Gobi Gurvan Saikhan and Kharkhorin City (Ancient Capital of Mongolia)

Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park is a national park in southern Mongolia. The park was established in 1993, and expanded to its current size in 2000. The park, at nearly 27,000 square kilometers, is the largest national park in Mongolia.The park is named for the Gurvansaikhan Mountains, which translates to the Three Beauties. The name is derived from three subranges, the East, Middle and West Beauty. The range forms the eastern half of the park.The park lies on the northern edge of the Gobi desert. The higher elevations contain areas of steppe. A number of rare plants and animals are found in the park, including the elusive snow leopard and the Gobi Camel. Areas of sand dunes are found, most famously the Khongoryn Els - the Singing Sands. Another major tourist destination is Yolyn Am, a mountain valley that contains a large ice field through most of the year.The park is usually accessed via the town of Dalanzadgad, which has airport service to Ulaanbaatar.

Yolyn Am - Canyon of Eagle It is narrow canyon of a river. The gorge has sheer rock walls with a height of about 200 metres in central part. It has been protected since 1965 and has area of 70 square kilometres. Today it is a Strictly Protected Area. The rain which falls at the summit of the moutain flows down into the sheer canyon forming the four waterfalls. It is enjoyable to watch the waterfalls streaming over the rim in the winter. Only 2 people can pass in the most narrow part. Despite the sunshine, the place is quite dark. If you see the sky, it is only as a narrow line.

Region: Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia
Interesting sites: Middle Gobi, South Gobi, Karakorum and Erdene-Zuu Monastery
Length of tour: 9 nights / 10 days
Distance: about 2100km

• Day 1
  After breakfast drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Middle Gobi and see the interesting rock formations in Gobi. Overnight in traditional Mongolian ger guesthouse.
• Day 2
  After breakfast drive to Tsagaan Suvraga.On the way visit the ruins of Sum Khukh Burd Temple. Reach in Tsagaan Suvraga. Overnight at ger guesthouse.
• Day 3
  Drive to Eagle Valley / Yolyn Am/ National Park Hiking in long narrow valley for all day.Lunch picnic in the NP. If you are lucky you will see wild animals. Overnight in ger guesthouses.
• Day 4
  Drive to “Khongor” Sand Dune.Experience the surrounding nature. And hiking on the big Sand Dunes. Overnight in tents or at ger guesthouse. If you want you can stay one or some more days here.
• Day 5
  Drive to the famous Flaming Cliffs (Bayan Zag), the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetary and the trail of paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. Overnight at ger guesthouse.
• Day 6
  Continue trip to the Ongyn Temple and river.Overnight at ger guesthouse.
• Day 7
  Drive to Arvaikheer town. Here you can have a shower. Overnight at local hotel.
• Day 8
  Trip to “Kharkhorin” - the ancient capital city. On the way view of the “ Black” – ruins. Visit “ Erdene zuu” monastery.One of the biggest and the first Buddhist Monastery. And visit “ Khugnu Khaan” –temple near the “ Mongol Els”.
• Day 9
  To travel to the Semi-desert and sand dune lays about 90km long. Camel riding and hiking on the sand dune.Overnight at ger guesthouse .
• Day 10
  Arrive in UB via Hustai National Park