In Mongolia, the concept of “join tours” — group tours that individuals can join — is still underdeveloped. This is especially evident when it comes to trips to rural regions like the Gobi Desert. There are several reasons for this:
- Short travel season: Tours to the Mongolian countryside typically run from May to September. Outside of this window, harsh weather conditions and underdeveloped infrastructure make it difficult to operate tours.
- Low tourist flow: Compared to countries in Europe or Southeast Asia, Mongolia receives far fewer tourists each month, making it harder to gather enough people for regular join-in departures.
- Lack of information and centralized platforms: Most tour operators focus on organizing private tours for small groups, rather than open tours others can join. As a result, travelers who want to join a group often struggle to find information or connect with others.
In recent years, some efforts have been made to promote join tours around Ulaanbaatar — to places like Terelj, Khustai National Park, or the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex — through projects such as Ulaanbaatar Tours. However, for multi-day tours to destinations like the Gobi Desert, this system is still not yet well-established.
Conclusion
If you are traveling solo or with a small group, joining a group tour to the Gobi is currently a limited option. However, during the peak tourist season (June to August), some operators do organize small group departures and offer “Join Gobi Tour” opportunities.
Therefore, if you’re looking to join such a tour, it’s advisable to check early with local travel information centers in Ulaanbaatar or through online platforms such as Facebook groups and local tour websites.
What we can do for solo travelers?
We also offer Gobi tour packages specially designed for travelers who are unable to join a group tour. You can view these options at the following link:
These tours are more affordable as they primarily use shuttle or public buses for transportation. They are designed to be budget-friendly even for solo travelers or pairs, making them a great alternative for those looking for a cost-effective way to explore the Gobi Desert.
If another traveler joins your tour, we will notify you, and your tour price will be reduced accordingly. However, please note that this depends on availability and may happen only in fortunate cases.
