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Gobi
Overland Expedition
(2 - 11 June 2010 Euros €1095)
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This exciting 10-day tour is a genuine overland adventure starting from Ulaanbaatar and travelling down through the Middle Gobi steppe to the real desert of South Gobi province. There are many sights along the way, including fantastic granite mountains, strange rock formations and massive sand dunes.
We travel by jeep on rough tracks, rarely on good paved roads. In the countryside nomadic people live in gers, following a way of life which has changed little in centuries. You will have a chance to observe their fascinating way of life and may be invited into their homes. There will be some time at the end of each day for exploring and the trip includes a bit of walking and camel riding at some of the best places.
Every night will be spent at ger camps where traditional ger tents have been set up for travellers in places of particular beauty or importance and have facilities including a ger restaurant, bar, showers and toilet.
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Our
Tour Grading |
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This Gobi overland trip is not physically tough, although several hours will be spent in the vehicle every day on rough roads. It is suitable for people
of any level of fitness, since the hiking is optional.
People wanting a more active trip can use all the
free time to explore the areas on foot. Those who
prefer a gentle walk can do so, or you can just
relax and enjoy the unusual surroundings. |
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Itinerary
2010
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02 June |
Arrive
Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon free to see the city. |
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03 June |
Set out from the city by jeep on dirt tracks through the green hills of Tov Province
to Bag Gazriin Chuluu, a remarkable
granite rock formation situated in the
central steppe. |
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04 June |
Spend a little time exploring these amazing rocks before continuing our journey southwards through Dundgov (Middle Gobi). The landscape suddenly becomes more desertified, dry and rocky with far distant horizons. |
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05 June |
Near our ger camp we visit Tsagaan Suvraga where erosion of limestone cliffs has created a dramatic pink and white canyon (the name means "White Stupa", which is what it looks like from a distance). Jeep
to South Gobi. |
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06 June |
Jeep up into the mountains of the
Gurvansaikhan National Park and walk into Yoliin Am ("Vulture's Mouth"), a canyon so narrow that the sun reaches for only a few minutes each day. Jeep west to Khongor Els. |
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07 June |
Take a short ride on camels into the big golden sand dunes which are set against a backdrop of the black Gobi Altai mountain range. Jeep
to Bayanzag where there is a small forest of low-growing saxaul trees. |
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08 June |
See the valley where Roy Chapman Andrews found the first ever dinosaur eggs in the 1920s. Then travel northwards
to a place on the Ongi river and stay at a ger camp near monastery ruins. |
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09 June |
Jeep
to Zorgol Khairkhan, another granite mountain with bizarre rock formations standing out against the big sky. Across the valley is a mountain where fresh spring water comes from the rock and the trees have been decorated with hundreds of blue Khadag (silk scarves). |
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10 June |
Jeep to Ulaanbaatar, hopefully arriving early afternoon in time to spend a few hours shopping in the city and enjoying the restaurants and bars. Overnight hotel. |
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11 June |
Depart. |
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The
world's first nest of dinosaur
eggs was discovered at Bayanzag in
the South Gobi by American palaeontologist Roy
Chapman Andrews in the 1920s. Prior to that it
was assumed that dinosaurs were born like mammals,
ready formed. The Gobi was roamed by many species
of dinosaur including Tarbosauraus,
the Mongolian cousin of America's Tyrannosaurus
Rex. This "alarming reptile" weighed
between 2 - 5 tonnes and was about 14 metres long.
It had savage teeth 15cm long, suitable for piercing
and chopping flesh.
