My 8 day journey across Gobi Desert, Mongolia
- Ankitha
- Jun 13, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Every month Instagram tells you about a new and "undiscovered" destination tipped to be the next big thing. Often in Europe or Southeast Asia. But to me, unusual adventures are less about chasing trends and more about truly seeing another side of the world.
On that note, welcome to country number 77 – Mongolia.
Have you ever dreamt of going somewhere so far-flung and traveling so differently that it redefines how you see the world? Mongolia is just the place. I recently took a solo trip through one of the world’s least densely populated nations, and it was everything I imagined – vast, wild, extreme, and deeply humbling
.Mongolia will push you. It’s as tough as it is beautiful. Not many tourists make it here, but those who do never leave the same. Here's a glimpse into my 8-day road trip across the Gobi Desert.
Itinerary
Day 1: Land in Ulaanbaatar ➝ Drive to White Stupa ➝ Stay at Ger Camp
Day 2: Drive to Yol Valley ➝ Ger Camp
Day 3: Drive to Khongor Sand Dunes ➝ Ger Camp
Day 4: Drive to Flaming Cliffs ➝ Ger Camp
Day 5: Drive to Ongi Monastery ➝ Ger Camp
Day 6–8: Return to Ulaanbaatar ➝ Explore & Rest
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FLIGHTS + VISA IF TRAVELING FROM DUBAI WITH AN INDIAN PASSPORT
There are limited flights to Mongolia. From the Middle East or Europe, Turkish Airlines is your best bet (prepare for a long journey).
Mongolia has introduced visa-on-arrival for many nationalities, but Indian passport holders still need to apply in advance. I emailed my documents (flight & tour bookings) to the Mongolian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and got a single-entry 30-day visa for $50. The process was smooth and fast.
LANGUAGE
Almost no one speaks English in Mongolia, including in the capital. Be ready to use sign language, Google Translate, or—better yet—travel with a local guide.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Ideal: May (no crowds, pleasant weather) Popular: June–August (hotter but more active) Chilly but manageable: September Avoid: October onwards – many roads become inaccessible
CURRENCY
Use USD for major expenses, but keep Mongolian Tugrik for daily needs. ATMs are rare in rural areas.
LOCAL GUIDE
Mongolia is not a DIY country. Distances are vast. I pre-arranged a local driver and young guide through contacts. Total trip cost: ~$650 for 8 days (including ger camps). Worth every penny.
SOLO TRAVEL + SAFETY
I traveled solo with a local guide and always felt safe. That said, alcoholism is a real issue in Mongolia—be alert in rural areas. Most people were welcoming and kind.
GER CAMPS - WHAT TO EXPECT?
Basic but authentic. Think:
Single beds
Dry toilets
No showers
Stunning views & silence
If you aren’t used to roughing it out, this trip might not be for you (especially with kids).
VEGAN + VEGETARIAN FOOD. HOW HARD IS IT?
Hard, but not impossible. Thanks to my guide, I had access to a stove. I cooked simple vegan dishes (rice, noodles, veggies). Also packed Maggi and protein bars. In Ulaanbaatar, check out Loving Hut for delicious vegan Mongolian food..
HIGHLIGHTS
WHITE STUPA
A Martian-like landscape carved by centuries of erosion. The rocks appear red from afar, but up close, they burst with colors. Absolutely surreal.
Contrary to what you would think, the gobi desert is not just about sand dunes. It is also home to a whole set of diverse landscapes from mountains to green valleys. My first stop was this otherworldly martian looking landscape shaped from thousands of years of wind and water erosion.
Though it looks like a red rock, as I hiked closer, I found so many vibrant colors on the rocks. This was one of my favorite places on the trip.
YOL VALLEY
Ice-capped canyons in the middle of the desert. Grazing yaks, narrow trails, hidden streams—unexpected magic in the heart of Mongolia.
I hiked past grazing yaks and horses to a stream hidden deep in the valley. This valley is known for its shade clad canyons that prevent ice from melting well into the summer.
It’s astounding to find places like this, hard to believe all of this is smack in the middle of a desert. Still SO untouched by mass tourism. Will never get tired of exploring the world like this. My whole heart.
Travel Tip: Visit in May or June to spot ice and avoid crowds.
KHONGOR SAND DUNES
Known as the “singing dunes”—as wind moves across them, they hum. I climbed to the top and watched horses graze in the green pastures below the desert. Pure poetry.
Said to be one of the largest and most spectacular dunes in all of Mongolia, the grandeur of the scenery is quite spellbinding. This place is called the “singing dunes” because the sands make an eerie tune as the wind blows over shifting sand.
As I huffed and puffed my way up this humongous pile of sand, I can confirm that this is indeed true.
Something you need to know about Mongolia is the weather can change in a few minutes. I could hear the rattling windows in my ger camp as a sandstorm that raged on for 15 hours straight. It's not scary as the camps are sturdy but if you are a light sleeper, you are in for a long night.
As someone who was raised in the Middle-East, there was one other thing I found fascinating - the horses grazing on a green field in front of a barren Gobi dessert. Just Mongolia things!
FLAMING CLIFFS
Where dinosaur fossils were first discovered. The fiery red clay glows at sunset. Feels like walking through prehistoric history.
At first glance, the place is an intense evocation of the great emptiness of the Mongolian landscapes. The hardened soil, which has mostly remained unchanged since the Cretaceous period, is set ablaze any time of day. Starkly different to the White Stupa, these cliffs are made up of red clay soil.
The region is called Bayanzag meaning it is rich in Saxual buses, the only plant that can survive both the extreme heat and cold of the country. It's just incredible how we can find such marvels in hidden corners of the planet.
ONGI MONASTERY
Ruins of a once-grand monastery destroyed in 1939. Quiet, moving, spiritual. The landscape here is equally breathtaking.
This place is a historically significant. Once a monastery that housed over 1000 monks, the structures were destroyed in 1939 to the anti-religious purges of communism. Walking around the deserted village is a surreal experience. You can just imagine what once was - the crowds, perhaps the happy smiles, the prayers, the families, the monks.
Today the monastery is mostly empty, with a few local families taking care of the temples as a homage to people who lost their lives. As I hiked and explored the monastery, I find lots of connection to Dalai Lama in Tibet here. Monks still visit the village during the summer and the winter. The whole atmosphere, while a solemn reminder of the tragedy, is still extremely tranquil.
ULAANBAATAR
Top City Spots:
Ghandan Kiid Monastery – A spiritual center of Mongolian Buddhism
Sukhbaatar Square – The heart of modern Mongolian identity
Genghis Khan Statue Complex – World’s largest equestrian statue
Winter Palace Museum – Historic home of Mongolia’s last king
Choijin Lama Temple – Buddhist architecture meets city skyline
Zaisan Hill Memorial – Climb for sweeping sunset views over UB
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mongolia—land of the Eternal Blue Sky, Genghis Khan, and soul-stirring silence.
These aren’t your average tourist destinations.
It takes grit, patience, and planning, but the rewards are once-in-a-lifetime memories.
I feel lucky to travel like this—with a weak passport, yet a strong sense of wonder.
If you're looking to explore places few dare to go, Mongolia should be on your list. Rugged, raw, and real.
Thanks for reading. Leave your questions and comments below.
Lots of love,
Anki
To explore more Asian destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.
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