MONGOLIA Adventure Mongolia July 5-18, 2017 August 13-26, 2017
MONGOLIA Adventure Mongolia Explore Mongolia on foot and horseback, by Bactrian camels, and in four-wheel drive vehicles on this active trip through unforgettable steppe, desert, and mountain scenery. Adventure Mongolia is designed for explorers who want to travel off the beaten path through the pine forested mountains and meadows of the central Mongolian countryside and across the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi Desert. A true adventure, this journey includes the Orkhon Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization, where Erdene Zuu Monastery was erected from the ruins of the legendary city of Kharakhorum; the hot springs and summer ger camps of Mongolia s nomadic herders; and the towering sand dunes and red sandstone cliffs of the Gobi. Those joining our July departure will have the unique opportunity to travel by horseback to the famed Naadam Festival, and observe the incredible feats of strength and skill displayed in wresting, archery, and horse racing competitions.
Y O U R J O U R N E Y DEPARTURE DATE(S): JULY 5-18, 2017 AUGUST 13-26, 2017 RECOMMENDED FOR: Adventurous explorers who want to experience a variety of activities, from hiking to camel riding, while traveling off the beaten path through the Mongolian countryside. Most nights will be spent under the stars in tents and gers, the traditional dwellings of Mongolia s nomads. HIGHLIGHTS: Highlights: Yol Valley Hongoryn Els Sand Dunes Historic Orkhon River Valley Horse and camel trekking Naadam Festival (for July departure ACCOMMODATIONS: 2 nights at the Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar 2 nights in tents 7 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 a centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops. (Shangri-La Hotel) Day 2 HUSTAIN NURUU / KHARAKHORUM Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia s nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan Buddhist tradition in which ancient shamanist practices are still evident. 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. Monasteries across the country are again opening their doors to worshippers, and the few lamas who survived the purges are training a new generation. Next, drive to Hustain Nuruu National Park (1.5 hours), home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the Takhi, commonly known as Przewalski s Horse. In 1994, twenty-five years after becoming extinct in the wild, the takhi was reintroduced to the Mongolian steppe from zoo populations by the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalski s Horse. Sixteen horses were flown from the Netherlands to Mongolia in 1994, and nearly 400 now roam re-introduction sites in Mongolia and China. Learn about current conservation efforts and the status of the herds found within Hustain Nuruu and try to spot these beautiful horses in their natural habitat. After lunch, continue driving towards Kharakhorum (approx. 5.5 hours), site of the legendary 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. Chinggis Khan s son, Ogodei, created Kharakhorum to serve as the empire s capital, but after forty years it was abandoned and a new capital was established in Khanbalik, in present-day Beijing. Relocating the capital of the Mongol Empire from the expansive steppes of Kharakhorum to the warmer fields of China marked a great shift in the history of the Mongols. Overnight in gers. at a fine local restaurant. Day 3 ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY TSENHERIIN HOT SPRING Begin your day with a visit to Erdene Zuu Monastery. Kharakhorum was destroyed in 1388, but traces of this once-magnificent city still exist at Erdene Zuu, Mongolia s largest monastery, which was reputedly built from its ruins in the 16th century. Surrounded by 108 stupas, Erdene Zuu has been a place of Buddhist activity for centuries. Explore the monastery grounds and observe the monks as they perform their daily prayers and rituals in temples decorated with spectacular Buddhist art. After lunch, drive west to Tsenheriin Hot Spring (4 hours), past terrain that changes from steppe-like grasslands to forested hills alive with wild
flowers. Arrive at Tsensheriin in the evening and enjoy bathing in the hot spring. Known for its high mineral content and rich therapeutic value, the Tsensheriin Hot Spring is a wonderful spot to relax. Day 4 HORSE TREK TO TSETSERLEG Visit Arkhangai, a province considered one of the most beautiful in Mongolia. The next few days will be spent exploring the Bulgan Mountain Valley. Camp at the South Tamir River, where guides will erect tents outfitted with sleeping bags and mats. (Approx. 4-5 hours riding.) Day 5 TSETSERLEG For those participating in the July Departure: (Tent Camp; B, L, D) Attend the opening ceremonies of the Naadam Festival, which includes wrestling, archery, and horseracing competitions. These three sports traditionally measured the courage, strength, and pride of nomads and warriors and are referred to as the three manly sports, although men, women, boys, and girls all compete in today s Naadam games. For those participating in the August Departure: In the morning visit Buyandelgeruulekh Monastery, founded in 1586 and once home to almost 1,000 monks. During the Communist purges of the 1930s the monastery was converted into a museum and thus saved from destruction. Buyandelgeruulekh has become the town s main monastery and now holds weekly religious services, but is still home to many spiritual and sacred artifacts from its days as a museum. In the afternoon visit the local market and sample Arkhangai Province s rich and delicious dairy. Day 6 NAADAM FESTIVAL TAIKHAR ROCK July Departure: Continue enjoying the Nadaam Games before driving to Taikhar Rock. Drive to Taikhar Rock (1 hour), an impressive monolith protruding from the earth. According to legend, in ancient times a huge snake threatened the local people, demanding that the most beautiful girls in the area be sacrificed. A young hero put a giant stone on top of the snake s hole and trapped him, thus saving the community. The route to Taikhar Rock passes ovoos (stone cairns) erected for local deities, a custom with origins in shamanism, the first religion to develop amongst the nomads of Central Asia. The pyramid-shaped piles of stones are usually located on the top of a hill or mountain. Worshippers and passers-by walk in a clockwise direction three times around the ovoos and make an offering, usually of three stones, to bring good luck to their journey. In the late afternoon hike and explore
