Meeting & Protecting the Gobi Khulan

Arrive in Mongolia through Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Upon arrival, meet with the local guide and transfer to the Ulaanbaatar hotel or similar. After a short city tour, orientation meeting, followed by a welcome dinner. (Hotel Shangri La or similar; D)

After breakfast, visit Hustai National Park, renowned for the successful reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse (“takhi”). On the way, stop at the Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project, which works to restore the use of Bankhar dogs to protect livestock from predators like wolves and snow leopards. After lunch, explore the park to observe wildlife such as red deer, Siberian marmots, Corsac foxes, raptors, and the iconic wild horses. Return to Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.( Approximately 250 km. Hotel Shangri La or similar; B, L, D )

This morning we will travel by road through the steppe to desert fields and will have a better insight about the diversity of Mongolia’s natural habitats to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, which is a protected area home to Siberian Ibex, Argali sheep, and Cinereous vulture.

Located in Dornogovi province, Ikh Nart Nature Reserve that has been established in 1996, covers an area of about 66,000 hectares of grassland and semi-desert steppe environments and harbors the last remaining populations of Argali sheep. It is also one of the most significant breeding sites for the Cinerous Vulture (European Black Vulture). Three research projects are ongoing in this reserve, conducted by the Denver Zoo and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences: Argali sheep and Ibex project, Carnivore project, and vulture project. You will spend this day to discover this nature reserve and its exceptional landscapes.

Stay in tents or depending on availability in small ger camp close to the park. (Approximately 320 km. Tents/gers; B, L, D)

In early morning you will leave the nature reserve on dirt roads to travel to Sainshand, a city in the southeast part of the Gobi Desert. Then, you will reach the ger camp of the “Khamar Monastery, Energy Center” which is located about 50 km from Sainshand. Khamar Monastery and Energy Center was built by a famous poet, Buddhist monk, and scientist of the 19th century, Danzanravjaa. Tour the area, including a visit to the Shambala monument and monastery established over 200 years ago. Dinner and overnight at the local ger camp. (Approximately 310 kms. Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Travel south into the Gobi Desert, a region covering a third of Mongolia, offering diverse landscapes and unique wildlife. Pass through remote desert towns to reach the restored Native Mountain Monastery, originally destroyed during the 1930s purges and rebuilt in the 1990s. Along the way, observe water holes created by khulans at dry riverbeds, which also support other wildlife like black-tailed gazelles, argali sheep, and foxes. After lunch, explore the area and set up camera traps to monitor local wildlife. Overnight in tents or gers, depending on availability.

( Approximately 330 km. Tents; B, L, D )

This morning after, you will have a chance to explore the remains of the old monastery as well as visiting the temple, which started to be rebuilt about 30 years ago, you will meet with the community of monks and will have the opportunity to discuss with the monks about their involvement in the Association Goviin Khulan conservation program and their actions and motivations towards the protection of the Gobi ecosystem.

After lunch, we will travel in the monastery’s surroundings to set out camera traps at different places in the area. We will come back to the monastery in the late afternoon. (Approximately 150 km; Tented camp; B, L, D )

Travel south toward the Chinese border, home to khulans, gazelles, and argali sheep. Stop at Khatanbulag village to meet park rangers (subject to availability) and learn about conservation efforts. Set up camera traps en route to Khatni Bulag to support wildlife monitoring.

(Approximately 210 km; Tented camp; B, L, D )