CENTRAL MONGOLIA & GOBI DESERT OVERLAND EXPEDITION

ITINERARY

• Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB)
  Upon your arrival, you are transferred to a 4 star hotel in the city center. Time permitting, you may explore some of the city’s highlights on your own: the Gandan Temple – Mongolia’s main Buddhist center, the central square with the memorial complex of Chinghis Khan and Zaisan hill on the city's edge for a panoramic view of UB. Then visit the National Museum introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era or the unique collection of dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur Museum. The state Oracle museum displaying Buddhist artwork and religious masks and the Winter palace of last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. In the early evening, meet your guide and enjoy a folklore show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion, followed by a welcome dinner where you will be briefed on tour ahead.
  (Dinner / hotel)
• Travel to Kharkhorin - Karakorum
  The 2nd son of Chinggis Khan built the capital of the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century. Largely an experiment of city building in a pre-dominantly nomadic culture, Karakorum as it was known then never became a fully functional capital before it was destroyed by invading Chinese Min Dynasty troops in late 14th century. Today the main attraction here is the Erdene Zuu monastery established in 16th century by a Mongol khan as part of his efforts to introduce Buddhism as the main religion. Subsequently, it was almost completely destroyed during anti-religion campaign of 1930-ies with just a dozen temples standing presently intact. We walk the monastery premises and take a glance at a few surviving artifacts of the old capital and perhaps some earthen hills nearby that still contain remains of the imperial capital. 
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel to Ongi Monastery Ruins
  Located on the border of Khangai mountain range and Gobi Desert, Ongi Monastery, once one of Mongolia's largest religious centers, was founded in the 17th century along the Ongi River. Though mostly destroyed during the 1930s political purges, the monastery now features restored ruins and remains a peaceful place of spiritual significance. Here, we explore the serene landscape, view ancient relics, and learn about its rich history and revival.
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel to Flaming Red Cliffs
  Drive further south in to the desert. Vegetation quickly thins out and is replaced by vast barren plains. Occasionally you will see white tents of local herding population, their winter sheds and large flocks of sheep and goats, more seldom horses and camels. Our destination today is the Flaming Red Cliffs. Here, in 1920-ies Americans unearthed the first samples of dinosaur eggs intact in their nests as well as hundreds of dinosaur skeletons among them of several new species. Hike through eroded ravines of red sandstone and make our own discovery. 
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel to Khongoriin Els - Singing Dunes
  The Khongor Sand Dunes, known as the "Singing Dunes," stretch over 180 kilometers and rise up to 300 meters in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. These majestic dunes produce a unique, resonant sound when the wind sweeps over them or when the sand shifts. Climbing the highest dune is a “ritual” that will allow you feel the immensity of the desert with spectacular views of its rugged ridges and vast plains. If wished you may also ride two humped Bactrian camels.  
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel deeper into the desert
  We travel deeper into the desert towards Yolyn Am canyon. Cross towering dunes and narrow gorges, traverse vast Gobi plains to reach today’s destination: a cozy ger camp nearby the canyon. Take a well-deserved rest here and explore the surrounding areas on foot. 
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Hike in the Yolyn Am Canyon
  Today, we visit the the Yolyn Am and leisurely hike to the heart of canyon. Literally meaning the “Eagle mouth”, the canyon shelters some snow and ice until late July. At the entrance there is a small museum, a modest introduction to the areas animal and plant life as well as some petrified wood and dinosaur eggs. Here, we will have a chance to spot some wildlife such as small rodents, some Bearded vultures and with a bit of luck Wild mountain goats (capra sibirica) scaling steep rock walls. We return to camp for dinner and overnight stay. 
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel to Tsagaan Suvarga Cliffs
  Our today’s destination is the limestone cliffs of Tsagan Suvraga formed by wind and water erosion. A part of an old sea bed, the sedimentary rock here has different colors representing different geological times. On reaching the cliffs we take lunch in a ger camp nearby and explore the area on foot. From the top of the cliffs you will enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the desert expanses.

  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Travel to Baga Gazryn Chuluu Granite Formations
  Extensive granite rock formations surrounded by steppe habitat. Most of the way is on tar road which is then replaced by dirt tracks. Sanitary facilities are located separately. Throughout the journey you will stay in the kind of "ger camps". This afternoon we take a short hike in the granite formations of weird shapes, see birds and possibly wild animals. With extreme luck it is sometimes possible to spot wild sheep (Ovis Ammon).
  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / ger camp)
• Return to Ulaanbaatar
  Today we drive back to UB. This travel across wooded mountains and rolling hills is rather uneventful. Upon arriving in UB take a well-deserved rest at your hotel before meeting your support team at good-bye dinner. 

  (Breakfast, lunch, dinner / hotel)
• Departure Transfer
  Transfer to airport for your return flight home.  
  (Breakfast)