MONGOLIA. Land of the Blue Sky

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1 HARVARD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2016 WORLDWIDE TRAVEL PROGRAM 2016 MONGOLIA Land of the Blue Sky May 29 June 10, 2016 The HAA Mongolia Trip was awesome! It should be on everyone s bucket list, the sooner the better as the country is changing so quickly. Dr. Alice Hill on Mongolia: Land of the Blue Sky, June 2013

2 MONGOLIA: LAND OF THE BLUE SKY MAY 29 JUNE 10, NIGHTS / 12 DAYS ONE OF THE MOST SPARSELY POPULATED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, MONGOLIA still retains its natural beauty of diverse landscapes and habitats relatively intact along with its well-preserved unique nomadic culture. The open countryside of Mongolia is awe-inspiring, and all sense of urgency seems to dissipate into the famous Mongolian blue sky. Featuring one of Mongolia s magnificent natural wonders, the Gobi Desert, and the historical highlight Kharakhorum, this trip offers a special opportunity to travel back in time to the untouched land of Genghis Khan and hospitable nomads. Discover the incredible scenery, diverse wildlife, ancient history, and traditional culture of Mongolia on this adventure-packed journey. Begin in Ulaanbaatar with an introduction to the history of Mongolia and with visits to downtown Ulaanbaatar, the central square and its spiritual heart, Gandan Monastery, as well as to the impressive costume halls of the National History Museum. Continue traveling through Mongolia s distinct landscapes, from the mountains, forests, and meadows of Hustain Nuruu National Park, to the Hogno Khan Mountains, to the majestic canyons and the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert. End your journey with a a performance featuring Mongolian traditional music and throat singing. TO BOOK A TRIP CALL, OR VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL.

3 HAA STUDY LEADER - ANDREW BERRY Andrew Berry is a British evolutionary biologist and historian of science with a particular interest in Alfred Russel Wallace. He was a junior fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows and is currently a lecturer in organismic and evolutionary biology at Harvard University. His research combines field and laboratory methods to detect positive Darwinian selection (i.e., adaptive evolution) at the molecular level in natural populations. As an educator and popularizer, Berry considers it his mission to demystify the most important and most misinterpreted of all biological ideas: evolution. On the Mongolia program, Berry s lectures will focus on three main themes: (1) Genghis Khan s genetic legacy modern analysis of genetic variation in different populations suggests that, long after the military events have faded into history, the legacy of the Mongol expansion lives on in our genes (a 2003 study estimated that 8 percent of Asian males bear the Y chromosome, i.e., the male-specific portion of our DNA, of Genghis Khan); (2) the work of Roy Chapman Andrews ( ), a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History who was the model for Hollywood s favorite anthropologist, Indiana Jones (and who made remarkable explorations of the Gobi Desert discovering fossils of early mammals, of dinosaurs, and even of dinosaur eggs; and (3) the conservation of Mongolia s natural heritage Mongolia is home to several remarkable ecosystems and a host of fascinating animals, many of which are seasonal nomads (as the country modernizes, questions inevitably arise about the future of Mongolia s special places and their natural inhabitants). WHY TRAVEL WITH HAA? EXPERT HARVARD FACULTY AND STUDY LEADERS OVER 80 DESTINATIONS ON ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS CHOICE OF LAND AND RAIL; CRUISES; RIVERS AND LAKES; AND FAMILY ADVENTURES TRAVEL WITH FELLOW HARVARD ALUMNI LOCAL CULTURE, HISTORY, AND CUISINE AT EVERY DESTINATION FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST BEYOND YOUR TRIP FOR DETAILED ITINERARIES VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/HAA/TRAVEL

4 SCHEDULE BY DAY SUNDAY, MAY 29 / MONDAY, MAY 30 Depart U.S. / Arrive Mongolia Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. Shangri-La Hotel (meals aloft) TUESDAY, MAY 31 Ulaanbaatar Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia and home of the Arts School of the Mongolian Buddhist University. Next, visit the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia s history and culture, and peruse the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, named in honor of the Mongolian leader and artist from the 17th century. In the evening, a senior U.S Embassy official will give a brief introduction to Mongolia s current political affairs and the U.S-Mongolia relations. Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 Hustain Nuruu / Hogno Khan Drive to Hustain Nuruu National Park, home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the takhi commonly known as Przewalski s horse. Twenty-five years after becoming extinct in the wild, the takhi was reintroduced to the Mongolian steppe in the 1990s. Next, drive to the Hogno Khan Mountains, located at the stunning confluence of three geographical zones (steppe, desert, and forest). Ger Camp (B, L, D) THURSDAY, JUNE 2 Kharakhorum Continue driving to Kharakhorum, a site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. Chinggis Khan s son, Ogodei, created the city of Kharakhorum to serve as the empire s capital, but abandoned it 40 years later and moved the capital to Khanbalik, in what is now Beijing. In the late afternoon, there will an opportunity to hike or ride horses. Ger Camp (B, L, D) FRIDAY, JUNE 3 Shankh, Kultegen & Khar Balgas Begin the day with a visit to Shankh Hiid, a monastery that was once frequented by Zanabazar, the influential Buddhist artist. After lunch, visit Khoshoo Tsaidam to see the monuments of Turkik King Bilge and his brother General Kultegen (AD ). Then drive across the Orkhon River towards the Khar Balgas ruins, a part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage site. Ger Camp (B, L, D) SATURDAY, JUNE 4 Ongiin Monastery Drive to Ongiin Hiid and explore the ruins of this 17th-century temple. Still known as the Pearl of the Great Desert, Ongiin Hiid was one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia until its destruction during the communist purges in Ger Camp (B, L, D) SUNDAY, JUNE 5 Hongoryn Els Sand Dunes Today we continue the drive to South Gobi. For the next three days, explore the stunning landscape of the Gobi, habitat for Bactrian camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, golden eagles, saker falcons, jerboas similar to kangaroo rats and many endemic reptiles. Continue to the towering dunes of Hongoryn Els, which run 60 miles alongside the Gobi Altai Mountain range. Reaching upwards of 600 feet, these are the most magnificent sand dunes in the Gobi. Ger Camp (B, L, D) MONDAY, JUNE 6 Hongoryn Els / Three Camel Lodge In the morning explore the dunes known as the Singing Sands for the remarkable low-pitched groan that is emitted when the surface is disturbed by wind. Those who are interested will have the opportunity to visit a camelherding family and explore the area on the back of a Bactrian camel. On the way to the Three Camel Lodge, stop at the local Bulgan temple. Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D) FOR TO BOOK DETAILED A TRIP ITINERARIES CALL, VISIT OR ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/HAA/TRAVEL VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL.

5 TUESDAY, JUNE 7 Yol Valley Explore Yol Valley National Park. A hike through the valley allows you to discover the habitat of indigenous vulturelike lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks and Argali mountain sheep. Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 Havsgait Valley / Flaming Cliffs In the morning drive to the Havtsgait Valley, site of ancient rock drawings left by early Gobi settlers. Visit the legendary Flaming Cliffs where in 1922, Roy Chapman Andrews found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D) THURSDAY, JUNE 9 Ulaanbaatar Fly to Ulaanbaatar in the morning. Upon arrival, visit the Bogd Khan Palace, home of Mongolia s last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, where you can see the elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of Mongolia s Eighth Living Buddha. In the afternoon meet with a representative of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project. The project manages the world s largest untapped reserves of gold and copper and is expected to help make Mongolia one of the fastest-growing nations in the world. In the evening enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers. Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D) FRIDAY, JUNE 10 Departure After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B) B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner DETAILS GROUP SIZE: Up to 15 guests PRICING: $ 6,895 per person double occupancy $ 8,045 single supplement HIGHLIGHTS :: Visit Hustain Nuruu National Park, home of the last remaining species of wild horse :: Travel to Kharakhorum, site of ancient monasteries :: Explore the surprisingly varied landscape of the legendary Gobi Desert :: Attend exclusive meetings with officials from the U.S. Embassy and local.mongolian organizations to learn more about Mongolia s current economic and political affairs

