Itinerary – Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour 2020

Day One – Ulaanbaatar arrival

Ulaanbaatar is a large city of pulsating commerce, noisy traffic and buzzing urban life and in between islands of serenity – quiet monastery courtyards and public squares with calming fountains.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to 4 star Hotel Bayangol for check-in.

Day Two – Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast at leisure.  Join your guide for our afternoon sightseeing tour, we see Genghis Khan Square at the heart of the city and the surrounding buildings: Parliament House, State Opera & Ballet Theatre, Cultural Palace and the House of City Council. We also visit the National Museum of Mongolian History, which features Mongolian history from pre-historic time to present days, and the Gandan Monastery; the largest functioning Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia.

Optional: dinner at hotel
Overnight in the hotel

Day Three – Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin (375 km)

We drive westwards through beautiful landscapes of steppe, river valleys and rolling hills, to Kharkhorin, the ancient Capital of the Great Mongolian Empire. The city founded in the Valley of the Orkhon river in 1220 was the capital city of the Great Mongolian Empire until Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, moved the capital to Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty. Nearby Erdenezuu Monastery is the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and was founded on the ruins of ancient Kharkhorin in 1586. We visit the monastery’s magnificent exhibits, which include an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, special costumes for religious dances and superb Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style.

Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight at Urguu Ger Camp (traditional)

Day Four – Kharkhorin to Middle Gobi land (250 km)

We leave Kharkhorin and continue south to the Ongi Monastery, located in Saihan-Ovoo in the Middle Gobi land. En route, we enjoy a traditional Mongolian BBQ lunch with a Nomadic family. We visit the ruins of the Ongi Monastery, which was founded in 1660 and consisted of two temple complexes on the North and South of the River Ongi. At its heyday, Ongi Monastery housed around 30 temples, four large Buddhist universities and over 1000 monks at a time.

Dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight at the Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp (traditional)

Day Five – Gobi Desert Bayanzag (250 km)

Today we continue into the Gobi Desert to explore the Bayanzag Cliffs. In the early afternoon we arrive at the ancient red rock creation, Bayanzag, formed 60-70 million years ago. The striking red Bayanzag Cliffs contain vast amounts of dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones and are neighboured by indigenous Saxual tree forests. We will trek around the surrounding areas.

Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight at the Goviin Naran Ger Camp (superior)

Day Six – Khongoriin Els (200 km)
After breakfast, we will drive to the Khongor els sand dunes. In the afternoon we will see marvellous Khongoriin Els dunes that stretch for an extraordinary 180 kms, and are as wide as 7 – 20km. The dunes lie on the northern part of beautifully formed mountain ranges Servei and Zuulun. The sound of masses of wind-blown sand can be heard from far away. This sound is so melodic, the 200m high sand dunes are called “Singing Dunes”.  There is an oasis called Khongor River with stunning greenery in the summer. We will have an opportunity to ride two humped Bacterian camels, called by locals “Princes of the Gobi” and we can see camel breeders’ everyday life.

Dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight in Gobi Discovery 2 ger camp (traditonal)

Day Seven – Gobi Desert Gurvan Saikhan National Park (170 km)

Today we explore the majestic Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the largest national park in Mongolia stretching 200 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south.  We visit the incredible Yol Valley, an unusual narrow canyon of a river flowing through the Zuun Saikhan Mountains to admire the scenery of a frozen river in the middle of the hot desert Gobi. We visit the local Fauna and Flora Museum and enjoy a picnic lunch. Return to Camp.

Dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight at Goviin Naran Ger Camp

Day Eight – Middle Gobi province (Baga Gazriin Chuluu). (400 km)

We drive north to Middle Gobi province.  Driving through the vast green grassland, we enjoy the stunning natural scenery.  En route, we meet the nomads on the steppe with their sheep, herds of cattle or horses and we enjoy a picnic lunch. In the late afternoon, we reach our Ger Camp at Baga Gazriin Chuluu.

Dinner at the Ger Camp
Overnight in the Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp

Day Nine – Middle Gobi – Ulaanbaatar (200 km).

