Hiking the Flaming Cliffs offers tourist the chance to explore some desert terrain that Gobi, Mongolia is famous for.
The Flaming Cliffs, or Bayanzag, is famous due to the first-ever discovery of dinosaur eggs in 1922. These dinosaur eggs, amongst other fossils, brought archaeologist out in search of dinosaur bones. Numerous Mongolian dinosaurs were found at the Flaming cliffs to include: Velociraptor, Saurornithoides, Oviraptor, Protoceratops, Pinacosaurus.
The Flaming Cliffs in the Gobi Desert Mongolia earned their name though due to the orange and red color of the cliffs. These cliffs are illuminated even more during sunset, where the horizon and cliffs resemble being on fire.
Overview
- Location: Gobi Desert in the Ömnögovi Province
- Nearest Airport: Dalanzadgad Airport
- Time to visit: 1 hour to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Photo opportunities: the different cliffs of the Flaming Cliffs, sunset or sunrise at the Flaming Cliffs, local farm animals roaming the area.
Getting to the Flaming Cliffs
If you are researching the Flaming Cliffs it is most likely due to being involved in a Gobi Desert Mongolia Tour. Tours are a popular way to visit attractions in Mongolia and basically necessary.
Transportation out to the Flaming Cliffs is not over paved roads, but is instead across steppes in a general direction towards were the Flaming Cliffs are. There are now worn down tire marks in the Steppe that zig and zag all over the countryside leading out in the general direction of the Flaming Cliffs.
The Flaming Cliffs are included in most itineraries for visiting the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, as either one of the first stops or the last stop due to the proximity to the airport (approximately 2 hours).
What to Expect at the Flaming Cliffs
The Flaming Cliffs are surrounded by barren steppe country. The flat grass-like prairies surround the Flaming Cliffs fully, and the ride out to the cliffs from the nearest airport can seem very repetitive. Arriving at the Flaming Cliffs offers quite the change in scenery as these cliffs jut from the otherwise flat and barren landscape. Hiking the Flaming Cliffs will be a pleasant change of scenery from the surrounding area.
Overall small in comparison to rock formations and cliffs (think American Southwest), but still a unique experience to see in Mongolia and one of the common stops on Gobi Desert Mongolia Tours.
The visit to the Flaming Cliffs will most likely be one hour to three hours, with a stay at a nearby Tourist Ger.
Trails at Flaming Cliffs
While hiking the flaming cliffs you will see that there are trails that weave through and all about along the cliff sides. There are no marked trails, and no guard rails so tread carefully. The paths follow along the edge of the cliff and go out to the farthest overhang offering a variety of views out over the rock formation.
The hike is overall easy to moderate. The only aspect that makes the hike difficult is the loose dirt. Be careful while walking along the trail, especially on any uphill portions, as the loose dirt can cause you to slide.
Overall though the hike is more of a stroll with very little in elevation climb, and the “hills” or “inclines” are only a couple minutes of walking uphill to the next flat plateau portion.
Safety Note: Watch for the loose sand and rocks. I fell twice just due to the ground giving out from under me, so walk carefully when going down the slopes as it is easy to just slide and fall.
Time to hike the Flaming Cliffs: 1 hour
The trail is short, and the only aspect that will take a while is if you stop to photograph the different view outs over the valley surrounding the Flaming Cliffs.
Dinosaur Fossils at Flaming Cliffs
The rise to fame for the Flaming Cliffs was discovered of dinosaur eggs in 1922. This was a brand new discovery, as up until this point no dinosaur eggs had been uncovered. This lead to a thorough examination of the area and the discovery of many fossils of dinosaurs that used to roam Mongolia thousands of years ago.
In addition to the dinosaur eggs that were discovered fossils were also discovered from these dinosaurs’ species: Velociraptor, Saurornithoides, Oviraptor, Protoceratops, Pinacosaurus.
However, do not expect to see any dinosaur fossils during a visit there. No digging or removal of fossils is permitted. You will be provided with history and may visit a museum of the sort that provides some history of the discovery of fossils – but it is all history at this point. You may be taken to see some fossilized wood – rocks that look like tree trunks or stumps but are solid just like rocks.
Sunset at Flaming Cliffs
The Flaming Cliffs earned their name from their appearance at sunset. The already red and orange cliffs seem to turn brighter in color as the sun sets over the horizon. The mixture of the cliffs with the change in color of the horizon is one of the reasons many visit the location. Sunrise can be equally as beautiful, and far less crowded if unable to make the sunset.
Where to stay at Flaming Cliffs
Most likely you will have arranged for you a stay at a Tourist Ger in the area. There were a couple within view of the Flaming Cliffs.
At Tourist Ger you will stay in a traditional Mongolian Ger. Nearby will be showers and bathrooms, and then there is a dining hall of some sort. The tourist camps are very comfortable and accommodating to visitors. However, the camps do not have WiFi.
The tourist camps are also located in the middle of the steppes. There is nothing in walking distance (typically not even other tourist camps). Therefore come prepared with books or other activities to do in the evenings as there is no nearby attractions or businesses.
[…] PreviousNext […]