Bayanzag - flaming cliffs

Travel 610km by intercity bus to Dalanzadgad, the capital of Umnugobi (Southgobi) province. (By bus 610km.08:00am-17:00pm)

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your local driver. You will have time to shop at a local shopping center before enjoying dinner at a restaurant.

After dinner, you will be transferred to guesthouse.

We will drive to the Bayanzag early morning. On the way, 20km from the Bayanzag, we see the rock paintings in the Khavtsgait mountain. Considering the similarity with other rock paintings and their forms and shapes, researchers believed that the Khavtsgait petroglyphs were created about 4000-5000 years ago during the mid and late Bronze Age to early Iron Age. You can see the landmarks of the presentation of several periods of human life. From the top of the Khavtsgait mountain, travelers can see the immensity of the Gobi Desert valleys.

Then, we arrive at Bayanzag red sand cliffs where the American famous paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews expedition was the first to discover dinosaurs’ bones and eggs in the 1920s. Today well known as “flaming cliffs” due to their colors ochre and red, Bayanzag’s discovery has drew the whole world’s attention to the Mongolian Gobi. Also, in the Bayanzag, it was found stone tools from the ancient people’s habitation landmarks which have similar structures that were found in the American Alaska Peninsula.

Travel to Moltsog sand dunes. Visit a small sand dune and experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle by visiting a nearby herder family. Ride camels around the sand dunes and enjoy the stunning Gobi sunset. Stay overnight in a ger guest house.

Early morning, drive to Yoliin am (Eagle valley or bearded vulture valley) which is located 45 km northwest of Dalanzadgad. Yoliin am is a high rocky gorge named after the Yol bird (Bearded vulture or Lammergeier) and it is located on the east side of the big mountain that stretches 180km and 2800 meters above sea level. We will see the canyon by hiking between the rocky gorges. (If you want, riding a horse or camel 2km until the ending exit of the rocky gorge is an option instead of hiking). Through the corridor of rock walls, it has a small stream from southwest to the northeast that freezes in winter, building up to 8 meters of thick ice. The high rocky gorge’s length is about 8km. Then, we drive to Dalanzadgad.

Visit the Umnugobi province museum, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight in a local hotel.

Take a domestic bus back to Ulaanbaatar city (By bus 610km.08:00am-17:00pm)