The Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia is one of the world's great desert landscapes and the destination most travellers imagine when they think of Mongolia beyond the capital. It is not just sand: the Gobi includes rocky mountains, gorges, dry steppe and some of the richest dinosaur fossil beds on earth, where expeditions in the twentieth century found dinosaur skeletons and eggs. A tour that highlights dinosaur fossils takes you through those fossil-rich areas, visits herder families and ger camps and lets you see the long horizons and starry skies that make the desert so memorable. This is the biggest journey you can add to a Ulaanbaatar trip.
The tour we link is a six-day Gobi trip that names dinosaur fossils in its title, so it is a long overland journey rather than a day trip. Expect many hours of driving across rough tracks, nights in ger camps or simple lodging and short walks to see cliffs, dunes and fossil sites.
Because itineraries differ, confirm exactly which stops are included, how many people share a vehicle, what meals are provided and what the ger camps are like. Costs are far higher than for day trips, so compare itineraries and group size before you commit, and allow buffer time before an international flight.
Season is crucial. Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best times for a Gobi trip, with warm days and open camps, though midday heat can be intense. Winter in the Gobi is bitterly cold and many camps close, so only travel then with an operator who confirms the programme and heating. Bring layers because desert nights are cold even in summer, plus sun protection, a scarf and sunglasses against dust, a refillable water bottle and some cash for small purchases.
Expect basic facilities, long drives and simple food, and treat the trip as an expedition rather than a luxury holiday. For many visitors it is the highlight of Mongolia, but it needs at least a week in the country to do properly, so plan it as the centrepiece rather than an add-on.
What to expect
The experience
A six-day overland journey into the Gobi, with fossil-rich areas, dunes and nights in ger camps.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn; winter is very cold and many camps close.
How long
Six days, including long drives each day.
Tips
Pack layers, sun protection and a scarf, confirm exact stops and camps, and allow buffer time before flights.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adventurous travellers with a week or more in Mongolia.
- Families
- Possible for older children who cope with long drives, less so for young ones.
- Couples
- A big shared adventure under desert stars.
- Pair with
- Elsen Tasarkhai dunes and a Terelj ger stay.
- Time needed
- Six days.
Good questions
What will I see in the Gobi?+
Expect dunes, cliffs, dry steppe, herder families and areas known for dinosaur fossils.
How long should I allow?+
The tour we point to takes six days, and many Gobi itineraries are longer, so plan it as the centrepiece of a trip.
What is the accommodation like?+
Usually ger camps or simple lodging with basic facilities, so confirm details with the operator.
When is the best time to go?+
Late spring to early autumn. Winter is very cold and many camps close.
Is it suitable for a short stay in Ulaanbaatar?+
Not really. If you have only two or three days, choose the Mini Gobi dunes instead.
