An unforgettable tour :). The itinerary is well chosen and time is optimized. It's a bit touristy, but it's still a great way to meet the Gobi and the people who live there. Accommodation and food are good if you're not vegetarian or vegan (if you are, you'll need dehydrated soups/dishes, as there's meat at every meal). The landscapes are magnificent. Our guide Anku was very nice, encouraging us when it was physically hard and organizing our stay well when there were unforeseen circumstances. We had rain and floods in the Gobi, it's very rare but it happens and it made our stay even more unique :). A special thanks to our driver Dava who overcame the weather conditions with a smile and got us to our final destination. I'd just like to clarify a few points that were unexpected for me: for girls, Mongolia is very flat and treeless if you want to go to the toilet in the wild, you don't have places to hide so Mongolians use umbrellas. Another thing is that in the Gobi it's often windy, and on the sand dunes you need protection, otherwise you'll get a lot of sand in your face and mouth. There are special masks for this, or hats with a kind of mosquito net. Danista gives you sleeping bags, but for me they were too warm. If you're like me and don't like to sleep in the heat, it's better to bring your own bag at 15°C, which is more than enough for the summer nights in Gobi.

It was my first visit to Mongolia, and how can I put it…poetic, transformative, and awe-inspiring, one of the best trips I’ve made. I had no idea what Mongolia was like before departure, and in China we have little, if not none, mass media coverage of Mongolia due to historical conflicts. But the name “Mongolia” has been planted like a seed inside my mind like the name Caledonia(Scotland) which carries all the nostalgia, poetic sentiments and a sense of belonging to a foreign land that haunted me and led me there. Like the Welsh word Hiraeth for “nostalgia for a land that you’ve never visited”, i was hooked as soon as I landed. Outside the airport, waves after waves of jasper green grassland were at once soothing and serene. It stretched miles after miles, and the quiet, pale colour of the green grass was something that will remained etched on my mind for the following days. What was exactly as I had imagined? unspoiled landscape, honest and soulful people, a blend of nomadic charm with history, temples, museums, and heritage sites all wrapped up in that ancient land named Mongolia. I will remember this trip thanks to this wonderful 5-day trip given to me by chance and by fate.

Danista was extremely receptive, attentive and swift, coordinating a great customized tour (with little advance notice) for a good price, but always responsive to reply quickly to questions very politely. Amgaa’s dedication, professionalism and courtesy make Danista a wonderful option for organizing great tours in Mongolia.

With a minor age child, we have had a 8-day Central Mongolia tour with no hassle at all thanks to an outstanding service from Danista Nomads Tour company. Jagaa has always been there for us besides his busy schedule to make sure that we receive a safe and quality service to meet our interest. We deeply enjoyed beautiful sceneries of wild nature, a clear image of milky ways with thousands of stars visible in naked eyes (maybe you can bring your own telescope to enjoy the night sky), a convenient transportation and most especially the thoughtfulness of these amazing guys Jagaa, Taisun and Puje. There are many more to mention. It is worth to travel with this company, therefore we highly recommend you to choose Danista Nomads Tour. Special thanks from Conor, Cyrille and Erdene!

