Gobi desert view

As the largest desert region in Asia, the Gobi Desert is an expanse to behold. Literally translated as ‘waterless place’, the Gobi spans parts of China and southern Mongolia to present a vast wilderness to intrepid explorers and avid adventurers. Whilst the great basins of the Gobi can be viewed from comfort, courtesy of one of our Trans-Siberian rail cruises, taking on the journey by car offers many advantages.

Whether you focus your trip on the Gobi’s great landscape or gaining an insight into the nomadic lives of its people, visiting Mongolia and its desert region is a must for all. Full time explorer and blogger Alys explains her reasons for taking a recent trip to Mongolia in her latest blog post on The Wild Life:

“The more I looked into Mongolia, the more excited I got about visiting; it looks amazing! Bordering Russia and China, Mongolia’s people live mainly in the city of Ulaanbaatar or across the endless countryside surrounding, with the Nomadic population making up around 30%. Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on Earth and has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty; from mountains to desert to lush green rolling hills.”

Planning your own road trip through the Gobi Desert? You’ll want to read the following tips from our experts.

Remember – preparation is everything!

There are a number of items that should be on your packing list for a trip through the Gobi Desert. This includes the more obvious essentials (bug repellent, sun screen, hat, sleeping bag, headlamp, snacks and extra water) and the less obvious items (wet wipes, laundry detergent, motion sickness pills and even toilet paper). It’s imperative you remember to take a map and compass, too. This offbeat adventure takes you to some of the last remaining off-the-grid havens, meaning you won’t be able to rely on technology for directions.

Unforeseen circumstances, including: weather conditions, local events or medical quarantines may all necessitate a spontaneous detour. A Gobi Desert road trip means being ready for anything.

Become familiar with what’s available

As well as deciding what to pack ahead of your big trip, you should research the best operators online to avoid any unwanted surprises. This will help to ensure your road trip goes smoothly, from hiring a reliable vehicle to booking with tour guides you can trust.

Filling up your hire vehicle with petrol or diesel can also be an issue in the remote villages dotted across the Gobi. The quality of fuel on offer is also questionable. Aim to fill up your tank in major cities and towns wherever possible.

Plan your itinerary

Unbeknownst to many, there is actually a lot to see in the rugged and remote landscape of the Gobi Desert. Planning an itinerary in advance is therefore wise as it will ensure that you don’t miss out on anything.

No trip to Mongolia’s Gobi Desert would be complete without a stay in a traditional yurt. From experiencing nomadic life first hand to enjoying the simpler things in life, there are many reasons why travellers choose to stay in Mongolian ger camps.

The Flaming Cliffs are another epic sight, as well as being an impressive natural wonder, these red sandstone cliffs are famous for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs.