I wanted to create special experience that would engage local herders and at the same time get people well off the regular tourist trails. The answer is this unique desert trek, walking or riding camels into dunes and hills well off the beaten track deep in the Gobi Andy Parkinson Destination: Mongolia Start / Finish: Ulaanbaatar Trip Type & Grade: Camel trekking, riding camels and/or walking Leadership: Andy Parkinson Cost: $3950 (see detailed pricing below) Duration: 14 days in-country, 6 days trekking or riding camels Dates: 18th September to 1st October 2018 Accommodation: Wild camping in the Gobi Group Size: Minimum 2, maximum 8
We begin our Gobi experience driving to Khongoryn Els dunes a.k.a. The Singing Sands where we start the trek. The dunes run for over 100km and we ll start at a seldom visited area on the south side of the dunes. The plan is to trek into the dunes to camp overnight in the heart of the sands. Camels will carry all our camping equipment and water. You have a choice of riding your camel or walking, although the camels make easier work of climbing the dunes. Local camel herders will teach us camel handling and keep an eye on us while we ride. From the dunes we ll drive west to Nemegt, this is a series of eroded desert canyons and one of the many dinosaur fossil discover sites in the Gobi. Here we ll meet our second group of camel herders who will lead us on a trek deeper into the desert. We ll ride or hike for three days through the rocky Altan Ul hills towards the edge of the true desert covering around 15km a day. Joining the support jeeps we ll then drive across the desert first to the Zulganai Oasis and then on to Kherman Tsav canyon. Kherman Tsav is perhaps the most spectacular place in the Gobi, a dramatic canyon some 15 km long, visited by only a few intrepid groups each year. We ll spend a whole day here hiking the length of the canyon. Expect gazelles to be a common sight on the journey, along with interesting birding and other wildlife. We will trek or camp in snow leopard habitat. We plan to invite a
local wildlife biologist to join the trip to add to our understanding of Gobi wildlife and conservation. This is an exploratory type trip that we are developing to engage with local camel herders, helping them earn income through tourism while giving visitors more in depth experiences of Gobi life. HIGHLIGHTS Ride camels though the famous Singing Sands Trek with camels deep into the Gobi backcountry Explore the dramatic Kherman Tsav and Nemegt canyons Travel on foot or camel-back accompanied by local camel herders Visit their herders gers to enjoy nomadic hospitality Enjoy wild camping and starry nights in the desert OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 1. Arrive Ulaanbaatar. Overnight at Hotel (meals: none included). Day 2.
Fly on a domestic flight to Dalanzadgad Airport in the South Gobi. Depart by jeep towards the south side of Khongoryn Els. Overnight camping close by our camel herders ger (Meals: B, L, D). Day 3. Start the camel safari, riding camels or walking into the dunes. Overnight camping in the heart of the sands. Camping in tents (B, L,D). Day 4. Hike/ride out of the dunes, returning to the camel herders ger and support vehicles. Camping in tents (B, L,D). Day 5. Drive to Nemegt. Rendezvous with the cameleers. Camping in tents (B, L,D). Day 6. Ride up through the Nemegt canyons and out onto the plains. Cross the plains to the hills, visiting our camel herders ger on the way. Camping in tents (B, L,D). Day 7. Continue camel trek, choice of walking and leading your camel, or riding. (B, L,D). Day 8. Continue camel trek arriving at rendezvous with jeeps near Altan Ul. Camping in tents (B, L,D). Day 9. Cross the desert to Zulganai Oasis and onto Kherman Tsav. Camping (B, L,D). Day 10. Full day exploring Kherman Tsav, hiking the length of the canyon (B,L,D). Day 11. Drive out past Tost Ul. Camping in tents (B, L, D). Day 12. Full day drive to a ger camp close to Dalanzadgad (B, L, D). Day 13 Return flight from Dalanzadgad to Ulaanbaatar. Hotel (B,L,D). Day 14. Onward travel.