Did this tour in May 2024 with 3 friends, overall enjoyed it but there were alone notable downsides and easy improvements could be made. Have written below in time-order our experience of the tour, hope you find it helpful. + = positive - = negative + Arranged tour by emailing Danista Nomads for more info and to ask questions: spoke with Jagaa who was very friendly and helpful. Seemed to care that we have a good tour experience and very willing to answer all questions etc. Flexible with how we arranged payment and small adaptations to tour +Jagaa needed to delay start of tour by a short while and emailed us about this many days before, great communication and showed he valued our time and experience + On day of tour starting, tour guide (Saruul) and driver (Tumro) turned up promptly and were very friendly, immediately made us feel at ease and welcomed for 5 days away Day 1 and 2 not much to say besides we really enjoyed things so far. Driving time and activities felt balanced. Day 3 was a loooooong drive but worth it to see Orkhon Valley. Stargazing at night was something we’ll never forget. The waterfall area is beautiful. Day 4 took a big downturn in quality, sadly. We drove for the whole day until about 5pm, and when we arrived at Ugii lake there was no activity and nothing to do besides go on a walk if you want. We’d rather have stayed in Orkhon Valley. Essentially an entire day of driving for very little. Day 5 was a long drive back (as we expected) to Ulaanbaator with a stop to see Hustai National Park. The information centre there is really good. You drive out a short distance where you park up and can look at the surrounding hills, spotting wild horses. Along the way you can see marmots, too, which is fun. It was a bit of a let-down though, as ultimately you drive into a small area of the park and look very far into the distance to see horses. Not really the best experience, especially considering it was the only thing we did for the last day. -/+ On our way back our itinerary had a visit to Tövhön Hiid but on the day we were expecting to go, our guide said we weren’t going to go anymore because the hike is long and apparently very muddy so would be difficult. We understood and thought this was a reasonable change, but in a day of 6 hours driving and one of only two activities this was disappointing. No offer was made of an alternative or to partially refund us even the cost of admission (if there is a cost) or for the cancellation of the activity, which means the cost saved by not doing the activity inherently goes to Danista’s profits. We emailed Jagaa about this and asked if he could compensate us any way. He politely explained some previous group had had a bad time because of the muddiness, which again seemed reasonable, and he offered to refund us the cost of us each to have dinner in the city. The amount we got back was good and we felt this was fair. Overall: What was good: * Driver Tumro was excellent, brilliant driver and control of vehicle, have full faith in his abilities * Staying in gers was a great experience, and at each place the hosts were responsive to our needs, often anticipating them. We once woke up in the morning to realise one of the site hosts had quietly come in to start our fire, which was really kind and appreciated (it can get cold!) * Having contact with the ger families was a highlight, as you get to see and experience (to a small degree) what their lives are like. I think more of this would be good for the tour as they are unique opportunities to get more insight into nomadic life! * Most of the activities/sites you visit are great, we really enjoyed them * The tour guide and driver were happy to be flexible with us if we wanted to stop for a break/make small adaptations to the day which was great Negatives/Things to improve: * More consideration about vegetarian lunches: if it’s been agreed to not be a problem, then a more substantial meal than plain rice and salad everyday (literally) should be expected. 
Mongolia is huge and driving out to such rural areas we explicitly asked Jagaa about if vegetarian food would be a problem, as if it was going to be, we’d have considered if we should go on the tour or not, or bring our own food but Jagaa upon repeated questioning assured us vegetarian food would not be a problem. 
Breakfast and evening meal were always very good only lunches were the problem. At times, it felt that because everyone else ate meat the vegetarian’s choice of food was the least important as long as the others felt happy with their food. This was unfair, especially considering that Jagaa had been so clear it wouldn’t be an issue. When this was communicated to the tour guide she initially said it will always be difficult and suggested instant noodles (that contained meat when translated), however she eventually came up with a better option at a different place. This was after the issue being raised multiple times. Vegetarian meals could have been prepared in advance to avoid this problem. When you’re paying almost $100 a day per person, this isn’t really acceptable. * We appreciated that the comments by our tour guide for the vegetarian in our group to ‘try’ some of the meat dishes was probably her trying to be friendly/hospitable, but was uncomfortable for the individual. People have different diets for all sorts of reasons and it’s better to not try to convince a vegetarian to eat meat knowing their diet * Regarding tour activities: Less see and tickbox exercise, more do and experience. Have a bit more time at each site (especially museums etc.) to enjoy and read through exhibits if customer wants to. We appreciated the need to not waste time at any place when there’s a lot of driving in one day to do, but if you’re driving that much anyway it’s important that each activity is actually worthwhile and enjoyed and not rushed, otherwise why go there in the first place? We felt a bit rushed through a few (not all) of the museums/sites and would have liked to take a bit more time to enjoy each place. * If an activity of the tour is cancelled but has been agreed upon, it would be good for the tour guide/Jagaa to take the initiative to offer either something else instead or a partial refund, instead of waiting for us to raise as a possibility * Day 4 took a real downturn in quality. For this 5 day tour, don’t bother going to Ugii lake with yet more driving, hour after hour and then no activity or anything particularly interesting about the place; instead, stay longer in Orkhon Valley as it was by far the highlight and felt such a shame to not spend more time there. We essentially spent almost $400 on a single day as a group for a day of driving to see a lake; totally not worth it. * Included in the tour were the tickets for each place you visit. However, it seems that in Mongolia most/all museums don’t let you take ANY photos unless you pay an extra fee, which seems ridiculous, and not something we’ve ever experienced in other countries. This isn’t in Danista Tour’s control, but it would have been good of them to buy us these tickets to take photos freely as it was a big negative. Alternatively, Danista Nomads could advocate for the customers they bring to each museum and try to help change this stupid rule * Overall the tour inherently involves a lot of driving which you accept for what you get in return when you start the tour, but I think the balance isn’t right. Day 1 and 2 are fine, day 3 is long but okay if you stay in Orkhon Valley for 2 days but otherwise not. Day 4 is a wasted day if you go to Ugii Lake. Day 5 is obviously a long day going back to UB but could do with better activities. * There were also some problems with the US dollars we paid with. Make sure you give undamaged, unfolded new USD notes * To Jagaa: it would be helpful if you were more specific about the requirements of the USD, for example which year notes Final thoughts: great experience with some notable negatives that would be made much better with some changes. I’d advise researching what you want to do and prioritise minimising driving time where it can be reduced, as there will be lots of driving already anyway. I think the itinerary should be more explicit in describing how many hours of driving per day there will be. Thanks Danista Nomads for an enjoyable tour.

