TRIP SUMMARY

The goal of this expedition is to discover and collect dinosaur remains and assist in international efforts to counter the black-market trade of illegal fossils from Mongolia. Mongolia’s Gobi Desert is renowned as one of the richest areas in the world for the discovery of dinosaur fossils. Paleontological exploration there spans more than a century and has been the source of such emblematic dinosaurs as Velociraptor, Gallimimus, and Tarbosaurus. However, since the early 2000’s the illegal excavation and poaching of dinosaur fossils from across Mongolia have had a hugely damaging effect on its natural history heritage, with important specimens removed from public knowledge and the scientific community. International efforts are now underway to repatriate many of the fossils seized by the authorities. Part of this effort requires detective work to determine where in the Gobi these fossils were originally found. Using the unique elemental composition of fossil bones and rocks, researchers are helping restore this lost information, but require your help to explore the vastness of the Gobi and complete their mission.

You will be helping paleontologists access new areas of the Gobi to understand the dinosaurs and the ecosystems they inhabited, hunting for new fossils along the way!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

MAP & ITINERARY

DAY 1, SEP 5. ARRIVAL

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)

DAY 2, SEP 6. ULAANBAATAR / GOBI DESERT / TOST TOSON BUMBAT MOUNTAINS

After breakfast, fly over a vast steppe to the Gobi Desert, comprised of mountains, sand dunes and fossil beds. Upon arrival, we will meet our drives and begin driving to a biologsits’ base camp at Tost and Toson Bumbat Mountains. This is where a team of scientists from Snow Leopard Trust has been monitoring Mongolia’s elusive snowleopards in the past 15 years. Overnight at tent camp. (Approx. 8 hours driving; Ger stay; B, L, D)

DAY 3, SEP 7: KHERMEN TSAV

After breakfast, drive further south east to the deeper pocket of the Gobi desert. We will arrive at Khermyn Tsav locality, what appears like a little Grand Canyon, with towering sand hills, cut with deep gullies and populated with Poplar trees. Considered as one of the most remote part of the Gobi Desert, this is one of the richest localities of dinosaur fossils. Arrive at your base camp and overnight in tents. (Tent camp; B, L, D)

DAY 4-6, SEP 8-10: KHERMEN TSAV PROSPECTING AND SURVEYS

Teams will work with the scientific leads to alternatively collect and analyse fossils for their antipoaching records and to hunt for new fossils. Daily objectives may include visiting historic excavations (quarries), locating poached quarries, and excavating important new finds. (Tent camp; B, L, D)

DAY 7, SEP 11: KHERMEN TSAV – ALTAN UUL

We will pack again for our next and another remote part of Altan Uul, a rich dinosaur locality in the north. Known for its one-in-only “dinosaur tombs”, Altan Uul yields some of the richest late Cretaceous fossils. It is also one of the best preserved and hidden gems of paleontology in the Gobi. (Approx. 4 hours driving; Tent camp; B, L, D)

DAY 8-11, SEP 12-15: ALTAN UUL

Teams will work with the scientific leads to alternatively collect and analyse fossils for their anti-poaching records and to hunt for new fossils. Daily objectives may include visiting historic excavations (quarries), locating poached quarries and excavating important new finds.

DAY 12, SEP 16: FLAMING CLIFFS

This morning, begin driving back towards the central part of the Gobi Desert, reaching your ger hostel located in the foothills of the Gobi Gurvansaikhan mountains. Dinner and overnight in gers. (Approx. 9 hours driving; Ger Hostel; B, L, D)

DAY 13, SEP 17: TUGRIGIIN SHIREE / FLAMING CLIFFS

In the morning, we will begin driving to the Tugregiin 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 “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 the world had ever seen. Enjoy a sunset view at this majestic place before returning back to our ger camp. (Ger Hostel; B, L, D)

DAY 14, SEP 18: GOBI DESERT / ULAANBAATAR

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

DAY 15, SEP 19: DEPARTURE

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

PRICING

3-5 travelers; standard twin occupancy;
$6,390 per person
Optional single supplement $770 per person;
Domestic flight $480 per person;
6-9 travelers; standard twin occupancy;
$5,890 per person
Optional single supplement $770 per person;
Domestic flight $480 per person;
10 and more travelers; standard twin occupancy;
$5,420 per person
Optional single supplement $770 per person;
Domestic flight $480 per person;
INCLUSIONS
  • Land transportation using Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps seating 3 passengers each;
  • Accommodations in a standard room at hotels, gers in the countryside based on a twin occupancy and expedition style camping in the countryside;
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers;
  • Sleeping bags; expedition style tents and mats;
  • All meals indicated as B, L or D;
  • All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary;
  • International trip leaders expenses and fees;
  • Mongolian paleontologist to accompany the trip throughout;
  • English speaking national guide throughout your stay;
  • Bottled water per person per day and unlimited supply of boiled waters.
EXCLUSIONS
  • International and domestic 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.

MEET THE LEADERS

Dr. Phil Bell – With two decades of experience as a dinosaur expert, Australian paleontologist. Phil Bell pioneered the application of geochemistry to determine the origins of illegally excavate fossils in Mongolia. He has lead expeditions in search of dinosaurs in Australia, Canada and Mongolia.

Dr. Nic Campione –  Educated in the Canadian Badlands, Nic is a leading expert in the long-term evolution and extinction of dinosaurs. He is particularly interested in the body size evolution of dinosaurs and has led fieldwork in Canada, Australia, Uruguay, and now, Mongolia.

PHOTOS & REVIEWS

I recently participated in a scientific expedition organized by Mongolia Quest, and it was single-handedly about the best expedition I’ve ever been on! We were scientists there to do work, but every logistical detail you could imagine – travel, lodging, equipment, gear, supplies, camp, meals, etc. – was expertly handled and arranged by Mongolia Quest. This was no simple camping trip, and yet, even for us ‘science nerds’ scrounging around in the dirt every day, the accommodations in camp was like a 5-star oasis in the rocky Gobi. All of the logistical details and planning were so thorough and well executed that the entire trip felt more like an exotic desert getaway than a scientific expedition. And Mongolia Quest’s dedication is to be commended. They don’t do just the ‘normal’ tourist sightseeing excursions – from amazing cultural tours, to the outdoors and wildlife, to paleo- and geotourism, the company is wonderfully dedicated to promoting conservation, knowledge, and citizen science through unique and first-hand experiences. As we heard in camp, Mongolia has so much more to offer and share with the world besides Genghis Khan, so participant with a company that is so keen and knowledgeable, and who will help you learn lifetimes of information about this amazing place. I will definitely be going back to Mongolia, and I hope to work with Mongolia Quest again and again – from being a tourist myself and experiencing all of the wonders of such a magical country, to a scientist working with the company for expedition logistics and support.

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