Gobi Desert Camel Trek Mid-Trip Extension

We offer an optional Gobi Desert Camel Trek extension to experience the scenic wonder of this epic desert.

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-7
Mongolia Private Journey itinerary

Days 1-7 follow the Mongolia Private Journey itinerary

Day 8
Gobi / Yol Valley National Park

From Ulaanbataar, fly to the Gobi, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert, and transfer to the Three Camel Lodge. In the afternoon, visit Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. A hike here allows you to discover habitat for ibex, yaks, Argali mountain sheep, and vulture-like lammergeiers...BLD

Days 9-11
Hongoryn Els / Camel Trek

A drive of about four or five hours brings you across a range called the Three Beautiful Mountains and past the Gyalaan (“Shining”) Valley, named for the sun reflecting off of its smooth rock cliffs. Reaching the Hongoryn Els dunes, towering up to 2,500 feet, enjoy lunch, meet your camel trek and staff, and have an introduction to the camels and their gear. In the afternoon, trek for two or three hours to reach your first campsite at the foothills of the dunes. The next two days of camel trekking (five to six hours of riding each day) brings you across sand dunes dotted with saxaul trees, past a small pond formed by seasonal rainfall, and to a very scenic area north of the highest dunes. Overnights in tents...BLD

Day 12
End Trek / Flaming Cliffs

After breakfast, bid farewell to your camel wranglers and camels and drive to Three Camel Lodge. En route, enjoy a visit to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs,” named for its glowing orange rock. It was here, in 1923, that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. Although not obvious to the untrained eye, the red sandstone of the Flaming Cliffs is rich with dinosaur fossils and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. Continue to Three Camel Lodge for dinner and overnight...BLD

Days 13-14
Continue Mongolia Private Journey itinerary

Days 13-14 follow Days 10-11 of the Mongolia Private Journey itinerary

What the Trip is Like

On this five-day extension, we stay in the comfortable Three Camel Lodge for two nights and camp for three nights in mountain-style camping tents. The tents have sleeping pads and sleeping bags rated to 15ºF. At camp, conditions are comfortable but basic. Our staff cooks and serves the meals, and there is a shared toilet tent at camp (and on some nights, a field shower). Treated drinking water is distributed each day. The trek covers a variety of terrain, mostly hard-packed desert, rocky washes, and dry river beds. Our camels are led by their own individual handlers. Most people choose to alternately ride and walk, as camel riding can be uncomfortable for long periods. Trip members should be aware that camels, though docile, can sometimes be unpredictable animals. Camels cannot be saddled as securely as horses, and there are no stirrups, which increases the possibility of a fall caused by a camel’s erratic movements. Therefore, it's important to hold on well and to stay alert while riding! Anyone participating in this optional activity must acknowledge the inherent risk in riding and perhaps falling from the saddle, and agree to accept any and all responsibility. Alternative activities, such as hiking or riding in the support vehicles, are usually available for those who want a break from riding or prefer not to ride at all.

Explanation of Trip Levels