3-Day East Gobi by Car to the China Border
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Ulaanbaatar β Ikh Nart Nature Reserve
We pick you up from your accommodation at 08:00 and drive southeast to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, about 330 km and 5 hours, mostly on a paved road. Ikh Nart is a cluster of rocky hills and small mountains rising out of semi-desert steppe, rarely visited by tourists and full of gorgeous, untouched scenery. Its granite has weathered over millennia into domes, strange shapes, craggy ridges, and a mind-boggling range of textures. The reserve is a favorite with wildlife enthusiasts, as it harbors one of the largest populations of argali, the world's largest wild sheep, and vultures nest on its crags. After lunch, hike around the two springs, Khalzan Mountain, and Burgasan Am in search of argali. In the evening, relax as your guide prepares a fresh dinner over a small campfire and the desert stars come out, then spend the night camping in a tent.
Ikh Nart β Khamar Monastery & Khusliin Khar Mountain
After breakfast, drive about 230 km (4 hours, mostly on a paved road) to Khamar Monastery. It was founded in 1820 by Danzanravjaa, the educator, poet, and noble monk of the Red Hat sect, who chose the site because he believed the surrounding Gobi radiated a powerful spiritual energy. The monastery was completely destroyed in the communist purges of 1937, but rebuilding began in 1992 and has been a great success. Visit the 108 meditation caves where monks once secluded themselves, a dinosaur skeleton lying on the ground, and petrified trees from the age of the dinosaurs, then hike around and enjoy the small sand dunes nearby. Next, drive about 25 km on dirt roads to Khusliin Khar Mountain, which locals believe can make people's dreams come true, and climb to the top for a spectacular view. Finally, drive about 25 km, mostly on a paved road, to a tourist ger camp for the night.
Sainshand β Zamyn-Uud: Cross into China
After breakfast, drive back to the town of Sainshand (15 km on a paved road) to visit the Danzanravjaa Museum. Its exhibits are the hidden treasures of Mongolia's most revered and multitalented monk, which were buried for decades to save them from destruction during the purges. Then drive about 230 km (3 hours on a paved road) south to Zamyn-Uud, the border town on the main road and railway between Mongolia and China. After lunch, we transfer you to the border for your crossing into the Chinese town of Erlian (Erenhot), where the tour ends.