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, windswept 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 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. On the first departure, attend the extraordinary Naadam Festival, a celebration of Mongolia's ageless traditions. On the second departure, journey out to Mandshir Monastery in the Bogd Khaan Mountain Reserve, and celebrate with a performance of Mongolian throat-singing.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
14 Days |
| Departures in 2009: |
2 |
| Dates: |
June 29-July 12 (Naadam Festival) |
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August 31-September 13 |
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| Land Tour Cost |
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| 5-16 travelers |
$5,995** |
| Single Supplement |
$895 |
| **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
- Explore Mongolia's deepest lake, ancient Hovsgol
- Discover Erdene Zhu, built from the rubble of Genghis Khan's capital
- 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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| 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.
Photos on this page courtesy Helge Pedersen and Ana Filonov
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