Traverse wide steppe, ancient Karakorum ruins and sand-swept Elsen Tasarkhai on a seven-day loop from Ulaanbaatar. This trip mixes geology, nomadic culture and hands-on experiences—horse riding, camel treks and stays in gers.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Dust kicks up from a gravel track as your vehicle leaves Ulaanbaatar behind and the steppe opens—wide, spare, and insistently alive. Over seven days you cross shale plateaus and wind-swept grasslands to reach chalk cliffs, ruined monasteries, a roaring Orkhon waterfall and the small, soft-stacked dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai. The landscape alternates between long-distance solitude and sudden detail: petroglyphs carved into sun-baked rock, ger circles on the horizon, and switchbacks of sand that dare you to climb them.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in good general health: able to sit long drives, manage short off-trail walks (1–3 km) and mount basic horse or camel rides.
Wildlife
History
Karakorum served as a Mongol Empire administrative center in the 13th century; Ongi Khiid was a major monastery complex founded in the 18th century and later rebuilt after 20th-century destruction.
Conservation
The Gobi’s fragile soils and sparse vegetation recover slowly from vehicle tracks and campfires—stay on designated tracks, minimize waste, and support local guide services that follow leave-no-trace practices.
Reserve your spot on the 7 days Central Mongolia and Great Gobi today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Prepare for long drives
Daily transfers can be 4–8 hours on gravel; bring motion-sickness meds and entertainment for the road.
Layer for temperature swings
Days can be hot and nights cold; pack a warm mid-layer and windproof shell.
Bring cash and a local SIM
Small villages and ger hosts often accept cash only; a local SIM helps with navigation and contact.
Respect religious sites
Remove hats in temples, ask before photographing monks and leave offerings at shrines if appropriate.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction for uneven trails, rocky ruins and dune slopes.
Water bottle or hydration bladder (2–3L)
Remote stretches have limited water access—carry adequate water daily.
Sun protection (hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses)
High steppe sun and reflective sand increase UV exposure.
summer
Insulating mid-layer or down jacket
Even summer nights at 1,000–1,500 m can be chilly; mornings especially brisk.
fall