Mongolian Explorer: The Gobi
Desert & Beyond
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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."
Ted 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.
Days 1-4: UlaanBaatar, Lake Hovsgol
Begin in UlaanBaatar, where the centuries-old Buddhist heritage mingles with a shorter-lived communist one. Tour some of UlaanBaatar’s treasures before flying north to alpine Lake Hovsgol. Surrounded by towering mountains, Hovsgol is sacred to Mongolians. Sleep in traditional gers, and explore this 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 from 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 Hustaiin 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 and celebrate with a performance of Mongolian throat-singing. The first departure coincides with the remarkable Naadam Festival, honoring the courage, strength and dexterity of the nomad and highlighting the country’s most significant skills – archery, horse racing and wrestling.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
14 Days |
| Departures in 2008: |
3 |
| Dates: |
June 30-July 13 |
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August 4-17 |
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September 1-14 |
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| Land Tour Cost |
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| 5-12 travelers |
$4,895 |
| Partial Single Supplement |
$595* |
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MIR Signature Features
- Discover Erdene Zhu, built from the rubble of Genghis Khan's capital
- Visit the home of a nomadic family and learn about customs handed down
for generations
- Explore Mongolia's deepest lake, Hovsgol, so clear that fish are visible
70 feet down
- Become entranced by the sounds of Mongolian throat-singing
Map
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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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| Day 5-6: |
Khogna Khan, Kara Korum |
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| Day 7: |
drive to Ongiin |
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| Day 8: |
fly to Gobi Desert |
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| Day 9: |
drive to Moltsog Els |
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| Day 10: |
drive to Yol Am Valley |
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| Days 11-14: |
UlaanBaatar |
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Suggested Extensions
Combine this trip with Georgia & Armenia: Mountains & Monasteries.
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