We continue our scenic drive to the north through the Baga Garziin Chuluu Basalt and Granite Mountains. We reach Ulaanbaatar at noon and check-in at 4 star Hotel Bayangol for 1 night.
The late afternoon offers an Optional guided shopping tour to cashmere and antique shops and to the Central Department Store. In the Evening, we enjoy a dinner to say farewell to new found travel companions at Restaurant “Modern Nomads” with traditional Mongolian cuisine.

Farewell Dinner
Overnight at 4 star Hotel Bayangol

Day Ten – Ulanbaatar

After breakfast, check out and transfer for your onward or homeward journey.

Our Suggestions:

– Consider our tailor made pre and post tour extensions by Transmongolian Express:

Moscow to Ulaanbataar
Ulaanbaatar to Beijing

Tour Dates – Grand Mongolian 10 Days Expedition Tour 2020

• 31 May – 09 June 2020
• 28 June – 07 July 2020
• 02 – 11 August 2020
• 30 August – 08 Sept 2020

Prices – Grand Mongolian 10 Days Expedition Tour 2020

Tour Price per person in Euros:

EUR 1,630 (double/twin)

EUR 325 single supplement

All prices valid for minimum 2 persons.

Optional Supplements:

EUR 20 per person: Optional dinner at hotel (Day 2)
EUR 22 per person: Optional lunch at local restaurant
EUR 17 per person: Optional guided shopping tour to cashmere and antique shops and Central Department Store with transport and guide 15.00-18.00 hrs (Day 9)

Additional night at 4 star Hotel Bayangol:

EUR 80 per person (double/twin)
EUR 130 per person (single room)
Price includes breakfast and taxes

Please ask about our tailor made pre and post tour extensions by traditional Transmongolian Express:

Moscow – Ulaanbataar
Ulaanbaatar – Beijing

Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour – Price Includes:

• Arrival and Departure airport or railway station transfers
• 3 nights at centrally located 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
• 6 nights at traditional Mongolian Ger camps (single and double occupancy, 4 nts traditional camp (sh/wc facilities in shared block) 2 nts superior camp (private sh/wc facilities)
• 9 x buffet or set menu breakfasts
• 6 x lunches (2 x 4-course lunch with tea, 2 x picnic lunch with tea, 1 x BBQ lunch with Nomadic family)
• 7 x dinners including farewell dinner (3-course dinners with coffee/tea)
• Drinking water, on tour. Bring your own refillable bottles.
• Personalised Welcome Pack
• Entrances to National Museum of Mongolian History, Gandan Monastery, Erdenuzuu Monastery, Ruins of Ongi Monastery, Fauna and Flora Museum and all national parks
• English speaking tour escort on all tours
• 1st class coaches or 1st class minivan in Ulaanbaatar.
  1st class 4WD jeeps (Toyota land cruisers) throughout the expedition outside Ulaanbaatar with maximum 3 persons in each jeep

Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour – Not Included In Price:

• International Flights
• Visas
• Gratuities (tips) for guides and drivers
• Meals not included in itinerary
• Drinks (soft, alcoholic, water other than provided daily bottle)
• Water bottles (please bring your own)
• Personal Expenditure

Notes

• Tour operates with 2 persons minimum
• There will be a maximum of 21 persons in the group.
• The Grand Mongolian Expedition tour is suitable for guests in reasonable physical condition and comfortable with walking unaided on uneven or steep terrain at times.
• Accommodation may be substituted with similar grade Gers/Hotels
• Traditional Gers have shower blocks – ie no private facilities
• Superior Gers have private en-suite shower/wc
• Itinerary to be confirmed locally and may be subject to change
• Singles – sorry, we do not operate a shared room scheme for single travellers
• Visa Support – is granted to eligible foreign nationals only. This is at the discretion of the authorities.
• Mongolian Visas – please check if you require a visa for Mongolia in advance of travel. Please check requirements with your local Consulate.

You may extend your Tour pre or post, please ask us for details.