Note: this is an exploratory trip and so we may vary the itinerary and route. All trekking and driving distances and times are approximate, and can be adjusted to suit the terrain, group and other conditions. DETAILS This camel safari aims to combine active trekking and overland travel to create a unique experience in Mongolia s Gobi. We begin with a flight to the regional centre of Dalanzadgad where we ll meet our support team with fleet of overland equipped landcruisers that will take us to and from the trekking areas. On the trekking portions all our gear will be carried on camels and you will have the choice of hiking or riding a camel. We will be accompanied by a professional wildlife biologists to enable us to learn about Gobi wildlife and ecosystems. Trip Style: The support vehicles will be Toyota Landcruisers and an additional support vehicle will carry the cook and kitchen supplies. Most nights we will be wild camping in the desert sleeping in mountain tents (single tents provided for single riders). Camps will have a simple shower and toilet. We ll be able to top up water supplies en route although some days we ll have to limit washing water to one bowl per person.
Participant Requirements: This is a trip for participants with a moderate to reasonable level of fitness, capable of hiking 15 to 20 km or 5 to 6 hours under normal conditions. The trip will suit those with a passion for the outdoors and adventure. Before booking we ll have a chat with you about your experience and fitness to ensure that this trek is within your capability and comfort-zone. PRICE 2018 rates: Camel safari only ex-ulaanbaatar: USD $3550 per person 2 nights Ulaanbaatar Hotels (Hotel 9) @$75 per night: USD $180 per person Domestic flight to the Gobi, rtn: estimated USD $220 per person* Package Total : USD $3950* *note domestic airline ticket prices may vary at the time of booking. We ll reserve your ticket at time of booking and add the actual cost to your final invoice. Includes: All in-country ground transportation, Airport transfers, meet and greet on arrival in Mongolia Accommodation and meals as per itinerary, Round trip domestic airfare, Ulaanbaatar, Muren rtn. All camping equipment and trip support, All meals indicated as B, L or D; Excludes: International airfare; Personal laundry; Alcoholic beverages; Travel insurance; medical evacuation costs; Excess baggage charges; Visa fees; Gratuities; Photography and video fees (e.g. at museums); Any other item not mentioned as included.
BOOKING DETAILS How to book this trip Once you are ready to book we will send you the trip application form, and arrange for our partners in Mongolia to invoice you directly for the deposit. Payments will be by bank wire transfer to their Mongolian account. All reservations are subject to a 30% deposit per person. Deposits are refundable until 90 days prior to start of the program less a $250 administrative fee. Once we receive your trip application form, we will send you a confirmation letter along with information related with visa and international airfare reservations. You will also receive a pre-departure Travel Guide, which will include information on weather, suggested reading list, items to pack, etc. About 4 weeks prior to your arrival date, you will receive the Final Departure Information which will include your final itinerary along with other necessary updated information regarding the logistics of your trip. Payment and Cancellation Policy A deposit of 30% per person is required at the signing-up of the departure. Full payment is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. In case of cancellation the following charges apply: Up to 90 days prior to departure, $250 per person administrative fee; 89-60 days prior to departure, 30% of the trip cost per person; 60-45 days prior to departure, 50% of the trip cost per person; 44-30 days prior to departure, 75% of the trip cost, per person; 29 days before the trip starts, no-refund. Some airfare costs may be non-refundable. Once an expedition has departed, there will be no refunds for any unused portions of the trip. The above policy also applies to all extensions and independent travel arrangements made in conjunction with this program.
Hello, I m Andy Parkinson. I lead hosted trips to Mongolia and organize private tours. I ll work with you to recommend or design your ideal trip. If or when you have decided on a option booking is direct with my partners in Mongolia. I work with a select few local tour operators that I ve known and worked with over fifteen years. The services in this itinerary are provided by Mongolian Outdoor Travel. Booking will be direct with Golden Square LLC, company registration number 2680785, tourism license number ITO 375/c, operating under the trading name and brand Mongolian Outdoor Travel.