TRIP SUMMARY
This expedition is arranged in the western remote part of the Gobi desert where some of the most significant dinosaur fossils have been discovered. Your trip begins in Ulaanbaatar, where you will visit several of the best-known museums and sites such as the Laboratory of the Mongolian Institute of Paleontology. We will then fly to the heart of the Gobi desert from where we will continue traveling overland to the central and western part of the Gobi Desert where some of the most scenic and obscure landscapes await us. This part of the Gobi belongs from the middle to the late Cretaceous period, about 90-60 million years ago, which was a key period for dinosaur evolution. For the remainder of this trip, you will be living a life of an expedition member, staying in tents. Daily work includes prospecting for fossils accompanied by your paleontologist and guide and exploring the local flora and fauna. Hearty meals will be served each day by our expert field-chef following adventurous days of field prospecting and working.
TRIP MAP & ITINERARY
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.
(Overnight at Hotel Bayangol or similar; D)
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 drivers and begin driving to the base camp at Nemegt formation. A rather long day, but you will enjoy the Gobi’s rich scenery along the way. Overnight at tent camp.
(Approx. 8 hours driving; Overnight at expedition style Tent Camp; B, L, D)
For the next six 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 expedition style tents. (B, L, D)
In the last leg of our journey, we will move to more remote area of the Gobi, where we will prospect for more fossils and discoveries. Discovered by a Russian expedition in the 1940s, this site have been worked more recently by many international expeditions. We will work in this remote part of the Gobi for more fossil discoveries and possible excavation works.
Overnight in expeditiona style tents. (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.
Overnight in ger camps. Approx. 8 hours driving; 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.
Overnight in 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 at 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 Khoomey (throat) singers.
Overnight at Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for departure. (B)
PRICING
- Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary 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 based on a twin occupancy;
- 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;
- Guest lecturer’s Mongolia land expenses and participation;
- English speaking national guide throughout your stay;
- Bottled water per person per day and unlimited supply of boiled waters.
- 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 LEADER
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.
