Search
Tour

The Dunes of the Gobi (6 days)

Tour Operator
Remote Lands, Inc

Bayanzag, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Valid for Departures Now Through: 01 Jun 2027
Virtuoso Benefits
For availability and pricing:

The vast desert region of the Gobi features diverse terrains and this 6-day itinerary explores the Hongor Els - the desert’s spectacular sand dunes. Stay in comfortable ger camps - the traditional form of housing for nomadic Mongolians, trek by camel into the Gobi dunes and spend time with local herders. On this trip you’ll also get to explore the rugged Yol Valley and climb the Flaming Cliffs - a prolific archeological site. End your stay in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.


Highlights

  • Trek on a camel through the towering sand dunes of the Gobi desert

  • Enjoy hiking and bird-watching in the Yol Valley

  • Climb to the top of the sandstone “Flaming Cliffs” where dinosaur eggs were first uncovered

  • Stay in ger camps, enjoying the tranquility of the Mongolian wilderness

Itinerary

Day 1
Bayanzag, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: Dinner

This itinerary begins in Dalanzadgad, in the sparsely populated Ömnögobi - southern Gobi - area. A guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to your accommodation for the night - a ger camp near Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs. You’ll enjoy your first excursion this evening - a sunset trip to the Flaming Cliffs, so-called for the bright red hue of the sandstone at sunset. This is also where the first discovery of dinosaur eggs was made. Settle into your ger camp for the evening.


Day 2
Hongoryn Els, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you’ll return to the cliffs and hike to the top for spectacular views. Next, visit the nearby saxaul groves to enjoy lunch before embarking upon the half-day drive to the sands of Hongor Els. An immense dune almost 75 miles long, Hongor Els is located inside the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park and provides a breathtaking backdrop for the ger camp where you’ll be staying for the night.


Day 3
Hongoryn Els, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the dunes today, meeting local herding families and enjoying views from the tallest dunes. You’ll have the chance to enjoy tea with the camel herders in one of their ger tents, and even use their camels to trek to more remote desert areas. The Hongor Els - Singing Dunes - got their name from the humming noise the wind makes as it passes over the sand. Return to your ger camp for the evening.


Day 4
Yol Valley, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ll drive across the Gurvansaikhan Mountains to the Yol Valley area today - a full day’s journey. Also known as the Valley of the Vultures after the lammergeier vultures who inhabit the area, Yol Valley is a strikingly beautiful gorge with a deep ice field, which often remains year round. After traveling all day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing evening in your ger camp.


Day 5
Yol Valley, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you’ll get to explore the Yol Valley properly with a full-day excursion into the Gurvansaikhan Mountains and the gorge itself. Spot lammergeier wheeling above the ravine, as well as wallcreeper birds clinging to the cliffs. Depending on the amount of ice and snow, it may be possible to hike the entire length of the valley today before returning to camp.


Day 6
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Hotel: None
Meals: None

After breakfast, we’ll drive you to the local airfield for the 90-minute flight to Ulaanbaatar. Here in the Mongolian capital, you can catch up on shopping, enjoy fine dining or just relax in your hotel. We recommend staying at the Blue Sky Hotel - a modern property with top-notch spa facilities, luxurious rooms and a range of international cuisines.


Virtuoso Benefits

VIP Arrival

The following VIP services are complimentary for all Virtuoso guests upon arrival at participating airports.

  • Meet and greet as you disembark the aircraft
  • Luggage assistance
  • Escort through immigration and customs formalities
  • Escort to your private guide

Further services may be available, contingent upon individual airport regulations. Please enquire for further details.

Product Terms & Conditions
Payment Notes
  • Payment by wire transfer or by cheque; American Express, Visa and MasterCard also accepted.
  • 25%

Refund Policy
  • Fully refundable, less a 15% of total trip price cancellation fee, if cancelled 91 days or more before departure, subject to the refund policies of each hotel, airline and other vendor
  • 50% of total trip price refundable if cancelled 30-90 days before departure, subject to the refund policies of each hotel, airline and other vendor
  • No refund less than 30 days before departure

  • Please note that some vendors have onerous cancellation policies with substantial penalties for changes where funds paid are non-refundable


The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo and SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso CST#2069091-50. California CST# 2069091; TA# 808 - Registered Iowa Travel Agency; Washington UBI # 601 554 183. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.