Why Winter Is the Secret Season to Visit the Gobi Desert

The conventional wisdom says: don't visit Mongolia in winter. Temperatures in the Gobi can drop to -20°C or below, the wind cuts through everything, and the landscape is stripped bare. And yet, for a certain kind of traveller, winter in the Gobi is the most extraordinary time to visit.

The crowds — already small by global standards — disappear entirely. You will have the Khongor Sand Dunes to yourself. The Flaming Cliffs, dusted with snow, glow with an otherworldly intensity. Yol Valley, famous for its ice channel, is at its most dramatic in the depths of winter.

The sky in winter is phenomenal. With no summer haze, the air is crystal clear, and the stars at night are unlike anything you will see anywhere else on earth. The Milky Way arches overhead in full clarity.

Winter also coincides with Tsagaan Sar (see our guide), making it possible to combine a Gobi desert experience with Mongolia's most important cultural festival.

We do offer winter tours, but they require careful preparation. Proper cold-weather gear is essential, and our itineraries are adjusted to account for shorter daylight hours and road conditions. Contact us to discuss a custom winter expedition.