
TERRA FIRMA JOURNEYS

10 Days / 9 Nights
From $1.550 USD
Embark on an Unforgettable 10-Day Gobi Desert Expedition in Mongolia
Discover the Wonders of the Gobi Desert
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Khongor Sand Dunes: Marvel at the towering dunes and ride camels through this stunning desert landscape.
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Flaming Cliffs: Explore the ancient paleontological treasures and witness the vibrant red cliffs at sunset.
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Vulture Valley: Wander through the dramatic canyons and spot rare wildlife in this unique natural setting.
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Stay with Nomad Families: Experience authentic Mongolian hospitality and immerse yourself in local traditions.
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Traditional Mongolian Meals: Savor delicious and traditional Mongolian cuisine, prepared with love and care.
Why Choose This Expedition?
This 10-day itinerary is meticulously designed to showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Gobi Desert. From camel riding across sand dunes to exploring ancient fossils, every moment is crafted to provide an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Expedition available All Year Round
Expedition Overview
Embark on a thrilling 10-day overland safari through the vast and stunning expanses of Mongolia's Gobi Desert. This captivating journey will take you to the majestic Khongor Sand Dunes, the dramatic canyons of Vulture Valley, and the ancient, fossil-rich Flaming Cliffs.
Expedition Highlights:
Each day unveils new destinations and adventures. Marvel at the towering Khongor Sand Dunes while enjoying an unforgettable camel ride. Explore the glacial canyon of Yolyn Am (Vulture Valley), a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. Discover the red cliffs of Bayanzag, home to some of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil deposits. Experience gentle hikes through pristine wilderness, ride horses across the vast, open steppe, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Gobi Desert.
Cultural Immersion:
Deepen your journey by engaging with local nomadic families, experiencing their authentic Mongolian hospitality. Learn to cook traditional Mongolian dishes with local experts, and enjoy enchanting folk art concerts that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Why Choose This Expedition?
Our meticulously planned 10-day Gobi Desert expedition is designed to provide an unparalleled adventure. From the excitement of uncovering ancient fossils to the tranquility of camel rides across expansive dunes, each moment is crafted to offer an enriching and unforgettable experience.





Briefing Room
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to the hotel, and dinner.
Day 2: Visit the Institute of Mongolian Paleontology and start the trip to Baga Gazariin Chuluu.
Day 3: Drive to the Tsagaan Suvraga cliffs, explore the unique limestone rock formations, and stay with a nomad family.
Day 4: Continue the adventure to the Flaming Cliffs, explore dinosaur fossils, visit the Gobi tree grove, and stay with a nomad family.
Day 5: Journey to Khongor, hike along the green river shore, climb the sand dunes, visit a nomad family, and enjoy camel riding.
Day 6: Drive to Yoliin Am, walk through the valley, and stay with a nomad family.
Day 7: Travel to the Ikh Gazariin Chuluu, camp, and enjoy a Mongolian dinner prepared by the team.
Day 8: Drive to Terelj National Park and take a short hike.
Day 9: Visit the Chinggis Khan Statue, explore the city, and enjoy a traditional folk art concert.
Day 10: Transfer to the airport and departure.
Expedition Images
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Day 2: Baga Gazariin Chuluu
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvraga
Day 4: Flaming Cliffs
Day 5: Khongor sand dunes
Day 6: Yol Valley - Eagle Valley
Day 7: Ikh Gazariin Chuluu
Day 8: Terelj National Park
Day 9: Back to Ulaanbaatar
Day 10: Departure from Ulaanbaatar
Upon your arrival, the driver and guide will pick you up in the airport after you have passed customs and retrieved your luggage. You will be transfer to the hotel downtown. We will bring you Sim cards so you will have internet from day one!
Hotel:
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3* Hotel or similar
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Dinner
Meet with your guide and driver at the hotel at 8:00 AM. Before we start our trip, we will visit the Institute of Mongolian Paleontology for an educational session on paleontology. Mongolia is renowned for its paleontological significance, often referred to as a paleontology garden.
Following this, we will begin our tour to Baga Gazarin Chuluu, a region characterized by its granite stone mountains, with the highest peak reaching 1700 meters above sea level. This area holds historical treasures, including the ruins of a monastery and ancient tombs.
Challenge your imagination with the unique granite formations of Baga Gazarin Chuluu, explore the remnants of the old monastery, and be captivated by the vast emptiness of the Gobi Desert.
And in the evening, we will stay with a nomad family and spend the night with them and our team will prepare a Mongolian dinner for you.
Trip info:
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270 km will be done by car
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Hiking: (1 - 2 h)
Accomodations:
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Standard Gert
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
Today, we drive to the Tsagaan Suvraga cliffs, also known as the "White Stupa." This area was the bottom of an ocean a few million years ago, and remnants of the marine world are still present today.
The cliffs, standing 30 meters high and extending 400 meters long, are made of unique limestone rock that reveals many treasures, such as ammonites and fossilised wood.
The valley at the base of the cliff is reminiscent of Death Valley in the United States, with its red soil and layers of different colors. The Gobi is the perfect place to stargaze the milky way.
On this day, we will be accomodated in a Tourist camp.
Trip info:
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200km will be done by car
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Hiking: (1 - 2 h)
Accomodations:
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Tourist camp
Note: If you make an early reservation, you can book a stay at the Gobi Caravanserai Resort, a unique resort in the Gobi Desert. Please, let us know if you are interested on this option.
