Itinerary – Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour 2019

Day One – Ulaanbaatar

Transfer to 4 star Hotel Bayangol for check-in. 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.
During the 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.

Overnight in the hotel.

Optional: dinner at hotel

Day Two – 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.

Overnight at Urguu Ger Camp (traditional).

Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp

Day Three – 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.

Overnight at the Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp (traditional).

Dinner at the Ger Camp

Day Four – 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.

Overnight at the Goviin Naran Ger Camp (superior).

Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp

Day Five – Gobi Desert Gurvan Saikhan National Park (90 km)

Today we explore the majestic Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the largest national park in Mongolia stretching 380 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.

Overnight at Goviin Naran Ger Camp

Dinner at the Ger Camp

Day Six – Middle Gobi province. (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.

Overnight in the Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp (traditional).

Dinner at the Ger Camp

Day Seven – 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.

Overnight at 4 star Hotel Bayangol.

Farewell Dinner

Day Eight – Ulanbaatar

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

Our Suggestions:

– Arrive in Ulaanbataar a day early to settle in before your tour starts (see hotelprices below).

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

Moscow to Ulaanbataar
Ulaanbaatar to Beijing

Departure Dates – Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour 2019

• 01 – 08 June 2019
• 29 June – 06 July 2019
• 13 – 20 July 2019 
• 03 – 10 August 2019
• 31 August – 07 Sept 2019

Prices – Grand Mongolian Expedition Tour 2019

Tour Price per person in USD

USD 1,825 (double/twin)

USD 2,145 (single)

All prices valid for minimum 2 persons

Optional Supplements:

USD 25 per person: Optional dinner at hotel (Day 1)
USD 28 per person: Optional lunch at local restaurant
USD 23 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 7)

Additional night at 4 star Hotel Bayangol:
USD 98 per person (double/twin)
USD 165 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
• 2 nights at centrally located 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
• 5 nights at traditional Mongolian Ger camps (single and double occupancy, 3 nts traditional camp (sh/wc facilities in shared block) 2 nts superior camp (private sh/wc facilities)
• 7 x buffet or set menu breakfasts
• 5 x lunches (2 x 4-course lunch with tea, 2 x picnic lunch with tea, 1 x BBQ lunch with Nomadic family)
• 6 x dinners including farewell dinner (3-course dinners with coffee/tea)
• One bottle of water per person per day
• 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
• Porterage at hotels

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)
• 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.