Live the Legend of Gobi with the Mystical Camel Nomads of South Mongolia
Prepare to be captivated by South Mongolia's captivating landscape, where nature and human spirit unite in a breathtaking dance. This remarkable region gracefully transitions from the vast steppe to the arid Gobi Desert, showcasing the wonders of extremes and Earth's enduring beauty.
In South Mongolia, you'll encounter the endless wind-sculpted dunes of the Gobi Desert, ancient petroglyphs like the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, and a landscape where nomadic traditions are deeply ingrained. The hidden gem of Yolyn Am Ice Valley offers a stark contrast with its icy crevices, providing sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Amid the arid expanse, Bactrian camels traverse the dunes, offering a surreal and unforgettable experience.
South Mongolia harmonizes the desert's spirit with the tenacity of its people, promising adventures and discoveries that stretch beyond the horizon. Join us on an expedition through this region to witness transformative landscapes, explore timeless wonders, and bond with resilient Bactrian camels. This journey celebrates nomadic spirit and promises an indelible mark on your soul.
Day 1: Welcome to Mongolia
Sain uu! (Hello!) You’ll land in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, a dense urban centre home to more than half of Mongolia’s population of 3 million. In the city centre, glittering buildings rise alongside bold Soviet-era architecture and charming yurt-inspired structures. Cars rush through busy streets while cattle amble alongside in a bizarrely delightful mix of the traditional and modern.
“The arrangements made were fantastic, the city and expedition guides were friendly and always listened to us and understood our needs throughout the whole journey. Mongolia had always been at the back of my mind. I was curious about their nomadic lifestyle, culture and heritage. Beyond Expeditions opened up the opportunity for me to experience all this.
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Day 2: Ancient City in the Desert
Your journey into the desert starts with this vast and otherworldly stretch of multicoloured cliffs. Carved over the centuries by wind and rain, the Tsagaan Suvarga White Stupa’s rocky formations resemble the ruins of a strange and ancient city. During violent desert storms, the stupa hums with primitive energy as lighting dances across the sky and torrents of rain turn its cliffs into a massive waterfall — an experience of nature’s raw and awesome power.
A Billion Star Hotel
Step into a free spirit’s life for an evening as you overnight with a nomadic horse family. They’ll warmly welcome you into the family ger, where you can swap stories and share food and drink till late. At night, sit out a while with a cup of hot tea and gaze into a sky bright with stars. You don’t have to think about work, what’s happening back home, or anything else… this moment is yours.
“The Gobi Desert was simply breathtaking. For every new location that we went to, I had to take a moment to absorb the sights and sounds of the immense scenery. There were wild livestock as far as the eye can see, much more so than people, and the nomadic families that we stayed with were affable. My favourite part of the expedition was the nights where we stood outside our yurts and just took in the view of the billions of visible stars around us. My only regret was that I did not decide to go for a longer expedition. 10/10 would go again.”
Desert Dwellers
Camel nomads have lived in the Great Gobi Desert for thousands of years, withstanding the planet at its most extreme. In summer, temperatures can reach more than 50 degrees with limited water and barely any vegetation. Despite these harsh conditions, the nomads are a free-spirited, warm-hearted and joyful people. They move with the seasons and will go above and beyond to make you feel at home as you share in their nomadic culture and lifestyle.
Day 3: Secret Valley of Wildlife
Your adventure in the Gobi continues as we journey deeper into the desert to a secret oasis surrounded by mountains. Breathe in the cool, fresh air of the mysterious Yoliin Am Ice Valley as you soak in its vibrant abundance of life. The valley is home to a rich and diverse variety of Mongolian animals. Spot eagles, ibexes, yaks, vultures and creatures you’ve never seen or even imagined — they’ll open your eyes to the beauty and curiosities of the natural world.
“I have never been to the real wilderness before - the closest was probably random road trips but it was nothing like Mongolia. The ambience and the experience are so raw! I’ve never understood what freedom is, until I watched how the nomads live. I felt like I’ve went on a self-discovery trip. I managed to experience new things that I may not get the chance to. I learned that the world is so beautiful and amazing in all ways, Mongolia I’ll definitely come back for you!!!”
Day 4: The Singing Sand Dunes
Hear nature sing out to you at the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes, the second-largest in Mongolia stretching as far as the eye can see. As the wind rises and rushes through the outback, its shifting sands whisper haunting vibrations to your ears across their entire 180km stretch. It’s a hair-raising, lonesome, and deeply spiritual experience.