6 Accommodations range from the luxury Shangri-La Hotel in Ulaanbaatar to traditional nomadic gers dome-shaped tents constructed of latticed walls, covered by felt and canvas. In the Gobi Desert, travelers will be staying at the award-winning Three Camel Lodge, recognized as one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. GENERAL INFORMATION TOUR COST INCLUSIONS: Accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary; all land transportation and domestic flights within Mongolia; $200,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance; all lectures, exclusive meetings, entrance fees and excursions as noted in the itinerary; guide services; all airport transfers; baggage handling, gratuities to local guides and drivers; bottled water throughout; pre-departure information packages. TOUR COST EXCLUSIONS: International airfare; passport and visa fees; meals not specified in the itinerary; travel insurance; medical expenses; excess baggage charges; food and beverages not included in the itinerary; items of a personal nature, including laundry and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included. RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENT: To reserve a space on this program, a $1,000 deposit is required per person. Please either call us at or or fill out and mail or fax the registration form found in the back of this brochure. Reservations are acknowledged in order of receipt until the maximum enrollment has been reached. Payment terms will be sent to you with your reservation confirmation from our partner tour operator. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: All cancellations must be made in writing to the Harvard Alumni Association. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: cancel 90 days or more before departure: $1,000 charge; cancel days before departure: 50% of tour price; cancel days before departure: 75% of tour price; cancel 29-0 days before departure: No refund. In addition, any unrecoverable charges or fees imposed by suppliers or vendors on advance payments will be assessed. Please refer to the full terms and conditions at harvard.edu/travel/trips/mongolia CHANGES IN ITINERARY AND COSTS: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of HAA Travels and the tour operator. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfare and currency exchange rates in effect at the time of brochure printing and are subject to change. While the tour operator will do everything possible to maintain the published trip price, it may be necessary to institute a surcharge. INSURANCE: We highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. An application for insurance will be provided by the HAA upon confirmation. RESPONSIBILITY: Certain other provisions apply regarding limitations of liability and rights of HAA and the tour operator. The statement of responsibility is available at harvard.edu/travel/trips/mongolia If you are not able to access the Internet, please call HAA Travels at or DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented in this publication. Niether HAA Travels nor the tour operator is responsible for errors in or damages resulting from use of the information contained herein. Information contained in this brochure is subject to change. QUESTIONS: Please call HAA Travels at or , haatravels@harvard.edu. PHOTOS BY: Anand Munkhuu, Wanda Plucinski, Iñaki Relanzón. TO BOOK TO BOOK A TRIP A TRIP CALL CALL, OR OR VISIT VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/HAA/TRAVEL ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL.

