The Gobi of Dreams tour

The name Mongolia often stirs the image of arid Gobi desert and open steppes in one’s mind. The Gobi is definitely one of the largest and most beautiful deserts on earth with unparalleled beauty, priceless archaeological findings of dinosaur remains and eggs, amazing steppe expanding to the horizon, golden sand dunes and unique ecosystem and wildlife.

The Gobi of Dreams tour brings the best of Mongolian Gobi Desert, the glacial gorge of Yoliin Am, singing sand dunes of Khongor, Flaming Cliffs at Bayanzag. This eco tour allows you to travel the Gobi with comfort, meet real nomads of the Gobi to experience their hospitality and see lifestyle, stride the Bactrian camels. 

Landscape and cultural sightseeing blend easily in Mongolia – you will have the chance to visit families of nomads, remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional events, and to take part in horse-riding or guided walking if you wish – there are also endless opportunities for photography.

The Highlights of the tour: 

• Khongor Sand Dunes: Explore the mesmerizing Khongor Sand Dunes, some of the tallest in the Gobi, and enjoy the breathtaking views from the ridge.
• Khermen Tsav: Explore the remote and rugged beauty of Khermen Tsav, known for its stunning canyons, unique rock formations, and archaeological significance.
• Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag): Uncover the secrets of the Flaming Cliffs, renowned for dinosaur fossil discoveries and the dramatic red-orange hues during sunset.
• Yol Valley (Yolyn Am): Venture into the deep, narrow Yol Valley, known for its icy gorge even in the hot Gobi summer, offering a unique and refreshing experience.
• Hiking in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park: Trek through the stunning landscapes of the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, home to diverse flora and fauna, including wild sheep and ibex.
• Nomadic Encounters: Experience the nomadic way of life by interacting with local herders, sharing stories, and gaining insights into their resilient lifestyle.
• Baga Gazriin Chuluu: Explore the unique granite rock formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, a sacred site with ancient inscriptions and meditation caves.
• Camel Riding: Embark on a camel ride through the Gobi Desert, embracing the traditional mode of transportation and enjoying the vast, open landscapes.
• Stargazing: Experience the enchanting Gobi night sky, away from city lights, and marvel at the brilliance of stars and constellations.

Accommodation info on your Mongolia tours 

Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, offers a variety of hotels ranging from basic guesthouses to high-end 5* hotel.

Some of our Mongolia tours do not include the hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar in the tour package, where clients can choose a hotel that suits their needs and budget. Please make sure to check your tour program`s Inclusions and Exclusions section to confirm if your hotel stay is included in the package.

If you wish us to book your hotel for you, your travel consultant will be happy to recommend and book an ideal hotel for you. 

Here are hotels that are recommended by us:  

• Springs hotel (3*)
• Holiday Inn (4*)
• Best Western Premier (5*)
• Shangri-La Hotel (5*)

Outside Ulaanbaatar: Outside of Ulaanbaatar where there are no hotels, tourist Ger (yurt) camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongolians have lived in Gers for thousands of years. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-3 beds with good bedding (1 Ger equals 1 hotel room), and also offer well-maintained public western style showers and WCs on their grounds. Some Ger camps offer en-suite bathroom facilities at additional charge, please ask your Selena Travel advisor for further details when booking your Mongolia tour. 

Food on Selena Travel tours 

In the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, a great variety of restaurants can be found and you will be eating at some of the best restaurants of Ulaanbaatar on your Mongolia tour while in the capital. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps, local cafes in the small towns and sometimes nomadic families will be the places where you will be eating most of your meal. Ger restaurants often offer set continental breakfasts, set menu lunches and dinners consisting of salad or soup, main course and dessert.

 While on the tour, during your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps, often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a small dessert, while hitting the road. Most of the food restrictions and allergies such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and many others, can be accommodated with easy on your Mongolia adventure.

 Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours 

If you are on an overland only tour across Mongolia, the recommended weight of your luggage is 20kg per person (max). However, kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 kg for the carry on luggage). It is possible to purchase extra luggage space which costs US$2 - 5 per 1kg.

DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO

Bayanzag, The Flaming Cliffs

Bayanzag, which in Mongolian means 'a place of many saxaul bushes', was first called 'The Flaming Cliffs' by Roy Chapman Andrews, the American dinosaur hunter and adventurer who made vital finds of dinosaur eggs and skeletons at the base of the vivid red bluffs, which stand alone in a vast empty expanse of land and sky. Chapman himself was something of a rogue - said by some to be the man on whom the film character 'Indiana Jones' was based. He lived an adventurous, self-aggrandizing life across much of this part of the world. At Bayanzag it is the landscape, in addition to the rich dinosaur history, which is very impressive - an intense evocation of Mongolia's great emptiness.

Khongor sand dunes

An extensive dune formation, Khongor Els runs for 180 kilometers across the front of the Gobi-Altai mountains - formed by deposits of sand dropped into the lee of the mountains by centuries of storms. The dunes, rising to heights of 2600 feet, stand out in light sinuous sand shapes against the dark rock of the mountain and the surrounding desert plain, At the base of the dunes runs a sacred river, bringing a flourish of green growth to the desert scene - the nomads bring their herds of cashmere goat and horses to drink at this oasis.

Yoliin Am

The bearded vulture, Yol in Mongolian, gave its name to the Yoliin Am Valley, the Gorge of Bearded Vultures. Located at a height of 2500 metres (8202,10 feet), Yol Canyon forms a gorge that is so deep and so narrow, that only two persons can pass in some places. The water forms four small waterfalls.