Communication with the host, Jagaa, was very easy via whatsapp. Jagaa was always prompt with his replies & could give good advice on how to plan our trip in Mongolia. We stayed at a private double room with ensuite bathroom on the first and last nights in Ulaanbaatar. Their rooms were very well-maintained, good quality bedsheets and pillows and good hot shower. Jagaa prepared breakfast for us himself. We think the room exceeded our expectations for the price paid. The staff manning the check-in counter, Amgaa, was also extremely helpful. He even lent us some local currency because that day happened to be a public holiday and he was afraid that most money exchange shops were not open. We booked a 8-day Central & Gobi Desert tour with Danista Nomads prior to our arrival at a reasonable price. Jagaa had assigned Dashka, as our driver-guide. Dashka has over 20 years of experience. He was always careful and reliable. His Toyota 4WD Landcruiser Prado was comfortable even on bumpy off road terrain and the vehicle was well-maintained throughout the 8 days of our trip. Our meals at all the ger camps were well thought of and catered to what we had asked for. We enjoyed all the stays at the ger camps and every host we met was friendly and helpful. We highly recommend staying at Danista Nomads hostel too - it has a very convenient location - an easy 15 minutes walk can bring you to the centre of attractions in Ulaanbaatar. We really love the warm hospitality given to us in Mongolia & hope to visit again in the near future!

The tour was amazing. I asked if I could extend a day prior to going and was easily able to do so. I would highly recommend this company. They were very hospitable and the tour guide and driver were amazing. All the stops were great. There was a lot of driving but that is the nature of this tour.

I had an excellent time on this two day tour to Central Mongolia. Great to get out of the city and see Mongolia’s incredibly beautiful countryside. The roads are pretty bumpy, but our amazing driver did a great job of avoiding the major potholes. Jagaa was an exceptional guide. He has a fantastic knowledge of his country and his English was excellent. We were able to discuss all sorts of topics. He was flexible and accommodating, with great written communication before I arrived in Mongolia. The night in the yurt was comfortable and really warm. Shared bathroom facilities, but luckily a modern toilet. Phew! I would highly recommend this tour to anybody travelling solo. At all times I felt safe and well cared for, despite being the only person on the tour, and heading off into the Mongolian wilderness. A beautiful country to explore, and the guys at Danista Nomads Tours made that all possible. 🙏

