Grand Mongolia Tour

Overview:

Holiday price is from £2,705 per person, based on availability and two people sharing a standard twin/double room. Single supplement is £355.

2019 Departure Dates*:

*These are the departure dates for the tours. Flights to Mongolia depart one day prior to the tour departure date.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to Hotel Bayangol****, check-in. Ulaanbaatar is a large city of pulsating and buzzing urban life, plenty of traffic and in between islands of serenity – a peaceful monastery courtyards and squares in the public 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. Moreover, we 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.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Kharkhorin

Through beautiful landscapes of steppe, river valleys and rolling hills we drive westwards to Kharkhorin (375 km), the ancient capital of the Great Mongolian Empire. The city founded in the valley of the Orkhon River in 1220 was the capital 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. Check-in at Kharkhoriin Anar Ger Camp (standard). Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp.

Day 3: Kharkhorin - Middle Gobi (Ongi Monastery)

We leave Kharkhorin and continue south to the Ongi Monastery (250 km), 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. Check-in at the Ongiin Nuuts Ger Camp (standard). Dinner at the Ger Camp.

 Day 4: Gobi Desert (Bayanzag)

Today we continue into the Gobi Desert to explore the Bayanzag Cliffs (250 km). 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 Saxaul tree forests. We will trek around the surrounding areas. Check-in at the Goviin Naran Ger Camp (superior) Lunch and dinner at the Ger Camp.

Day 5: Gobi Desert (Yol Valley)

Today we explore the majestic Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (100 km), 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 Gobi desert. We visit the local Fauna and Flora Museum and enjoy a picnic lunch. Return to the Goviin Naran Ger Camp. Dinner at the Ger Camp.

Day 6: Middle Gobi (Baga Gazriin Chuluu)

We drive north to Middle Gobi province (400 km). Driving through the endless green grassland, we enjoy the stunning natural scenery. En route, we meet the nomads on the steppe with their hordes of sheep, cattle or horses and we enjoy a picnic lunch. In the late afternoon, we reach our Ger Camp at Baga Gazriin Chuluu. Check-in at the Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp (standard). Dinner at the Ger Camp.

Day 7: Middle Gobi - Ulaanbaatar

We continue our scenic drive to the north through the Baga Garziin Chuluu Basalt and Granite Mountains (200 km). We reach Ulaanbaatar at noon and check-in at Hotel Bayangol****. The afternoon offers an optional guided shopping tour to cashmere and antique shops, and to the Central Department Store. In the evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at Restaurant Modern Nomads with traditional Mongolian cuisine.

Day 8: Departure from Ulaanbataar

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to the airport.

Package Includes:

• Connecting flights with Aeroflot from London Heathrow to Ulaanbaatar and return
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per person (23 kg)
• Airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar
• 7 overnights at centrally located 4 star hotels:
• 2 nights at centrally located 4-star hotel
• 5 nights at traditional Mongolian Ger Camps (3 nights at a standard Ger Camps with shared facilities and 2 nights at a superior Ger Camp with private facilities)
• 7 x buffet or set-menu breakfast
• 5 x lunch (2 x 4-course lunch with tea, 2 x picnic lunch with tea, 1 x BBQ lunch with Nomandic family)
• 6 x dinner including fare0well dinner (3-course dinners with coffee/tea)
• Personalised welcome package
• Entrances to National Museum of Mongolian History, Gandan Monastery, Erdenezuu Monastery, Ruins of Ongi Monastery, Fauna and Flora Museum and all national parks
• Service of English speaking tour escort on all tours
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans in Ulaanbaatar and 1st class 4WD jeeps (Toyota land cruisers) throughout the expedition outside Ulaanbaatar, max 3 persons in each jeep
• Portage at hotels
• Service and VAT
• 24 Hour emergency service
• ATOL Protection
• All taxes