The Gobi: Khongoryn Els · Bayanzag · Yolyn Am
Dalanzadgad is a long day's drive on asphalt; from there Yolyn Am, Bayanzag and the 200 m Khongoryn Els dunes are 40–180 km of dirt apart. Five days is the least that is comfortable by car.
- Getting there578 km from UlaanbaatarOwn car ~9.5 h · Domestic flight
- best 5–95–7 days
- Own car, 2 people, ger camp, 5 days~₮557k–₮989k per person
Getting there
- By car578 km · 9.5 h · Fuel ₮86k–₮276kOSRM 8 h, paved all the way (opened 2014); operators often split it over two days with a ger night.
- By bus · DalanzadgadDragon terminal · ₮50k–₮52kUB → Dalanzadgad, 08:00; the sights are 40–180 km from town, you need a car there
- By air$96–112Trip.com on 2026-10-09: one-way from $96, average $112; return from $217; November cheapest. Gobi tours normally drive; the flight is an extra option
What to do
- Climb Khongoryn Els for sunset, ride a camel
- Bayanzag, where dinosaur eggs were found
- Walk into Yolyn Am gorge, sometimes icy in June
Where to stay
- A ger camp, three meals₮100k–₮140k
Good to know
- A national park: 3,000₮ per citizen, or 9,000₮ per car at electronic gates (order А/488, 2026).
- Over 30 °C by day and under 10 °C at night; carry 3–4 litres of water per person a day and cash.
Nearby
Photo credits
Freely licensed photos from Wikimedia Commons. Authors and licences below.
- Khongoryn Els and the Gurvan Saikhan mountains · Bernard Gagnon · CC0
- Camels in front of the dunes · Bernard Gagnon · CC0
- The Flaming Cliffs at dusk · Felix Filnkoessl · CC BY-SA 2.0
- The trail into Yolyn Am · Bernard Gagnon · CC0
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
checked: 2026-10-10 · All figures are estimates with sources. Check prices before you go.