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Santiago to Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar and the Gobi Desert

Santiago → Ulaanbaatar → Gobi Desert

Gandan Monastery
"Gandantegchinlen_Monastery_(2024).jpg" by Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
UB downtown (Ulaanbaatar)
Photo: Zazaa Mongolia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Steppe & desert Best season (general guide): Jun–Sep

From the Chilean capital to the Mongolian steppe, this trip crosses both the equator and the date line, usually with connections in Europe or Asia. The reward is one of the emptiest landscapes on earth: the Gobi, which you'll explore over several days on an overland journey from Ulaanbaatar.

Two nights in the capital help you recover and prepare. The Gandan monastery, the National Museum and the giant statue of Genghis Khan outside the city give some context before you head out into the countryside. Nearly every Gobi visit is a guided multi-day tour by four-wheel drive, staying in ger camps or with herding families along the way. Typical highlights include the flaming red cliffs of Bayanzag, where dinosaur fossils were found, the Yolyn Am gorge, and the tall dunes of Khongoryn Els. Distances are long and roads are often just tracks, so most of the time is spent driving between them.

The main travel season runs from about June to September. June and September are often said to be the most pleasant, while July and August are the hottest months in the south. The Naadam festival in mid-July brings wrestling, archery and horse racing, but also very high demand for accommodation. Ulaanbaatar's international airport uses city code UBN.

Desert nights can be cold even in summer, so bring a warm layer and a sleeping-bag liner. Ger camps range from basic to comfortable, and showers may be shared. Camel rides at the dunes and visits with herding families, where you may be offered airag, fermented mare's milk, are part of most itineraries. The night sky away from any town is remarkable on clear nights. Bring a power bank, since charging in the camps is often limited to a few hours of solar or generator power in the evening.

Suggested outline

  1. Santiago

    Start

  2. Ulaanbaatar

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Two nights to adjust and arrange your tour. Flights arrive at the new airport (UBN).

  3. Gobi Desert

    Overland · 5 nights suggested

    Five nights on a guided overland tour, staying in ger camps.

    Khongoryn Els
    "Khongoryn_Els_04.jpg" by Bernard Gagnon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Ulaanbaatar — Arrive at UBN· Santiago → Ulaanbaatar (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Ulaanbaatar — Gandan monastery and National Museum
  3. Day 3 · Gobi Desert — Drive south· Ulaanbaatar → Gobi Desert (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Gobi Desert — Bayanzag
  5. Day 5 · Gobi Desert — Yolyn Am
  6. Day 6 · Gobi Desert — Khongoryn Els dunes
  7. Day 7 · Gobi Desert — Return toward Ulaanbaatar
  8. Day 8 · Gobi Desert — Travel home from Gobi Desert· Gobi Desert → Ulaanbaatar (overland), then Ulaanbaatar → Santiago (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Ulaanbaatar

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Gobi Desert

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