Day 5: Camel Ride Across the Dunes
Roam the breathtaking desert dunes on the back of your trusty camel, learning to navigate by the position of the sun like the nomads have done for centuries. With the boundless sky above, and the endless horizon all around you, lose yourself in the vast wilderness and become completely at one with the natural world. Thirsty? Try some sweet and salty camel milk, still warm from the desert heat.
Day 6: Discover Dinosaurs on Flaming Cliffs
You’ll hike through the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, named for how they look set aflame over the horizon of a burning sunset. One of the most beautiful raw places remaining in the world, the cliffs are also a hotbed of critical paleontological findings. In 1923, the U.S. scientist and explorer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the world’s very first dinosaur eggs here, a finding that revolutionised palaeontology by proving dinosaurs laid eggs.
Day 7: Sacred Springs of Life
Venture through the sacred grounds of the Baga Gazriin Chuluu Rock Formations, prized by the Mongolians for its underground springs, which bring life to the arid desert. Among this windswept, otherworldly landscape, eagles make their nests in secret crevices — you might stumble upon one with a bit of luck. You’ll also explore the ruins of a 17th century ancient monastery, and a mystical spring whose waters are believed to cure any and all kinds of eye illnesses.
“What I get is experiencing life, what I get is stretching my comfort level, what I get is discovering my own limits, what I get is re-calibrating my boundaries, what I get is reaffirming that having basic needs met is all that matters, what I get is appreciating and making do with whatever I have, what I get is being marvelled by the resiliency, tenacity, creativity, simplicity and humanity of humankind and all these... are priceless.”
Day 8: Back to Civilisation
After roughing it out for the past five days, it’s time to relax. Now that there’s reception, messages from family and friends come flooding in. You click through them all, seeing nothing external has changed but feeling transformed by and grateful for your time in the Taiga’s wilds. You’ve reached beyond your limits and thrived. You suddenly see, so clearly, what you value in life.
“It’s amazing how they arranged the logistics, the traveling van to our convenience, and the drivers, chef and the Mongolians were really super friendly. The beautiful scenery, camels, goats, horses, and starry nights made me fall in love with Mongolia. Not forgetting the Mongolian yurt, which was so comfortable to stay and sleep in! I will definitely visit again next time.”
Day 9: It’s Only the Beginning
Baryatai! (Goodbye!) You’ll fly back to Singapore richer with colourful experiences and new stories to tell. It’s not the end - it’s only the beginning! All travel is inherently transformative. At the end of the trip, maybe you’d like to start smiling hello to strangers. Or maybe you’d like to change jobs. Or fight for a cause. Whatever it may be, there is a kind of internal shift, a deepening self-awareness. It will follow you and fuel you, changing your life in ways you can’t even imagine.
“Personally, Mongolia encompasses many things: from hospitable locals who take pride in their traditions to experienced drivers with a witty sense of humour, from star-filled skies to the beautiful lakes and plains basking beneath them. It is a place which reminds you of what raw beauty truly looks and feels like - that sometimes, you don’t really need all the excess ‘baggage’ to truly experience happiness. It also reminds you that the world is so much bigger than you think and how important it is to stay curious and inquisitive. I am definitely returning home with more than I had arrived with… it has reinvigorated my interest and curiosity about the world.”
“My sincere advice to anyone planning to take a trip to Mongolia is that you need to keep an open mind and forget about the plan and details. Live in the moment. Take in the rolling green steppes, vast blue skies, endless grasslands dotted with livestocks and ger. Play with the animals, play with the kids. Make the best of each situation. Observe and live like a Mongolian. Get over yourself and do things that you’ve never done before.”
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Upon payment of 50% non-refundable deposit, you will secure a spot for 1x South Mongolia Gobi group expedition. The total price for the trip is S$6,790 nett inclusive of flights. The remaining 50% is to be paid 8 weeks prior to trip commencement.
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Round-trip international flights (economy) from Singapore to Mongolia (Check in baggage up to 23kg and carry on baggage up to 7kg)
Airport transfers
All modes of accommodation (3 stars twin-sharing hotel in the capital, guesthouses, tourist ger camp, ger/yurt with nomadic families in the countryside)
All breakfasts, lunches, dinner stated
Private all-terrain vehicle + driver, petrol
Local Mongolian expedition guide (English speaking)
Horse riding
Camel riding
All staff costs including their fees, insurance, equipments
All governmental and local taxes
All national park fees
A bottle of 1.5L of water per day
3/4seasons sleeping bag
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Excess luggage and hand carry fees for all flights
Additional incurred costs during layover
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Personal travel insurance
Emergency rescue flights (if needed)
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