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, exploring the classic sites including 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. Explore the cradle of Tibetan civilization in the beautiful Yarlung Valley. 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 nearly 12,000-foot-high capital. Explore the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, and the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred site. Encircling the Jokhang is the traditional
Barkhor Market, Lhasa’s central trading area for hundreds of years.
Days 7-12: UlaanBaatar, Gobi Desert
Fly to the Mongolian capital of UlaanBaatar via Beijing, and on to the Gobi Desert. Motoring across lands once roamed by Genghis Khan’s mounted warriors, 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 2012: |
2 |
| Dates: |
May 26-June 8, 2012 |
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August 18-31, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 6-16 travelers |
$4,995 |
Plus internal air
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$1,700
(economy class, subject to change) |
| Single Supplement |
$995 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
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MIR Signature Experiences
- Spin the sacred bronze prayer wheels in TIbet’s remote monasteries
- Sip tea in a traditional nomadic ger with a local Mongolian family
- Witness first-hand the unique art of camel milking in the Gobi
Map
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| Days 1-2: |
Beijing |
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| Day 3: |
Fly to Lhasa, drive to Tsetang |
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| Day 4: |
Tsetang, Samye Monastery, drive to Lhasa |
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| Days 5-6: |
Lhasa |
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| Day 7: |
Fly to Beijing via Chengdur |
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| Day 8: |
Fly to UlaanBaatar |
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| Day 9: |
Fly to the Gobi |
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| Days 10-12: |
Gobi Desert, with day trip to Khongoryn Els |
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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 |
| Lhasa |
Potala Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site), 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
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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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