Overview
Take a trip to the Gobi Desert on your Mongolia Vacation
The Gobi Desert, or the Gobi, is a large desert region in Asia, covering parts of north and northwestern China, and southern Mongolia. The largest desert in Asia, and the fifth largest in the world, The Gobi measures over 1,295,000 sq km (500,002 sq mi) and is something to behold on a Mongolia vacation.
Throughout its long history, human habitation of the Gobi mostly comprised nomadic people, and by the early 20th century, the region was under the nominal control of Manchu-China and inhabited mostly by Mongols, Uyghurs, and Kazakhs. The Gobi Desert was a notable region during the Mongol Empire and features several cities on Mongolia tours situated along the old Silk Road.
Situated on a plateau roughly 910–1,520 meters (3,000–5,000 ft) above sea level, as well as being fairly north, the Gobi is a mostly cold desert. Winds coming from the Siberian Steppes can range the desert’s temperatures from–40°C (–40°F) in winter to +50°C (122°F) in summer.
The Gobi Desert is made up of several distinct ecological and geographic regions based on variations in climate and topography. It features high mountains, springs, forests, sands, steppe lands, and a rich animal kingdom. Much of the desert is also made up of exposed bare rock.
The Mongolian Gobi has the vast plains of Europe, the majestic peaks and mountain ranges of Asia, and the sand dunes and sandy valleys of Africa, thereby potentially calling it the land of the three continents, all to be experienced on a Mongolia vacation.
The Gobi Desert is made up of several distinct ecological and geographic regions based on variations in climate and topography. It features high mountains, springs, forests, sands, steppe lands, and a rich animal kingdom. Much of the desert is also made up of exposed bare rock.
The Mongolian Gobi has the vast plains of Europe, the majestic peaks and mountain ranges of Asia, and the sand dunes and sandy valleys of Africa, thereby potentially calling it the land of the three continents, all to be experienced on a Mongolia vacation.
At a Glance
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Mongolian Tögrög (MNT)What do the experts say?
Did you know that Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world? The number of horses is actually higher than the number of people. Mongolia is also home to several unique animals, like the snow leopard. You should also know that the Gobi Desert is the second-largest desert in Asia and the sixth-largest in the world.
I love Mongolia's vast, untouched landscapes, nomadic culture, and rich history. Mongolia's low population provides a sense of solitude and peace not found in most other countries.
I really enjoyed Mongolia's wide-open wilderness, an endless expanse where adventurous drives, hikes, and a nomadic lifestyle are the norm.
The Naadam Festival that takes place across the country on select dates in July is a must-see experience. This festival is one of the primary reasons travelers go to Mongolia and makes for the Summer months being the peak season for travel.
Men with their camels in the Gobi Desert
Walking the sands of the Gobi will be a highlig...
The Gobi covers parts of southern Mongolia and ...
A camel brigade takes a rest
A nomadic woman milking her goats
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ExcellentBased on 5,203 ReviewsOur trip to Japan was great. All our Goway arrangements preformed like clockwork and the guides for the tours were wonderful. Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji was in total fog but at least the lunch was very good and so was the drum solo, also our tour guide kept our spirits up ( she was the best).
Taryn picked hotels that were very convenient to the meeting point of our tours which was much appreciated and organized all aspects of our trip perfectly. So from our airport pickup to our last day in Tokyo everything ran very smoothly so we have used Goway before and will certainly use it again and reccommend Goway to others.JWWe had a great experience with Goaway travel our travel agent,FARNAZ. was very helpful and patient with us in planning our vacation to Greece. She was very thorough and professional and excellent with laying out our flights and our itinerary for our trip would highly recommend her very professional. Thank you again Franaz for your help and for me and my wife to have experienced a wonderful time in GreececustomerFarnaz booked Greece and Italy - she is fantastic! She listened to our needs and planned a beautiful itinerary that everyone enjoyed. All transfers went smoothly and I am looking to book more trips with her! AmyWe have used Goway Travel for previous trips and have been very happy with their excellent service. Our last trip to New Zealand and Australia was no exception. Our agent, Lori Mazzono, got tuned into the sort of trip we were hoping to have immediately. The various booking she provided were, without exception, exceptional and exactly what we envisioned, We really don't think we would have changed anything. tBruce BelshawMary was absolutely fantastic to work with. She was incredibly responsive and quick to assist with every update and change my clients made throughout the planning process. Her expertise was invaluable, from recommending the perfect resorts to advising on the best way to travel between the islands.
My clients loved every moment of their trip, especially their resort stays and overwater bungalow experiences. As this was their honeymoon, creating a seamless and memorable journey was so important, and Mary exceeded expectations. They rated their experience a 5 out of 5 and could not have been happier.
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I am from the TravelStore in Fresno.Jenn WWe had an exceptional experience with Goway Travel on our recent trip to Africa. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed, which made the entire journey stress-free.
The recommendations on where to go and what to do were absolutely fantastic! Each stop felt perfectly curated and exceeded our expectations. It was clear that Goway truly understands the destinations they offer and knows how to create a memorable, well-balanced itinerary.
A special thank you to our travel consultant, Bijal, who was outstanding throughout the entire process. Bijal was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive while we prepared for the trip, ensuring that all our questions were answered and that every detail was taken care of. Their guidance made a big difference in building our confidence and excitement leading up to the trip.
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Harjit CElisa planned our trip. We were met at the airport by Paul who drove us to Arusha. Adam, our guide and driver was with us the whole trip and was very knowledgeable about the country and the animals & birds we encountered. Accommodations were excellent, meals were delicious and the Tanzanian people we met at each location were so kind and welcoming. A wonderful trip.pat vickersWe had a wonderful trip to Peru for 11 days organized by Goway. Overall the trip was great, we loved our guides throughout, some of the hotels were truly amazing and it was helpful having everything organized and having a point person to ask questions and check in while we were there.
Some main highlights were:
1) Machu Picchu- I am so glad we did two tours, because the weather was perfect for views, but also had an opportunity to see Machu Picchu more in depth with a knowledgeable and friendly guide and had a little extra time in Aguas Calientes to shop, explore and even visit the butterfly garden and do some birdwatching.
2) Cusco especially the Hotel Aranwa Cusco. The hotel was incredible, excellent service, modern updates, it was a true highlight of the trip. Cusco itself was also a highlight, loved our half day tour, plus getting ideas for our guide on what else to see in our free time and where to eat.
3) Lima- Aloft Miraflores was another highlight, very modern, nice pool and the best breakfast out of the hotels we stayed in. The location in Miraflores was also perfect, as there were plenty of restaurants, cafes and attractions nearby.
4) Everyone at Condor was great, from ensuring we had all our documents, tickets and itinerary to even stepping in to get water and agua Florida when we were feeling the altitude sickness the first hours in Cusco. Most of our rides and transfers were very comfortable and made the trip run smooth through all the different locations.
I have been telling my friends and family how wonderful the experience with Goway has been for our Peru adventure.
Eric Paul SchatzelShalini at Goway Travel was super helpful arranging our dream trip to Greece. We suggested locations and sights we wanted to see and she modified the trip perfectly for us. Working with local guides, securing transfers and accommodations as needed. Great hotels, private transfers, perfect locations, and she listened to all of our "wants" to make sure our trip was truly customized. Made for an amazing trip!Lorena BarettaEasy to work with . The reservationist gave me several options in a timely manner.Rita Allen
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