the beautiful Tamir River, which winds past the Taikhar Rock Ger Camp. Overnight in gers. Day 7 ORKHON RIVER VALLEY After an early breakfast, begin driving south to the legendary Gobi Desert. Spend the late afternoon hiking through the magnificent grasslands of the Orkhon Valley, considered to be the cradle of Mongolian civilization. The beautiful Orkhon Valley is not just home to many archeological, cultural, and historic sites but it also stands as testimony to how age-old nomadic culture has shaped and influenced developmental changes in trade, commerce, military, and religious practices. After exploring the countryside return to the ger camp beside the Orkhon River. Overnight in ger camp visited on Day 2. Approx. 2-3 hours driving. Day 8 ONGIIN HIID (Ger Camp; B,L, D) Continue driving south through the vast steppe to Ongiin Hiid. Built in the 17th century, Ongiin Hiid was one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia until its destruction during the communist purges in 1939. The ruins of this monastery are still known as the Pearl of the Great Desert, as it sits above the Gobi Desert in a beautiful mountainous region. Overnight in gers. Approx. 5-6 hours driving. Day 9 THREE CAMEL LODGE After breakfast drive to Nomadic Expeditions Three Camel Lodge ger camp, located at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (5-6 hours). Spend the rest of the evening at leisure or explore the surroundings on your own. The lodge offers a wide variety of activities to travelers from reading a book on Mongolia to watching a documentary about nomadic culture, and from learning traditional Mongolian games to enjoying a relaxing massage. Overnight in gers. (Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D) Day 10 YOL VALLEY HOTOL BULAG Wake to the sight of the sun rising over the vast Gobi landscape. After an early breakfast drive to Yol Valley National Park (2.5 hours) in the foothills of the Gobi Altai Mountains. Located in the northern part of the Gobi, the streams at the base of this surprisingly green valley remain covered in ice until as late as July. Hiking through this prehistoric canyon leads to the habitat of indigenous Lammergeiers, vulture-like birds that feed mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. However, unlike other such birds whose diets consist mainly of meat, Lammergeiers feed primarily on bone marrow, dropping large bones from the sky to break them into smaller pieces. After exploring the valley, visit the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the surrounding area, followed by a drive to Dungenee Valley, a deep and narrow gorge where it is possible to view Argali sheep, Altai snowcocks,
and ibex. In the afternoon cross the park from east to west, passing the Gyalaan ( Shiny ) Valley, named for the reflection of the sun off its flat, smooth cliffs. Driving through the valley, pass Morin Ovoonii Us Well, a precious water source for local herders. Towards the end of the day, stop to explore the small, isolated town of Sevrei soum, a Gobi village located in the valley near Sevrei Mountain. Overnight in tents near a camel-breeding family. (Tent Camp; B, L, D) 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. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dances and khoomi throat singers followed by a farewell dinner. (Shangri-La Hotel; B, L, D) Day 11 CAMEL TREK TO HONGORYN ELS Meet the camel wranglers in the morning and start trekking atop two-humped Bactrian camels towards the sand dunes at Hongoryn Els. Crossing vast open plains, the trek will pass between the dramatic Sevrei and Nomgon Mountains. After a picnic lunch, continue to travel by camel across the sand dunes towards the Hongoryn Gol oasis, which lies on the northern slopes of the dunes. Overnight in gers. Approx. 4-5 hours trekking B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary. Day 12 HONGORYN ELS FLAMING CLIFFS After breakfast hike to Hongoryn Els, or the Singing Sands, named for the remarkable low-pitched groan that it emits when its surface is disturbed by the wind. These isolated dunes, reaching upwards of 600 feet, are the most magnificent in the Gobi. After lunch, begin your drive to the Three Camel Lodge (4-5 hours). En route visit Bayan Zag, commonly known as the Flaming Cliffs for the orange glow of its rock at dawn and dusk. 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. Although not obvious to the untrained eye, the Flaming Cliffs are rich with dinosaur fossils and have been the site of important paleontological discoveries. Overnight in gers. Day 13 ULAANBAATAR (Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D) Fly to Ulaanbaatar in the morning and visit the Bogd Gegen Palace, home of Mongolia s last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, which displays elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of Mongolia s 8th Living Buddha. Next, drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia s history
LAND PRICE July Departure: $6,475 per person based on double occupancy August Departure: $5,995 per person based on double occupancy Internal Airfare: $185 per person (subject to change by airlines) Single supplement: 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, tents, and gers); Meals as noted in itinerary; Horse and 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; English-speaking 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; internal airfare is quoted separately and subject to change by airlines; tips to guide and drivers Passport and visa fees Comprehensive medical and trip insurance; airport taxes Excess baggage charges Photography and video fees 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. 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@