canyons with dramatic rockfaces. This tour is suitable for any one wishing to explore the main highlights of the Gobi desert during a short period of time.
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from $1,395 per person, 3 days



Day 1. Ulan Bator - Dalanzadgad - Khongor Els Sand Dunes
Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to the Gobi. Upon arrival we depart for the remarkable Khongoryn Els sand dunes. In the afternoon we will visit a camel breeding family and go on a camel ride to explore the dunes. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 2. Bayanzag
We will visit Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs, and explore the Cemetery of Dinosaurs. We will enjoy an evening of the silence of the Gobi by overnighting in gers.
Day 3. Yol Valley - Dalanzadgad - Ulan Bator
Visit to the fascinating Yol Valley National Park where we’ll have a morning trek and plenty of opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape. Late morning flight to Ulan Bator. Transfer to your hotel.
Click here to view detailed day-by-day itinerary of this tour

Quick Facts
  • Season: Summer
  • Days: 3
  • Group Size: 2-12
  • Tour Grade:   Gentle

Day 1. Ulan Bator - Dalanzadgad - Khongor Els Sand Dunes
We begin with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, before we are transferred to the airport for a flight to the Gobi base camp. First we depart for the remarkable Khongoryn Els sand dunes, that stretch 180 km (110 miles) at the foot of the striking Gurvan Saikhan Mountain range. We will stop for lunch on arrival. A fascinating afternoon awaits us – including a visit to a camel breeding family and camel riding to explore the dunes. Dinner and overnight in ger camp. Driving distance – 200 km (125 miles). (L/D).
Day 2. Bayan Zag
We will breakfast at the base camp, then will gradually backtrack to our main camp with a packed lunch. On the way we will visit Bayan Zag, the Flaming Cliffs, and explore the Cemetery of Dinosaurs, following in the footsteps of the explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. We will enjoy an evening of the silence of the Gobi Desert by overnighting in Mongolian gers. Driving distance – 80 km (50 miles). (B/L/D).
Day 3. Yol Valley - Dalanzadgad - Ulan Bator
Breakfast at the base camp. We will conclude today with a visit to the fascinating Yol (Lammergeyer) Valley National Park (50 km, 32 miles) where we’ll have a morning trek and plenty of opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape, including the Gobi Glacier and intriguing wildlife. Late morning flight to Ulan Bator. Transfer to your hotel. (B).


Want to travel on different dates?
Please see below for our group tour dates, if you would like to travel on a different day, please let us know and we will come back to you with an offer. There might be additional surcharges for a private tour but all depends on the number of people in your party and your travel preferences.

 

Peninsula Palace *****

Category: De Luxe 5* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Wangfujing, Goldfish Lane, 8

Peninsula Palace The Peninsula Palace Hotel Beijing is located within main shopping areas of Wangfujing and Dongdan in the heart of Beijing. It only takes a few minutes to walk to the popular scenic spots such as Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and The Museum of Chinese History.

Opened in 1989, the hotel has an imposing, traditional Chinese architectural-style exterior, integrated with the ultimate in luxurious, modern hotel amenities and facilities.

There are 525 guest rooms, which have been refurbished to the most luxurious standard based on the Peninsula's tradition of comfort, interwoven with subtle Chinese influences. The newly designed guest rooms and suites feature hardwood floors covered with carpet, a 42” plasma television, high-speed broadband Internet access, silent fax machine and The Peninsula signature technology - a bedside electronic panel that controls all lighting and audio-visual equipment in the room, as well as a special control panel by the door displaying outside temperature and humidity levels.

The hotel has a lounge, restaurants, fitness centre, sauna, spa, indoor pool, prestigious shopping Arcade with 50 exclusive designer boutiques.

Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace



Howard Johnson Paragon ****

Category: Business 4* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Jianguomen Avenue, 18

Howard Johnson Paragon The hotel is located in the city centre, next to the famous shopping mall - Henderson Centre, a 10-minute walk to the famous Tian Namen Square, Summer Palace and just across the street to the Beijing Railway Station.

There are 280 rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, cable/satellite TV, coffee/tea maker, Internet access, iron and ironing board.

The hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, baby sitting on request, beauty salon, fitness centre, free parking, game room, ironing/laundry services, business centre, meeting /conference rooms, non-smoking rooms and rooms for the disabled.

Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon



Red Wall ***

Category: Tourist 3* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Sha Tan North Street, 31

Red Wall The hotel is located in the centre of Beijing and within 5 minutes walk to its major attractions: Forbidden City, traditional Chinese folk house (Hutong and Siheyuan), Wangfujing shopping street, Red Building of Beijing University, including relics of the city wall of Beijing.

The hotel has a total of 200 rooms including standard rooms, deluxe standard rooms, executive suite rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, telephone, safety box, iron and ironing board and mini-bar.

There is a gym, sauna, massage, beauty salon, restaurant, coffee bar and meeting room. The restaurant offers Chinese and Western cuisines including Chinese imperial cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guangdong cuisine.

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