Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

In the Realm of Genghis Khan ADVENTURING FROM KHARAKHORUM TO THE GOBI DESERT

Mongolia is a magnificently remote land, its wild, rolling grasslands dotted with nomad camps, herds of yaks and horses, and shamanic oovos —cairns that mark the way across this mesmerizing realm. On our far-flung journey, we’ll explore ancient Kharakhorum, once the capital of Genghis Khan’s empire, and soak in hot springs amid the canyons and lakes of Arkhanghai Province. Heading overland into the Gobi Desert, we hike in the Yol Valley, sip a memorable sundowner at the fabled Flaming Cliffs, and even ride a Bactrian camel. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a wonderful welcome into Mongolia’s ancient nomadic culture as we meet local families, spend nights in our cozy traditional gers, and attend a Naadam festival, a quintessentially Mongolian celebration with archery, wrestling, and wild cross-country horse races. Days 1-3 Ulaanbaatar / Hustain Nuruu From Ulaanbaatar, we head across Mongolia’s wondrous and unfenced grasslands to Hustain Nuruu National Park, home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the takhi , or Przewalski’s horse. One of our hikes brings us among the great standing stones at Ongot, a site that dates from 500 AD.

Days 4-5 Erdene Zuu Monastery / Kharakhorum In the Orkhon Valley, we are welcomed into the home of a nomad family, and we explore the chanting halls and frescoed chambers at 16th century Erdene Zuu Monastery, the “Jewel Temple,” built over the ruins of Kharakhorum, capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260 AD. Days 6-8 Arkhanghai Province / Tsenkher Hot Springs Exploring Arkhanghai, one of the most archaeologically rich regions in all Mongolia, we visit ancient megalithic sites, hike in the hills, and relax in mineral springs surrounded by wildflower-carpeted mountains. Each departure of our journey will have a day to witness a Naadam Festival (the actual day varies with each trip), where we witness traditional Mongolian sports dating back to Genghis Khan’s time and once used to train warriors and their horses for battle. 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 can enjoy a ride on a Bactrian camel in this famed desert, and we explore the legendary fossil site of the Flaming Cliffs—stunning when illuminated by the oranges and golds of sunset. Depart on Day 13.

HIGHLIGHTS • Witness a spectacular Naadam Festival, an exuberant expression of Mongolia’s ancient culture • Experience the oceanic vastness of Mongolia’s famous grasslands, mountains, and deserts • Soak in hot springs at Tsenkher, visit the ruins of Kharakhorum, Genghis Khan’s capital • Meet traditional nomad families with their herds of horses, yaks, and goats • See the wild horses of 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, 2018 Naadam in Kharakhorum Aug 1-13 Naadam in Gobi Desert TRIP COST $6395 (10-15 members) $6995 (5-9 members) Single supplement: $1615 Internal airfare: $205 (subject to change) Lake Hovsgol extension: from $2555 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rugged road travel, walking and light hiking, cultural adventures

Under Mongolia’s “great blue sky,” we bring you incredible cultural adventures, including visits with nomad families and a spectacular Naadam festival.

DAVOR LOVINCIC BRUNO MORANDI

WOLFGANG KAEHLER BRUNO MORANDI

DAVE STAMBOULIS

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 84