From: € 1,900
A 6-day adventure across Mongolia’s wild landscapes from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Desert.
Gobi Sands
01 Start
Gobi Sands is a 6-day, 1,500 km self-drive tour from Ulaanbaatar into the southern Gobi, in a fully equipped SIXT 4×4 with a GPS-mapped route, every night booked in advance and 24/7 remote support.
You drive yourself — no guide in the car — from the granite rocks of Baga Gazriin Chuluu to the shaded Yolyn Am gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan mountains, the Khongoryn Els dunes (100 km long and up to 300 m high, with a camel ride and a sunset climb), a hotel or ger camp night near Dalanzadgad, and the red, orange and white cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, the White Stupa, before the run back north.
Graded Tour Level 4 of 5, it includes long unpaved desert stages and the soft-sand approach to the dunes, so some off-road experience helps. Best months are May–June and September to mid-October. From €1,900 per person, based on two travellers sharing one vehicle.
1.1 Why choose this tour?
- Unmatched Adventure: Experience the thrill of navigating Mongolia’s untamed landscapes.
- Cultural Dive: Live the Mongolian way in Ger camps and local towns.
- Spectacular Scenery: Witness breathtaking natural wonders, from ice fields and sand dunes to rainbow-colored cliffs at White Stupa
02 Overview
- Style: Self-Drive
- Terrain: Asphalt, Dirt Tracks, Sandy Tracks, Sand Dunes
- Tour Level: 4
Our tour levels are graded from 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging), with each level reflecting the complexity and challenge based on multiple factors.
Ratings out of 5 — Offroading 5, Endurance 4, Weather 3, Navigation 3
5
4
3
3
Thrilling offroading
Stunning wildlife
Untouched landscapes
Traditional ger camps
03 Itinerary
Day Begin your adventure (250KM)
- Camping or Hotel
Collect your 4x4 at the airport and drive south to the granite rocks of Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Visit the ruined monastery at sunset.
Day Drive into the wilderness (300KM)
- Camping or Ger Camp
South into the Gurvan Saikhan range to the Yolyn Am gorge. Hike the shaded canyon; ice usually lasts into June. Night near Dalanzadgad.
Day Challenge the sands (350KM)
- Camping or Ger Camp
West to Khongoryn Els, the Singing Dunes, up to 300 m high. Camel ride with a herding family, then climb the big dune for sunset.
Day Gateway to Gobi (160KM)
- Camping or Hotel
Back east along the mountains to Dalanzadgad. Fuel up, wash the vehicle, restock, and enjoy a hot shower and a hotel bed.
Day White Stupa nature's palette (160KM)
- Camping or Hotel
A long desert stage north to Tsagaan Suvarga, the White Stupa: layered red, orange and white cliffs. Walk the canyon at sunset.
Day Return to Ulaanbaatar (150KM)
- Hotel (Optional)
Sunrise over the stupa cliffs, then the drive north with asphalt for the final stretch. Vehicle handover at the airport.
04 Contact Us
It's natural for you to have questions, and our team is here to answer them!
Complete the form or choose one of the options below to let us know how we can help you have the most amazing time in Mongolia.
05
What's Included
5.1 Basics
Get ready to conquer the Gobi while we handle all the details so you can just relax and have fun!
- 24/7 remote support in English, German and French
- Fully equipped SIXT 4×4 with full camping kit (rooftop tent, kitchen, fridge, recovery gear)
- GPS-mapped route with offline navigation app — every camp, fuel stop and river crossing marked
- Five nights of pre-arranged accommodation according to the package you choose
- Detailed trip briefing and vehicle handover on arrival
- Airport pickup and vehicle handover at Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- Curated activities along the route (camel riding at Khongor, Yolyn Am hike)
We’re here to ensure your trip is all about excitement and zero hassle!
5.2 Car
Every Gobi Sands tour runs in a SIXT 4x4 prepared for Mongolian tracks, with an average fleet age under one year. The standard vehicle is the UAZ Patriot — a rugged five-seat manual 4x4 with air conditioning that handles the Gobi’s dirt tracks and dune approaches. Upgrade to the Toyota Land Cruiser 76 (manual or automatic, +€950 per vehicle) for more power, range and comfort on the long desert stages, or to the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (automatic, +€1,500 per vehicle) for the easiest drive. All three carry the full camping and recovery kit, and every vehicle is checked and handed over to you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport.
Standard
UAZ
Patriot
Premium
Toyota
Land Cruiser 76
Luxury
Toyota
Land Cruiser 250
5.3 Accommodation
5.4 Acccommodation
Gobi Sands has five nights on the route, and you choose how to spend them when you book. Nature’s Nomad Basic is camping every night with the kit we provide; Nature’s Nomad Basic is camping every night with the ground tent, kitchen and bedding we provide; Nature’s Nomad Premium (+€150 per person) upgrades you to a hard-shell rooftop tent on the vehicle. Mixed Nomad (Basic +€200, Premium +€300 per person) gives you three nights camping and two nights in a hotel or ger camp — one in Dalanzadgad after the dunes and one at Tsagaan Suvarga. Comfort Nomad (Basic +€500, Premium +€750 per person) puts you in a hotel or ger camp every night; Premium upgrades them to camps with private facilities. All nights are booked by us before you arrive.
5.4 Not Included
5.3 Not Included
Food and fuel during the journey are paid by you; budget roughly €20–40 per day for two, depending on the route. A refundable vehicle deposit of MNT 5,000,000 (UAZ Patriot) or MNT 9,000,000 (Toyota Land Cruiser) is payable by credit card at handover and released after check-in. Flights to Mongolia, visa fees, and travel and health insurance are not included and should be arranged before you travel. We’re always on hand to answer questions or help along the way.
Nature's Nomad
- Camp under the most spectacular starlit skies. Upgrade to premium for extra comfort with a rooftop tent.
- Basic
Free - Premium
€150
Mixed Nomad
- Enjoy a mix of outdoor and comfortable stays with 3 nights of camping and 2 nights in either a hotel or a traditional ger camp.
- Basic
€200 - Premium
€300
Comfort Nomad
- Maximize comfort on your trip with hotel or ger camps every night and upgrade to premium for a higher quality stay.
- Basic
€500 - Premium
€750
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07 Book Now
7.2 Upgrade your ride
Our standard car is the rugged and reliable UAZ Patriot
Upgrade To Toyota Land Cruiser 250
Offroad in luxury with a state of the art 2024 Land Cruiser 250
Upgrade To Toyota Land Cruiser 76
Upgrade to the legendary Landcruiser 76
7.3 Upgrade your Trip
Insurance Upgrade
Loss Damage Waiver with reduced excess to 503EUR, Gravel Protection, Sand and Ash Protection, Tire and Windshield Protection, Roadside Protection.
Backseat Passenger
Add up to two additional passengers per car
Driver Service
Sit back and relax as a SIXT professional driver takes you on your adventure (price per day).
08 Custom Tours
09 FAQs
What is the "Gobi Sands" tour?
A 6-day self-drive adventure through the Gobi Desert, offering offroading, wildlife sightings, and cultural experiences.
Where does the tour start and end?
It begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
What kind of activities are included?
The tour includes offroad driving, sightseeing of natural wonders, and cultural immersion.
What kind of accommodation is available?
Options range from camping, staying in traditional Ger camps, to hotels.
Is the tour suitable for beginners?
It’s designed for adventurers but includes options for various comfort levels.
What are some highlights of the tour?
Ice fields, sand dunes, and rainbow-colored cliffs are major highlights.
How can I book the tour?
You can book directly on our website using the booking form found on any of our tour pages. Or, you can contact us directly via phone or email.