• International flights
• Domestic flights
• Action Challenge trek leader + medic
• Full support team, including local guides
• All accommodation
• All Meals, except in free time
• All transfers in local vehicles
• Celebration dinner
• Fitness and training guide
• Discounts from UK retailers
• Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health

• Insurance
• Vaccinations – up-to-date on boosters.
• Tips for local staff
• Alcoholic drinks
• Personal kit / equipment
• Airline fuel surcharge

If you are booking a land-only package, we recommend booking flights to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), where you can meet the team. We recommend either booking on to the same flight as the team, or planning to arrive earlier, so you don’t miss out on the city tour and welcome briefing. 

Absolutely! Just let us know after you book and we can request a flight extension with the airline for you.

We will be walking for an average of 6 hours a day in the heat of the desert, across sandy and undulating terrain. To ensure that you get the most out of your challenge, you will need a reasonably good level of fitness to take part, which can be achieved with some aerobic / anaerobic and strength exercises prior to departure.

Our day begins just after sunrise, with breakfast at camp. We will aim to set off by 8am for each day of trekking, so we can avoid the hot afternoon sun. As we trek, there will be regular stops to stock up on water, with a longer stop for lunch. On arrival into camp, there will be time to relax before dinner – with more downtime in the evening for conversation and socialising.

The Gobi Desert offers a surprisingly varied landscape. Your trek begins in the Zuun Saikhan Mountains, where narrow canyons and rocky gorges provide cool, sheltered paths—sometimes with lingering ice even in summer. From there, the route opens onto the vast Gobi Steppe: firm, gravelly plains stretching to the horizon, broken by occasional ridges and ovoo cairns marking sacred sites. Further south, sandy stretches and low dunes demand steady pacing under the desert sun. Near Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs introduce uneven rocky terrain and shallow gullies, famous for their fiery glow at sunset and paleontological treasures like dinosaur fossils. Vegetation is sparse, limited to hardy saxaul shrubs, and wildlife sightings may include ibex, vultures, and camel caravans. This mix of canyon trails, open steppe, and escarpments makes the trek challenging yet accessible for fit walkers, offering both physical variety and breathtaking scenery.

During the trek, you’ll enjoy a mix of hearty, nourishing meals designed for active days in the desert. Breakfasts and dinners are served at camp, featuring a combination of international dishes and traditional Mongolian flavors—think warming soups, rice, noodles, and meat-based dishes, often accompanied by fresh vegetables where possible. Lunches are typically picnic-style on the trail, offering simple, energy-rich options to keep you fueled during trekking. In Ulaanbaatar, meals are taken in hotels or local restaurants, giving you a taste of authentic Mongolian cuisine. Dietary requirements are catered for, and the highlight of the trip is a celebratory Mongolian hot rock barbecue (khorkhog) at Bulgan village—a centuries-old tradition where meat and vegetables are cooked with heated stones for a smoky, tender finish.

Each day, you will carry your day pack, containing water, suncream and other personal effects. Your main bag will be carried by our camel team, which also transports the camp equipment and food.

The trek is designed for a steady, manageable pace suitable for fit walkers. Daily distances range from 10 km to 18 km, with most days involving 4–7 hours of trekking. The pace allows time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and learn about the culture and history of the Gobi. Terrain varies from canyon paths and rocky escarpments to open steppe and sandy stretches, so expect some sections to feel more challenging, especially on Day 5 (the longest day). Regular breaks are built in for hydration, snacks, and cultural encounters—such as meeting nomadic families or visiting sacred ovoos. This is not a race; the emphasis is on immersive experience and group safety, with guides ensuring everyone moves comfortably together.

Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge leader. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, sensitivity and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!

There will also be a local support crew consisting of a guide, assistant guide (for bigger groups) and a camel crew.

We have a full support team in country with daily contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.

The Gobi Desert has a continental climate with big temperature swings. During the trekking season (June–September), daytime temperatures typically range from -5°C to 26°C, depending on altitude and time of day. Expect warm afternoons but cooler mornings and evenings, especially in the mountains and open steppe. Rainfall is minimal (around 200 mm annually), and sunshine averages 12.5 hours per day, so conditions are generally dry and bright. While summer brings pleasant warmth, the desert can still feel chilly at night, so layered clothing is essential.