Kubuqi Desert Tour: Camel Ride, Cable Car & Sandsliding

Ride camels and slide down sand dunes in the Kubuqi Desert

A full-day Kubuqi Desert tour from Hohhot includes hotel pickup, a live English-speaking guide, entry tickets and a local lunch. You'll travel two hours into the desert, spend 2–4 hours on activities like camel riding, an aerial cable car and sandsliding at Whistling Dune Bay, then return to Hohhot by 5pm. Optional paid activities include jeep surfing, zip-lining and swing rides.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert adventure and local lunch

• Pick up at 8:30am
• Drive two hours to Kubuqi Desert
• Explore Whistling Dune Bay and Xiansha Island
• Enjoy desert activities: aerial cableway, surfing, swing, track bike
• Experience high-wire and universal driving
• Participate in children's games and desert acrobatics
• Have local lunch for one hour
• Drive back to Hohhot by 5:00pm

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport to Hohhot.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entry tickets to Kubuqi Desert.
• travel insurance.
• and a local lunch during the tour.

Times

• Every day 08:00

Options for this experience

3 options

One-day tours to Kubuqi Desert from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Guide in English · 08:00 Kubuqi Desert scenic spot: the price covers a camel ride, zipline, sand sliding and a jeep, available from summer until November. The desert is less touristy. Pickup is included.

Group price for 7 to 15 people (2 in 1) Guide in English · 08:00 Group size price for 7 to 15 people: the mini group size starts above 7 people, and groups of up to 15 can enjoy our group price. You can choose Whistling Dune Bay or Kubuqi Desert. Pickup is included.

Xiangshawan/Whistling Dune Bay Guide in English · 08:00 Xiangshawan / Whistling Dune Bay: the price covers Xiangsha Island activities, Zhang Guolao's stories, a camel ride, the aerial cableway, surfing, a swing, a track bike and ATVs. Pickup is included.

From US$ 110 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates and prices

Information

Days and times Every day Departs at 08:00

Group Private

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (30 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 29 years) · Child (6 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Confirmation Confirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Private & Custom Tours in Inner Mongolia

The experience

What's the actual drive time, and how much of the day is spent in the desert itself? The tour leaves Hohhot at 8:30am and takes two hours to reach Kubuqi Desert in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. Once there, you'll have 2–4 hours to do the activities you choose: camel rides, the aerial cable car, sandsliding down the dunes, swing rides, track bikes and children's games are all available. A local lunch takes about an hour, then the drive back to Hohhot takes another two hours, with return around 5pm. The whole day runs roughly eight hours of travel and activity combined.

Whistling Dune Bay and Xiansha Island are the heart of the experience. The site is known for the stories of Zhang Guolao and offers a range of desert activities beyond the basics: high-wire courses, universal driving (off-road vehicles), fire play and what the operator calls "Desert Acrobatics World" are all part of what's available. The aerial cable car gives you a different view of the dunes, and sandsliding is the main draw for most visitors. Camel rides, jeep surfing and zip-lining are optional add-ons you can book at the site if you want them.

Your tour includes hotel pickup, a guide who speaks English, all entry tickets to the desert, travel insurance (you'll need to provide your passport details), and a meal. The activities themselves (camel rides, zip-lines, sandsliding and jeep rides) cost extra and range from about 35 to 350 yuan per person depending on what you choose. Infants from age one are welcome and can ride in a stroller or car seat. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 29 years); Child (6 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive each way to the Kubuqi Desert from Hohhot?

The drive to the desert takes two hours, and the return to Hohhot takes another two hours, with pickup at 8:30am and return around 5pm.

What activities are included in the tour price, and which ones cost extra?

Entry tickets and a local lunch are included. Camel rides, zip-lining, sandsliding, jeep surfing and swing rides are optional and cost 35–350 yuan per person depending on the activity.

Is there a guide, and what language do they speak?

Yes, a live guide in English is included with the tour.

What is Whistling Dune Bay and Xiansha Island known for?

Whistling Dune Bay and Xiansha Island are famous for the stories of Zhang Guolao and offer a range of desert activities including sandsliding, aerial cable car rides, swing rides, high-wire courses and off-road driving experiences.