Mongolian Explorer: The Gobi & Beyond
with Naadam Festival
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"It was a great tour. An educational experience. There is nothing like being there to meet the people, see their culture, feel the heat & wind of the Gobi. Great Memories. The people are very friendly: inviting us into their gers, sharing their airag and cheese, ride their horses and camels and especially telling us about their lives and culture."
T. Kimoto
Portland, OR
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 Mongolia: The name conjures up images of vast grasslands, wind-swept steppe and endless sky. Here, an empire built on horseback galloped across two continents, leaving behind the names Genghis and Kublai Khan. Follow their lead, using the horsepower of modern vehicles to cover the incredible distances at the heart of Mongolia. End in the capital, where the skills of that nomadic army are preserved at the Naadam Festival.
Days 1-4: UlaanBaatar, Lake Hovsgol
Begin in UlaanBaatar, where the centuries-old Buddhist heritage is still vital. Tour some of UlaanBaatar's treasures before flying north to alpine Lake Hovsgol, sacred to Mongolians. Sleep in traditional gers, and explore the summer pastureland of reindeer and yak on foot and horseback.
Days 5-6: UlaanBaatar, Hustaiin Nuruu, Kara Korum
Set off overland to Kara Korum, the site of Genghis Khan's all-but-vanished capital city. The splendid Erdene Zhu monastery, built with stones salvaged from the ruins of Kara Korum, is experiencing a rebirth of faith after the fall of communism. On the drive out to the former capital, stop at Hustai Nuruu National Park, home to the Przewalski Horse, the last remaining species of truly wild horse in the world.
Days 7-10: Gobi Desert
Continue on an adventurous overland route through the Mongolian outback to the Gobi, stopping en route at lost monasteries and remote ger camps. During the epic journey, discover the Flaming Cliffs and the Yol Am Canyon, encountering nomads who call this formidable environment home.
Days 11-14: UlaanBaatar
Fly back to UlaanBaatar. Experience the pageantry of the fascinating Naadam Festival, a celebration of Mongolia's ageless traditions, and finish with a performance of Mongolian throat-singing.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
14 Days |
| Departures: |
1 |
| Dates: |
June 30-July 13, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 5-12 travelers |
$5,895 |
Plus internal air
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$700
(economy class, subject to change) |
| Partial Single Supplement |
$895* |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
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MIR Signature Expereinces
- Meet Tsaatan reindeer herders at their summer pastures near Mongolia’s deepest lake, ancient Hovsgol
- Attend the unforgettable Naadam Festival, a celebration of the skills of the steppe – archery, horseracing and wrestlingl
- Visit the home of a nomadic family in the fabled Gobi Desert
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Day 1: |
UlaanBaatar |
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| Day 2: |
Fly to Muron, drive to Lake Hovsgol |
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| Days 3-4: |
Lake Hovsgol, fly to UlaanBaatar |
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| Days 5-6: |
UlaanBaatar, Przewalski Horse Preserve, Khogna Khan, Kara Korum |
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| Day 7: |
Drive to Ongiin River |
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| Day 8: |
Ongiin River, South Gobi, Moltsog Els |
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| Day 9: |
Day trip to Togrogiin Shiree and Flaming Cliffs |
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| Day 10: |
Drive to Yol Am Valley |
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| Days 11-14: |
UlaanBaata, Naadam Festivalr |
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| UlaanBaatar |
Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khaan Winter Palace, Natural History Museum, Zanazabar Fine Arts Museum, Chojin Lama Museum |
| Lake Hovsgol |
Mongolia’s largest and deepest lake, hiking and optional horseback riding |
| Hustaii Nuruu National Park |
Home of the Przewalski horse |
| Kara Korum |
Capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, Erdene Zhu Monastery, Turtle Rockk |
| Ongiin |
Remote ger camp |
| South Gobi |
Flaming Cliffs, Moltsog Els, Togrogiin Shiree, Three Camel Ger Camp, optional camel riding, visit local nomads |
| Yol Valley |
Gurvansaikhan Mountains, rich natural enviroment |
Suggested Extensions
Extend your stay with a train ride over the border into Siberia to explore Lake Baikal. Contact us for details.
Photos on this page courtesy Helge Pedersen and Ana Filonov
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