MONGOLIA Gobi Trek August 26 - September 8, 2018
MONGOLIA Gobi Trek Designed to give trekking enthusiasts a desert experience like no other, this journey through the mystical Gobi traverses the sand dunes, canyons, and valleys of Mongolia s most amazing landscapes. Travel on foot and by camel through the desert, drive north to historic Erdene Zuu Monastery, and discover the traditional nomadic culture of Mongolia. In spectacular Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, trek across ancient desert routes past dramatic canyons and cliffs, and camp in the shadow of the Gobi Altai Mountains, experiencing the wash of purple, rose, and heather that defines the desert s skyline at dusk. Continuing deep into the Gobi, past saxaul bushes and the habitat of black-tailed gazelle and ibex, this adventure is an intimate exploration of one of the world s great deserts.
Y O U R J O U R N E Y DEPARTURE DATE: AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2018 RECOMMENDED FOR: Trekking enthusiasts who want to experience the desert as never before, both on foot and camelback. Any expedition to Mongolia is extraordinary, but our Gobi Trek provides one of the most exceptional experiences to be had in Mongolia s legendary desert. HIGHLIGHTS: Diverse landscapes of the Gobi Erdene Zuu Monastery 4-6 hours hiking or camel trekking per day ACCOMMODATIONS: 3 nights at Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar 6 nights in tents 2 nights at ger camps 2 nights at the award-winning Three Camel Lodge Day 1 WELCOME TO ULAANBAATAR The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises. Upon arrival at the airport you are welcomed by your Mongolian guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops. (Shangri-La Hotel) Day 2 GOBI YOL VALLEY NATIONAL PARK In the morning, fly over vast steppe land to the Gobi (1.5 hours), Mongolia s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. For the next eight 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. Upon arrival in the Gobi, drive to Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river carved this surprisingly green valley and its remnant streams create ice formations that sometimes persist as late as July. A hike through the valley leads to the habitat of indigenous vulture-like Lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep. Enjoy visiting the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the area. Later, drive to the award-winning Three Camel Lodge for dinner and overnight (1 hr, 20 min). Day 3 GYALAAN CANYON (Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D) After breakfast, drive (1 1/2 hrs) to Gyalaan Canyon, the land of ibexes and snow leopards, and begin trekking through rocky canyons of the Gobi Altai Mountains. During the trip you will be trekking within the boundaries of the Gobi Gurvansaikhan, or Three Beauties of the Gobi, National Park where the richest localities of the late Cretaceous dinosaurs are found. Many species found in the Park are unique and not found elsewhere. Fifty-two species of the mammals are found here, with eight of them listed in the Red Data Book of Mongolia. In the early evening, watch for Argali mountain sheep and ibex which appear on the cliffs. Our guides will set up a tent camp with large three-person tents for every two people, outfitted with sleeping bags and mats. Overnight in tents. (Trek on foot 3-4 hours) Day 4 JARGALANT Wake in the morning to the sun rising above the legendary Gobi. Continue trekking along rocky canyons, which are famous for their rock paintings. The Gobi is not only a place of great natural beauty, but also a place where you see different stages of history (Mesozoic and Paleolithic eras, as well as modern times).
The Park is famous for stone tool artifacts and rock paintings of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages, found in the 1960 s by the joint Russian-Mongolian expedition. Even today Mongolian - Russian - American expedition groups find thousands of stone tools that give the scientists a clear picture of the evolution in the stone tool development process of the ancient dwellers of Central Asia. At Jargalant discover a well made by the locals. Overnight in tents. (Trek on foot 4-5 hours) Day 5 HUTUL BULAG As you continue to trek, you will leave the canyons and come to a mountainous valley with a view of Gobi sand dunes on the horizon - the 139 km long, 5-7 km wide and 185m high Hongoryn Els sand dune strip. During or before storms these dunes start to sing, hence the reason why they are called the Singing Sands. Watch for herds of black-tailed gazelle, which frequent this area. Overnight in tents. (Trek on foot 4 hours) Day 6 SERUUN BULAG After breakfast, continue trekking until you meet your camels and camel herder. Begin riding camels through the sand dunes, traveling as Mongolia s nomads have for centuries. While riding you may run into herds of wild ass and black-tailed gazelle. Arrive at Seruun Bulag a treasured water place by the local nomads. The spring water is very cold in summer and warm in winter and believed to be good for the stomach due to its high content of brimstone. Overnight in tents. (Camel trekking for 4-5 hours) Day 7 ELSEN US Spend the day camel trekking along the sand dunes. For miles and miles you will see only dunes and you can appreciate the feeling of a real camel caravan, similar to the ones used during the Silk Road period. Arrive at Elsen Us, a crystal-clear freshwater well made by the locals. Overnight in tents. (Camel trekking for 4-5 hours) Day 8 BALAR TSONJ Anticipating another day of exploring the spectacular panoramas of the world s northernmost desert, your ride will bring you to some of the most remote sites in the Gobi. It is believed that this area was the bottom of an ancient ocean. There are splendid views of fantastic sandy and clay cliffs that rise upwards in stunning shapes, and of dense forests of saxaul bushes (endangered Gobi