I did a 6 day Gobi Desert Tour with Danista Nomads Tour during off-season, and it was an outstanding experience. Despite the unpredictable weather conditions, including a sandstorm and a few other incidents beyond their control, the team managed everything extremely well to ensure our tour went as smoothly as possible and we got to see and do everything on the itinerary. Our guide was fantastic—fluent in English and very knowledgeable. Some tour operators in Mongolia offer the minimum possible service and charge a lot. Danista Nomads Tour is the complete opposite. The prices were very reasonable, and the accommodations and food were excellent. They truly do everything they can to make sure you have a great time. I had a fantastic time, the communication during the booking process was clear and easy and there is really nothing at all I could complain about. I can only highly recommend booking through Danista Nomads Tours!

Danista Nomad tour exceeded expectations with stunning Gobi Desert landscapes, expert driver Tomuro and knowledgeable guide and photographer Singu Ratler, comfortable accommodations, and a perfectly paced itinerary. Highly recommended for an unforgettable adventure!

really enjoyed my gobi tour! the tour company was very responsive and helpful. our guide saruul and driver tomuro were very experienced and i felt like i was in safe hands the whole time!!

Great trip to Kharkhoren at the end of a business visit to Mongolia, provided by Danista Nomads. The team of Saruul (guide) and Pugi (driver) were great - very cheerful throughout 800 km driving in 2 days. Saruul gave us some information, but not too much - she was well informed about history/culture, maybe a bit less so about wildlife. It was a pleasure to spend a couple of days with them. They were flexible about including a small extra visit to another location that I wanted to see. The only downside of this particular trip is that there's a lot of driving, but that's Mongolia for you. It's a big old country. We knew what to expect, and the views throughout the drive to Kharkhoren and back were always interesting. One other note - Jagaa kindly highlighted how we could save some money on our booking, which was much appreciated. Mongolia is a great country to visit, and thank you to Danista Nomads.

From the very beginning, a driver and guide were both warm, friendly, and attentive, making me feel at ease and excited for the adventure ahead. The journey was a multi-day tour, covering vast stretches of the Mongolian countryside, with each day bringing new experiences and breathtaking landscapes.My driver was simply amazing. He navigated the challenging terrain with skill and confidence, often taking alternative routes that offered stunning views of the countryside. Despite the long drives, he kept me entertained and engaged, making the journey feel like a fun road trip with an old friend. My personal guide was equally wonderful. He was knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply connected to the places we visited. He was also a fantastic conversationalist, sharing fascinating insights into Mongolian culture, history, and traditions. He shared detailed stories and interesting facts that brought each place to life. I found myself learning and exploring with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Throughout the trip, both the driver and personal guide went above and beyond to ensure my comfort and enjoyment. They were always there to answer my questions, help me with my stuffs, or find a good spot for a photo. They also made sure I tasted the best local food, stayed in comfortable accommodation, and experienced the local customs and traditions in the most authentic way.My trip to Mongolia was truly unforgettable, and it wouldn't have been possible without the amazing driver and personal guide who accompanied me. I'm deeply grateful for their hospitality, expertise, and companionship, and I hope to return one day.

I reached out to Jaaga while doing my research in horse trekking tours in Mongolia for my family. He was one of the tour agencies I contacted, and he's the only one who fully understood what I was looking for. It also turned out, all positive things said about Danista Nomad are true and more! With heavy rainy weather, our 7 days horse trekking journey was extremely adventurous. My family's very satisfied with our wonderful, caring guides, Suri and Galtan. Without them, we wouldn't be able to experience and enjoy the splendor of Mongolian wilderness! We'll definitely return. Highly recommended!

It's was amazing trip 4 days of horse trekking is really pain but fun and wonderful of the nature heal everything if anyone looking for an extream adventure then this is the one you are looking for. I enjoy very much.