DINOSAURS OF MONGOLIA WITH DR. PHILIP CURRIE

Upon arrival at the airport, meet your guide and transfer to a centrally located hotel located near downtown Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. Ulaanbaatar offers a contrast between ancient traditions and the dawning of a 21st century democracy, which can be seen in the traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries coexisting with modern high-rises.

(Hotel Bayangol or similar; D)

In the morning, meet your guide and transfer to the airport for your flight to the Gobi desert. Upon arrival in Dalanzadgad, provincial capital of SOuther Gobi, meet your drivers and begin

driving to Nemegt. A rather long day, but you will enjoy the Gobi’s rich scenery along the way. Arrive at your field base camp in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner. ( Field Tent Camp; B, L, D)

For the next few days, we will prospect the Gobi’s vast and rich fossil beds where some of the best discoveries of large carnivorous dinosaurs have been made recently. Overnight in tents. (Field Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Today, we will make a day trip by driving to the neighboring Altan Uul locality, one of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in the region. Here, you will have the opportunity to inspect the famous “Dragon Tomb” site. After prospecting the area in the afternoon, return back to your base camp. (Field Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Continue prospecting and excavating fossils in the Nemegt valleys in these days. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss the day’s findings at cozy meals in the evenings. Overnight in tents. (Field Tent Camp; B, L, D)

This morning, drive back towards the central part of the Gobi Desert, reaching your ger camp located in the foothills of the Gobi Gurvansaikhan mountains. Dinner and overnight in gers. (Approx. 8 hours driving; Ger camp; B, L, D)

In the morning, we will begin driving to the Tugrigiin Shiree, which was discovered by Mongolian scientists and co-explored by Polish expeditions in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tugrigiin Shiree is perhaps most known for its famous “Fighting Dinosaurs” (a fossil of a Protoceratops and a Velociraptor locked in combat), which were discovered in the 1970s. We will explore this white sandstone escarpment for dinosaur fossils. In the late afternoon, will drive to the legendary Flaming Cliffs, red sandstone formations that stretching over 3 kilometers in width, where hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been discovered over the course of the last century.

Paleontological expeditions from many countries, including from the U.S, Poland, Japan and Russia have worked here during last 90 years. Each year, rain and wind reveal yet more fossils and every summer, exceptional new discoveries are made. We will explore the cliffs in the footsteps of legendary American explorer Roy Chapmen Andrews who discovered the first dinosaur eggs here, that had ever been recognized. Enjoy a sunset view at this majestic place before returning back to our ger camp.

(Ger Camp; B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will drive to Dalanzadagad for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel. Following lunch, we will drive to the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, named in honour of the renowned 17th century artist and politician, who was also the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia. The museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hotel Bayangol or similar. ( B, L, D)

We will spend this day for visiting the Institute of Paleontology and Geology and getting an opportunity to provide a report on our field works.

The remainder of the day is available for last minute sightseeing. In the evening, we will attend a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and Khoomii (throat) singers. Conclude the day with farewell dinner.  (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for departure. (B)