7 HAA TRIPS LAND & RAIL: EXPLORING AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND OCT 17 NOV 7, 2015 JOCK PHILLIPS MOUNT EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK OCT 25 NOV 11, 2015 BEST OF PATAGONIA (BUENOS AIRES, SANTIAGO, CALAFATE AND TORRES NATIONAL PARK) NOV 6 19, 2015 JEFFREY QUILTER NEW ZEALAND FOR STUDENTS & ALUMNI JAN 8 17, 2016 BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE SAFARI JAN 10 22, 2016 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE & COLONIAL MEXICO FEB 10 15, 2016 PASSAGE THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL & COSTA RICA ON TERE MOANA JAN 1 9, 2016 BRIAN D. FARRELL EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA ON LE BOREAL JAN 26 FEB 8, 2016 DAVID AGUILAR CRUISING TAHITI & FRENCH POLYNESIA ON PAUL GAUGUIN FEB 4 14, 2016 ROBERT DARNTON JOURNEY THROUGH THE PHILIPPINES ON CALEDONIAN SKY MAR 12 28, 2016 DUTCH AND FLEMISH LANDSCAPES ON AMAPRIMA APR 10 18, 2016 THOMAS FORREST KELLY JAPAN BY SEA ON CALEDONIAN SKY APR 20 MAY 3, 2016 HARVEY COX & NINA TUMARKIN REGISTRATION FORM To register, fill out this form and return to HAA Travels with your deposit of $1,000 per person. Please return this form by mail to: HAA Travels, Harvard Alumni Association 124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor, Cambridge, MA Or by fax: Please call with any questions: or I AM NOT ABLE TO MAKE THIS TRIP, BUT PLEASE ADD ME TO YOUR MAILING LIST. GATEWAY TO ICELAND FEB 12 15, 2016 STEPHEN MITCHELL AUTHENTIC HAWAII MAR 1 6, 2016 KENYA & TANZANIA: PRIDE OF EAST AFRICA MAR 2 18, 2016 TREASURES OF JORDAN MAR 9 19, 2016 CARLOS DIAZ ROSILLO MUST-SEE GUATEMALA MAR 10 17, 2016 RIVIERAS AND ISLANDS OF FRANCE, ITALY, AND SPAIN ON TERE MOANA MAY 6 14, 2016 LEO DAMROSCH & JOYCE VAN DYKE JEWELS OF THE WESTERN MEDITTERANEAN: ROME TO MALAGA ON SEA CLOUD II MAY 11 20, 2016 JAMES SIMPSON SPAIN & PORTUGAL ON SEA CLOUD MAY 17 29, 2016 MICHAEL MCELROY PROGRAM NAME FIRST PERSON NAME ON PASSPORT ADDRESS STREET ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP OR POSTAL CODE START DATE DATE OF BIRTH CUBA IN-DEPTH APR 22 MAY 2, 2016 BERLIN: PAST & PRESENT APR 6 16, 2016 EXPERIENCE THE MASTERS APR 9 12, 2016 EXPLORING HAVANA, CUBA APR 5 MAY 9, 2016 VILLAGE LIFE IN DORDOGNE MAY 12 20, 2016 MOROCCAN DISCOVERY MAY 13 26, 2016 SUE WEAVER SCHOPF INSIDE THE RUSSIAN SPACE PROGRAM MAY 24 JUN 1, 2016 CATHY LEWIS THE DESERT KINGDOMS OF PERU MAY 25 JUN 5, 2016 JEFFERY QUILTER HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS: TIBET, NEPAL & BHUTAN MAY 29 JUN 12, 2016 MARK VAN BAALEN MONGOLIA: LAND OF THE BLUE SKY MAY 29 JUN 10, 2016 ANDREW BERRY MOAB, UTAH JUN 13 17, 2016 TANZANIA: EXPLORING THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND JUL 16-30, 2016 CRUISES: CRUISING PATAGONIA S CHILEAN FJORDS ON VIA AUSTRALIS OCT 20 NOV 2, 2015 MARK VAN BAALEN RIVERS & LAKES: INDIA S GANGES RIVER ON BENGAL GANGA DEC 30 JAN 15, 2016 DIANA ECK EGYPT & JORDAN JAN 13 27, 2016 AMAZON RIVER ADVENTURE ON ZAFIRO FEB 19 28, 2016 PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA, NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA, & ZIMBABWE ON ZAMBEZI QUEEN MAR 3 17, 2016 PETER DEL TREDICI ELBE RIVER CRUISE: PRAGUE TO BERLIN ON SWISS RUBY APR 26 MAY 6, 2016 ROBERT KIELY WATERWAYS OF FRANCE ON THE AMADEUS FLEET MAY 29 JUN 9, 2016 SUSAN SULEIMAN THE LOWER DANUBE: MEDIEVAL TO MODERN (VIENNA TO BUCHAREST) ON ROYAL CROWN JUN 10 21, 2016 MICHAEL SHINAGEL WATERWAYS OF RUSSIA ON VOLGA DREAM JUN 15 25, 2016 FAMILY ADVENTURES: FAMILY GALAPAGOS ON SANTA CRUZ II JUL 19-26, 2016 WARREN ZAPOL CAMBODIA SPRING BREAK FOR STUDENTS & ALUMNI MAR 12-20, 2016 HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE SECOND PERSON NAME ON PASSPORT DATE OF BIRTH ADDRESS STREET ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP OR POSTAL CODE HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE METHOD OF DEPOSIT CHECK (please enclose check) MASTERCARD VISA CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE 3-DIGIT SECURITY CODE NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD I/WE CONFIRM THAT WE HAVE READ AND ACCEPT THE GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THIS TOUR, INCLUDING REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE AT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL. SIGNATURE SIGNATURE ACCOMMODATIONS SPAIN S MEDITERRANEAN COAST: BARCELONA TO MALAGA ON SEA CLOUD OCT 28 NOV 4, 2015 INDIA, SRI LANKA & THE MALDIVES ON ISLAND SKY NOV 27 DEC 14, 2015 GREECE SPRING BREAK FOR STUDENTS & ALUMNI MAR 12-20, 2016 ROME & TUSCANY: A FAMILY ADVENTURE AUG 8-16, 2016 CATEGORY PREFERENCE DOUBLE ROOM SINGLE ROOM SHARE A ROOM WITH: ROOMMATE

8 HARVARD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 124 MOUNT AUBURN STREET, 6TH FLOOR CAMBRIDGE, MA BOOK YOUR NEXT JOURNEY WITH THE HAA TODAY! CALL OR VISIT US AT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL