Gobi Desert, Southern Mongolia
One of the most popular travel routes in Mongolia is the Gobi desert, the habitat of the rarest animals and a unique natural landscape. The Gobi Desert is a vast zone of desert and desert steppe covering almost 30 percent of the Mongolian territory. The area is often imagined as a lifeless desert like in many other parts of the world. In reality, most part of the Gobi Desert is a land of steppes, sands, mountains and it is the home for camel breeders rich with wildlife and vegetation. Wild asses, camels, snow leopards, mountain sheep and gazelles flourish here, as do different types of flora. Dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs have been preserved here to the present day. gobi desert
Destination & Highlights
Khongor Sand Dunes
Khongor sand dunes stretch from the southernmost corner to the far west of the country. The dunes rise abruptly from the plain, in some places reaching a height of 200 meters, and extend over an area between 2-20 km in width and 180 km in length. There is a small river called Khongoryn Gol, with dark green banks full of flowers along the side of the dunes. When it is windy some of the dunes give a strange sound like the engines of an aero plane, for which they are named the “singing dunes”. There is an excellent possibility to ride camels near the dunes.
Bayanzag /Flaming cliffs/
Bayanzag / Flaming cliffs – first discovered by Roy Chapman Andrews, famous American explorer in the 1920, flaming cliffs of Bayanzag are an important site for both archeological and paleontological finds. Complete dinosaur skeletons, including One-horned dinosaur (protocertops) and Egg-thief (Oviraptor) and numerous eggs were excavated in ravines between the red flaming cliffs, which look like fire in the middle of the desert from distance.
Activities: desert expeditions, camping, trekking, paleontology
Yoliin Am Canyon
Yoliin Am canyon – One of the best-known travel destinations in the Southern Gobi is Yoliin Am canyon, known as Eagle Valley, which is a part of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain National Park (meaning “Three Beautifies of the Gobi”). But in fact, Yol means Lammergeyer, one of the most endangered bird species of prey. Sheltered by high cliff walls on both sides of the canyon, thick ice gorges remain frozen even on summer’s hottest days.
Activities: camping, mountain climbing, trekking, wildlife viewing.
Khermen Tsav
Khermen Tsav is a canyon with beautiful oasis, 6 km in width and 15 km in length located in a distance of 400 km from Dalanzadgad city. The canyon is full of 30 meters high natural formations of cliffs, and looks like remains of ancient cities and temples, iceberg drifting on a sea, huge dinosaurs, turtles and crocodiles.
Hermen Tsav is known not only by its beauty of natural formation but also by its trove of dinosaur fossils. The first full skeleton of a dinosaur was found in this place.
Moltsog Els Sand Dunes
Moltsog Sand is a captivating natural wonder nestled within the Hustai Mountains National Park in the Tuul Valley of Mongolia’s forest‐steppe zone. Covering an area of about 10 square kilometers, its landscape is reminiscent of the Gobi Desert, yet its setting is distinctively lush and serene. The sand here is exceptionally fine-grained—it almost melts in your mouth—and is reputed to have healing properties that benefit the bladder, kidneys, spine, and joints. This unique quality is enhanced by the natural environment: over 50 species of plants thrive in the area, with half of them being medicinal, lending further character to this extraordinary dune.
This description highlights the natural beauty, the unique texture of the sand, and the holistic benefits associated with the region, inviting travelers to experience an enchanting blend of nature and wellness.
Camel Herder Nomads
Mongolian camel herders embody a timeless nomadic tradition that thrives in the arid expanses of the Gobi Desert and the rugged steppe. These herders manage hardy Bactrian camels—two-humped animals perfectly adapted to Mongolia’s extreme climates—and their way of life is as much a part of the landscape as the dunes and vast open skies.
Living in close harmony with nature, camel herders follow seasonal migrations in search of grazing pastures and water, a rhythm that has been refined over centuries. Their intimate knowledge of the land and the intricate art of camel care—from nurturing young calves to guiding the animals on arduous treks—ensures the survival and prosperity of their herds and, in turn, their communities.
For travelers, interactions with Mongolian camel herders offer an authentic window into a resilient culture where tradition and survival intersect. Whether you’re joining a camel trek across the desert or learning about the daily routines that sustain this ancient lifestyle, the stories and hospitality of these herders provide a truly enriching cultural experience.
