Discover the Gobi Desert Group Travel

Is this Gobi Desert group travel suitable for me?

On this tour, you will travel approximately 1900 km driving overland both on the paved and rough roads. The daily driving duration is 4.5-6 hours. Therefore, consider if you have car sickness or back pain, etc. 

The tour does not include demanding physical activities except for 1-3 hours of gentle hiking on some days. The group members have an option to climb one of the higher dunes of Khongor, remain at the bottom, or climb lower dunes. Local equestrians will support the horse and camel riding except for your guide. If you are not comfortable with the riding, inform your guide that you will not ride or request a helper to lead your reign. 

Accommodation – What is a ger camp in Mongolia?

On this group tour, you will stay in a centrally located 3* hotel for one night on day 8 – at the end of the tour. We always book the best location, best hotel available within the budget for your comfort, safety, and your easy access to city attractions, shopping, dining, etc. If you wish, do not hesitate to request us to book the same hotel at the beginning of your trip. We will check and book for you if the rooms are available on the day of booking. 

In the countryside, you will stay in the western friendly traditional ger camps close to the main attractions. 

The same as the hotel, we always choose the best ger camps for your enjoyment, comfort, and safety. 

You will stay in twin rooms and gers both at the ger camps and hotels unless you request a single supplement and pay additional. 

The ger camps have restaurants that serve western and Mongolian cuisines. 

Regarding bathrooms, the western WC and showers are in a separate block to share with other travelers. Few of the ger camps have private bathroom gers available at an additional fee of 35$-45$ per person per night. 

Some of the ger camps connected with central electricity while the other half sources the electricity from the generator, solar and wind. Learn more about the ger camps and see pictures at What is a ger camp in Mongolia?

What meals will I eat during the Gobi desert group travel?

The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 8 dinners. In the countryside, ger camps serve some European and Mongolian meals. Meat is the main recipe for lunch and dinner and is served along with vegetables, salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals.
BREAKFAST: A typical breakfast consists of tea, coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, sausage, cookies, cheese, and cereals.

LUNCH: They serve some salads, Mongolian soups, main courses (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers, traditional meal), and dessert with tea.

DINNER: Salad, a main course, dessert, and tea will be served.

Are you a vegetarian or have a dietary restriction? If you are a vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance. We will arrange the meals accordingly.

Water; Bottled water is provided daily.

Meals with the nomads: On Day 8, you will try authentic Mongolian lunch with the nomads.

Guides

An English speaking guide will serve the group. They are all friendly, helpful and most of them were born and raised in the Mongolian countryside. Therefore, they have good knowledge about every aspect of Mongolia and have at least three years or more years of guiding experience. During the camel riding, a local guide will support you

What is transportation for the Gobi desert group travel

Full-time Japanese van Toyota Hiace is the main vehicles serve for the group tour. Depending on the group size, Mitsubishi Delica and 4WD Hyundai Starex may serve.

When is the best time to travel to the Gobi desert?

The best time to travel to the Gobi desert is between 15 May and 1 October. Therefore, the group tours are available between the above period. 

We recommend May, the beginning of June, September, and the beginning of October for travelers who prefer cooler weather and less crowd. Expect daytime weather between +8°C to +25°C and night weather 0°C to +20°C. Snowfall may occur in May and September. 

The beginning of August and July is the hottest and wettest. As well as busiest due to the traditional holiday Naadam festival. Expect +22°C to +38°C daytime and +16 to +25°C at nights. 

The second half of June and August is a perfect time to travel the Gobi desert in terms of weather. Not too hot, not cool, and not rainy. Expect +14°C to +30°C daytime and +8°C to +15°C at nights.

What to bring and wear?

As Mongolian weather is inflexible and fluctuates a lot, not regarding the month, we suggest you pack according to below.

• Torch/headlamp will be useful when going to bathrooms in the evenings and at nights while staying at the ger camps.

• Windproof/waterproof, lightweight jacket at the end of June, July, and in the first half of August and windproof/waterproof warmer jacket in May, in the first half of June, in the last half of August, September, and October.

• Lightweight travel trousers that can be unzipped into shorts would be ideal for most summer days.

• T-shirts and long-sleeved t-shirts will be comfortable and help you to protect your arms from the sun and stay warm on cool days.

• Woolen hat, gloves, and scarf are handy if you are traveling at the beginning of May, September, and the beginning of October.

• Sturdy pair of walking sandals and boots will be useful when you hike in the Eagle Valley and through Tsagaan Suvarga cliffs. If not the hiking shoes, bring sneakers and sandals. Some of the ger camps do not have slippers in their gers.

• Pajamas/tights or something similar that let you stay warm at night.

• Shorts and whatever suitable hot weather up to +38°C during daytime in summer months and +8 to + 18°C in the evening/night temperature. The temperature drops dramatically when it rains.

• Bringing your eyeglasses is preferable instead of lenses on dusty roads.

• Sun cream, lip balm, sunglasses, and a sunhat are vital.

• Bring some pills of common symptoms such as travel sickness pills, allergies pills (there is a vast expanse of grasslands), Pepto-Bismol for the inevitable upset stomach, Antibiotic cream for cuts, scratches, and insect bites, etc. The pills should be carried in the original, clearly labeled container, in your handbag, and should be checked with the Mongolian Embassy if necessary.

• A watch or alarm clock can be useful if your mobile phone does not have enough charge or you do not want to use your phone.

• Both backpacks and suitcases work. The bell boys and service staff of ger camps will help you carry your luggage between the gers and parking areas.

• Razorblades, shampoo, lotions, deodorant, and toothpaste are all available extensively in Ulaanbaatar. However, they are not available at ger camps. Therefore, bring your supply or buy in Ulaanbaatar.

• The ger camps provide big and small towels.  Bringing dry/wet tissues, and hand sanitizer will not go wrong. Particularly, during some important stops in the countryside (call of nature).

•Travel and medical insurance, passport, and what else you need.·  Camera with a spare battery or with a mobile charger. Make sure your power bank and batteries meet the your flight operator requirements because  it sometimes causes a delay in your luggage on some international flights.

• Resealing (Ziploc) plastic bags – to protect your documents, money, camera, binoculars, and other items from wetness, sand, and dust.

• Check here vaccinations and health information needed to travel Mongolia.

• Small gifts for nomad children if you do not mind. Visiting nomads and learning about this unique culture is an inseparable and experiential part of our tours. Expressing thanks for your sudden and uninformed visits to nomads on your way and their hospitality is nice feeling either of you. Giving little gifts to the nomads is not a must, but you may like to give little more happiness to the people live in the middle of nowhere. Below are just to give you an idea: Any of small toys, hair ribbons, children’s books, educational materials, paper, pencils, crayons or sweets for children, sewing kits, face or hand cream, a little perfume, cigarettes, cigar-related items or snuff tobacco for adults. Candies are an ideal gift for both children and adults to keep things simple.