Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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Mongolia is a magnificent land, its immense
grasslands dotted with the gers of nomads,
great herds of horses and yaks, and shamanic
oovos—cairns that mark the way across
this mesmerizing realm. On our far-flung
journey, we’ll explore ancient Kharakhorum,
capital of Genghis Khan’s empire, soak
in hot springs in the exquisitely beautiful
Arkhanghai Province, and head overland to
the Gobi Desert for hikes in the Yol Valley, a
memorable sundowner at the fabled Flaming
Cliffs, and even a ride on a Bactrian camel.
Along the way, we’ll stop to share a drink of
airak (mare’s milk) with nomad families,
overnight in wonderful ger camps, and attend
a Naadam, a quintessentially Mongolian
celebration with archery, wrestling, and wild
cross-country horse races.
Days 1-3 Ulaanbaatar / Hustain Nuruu
From Ulaanbaatar, we head across unfenced
grasslands to Hustain Nuruu National Park,
home to the last remaining species of wild
horse, the takhi. A hike brings us through Ongot
Monument, with its carved standing stones
dating from 500 AD.
Days 4-5 Erdene Zuu Monastery /
Kharakhorum / Naadam In the Orkhon Valley,
we are welcomed into the home of a nomad f
amily. At 16th century Erdene Zuu Monastery,
constructed from the ruins of the great
warrior Genghis Khan’s capital of Kharakhorum,
we’ll bring you into the chanting halls and to
frescoed statue chambers, and may have a chance
to meet with monks along the way. On our
July departure, we’ll attend a local Naadam
celebration here, with spirited archery, wrestling,
and thrilling horse races across the steppes
(our August departure celebrates Naadam in
Hustain Nuruu National Park).
Days 6-8 Tsetserleg / Tsenkher Hot Springs /
Ongyn Khiid From Tsetserleg, in a province
renowned for its beauty, we hike in the hills,
then soak in healing hot springs. En route to the
Gobi, we walk among the haunting remains of
Ongyn Khiid Monastery.
Days 9-13 Gobi Desert / Ulaanbaatar In the vast
Gobi, we hike in Yol Valley National Park and visit
the renowned site of the “Fighting Dinosaurs,”
where fossils of a protoceratops and velociraptor
locked in combat were discovered. We’ll have the
chance to ride a Bactrian camel and explore the
legendary dinosaur site of the Flaming Cliffs—
absolutely stunning when illuminated by the oranges
and golds of a desert sunset. Depart on Day 13.
Under Mongolia’s endless “great blue sky,” discover a land of wide-open spaces and experience the traditional hospitality of its nomadic people. BRUNO MORANDI
FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 98
DEVENDRA BASNET
HIGHLIGHTS
• Magnificent scenery, vast steppes, blankets
of wildflowers, spectacular sunsets
• Soak in healing hot springs in Tsenkher
• Naadam Festival in Kharakhorum (July)
or Hustain Nuruu National Park (August)
• Meet nomad families with their herds of
horses, yaks, and goats
• Witness wild takhi horses in Hustain
Nuruu National Park
• In the Gobi, explore Yol Valley National
Park and the famous Flaming Cliffs
DETAILS
• 13-day trip begins and ends in
Ulaanbaatar
• 9 nights ger camps, 3 nights hotels
• All meals included
DATES
Jul 5-17, 2017 Naadam in Kharakhorum
Aug 1-13 Naadam in Hustain Nuruu
National Park
TRIP COST
$5795 (10-15 members)
$6295 (5-9 members)
Single supplement: $1435
Internal airfare: $255 (subject to change)
Lake Hovsgol extension: from $2955
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rugged road travel with light hiking on
several days