Destination
Gobi Desert
Towering sand dunes, dinosaur fossil cliffs, and canyons with ice that lasts into summer.
The Gobi Desert covers southern Mongolia with a landscape far more varied than “desert” suggests: granite rock formations, a canyon that holds ice year-round, the country’s largest sand dunes, and the cliffs where the first fossilized dinosaur eggs were ever found.
Why visit Gobi Desert
The Gobi packs an unusual range of scenery into a relatively short, well-established travel route from Ulaanbaatar — dunes, canyons, fossil sites, and painted cliffs — while still being open enough to feel genuinely remote.
Landscapes and experiences
- Baga Gazryn Chuluu granite rock formations
- Yolyn Am (Vulture Valley), a narrow canyon with ice that can last through summer
- Khongoryn Els, Mongolia’s largest sand dunes
- Bayanzag (the Flaming Cliffs), where the first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered
- Tsagaan Suvarga, layered white-and-ochre cliffs
Things to do
- Hike into Yolyn Am to see its ice formations
- Climb the Khongoryn Els dunes for sunset
- Look for fossils and dinosaur-era rock formations at Bayanzag
- Visit Tsagaan Suvarga’s eroded cliffs
- Overnight in a traditional ger camp
Best time to visit
May to September. Summer days are hot but nights are cool; spring and early autumn are milder and less crowded.
Tours in Gobi Desert
Gallery