trees) that are well preserved in this remote area. Overnight in tents. (Camel trekking for 4-5 hours) Day 9 FLAMING CLIFFS After breakfast, return to the Three Camel Lodge (2.5 hours), located near Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. In the afternoon, travel to the legendary Flaming Cliffs (1 hour), named for the orange glow of the rock in the light of the setting sun. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. Although not obvious to the untrained eye, the red sandstone of the Flaming Cliffs is rich with dinosaur fossils and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. Day 10 ONGIIN HIID (Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D) Begin driving towards Kharakhorum, site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. Stop for lunch at Ongiin Hiid (5-6 hours of driving), the ruins of an ancient temple built in the 17th century. Once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, Ongiin Hiid is still known as the Pearl of the Great Desert. Destroyed during the communist purges in 1939, the ruins of this monastery are situated in a beautiful mountainous region. Overnight in gers. Day 11 KHARAKHORUM ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY (Ger Camp; B, L, D) The adventure continues at Kharakhorum (about 5 hours of driving), site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. Chinggis Khan s son Ogodei created Kharakhorum but abandoned it forty years later, moving the capital to Khanbalik, in what is now Beijing. Traces of this once-celebrated city still exist in Erdene Zuu, Mongolia s largest monastery, which was reputedly built from the ruins of Kharakhorum in the 16th century. Surrounded by 108 stupas, this temple has been a place of Buddhist activity for centuries. Explore the grounds and temples of this historic monastery. Overnight in gers. Day 12 ULAANBAATAR (Ger Camp; B, L, D) Today we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar (5-6 hours), stopping for visits with local families and a picnic lunch in the countryside along the way. Check in at your hotel and refresh after your long drive. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (Shangri-La Hotel B, L, D)
Day 13 ULAANBAATAR Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a showpiece for government officials. However, in spite of the government s efforts to suppress Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia s spirituality persisted and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Extensive reconstruction and renovation projects are underway and priceless artifacts that were hidden by nomadic families for safekeeping are now being returned to monasteries. Day 14 DEPARTURE After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure. B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary. Experience these exciting developments first-hand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple, and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha. Also visit the reconstruction and renovation projects of the Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, the lord who looks in every direction. This 82-foot high statue, gilded and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan s largest temples. In the afternoon, drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing, and hunting equipment. Next, drive to Zaisan Memorial, built by the former Soviet Union to commemorate fallen soldiers of World War II. Those who climb the 300 steps will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the capital city, the Tuul River, and the surrounding countryside. In the evening enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant. (Shangri-La Hotel B, L, D)
LAND PRICE $6,395 per person based on double occupancy Internal Airfare: $185 per person Single supplement: $1,250 per person Airfare for International Flight is not included. Please contact us for details. LAND PRICE INCLUDES: Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary Transfers on arrival and departure All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel rooms and gers) Meals as noted in itinerary Camel riding as noted in the itinerary All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important information about your trip, map and luggage tags Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay WHY TRAVEL WITH NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS? Unrivaled Expertise Nomadic Expeditions was founded in 1992. Nothing can compete with the experience we have attained over 25 years of designing luxury adventure travel to Asia. While each trip we design is slightly different than its predecessor, our breadth of knowledge, network of contacts, and experience in the field is unrivaled. Our People We hire the best in the business to create and execute memorable journeys for our clients. From our Expedition Specialists in the United States, Ulaanbaatar, Lhasa, and Thimpu who turn wish lists into reality to our English-speaking, professionally trained guides who share their extensive knowledge of the culture and natural history of our destinations, our staff is what makes Nomadic Expeditions successful. Passion for Travel While our journeys open your eyes to a whole new world of experiences, we understand that choosing to book a trip with us requires time spent away from friends, family, and work. Your time is precious and we take that to heart. It s why we design journeys that go beyond a checklist of attractions. When you travel with us, we want you to remember drinking tea with a nomadic family or digging for fossils with a renowned paleontologist. We imbue our trips with encounters, whether it s with a local resident, a high-ranking government official, or a renowned wildlife conservationist, so you take home more than a set of photographs to frame on your nightstand. Our Philosophy LAND PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare Porterage and tips to guides, drivers, wranglers, local ger camp and restaurant staff Passport and visa fees Comprehensive medical and trip insurance; airport taxes Excess baggage charges Nomadic Expeditions was founded on the principle of treading lightly long before sustainable travel was a buzz phrase. Every expedition is undertaken with the greatest respect for the lands we explore and the local people we meet. Those who travel with us do so with the assurance that the preservation and protection of the ecosystems and cultures we visit is of the utmost importance to us, both as individuals and as a company. Respect for the places we travel to is at the heart of everything we do, but over our 25 years we have realized additional opportunities where we can lend a hand. We have gone beyond simply treading lightly and have wholeheartedly partnered with local communities and regions. Read more about our sustainable practices and philanthropic efforts here. Photography and video fees Food and beverages not included in the group meals Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls Other items not specifically mentioned as included We would love to share this exceptional adventure with you! Our Expedition Specialists are available from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM EST, Monday thru Friday Nomadic Expeditions Inc., 1095 Cranbury-South River Road, Suite 20A Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 USA Phone: or 609-860-9008 Fax: 609-860-9608 Email: info@