[ ZONE 2 – Experience Required ]
Community Fee: $145 USD for 4 days/ 3 nights
Additional In-Country Travel Expenses
UB to Mandalgovi Bus Fee (one way): $4 USD
Rural jeep to first ger and pickup (approx.): $182 USD
Note: Jeep cost can be divided by number of persons
Booking, briefing, handbook, healthy/safety coordination: $25 USD
Along this locally managed gobi desert 4×4 expedition, you will experience a location in Mongolia’s geography, known to locals throughout the country, has many special energy sources that are significant for everything from healing one’s ailments to enriching one’s spirit. Uush Sand Dunes are extremely significant to locals as well as handful of Mongolians from different regions that its revered for its mystical healing properties that are used to treat the back, rheumatic fever, kidneys, etc. This region of Mongolia provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a historic mindscape and transport yourself to the days of early explorers. On this soft overland adventure, you will have a great opportunity to do some ‘off the path’ desert trekking, sun bathe on the desert sand dune as well as learn a bit about desert nomadic lifestyle and experience alternative healing methodologies.
Day One – Overland desert expedition to the medicinal Uush sand dunes (L, D – Overnight in Ger): You will depart Ulaanbaatar City by rural bus at 0800 and will start your southern overland journey to Mandagovi (the Provincial Center of the Middle Gobi) and as you travel you will witness the transforming power of the Gobi Desert. Upon arrival in Mandalgovi, the receptionist and driver will greet you. After your lunch, you will continue your desert travel to the nomadic family for about 140kms. Once you reach Mr. Batbekh’s Ger, family will begin to prepare and serve you with a hot nomadic dinner. Afterwards, you ‘may’ have an opportunity to learn techniques of milking camels – to which you can give it a try yourself. Then you will travel by camel for about 3-4kms round trip to Bayan Tsav before you retire to your Ger for the night.
Day Two – Some fun in the sun (B,L,D – Overnight in Ger): After breakfast today, Mr. Batbekh will guide you to Uush Sand Dunes and Zag Mod by his motorbike – which is an adventure by itself. Uush Sand Dunes are medicinal and used for treating back, rheumatic fever, kidneys etc., domestic inhabitants annually go to Uush Sanatorium which is located near the sand dunes. Afterwards, you will continue your four kilometer desert journey to the ruins of Hutul Monastery and then onwards for another kilometer of trekking to “Tagtaa Amni Agui” (local cave). From this location you will have a 75 kilometer overland journey to Ulziit village, home to famous Mongolian Horse Head Fiddle Players, where upon arrival Mrs. Uigarmaa’s family they will prepare and serve you with a wonderful afternoon lunch and tea before you start your late afternoon six kilometer journey to Ban Cliffs. Upon returning to Mrs. Ulzii’s home, they will prepare and serve you with a hot dinner before retiring for the night for a much deserve rest. Apart from the above you can use other paid services – hot shower, laundry, telephone and medical shop etc.
Day Three – The famous wind canyons of Tsagaan Suvrag (B, L, D – Overnight in Ger): After breakfast, you will continue your trip to Tsagaan suvraga cliffs; it’s interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east – from a distance it seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. The cliffs are an average 30 meters high and 100 meters wide – over thousands of years the wind has created this amazing structure; afterwards, you will continue the drive to next nomadic family. Upon arrival, Mr. Tumurchuluun’s family will prepare and serve you with a hot lunch and tea – afterwards you can assist family members herding sheep and goats. In the evening time, as a suggestion, you can also play the traditional ankle bone game or chess with family members before having the dinner and retire to your Ger for the night.
Day Four – Departure (B): After breakfast, around 1100, you begin your overland desert journey back to Mandalgovi where you will catch a bus at 1400 to Ulaanbaatar.
