Gobi

The Gobi is one of the most popular regions amoungst visitores to Mongolia.

Tour duration 8-10 days
It takes 1-2 days (14 hours drive) on dirt roads to get from the capital city Ulaanbaatar to the desert town Dalanzadgad in the Gobi.
From Dalanzadgad to the popular sites in the Gobi desert (Sand dunes) it is another 10 hours of driving on desert dirt roads. A total of 3 full days of driving, round trip 6 days.
Add time for some hiking, visitin a nomadic family, camel riding, relaxing in ger camps from the endless driving, inevitable break downs and delays. It all adds up to a round trip to the Gobi and back of 8-10 days.

Tour operator option
Most tour operators offer a tour to the Gobi.
You make a reservation in advance, everything is arranged for you by the tour operator.
Cost includes everything (van, driver, guide, lodging, food) from xx to xx avarage xx

Guest house option
Most guest houses will arrange a driver for you. It is up to you to find partners to share the cost.
Cost in a shared van includes van driver and travel cost (food and lodging not includded) from xxx to xxx avarage xxx

Public transport option
A bus leaves every day from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad.
You have to purchase the ticket the night before. Seats are marked, but it is a crowded with lot's of merchandise going on the bus.
It leaves from the eastern station at 8:00 in the morning and arrives the same day between 22:00 and midnight.
Cost: one way bus ticket 22,000 Tugrug.

In Dalanzadgad ask arround, some one will offer you a jeep ride.
The cost is about 550 Tugrug per Km. A round trip to the sand dunes is about 500Km.
It is up to you to find partners, try to get a group to come with you on the bus.

Flight options
There are flights to Dalanzadgad. Operated in Summer 2009 by Eznis.
See the flights page.