Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Winter Trips in Mongolia

Hogno Khan & Karakorum

- and Erdenezuu monastery -

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This journey will bring us to both desert steppe and mountain areas of the Gobi. We will also be able to visit the famous Yol Valley, which actually is a ravine, which in the winter period certainly is covered by permanent snow and ice. The Gurvansaikhan Mountains is an extension into the Gobi of the Altais. In the desert steppe we will probably be able to see gazelle and fox

Brief Outline Itinerary

We will fly back and forward to the small town of Dalanzadgad in the South Gobi, from where you will be met and transferred to a ger camp (yurt camp). You will make full day excursions from there. Beds, sheets, linen is provided. Toilets and showers are in separate buildings

Day 01. Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in the Mongolian capital by train or air. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 02. To South Gobi

A.m. Early pick up at your hotel in Ulaanbaatar, and transfer to the airport for 1½ hour flight to South Gobi. South Gobi (Ömnögobi) is the least populated province in all Mongolia. After arrival in Dalanzadgad we will make our way to a ger camp that is open for winter guest’s.

P.m. Walk into the hills and down into the far end of the Yol Valley gorge, just a few kilometers away. Visit some local people.

Day 03. Yol Valley

Today we will visit the Gurvansaikhan Mountains (The Three Beauties) and enter into the core area at the Yol Valley (Yoliin Am).

We will explore this famous ravine, often with permanent ice and snow. Lammergeier nest here from February and onwards, and we are guaranteed to see them flying over the ravine. On the way out from the mountains we can visit the local Nature Museum. Finally drive 70 km over the steppes, and stay overnight in the same ger camp.

Day 04. Gobi steppes

Today a full day excursion will be made to the Moltsog Els (sand dunes) and Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs), where dinosaur remains where unearthed in the 1920s by the expedition of Roy Chapman Andrews. The first fossilized dinosaur eggs known to man.

The Gobi is for the most part arid desert steppes, with few sand dunes. Only 3 percent of the Gobi actually is sand. We will probably see some wildlife such as gazelles and fox, and also meet local families with their livestock.

Day 05. Fly to Ulaanbaatar

DA.m. The flight (1½hrs) back to the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. Transfer into your hotel. P.m. free.

Day 06. Departure

You have the choice – at additional cost - to stay another day or two in Ulaanbaatar, or transfer out to your next destination.

Practicalities

Nomadic Journeys have introduced a concept of practical and desirable ways of travel in Mongolia, which is the synergy of Western and Mongolian ideas brought about after many years experience of travel all across Mongolia. We emphasize the quality of human contacts and encounters with local people.

Transport: This journey is supported by a jeep or minibus on the Gobi jeep road tracks.

Staff: A Mongolian English speaking local guide will accompany at all times. Plus one driver in the Gobi.

Meals: The meals will be provided in the ger camp, or as picnics.

Overnights: The ger camp has gers for double, triple and quadruple occupancy. They are furnished with beds, stools and a table. WC and showers are in communal shower blocks. There are possibilities for additional bed in the ger, making it into a triple.

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 720 per person (6d/5n)
Min. 2 persons.
Group discounts available on request.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar

Flight days are Tuesdays and Fridays

Includes: Leadership, breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights. Domestic flights and all local transport in the Gobi and transfers in Ulaanbaatar.

Excludes: Imported drinks, laundry. Visa fee. Additional hotel night in Ulaanbaatar is USD 45 in shared double per night (incl. breakfast and taxes) and single supplement USD 20 per night. An additional night with all meals at the ger camp is USD 60 per person, all meals included.