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Journey to the Gobi
This unique journey takes us from the 17th Century capital city Ulaabaatar to the heart of the Gobi Desert. An inspiring journey of epic proportions and serendipitous discovery, experience life as a nomad and gain insights into the fascinating culture and nature of this great land.
HIGHLIGHTS
Discover Ulaabaatar - the Gandan Monastery & Zaisan Memorial
Experience the spiritual landscape of the Gobi-Altai
Stay in the Three Camel Lodge - a National Geographic Unique Lodge
Witness a diversity of indigenous wildlife
DATES & PRICES
Discover Ulaabaatar - the Gandan Monastery & Zaisan Memorial
Experience the spiritual landscape of the Gobi-Altai
Stay in the Three Camel Lodge - a National Geographic Unique Lodge
Witness a diversity of indigenous wildlife
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR
Meet and greet at Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan Intl Airport and transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: ULAANBATAR
The contrast between ancient traditions and 21st Century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern skyscrapers. We begin our excursion with a visit to the Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. We then continue to visit the National History Museum for an overview of Mongolia's history and culture showcasing artefacts and relics since the Stone and Bronze Ages. We end the day with a visit to the Zaisan Memorial, built by the former Soviet Union to commemorate fallen soldiers of WWII. Climb the 300 steps and be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city and the Tuul River.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 3: ULAANBAATAR / GOBI / YOL VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
In the morning, be met and transfer to the airport for your flight to the Gobi, Mongolia's southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Contrary to the sameness that the word "desert" suggests, the Gobi is a fascinating and diverse region, including sites of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of the 20th Century. Over the next few days, explore stunning landscapes of the Gobi, home to some of the most endeamic animals such as the Bactrian camel, snow leopard, golden eagle and more. We take an hour's drive to the Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. We take a hike through the ancient valley, home to animals such as Altai snowcock, ibex, yaks and Argali mountain sheep before visiting the local natural history museum for an understanding of the fauna and flora of the area. We then check in at the stunning Three Camel Lodge Ger Camp, a National Geographic Unique Lodge.
Overnight: Three Camel Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: GEGEET VALLEY / HONGORYN ELS
We begin our exploration today the spectacular panoramas of the world's northernmost desert with a drive to the Gegeet Valley, habitat of the elusive snow leopard. After a picnic lunch, continue driving to the towering dunes of Hongoryn Els, which runs 60 miles alongside the Gobi Altai Mountain Range. Reaching upwards of 600 feet, these are the most magnificent sand dunes in the Gobi. Explore the area on foot and enjoy the beautiful Gobi sunset over the dunes.
Overnight: Ger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: HONGORYN ELS / FLAMING CLIFFS
Today, we explore the dunes known as the "Singing Dunes" for the remarkable low-pitched groan emitted when the surface is disturbed by the wind. We will have the opportunity to visit a camel-herding family and a chance to explore the area on the back of a Bactrian camel. Enjoy an early lunch before we return to the Three Camel Lodge. Along the way, visit the Bayan Zag or more famously known as the "Flaming Cliffs" for the orange glow of its rock at dawn and dusk. It was here in 1923 that Dr Roy Chapman Andrews and his expedition team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs.
Overnight: Three Camel Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: HONGORYN ELS / ULAANBAATAR
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight return to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, visit the Bogd Khan Palace, home of Mongolia's last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, which displays elaborate ceremonial robes, other personal effects of Mongolia's "8th Living Buddha". In the evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers followed by a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: DEPART ULAANBAATAR
After breakfast, be transferred to Ulaabaatar Chinggis Khan Intl Airport for your flight departure.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Situated in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, the Shangri-La Hotel is a 5 star luxury hotel equipped with the most modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, a spa center, air-conditioned rooms and flat screen tv.
Against the backdrop of the Mongolian Gobi Altai mountains, a scattering of felt-covered gers or traditional Mongolian tents - dots the wild expanse of the Gobi, their brightly decorated doors all pointing south. This is the Three Camel Lodge, remarkable ecolodge in the heart of the desert that celebrates the traditions of Mongolia's nomads.
