From, Ulaanbaatar it took about 7 hours, including a one-hour stop for lunch, to travel to Tsagaan Suvara, also known as the White Stupa. There isn’t actually a stupa there, but the rock formation there is a light coloured rock, with some red colouring, that is nicknamed the stupa. We drove through a lot of flat desert and steppe, then it was quite amazing to see the rock formation seemingly in the middle of nowhere. On the way, we ate at Burd Hotel for lunch. And we also stopped when we saw a lot of animals by an empty watering hole. There were horses, camels, sheep and more. And unfortunately there was no pump there, so they would need to wait for the farmer.
First, we stopped at the White Stupa to do some hiking. It was quite steep but there was sand, so we just kind of slid down. The landscape was beautiful and dramatic especially surrounded by flat land. Our driver Khosoo picked us up on the other side of the cliffs. Nearby, we stayed at a Ger camp called Tsagaan Suvara, which had a great view of the cliffs. We thought it was really nice, much better than expected, except for the lack of water. However, see my Mongolia Ger Reviews for more information.
Highlights
- Panoramic view at the top of Tsagaan Suvara
- Hiking into the canyon and through the rock formations
- Sunset and sunrise views from the Ger camp
- Animals on the way especially at the watering area (camels, horses, goats, sheep)
- Playing ankle bone games at the Ger camp
Before you go
- Internet is limited so it is best to have a Mongolian sim or e-sim if you want to stay connected
- Weather can vary a lot during the day, so bring layers especially for the evening
- The Ger camp had limited water so be prepared to skip a shower
Transport
- For travel around the rural areas, you must go with a driver who knows the area. We booked via Agate Travel which then used a local company called Amicus Travel. Luckily, we had an excellent guide and driver!
- You can safely walk around the Ger camp to enjoy the nature
Accommodation
- We stayed at the Tsagaan Suvara Ger camp, which was our first one of the trip. We found it comfortable and nicer than expected for camping. We had beds and the bathroom nearby. However, the showers had very minimal cold water, so it was difficult to shower.
- Since there are few websites reviewing Ger camps, I wrote my own Mongolia Ger Reviews.
Food
On the way to Tsagaan Suvarga, we stopped for lunch at the Burd Hotel for lunch. It is located in a small town called Mandalgovi within Dundgovi. We all ordered the mutton noodles and were each served a huge platter. The whole plate was just for me! It was very tasty and had some pickles for vegetable garnish.
At the Tsagaan Suvarga Ger camp, we were served dinner and breakfast from a buffet. The dinner had noodles, rice, potatoes, mutton, stir fried vegetables and beetroot salad. They had to keep refilling the serving dishes. We had plenty of food, and then played the ankle bone games after dinner.
For breakfast, we had a very full meal with a mix of Western and Mongolian food. The noodles often have dried meat which can be mutton, camel or beef. I tried a little of everything and I was very full at the end of the meal!
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: Yes, you need a driver and preferably a guide to reach this area and see the nature
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Most people at the Ger camps speak a little English, but we relied a lot on our guide
Q: Is it a walkable area?
A: It is not walkable to get to the area, however you can do hiking and walking at the actual Tsagaan Suvara site
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