TRIP SUMMARY
Mongolia is one of the last places on the planet Earth with vast expanses of untouched land with little to no evidence of human influence. For centuries, traditional local herders have been following their domestic animals in search of good pastureland; moving from place to place, based on changing seasons as well as rainfall. Similar to people, most of the wildlife pursue a similar nomadic lifestyle, roaming a territory the size of Alaska without any discernable migratory patterns. The eastern steppes of Mongolia, known as Dornod, are vast grasslands seven times the size of Serengeti. They are inhabited by Mongolian white-tailed gazelles, the largest hoofed-mammal population outside of the African continent. The best way of exploring this large, open landscape is to travel overland. Join us on this exceptional adventure through the Mongolian steppe, passing through the land of ancient volcanoes and entering the mystic Gobi Desert, stopping by old monastery ruins and present-day places of worship for local peoples.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT…
- Travel to the eastern three provinces of Mongolia for the most comprehensive exploration of unique ecosystems;
- Drive through the endless plains of eastern Mongolia and experience the skyline like never before;
- Learn about local plants and trees, including the medicinal plants;
- Discover the battlegrounds of 1939 war with Japan known as “Nomunkhan incident”;
- Enjoy meeting local Mongolian and join them over dinners at their homes;
- Explore the Ikh Nart and Gobi’s lesser known sites and sounds;
- Enjoy camping in the hands of expert expedition staff.
THIS TOUR IS PERFECT FOR…
- Adventure Seekers, craving the thrill of driving through the endless plains of eastern Mongolia and experiencing vast, open skylines.
- History Buffs who want to discover the historical battlegrounds of the 1939 war with Japan, known as the “Nomunkhan incident,” and delve into Mongolia’s rich past.
- Cultural Explorers who want to enjoy authentic experiences by meeting local Mongolians and sharing dinners in their homes, gaining insight into their daily lives and traditions.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers who want to explore lesser-known sites and sounds of Ikh Nart and the Gobi Desert, away from the typical tourist trails.
- For those who enjoy the outdoors, this trip offers expert-led camping experiences in some of Mongolia’s most stunning landscapes.
TRIP MAP & ITINERARY
e will spend this day exploring sights and sound of Mongolia’s capital. Begin this morning with a private blessing with a Buddhist monk at Gandan, the country’s largest monastery. An imposing 90-foot-tall statue of Megjid Janraisag (Avalokites-vara in Sanskrit) stands in the largest temple in the monastery. This statue is considered the religious symbol of Mongolia’s independence and democracy after the country’s democratic transition in 1990. Next, visit the National History Museum located in downtown Ulaanbaatar. This museum offers an excellent introduction to Mongolia’s history from pre-historic times through the 13th century Mongolian Empire, and on to the democratic movement of the early 1990s, which overthrew the Communist regime. After lunch, visit the Zanabazar’s Fine Arts Museum with its excellent collection of Mongolia’s arts, including golden Buddha statues of the 17th century and some of the best preserved tankas in the world. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance, featuring Khoomii or “throat” singing, followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant.
(Hotel Shangri La or similar; B, L, D)
PRICING
- Land transportation based on using Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps seating 3 passengers each;
- Accommodations in a standard room at hotels, gers and expedition style camping in the countryside;
- Airport arrival and departure transfers;
- Sleeping bags; and mats;
- All meals indicated as B, L or D;
- All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary;
- English speaking national guide throughout your stay; B
- Bottled water per person per day and unlimited supply of boiled waters.
- Domestic and international airfare;
- Personal laundry;
- Drinks not mentioned in the itinerary;
- Travel insurance;
- Medical evacuation costs;
- Excess baggage charges;
- Visa fees;
- Gratuities;
- Photography and video fees
- Any other item not mentioned as included.
PHOTOS & REVIEWS
Mongolia Quest gets it. We were on a custom trip designed for adventures as well as immersion into the multi-faceted culture of this incredible country, a new democracy transforming from a nomadic herding tradition to the modern world, while trying to preserve and protect its vast open spaces. We rode horses in the north to find and visit the reindeer herder people, rode camels in the Gobi Desert, camping in solitude between sand dunes and sharp mountain peaks and finally we traveled to witness the Golden Eagle Festival in the west. And we did not just witness this Kazakh cultural competition. Mongolia Quest had several of the eagle hunters stay with us in our ger camp so that we could interact with them in unstructured ways before and after the events. We talked with families in gers throughout our stay, with the intent to understand nomadic hospitality and differing traditions. Badral adapted a planned itinerary to the changing desires of the group and offered us a real personal insight into his country’s culture. This trip had everything—excitement, education and welcoming from such friendly people. The personal attention by Mongolia Quest to all of the details made a huge difference in our experience—I would encourage anyone interested in experiencing Mongolia to think seriously about utilizing this company as their outfitter.
