Mongolia & Tibet: Steppes
to the Roof of the World
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"The scenery is gorgeous and it was a treat to be able to have some time to walk and to see things up close. The people were so friendly and I was impressed by how many spoke English. All of this was above and beyond what we ever expected. Our sincere thanks to all responsible for such elegant treatment. We are already spreading good words about MIR."
Shirley N Bosmajian
Severna Park, MD
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The peoples of the Mongolian steppe and of the Tibetan Plateau have much in common. Both espouse Tibetan Buddhism and unfurl painted silk thangkas on festival days. Both were originally nomads, the Mongolians relying on the horse and the Tibetans on the yak for sustenance. From the "Roof of the World" to the Gobi Desert, dive deep into both enduring cultures.
Days 1-3: Beijing
The journey begins with a two-night stay in Beijing, where we wander the Forbidden City. Fly to the Tibetan Plateau and drive to Tsetang.
Day 4: Tsetang, Yarlung Valley
In the shadow of Mount Gampo, tour the Drepung Monastery, home to 500 monks. In the beautiful Yarlung Valley, explore the tombs of Tibet's first kings. Visit the 8th century Samye Monastery, its three floors presenting the different styles of Tibetan, Indian and Chinese Buddhism.
Days 5-6: Lhasa
Drive to the "City of the Sun," Lhasa, Tibet's 12,000-foot-high capital. Explore the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, and the Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred site. Bargain with Tibetans at the Barkhor Market for carpets, yak wool boots and Tibetan fur hats.
Days 7-12: UlaanBaatar, Gobi Desert
Fly to the Mongolian capital of UlaanBaatar and on to the Gobi Desert. Motoring across lands once roamed by Genghis Khan, admire the sand dunes, Yol Valley and the Flaming Cliffs. At a nomadic family's ger, perhaps taste yogurt made from camel's milk.
Days 13-14: UlaanBaatar
Back again in UlaanBaatar, explore the Gandan Monastery and attend a concert of Mongolian throat-singing before celebrating the journey from the mountains to the steppe at a farewell dinner.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
14 Days |
| Departures in 2010: |
2 |
| Dates: |
May 22-June 4, 2010 |
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August 14-27, 2010 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 6-16 travelers |
$5,995** |
| Single Supplement |
$895 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
| **Land tour cost includes internal flight costs which are subject to change; see the Descriptive Daily Itinerary for details. |
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MIR Signature Features
- Ascend to Lhasa, Tibet's busy capital city
- Sip tea in a traditional nomadic ger
- Witness first-hand the unique art of camel milking
Map
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| Days 1-2: |
Beijing, fly |
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| Day 3: |
fly to Lhasa, drive to Tsetang |
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| Day 4: |
day trip to Yarlung Valley |
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| Day 5: |
drive to Lhasa |
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| Day 6: |
Lhasa |
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| Day 7: |
fly to UlaanBaatar |
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| Day 8: |
UlaanBaatar |
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| Day 9: |
fly to South Gobi |
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| Days 10-12: |
Gobi Desert |
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| Day 13: |
fly to UlaanBaatar |
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| Day 14: |
UlaanBaatar |
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| Beijing |
Forbidden City (UNESCO World Heritage site), Tiananmen Square, Hutong Tour |
| Tsetang |
Tibet Yarlung Valley, Samye Monastery |
| Terelj National Park |
Beautiful alpine landscapes, sleep in a nomadic ger, optional horseback riding |
| Lhasa |
Potala Palace (UNESCO World Heritage site), Valley of the Kings, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street and market area, Hospital of Tibetan Medicine, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka (Dalai Lama's summer palace)
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| UlanBaatar |
National History Museum, Gandan Monastery |
| Gobi Desert |
Three Camel Ger Camp eco-lodge, Flaming Cliffs, "Singing Sands" of Khongoryn Els, hike in Yolyn Am canyon, camel ride, visit with a local nomadic family, sample camel's milk
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Suggested Extensions
Extend your stay in Mongolia to visit Kara Korum, or come early to explore more of Beijing. Contact us for details.
Some images on this page courtesy Helge Pedersen
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