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
Our adventure will continue to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the remains of dinosaurs, including the first dinosaur eggs ever found.
We will enjoy exploring the cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils and visit the Gobi tree grove named "Bayanzag," which means "rich in saxaul trees." These trees only grow in the Central Asian Gobi. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Camel riding
In the evening, we will stay with a nomad family and spend the night with them and our team will prepare a Mongolian dinner for you.
Trip Info:
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370km will be done by car
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Hiking: (1 - 2 h)
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Camel riding: (1 - 2 h)
Accomodations:
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Standard Ger
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
Our journey will continue to Khongor, home to the largest sand dunes. Upon reaching the dunes, we'll hike along the green river shore, climb the sand dunes, visit a nomad family, and enjoy an hour of camel riding.
Here, you can climb one of the tallest dunes, be sure to spread the sand northwards against the wind to discover why locals call them "Singing Sand." The views from the top are fantastic. We will spend the night at a tourist camp.
Trip info:
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160km will be done by car
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Hiking: (1 - 2 h)
Accomodations:
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Tourist Camp
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive to Yolin Am. In this region lies the mountain range Gobi Gurvan Saikhan, meaning "Three Beautiful Mountains in the Gobi." This national park is rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. Among its many attractions, Yolin Am (Eagle Valley) is accessible by car.
We will walk through the valley into the depths of a sheer rock canyon that receives no sunlight, allowing ice to persist until the end of June.
The hike through the valley and back to the vehicle takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Indigenous wildlife includes golden eagles, wild sheep, and ibexes.
In the evening, we will stay with a nomad family and spend the night with them and our team will prepare a Mongolian dinner for you.
Trip info:
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220km will be done by car (70 km paved road, 150 km off-road)
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Walking and Hiking: (1 - 3 h)
Accomodations:
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Standard Yurt
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
We will travel to Ikh Gazarin Chuluu, also known as the Great Stone of Ikh Gazarin, is a famous rock formation located in Dundgobi Province in the central part of the country.
This unique geological feature consists of a large granite rock formation that rises out of the surrounding desert landscape.
Tonight, we will be camping.
Trip info:
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400km will be done by car (350 km paved road, 50 km off road)
Accomodations:
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Tourist camp
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
After breakfast, we'll drive 350 km to Terelj National Park. Once there, we'll take a short hike to the Aryabal Meditation Temple, which offers beautiful valley views, perfect for some peaceful reflection.
Then, we'll have the chance to go horseback riding and visit the famous Turtle Rock. In the evening, we'll visit a local nomad family. You can join them for dinner and even learn to cook a traditional Mongolian dish called Khorkhog. It'll be a memorable experience getting a taste of the nomadic lifestyle.
Afterwards, we'll head back to the tourist camp for the night. If the sky is clear, you can enjoy some stargazing, adding a magical end to the day.
Accomodations:
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Tourist Camp
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive half an hour to the impressive Chinggis Khan Statue - a colossal steel equestrian monument, the largest of its kind in the world, showcasing the legendary Genghis Khan.
Then we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar (50km trip), where we will spend the day exploring the city. Our first stop will be the Chinggis Khan Museum, followed by a delightful lunch.
In the afternoon, we'll visit Zaisan Memorial Hill, offering panoramic views of the city.
Next, you'll have the opportunity to shop at Gobi Cashmere, the largest cashmere store in the world.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional folk art concert, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Mongolia. We'll conclude the day with a farewell dinner before retiring for the night at a comfortable hotel.
Accomodations:
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3* Hotel
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
Our team will take you to the airport.
Thank you for choosing us for your Mongolian adventure. We hope you had a wonderful time and created lasting memories. Have a safe flight!
Meals Included:
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Breakfast
Prices & Services
Tour Price
1 Pax: $4700
2 PAX: $2250 per person
3 PAX: $2000 per person
4 PAX: $1800 per person
5 PAX: $1600 per person
6 and more: $1550 per person
Notes:
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Children aged 0 - 2 years old stay free of charge
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Children aged 2 to 9 years old can benefit of a 20% discount when sharing a bed in both, the hotel and the tourist camps.
Included Services:
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3* Hotel in Ulaanbaatar (2 nights)
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Tourist Camp (3 nights)
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Nomad Family Accomodation (3 nights)
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English Speaker tour guide
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Airport transfer
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Meals as mentioned (B-Breakfast - L-Lunch - D-Dinner)
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Entrance fee to sightseeing areas
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National Park entry fee
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Folk art concert tickets
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Museum tickets
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Horse and Camel riding
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Unlimited Bottles of water
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And more (More info Upon reservation)
Services Not Included:
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Travel insurance & Visa fees
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Extras at the Hotel
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International Airfare/train tickets + Tax
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Early check-in or late check-out fees
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Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites
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Optional activities such as archery, etc.
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Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
Refund & Deposit
Deposit
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$775 per person to register and hold your spot
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One week before the start of the tour, Terra Firma Journeys will issue an invoice for the total tour cost based on the number of participants registered by that date. Full payment is required two days prior to the commencement of the tour.
Refund
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1 week: No deposit refund
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2 to 3 weeks: 50-60% refund
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1 month: 70% refund
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2 months: 80% refund
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3 months or more: 90% refund

