Gobi Desert: Tips for Travellers

The Gobi Desert encompasses the north and northeast part of China and also southern Mongolia, and is one of the few remaining unspoiled wildernesses left on our planet. If you are planning to spend some of your downtimes in this windswept paradise, you are advised to book with a travel company that offers Trans-Siberian tours, as they would be able to help you plan the ideal Gobi Desert trip.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Of all the holidays on the Trans-Siberian Railway, the ones that include Mongolia are the most popular, and you can include as much time as you wish exploring the mysterious Gobi Desert. At more than 1,200 sq. km, the second largest desert in Asia is made up of sand and large areas of dry, sandy rock.

The Mongolian Steppes

When you are traveling in the Steppes of Mongolia, you will often see a camp of nomadic people who live in large tents (Gers) and they are indeed very hospitable. Your tour organizer can plan for you to spend some time with these amazing people, where you can immerse yourself in their culture, and riding across the grasslands on a Mongolian horse is one of the highlights of this experience.

Booking a Van Tour

Obviously, you won’t be on the train all the time, and when you book the train berth, the same operator can book you a 2 or 3-day van tour of the Mongolian Steppes, which would include spending time with local families.

Camel Trekking

There’s only one way to travel through the Gobi Desert, and that is by camel, which the tour operator can arrange. It is a little uncomfortable at the beginning, but you soon get used to the hypnotic swaying, plus the guide will show you how to have some control over the animal. Of course, you will be able to trace the steps of the great Genghis Khan, the Mongolian warrior who conquered so much of Asia and parts of southern Europe.

Ulaanbaatar

The Mongolian capital is the ideal hub for your Mongolian holiday, and from there you can reach Khongoryn Els, where the best sand dunes are found. Sainshand is one of the stops of the Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, and you should spend at least one night in this unique place.

Best Times to Visit

May and June are ideal months, as are August and September, when you have the least chance of rain and warmer temperatures at night. The winter months are best avoided, as average temperatures can be as low as –20C, and sometimes even colder, with the northern section being very windy in the winter.

It pays to do some online research prior to booking your holiday, as this will help you to decide what to see and do in this truly unique part of the world, and with the help of an experienced Trans-Siberian tour company, the perfect desert holiday awaits.