Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Under Mongolia’s endless “great blue sky,” discover a land of wide-open spaces and experience the traditional hospitality of its nomadic people. DEVENDRA BASNET

BRUNO MORANDI

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

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.

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

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