My OAT Mongolia and Gobi Desert Trip Review

Is Mongolia Worth Visiting?

What To Expect On An
OAT Mongolia Adventure

If you like adventure — and it is part of Overseas Adventure Travel's name — this trip checks all the boxes. Mongolia is definitely an off-the-beaten-path adventure, offering experiences you simply won't find on the typical overseas vacation.

Why I Chose Mongolia —
And Why I'd Do It Again With OAT

Welcome to our "ger" (yurt) - with it's own private bathroom

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published August 25, 2026 | Last updated August 25, 2026

My 10th OAT trip, taken in July 2018, was on the recommendation of a fellow adventurous OAT traveler. I asked her whether we should go to Mongolia or Iceland. Her definitive vote was Mongolia. “Iceland will still be there and won't change. Mongolia will change — do that now!”

She was 100% right! Mongolia was unlike anything we had experienced before. I had already traveled to some pretty unusual places, but Mongolia took “off the beaten path” to an entirely different level.

And after taking the trip (and now having explored more of the world), I can still tell you that if you're looking for a genuine adventure and something very different from the usual overseas vacation, Mongolia delivers.

The photo above shows me outside our Gobi Desert "ger". The OAT ger (yurt) camp wasn't located on the outskirts of the Gobi. We rode for maybe two hours through the desert before arriving — isolated from everywhere. Talk about seeing stars at night! And from there, we rode even farther to visit nomads.

But that was just part of what made OAT's trip unique. No one has you meet the people in the way OAT does. We spent a morning helping high school students practice English. One of the photos shows me with my partner, who turned out to be the daughter of the provincial governor. I still wonder if she ended up marrying her boyfriend ... still a secret to her parents. (She turned beet red when I asked her if she had a boyfriend).

I love ice cream, and my other reviews often talk about various ice cream treats I've enjoyed. I won't tell you that sour yak milk ice cream will ever become a Ben & Jerry's flavor, but making it ourselves inside a farmer's shack remains a treasured memory. He had just started a new business and was very proud.

Has OAT's Mongolia & Gobi Desert trip changed since 2018? This is being written in 2026, and probably. Mongolia itself has changed significantly since 2018, driven by economic development, rapid urbanization, and ongoing social and economic shifts.

But if you want an adventure, OAT's Mongolia trip is definitely one we can heartily recommend.

When We Took This Trip: July 10 - 27, 2018
Jesse's Thrifty Senior Traveler Rating: 4.75 out of 5 Stars

Tips & Advice: OAT Mongolia and the Gobi Desert Trip

After seven years, it’s hard for me to recall many specific tips unique to this trip. OAT, I am sure, will tell you about clothing, sunscreen and other basic preparations. But I will share a few things I remember.

Book Well Ahead To Experience The Naadam Festival
This is one of the rare times when the Thrifty Senior Traveler says cost isn't important. Experiencing Mongolia’s primary national event, the Naadam Festival, was. Fortunately, we snagged the last spot on a date that overlapped with the festival. OAT paid for admission (thank you, OAT!).

Inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Naadam is an ancient celebration of nomadic culture, sportsmanship and national identity. It takes place between July 11 and 15 each year. It is also the only place where you'll ever witness Anklebone Shooting (Kharvaa), a traditional precision sport using sheep anklebones as targets.

Bring A Camera-Equipped Drone
If you have one, bring it! One of my fellow travelers brought a camera-equipped drone, and he captured some absolutely spectacular photographs throughout the trip. The photo above of me standing outside my ger (yurt) was taken by him. (Note: Make sure rules haven't changed by asking OAT)

Vegetarians Will Do Fine
Mongolia's diet is heavily meat-based, but we are not vegetarians and simply don't eat a lot of red meat. It was never a problem. In fact, at the Gobi Desert camp there was a jar of Kirkland peanut butter on the table. (This was in 2018!) There isn't a Costco in Mongolia, so apparently the camp staff knew where to get things Americans like.

Ditch The Walking Sandals
Stick to sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes and water sandals (like Keens). Ground conditions around the ger camps and across the desert terrain involve uneven, rocky soil and plenty of sand. Your feet will thank you.

Enjoy photos from our Mongolia & Gobi Desert OAT Trip

You haven't lived until you try fresh yak milk ice cream!