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Departing Auckland mid-morning we will fly to Seoul in South Korea where we will stay the night. Overnight 3* Airport Hotel (—)
Returning to the airport early morning, we will fly to Ulaanbaatar. Arriving mid-morning, we will be met by our local guiding team and transferred to a central, well-located hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city independently. Overnight 3* Hotel (—)
Departing Ulaanbaatar, we will drive to Tsagaan Suvarga a spectacular geological formation in the Gobi Desert that was once the bed of an ancient ocean. Tsagaan Suvarga translates to “White Stupa” as the cliffs that rise to a height of 60 metres resemble ancient Buddhist stupas. We will hike through this dramatic landscape with ample opportunities to take photographs of the colourful sedimentary rock layers. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Located at the end of the Gobi Altai Mountain Range, Gobi Gurvan Saikan National Park is rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. Within the National Park, the Yoliin Am (Eagle/Vulture) Valley is a deep gorge that is home to the elusive argali wild mountain sheep, ibex and its namesake, the bearded vulture. While it is extremely rare to see any of these animals, the gorge itself is an interesting site that we will explore on a return trek that will take us 2.5 – 3 hours.
Hiking through the gorge provides a welcome relief from the heat of the desert which has a distinct mountain-like chill even in the height of summer. This is due to the fact that many areas of Yoliin Am Valley never see sunlight. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Our journey continues to the “Singing Sands” of the Khongor Sand Dunes. The dunes are immense and stretch for approximately 180km across the southern Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park.
The name “Singing Sands” originates from the distinctive sound the dunes produce when the sand is disturbed by the wind or by the movement of people. This phenomenon creates a low, humming noise that resonates across the desert landscape.
Upon reaching Khongor we will visit a nomad family and you will have the opportunity to ride a two-humped Bactrian Camel and/or climb one of the towering dunes. The views of the Gobi from the top of the dunes are fantastic and well worth the effort. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Our first destination today is the Khavtsgait Valley that is located in the west of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Within the valley are rock drawings that date to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. What is fascinating is the that the drawings depict amongst the figures, animals such as tiger, bison, and birds similar to ostriches that are not found in Mongolia. It is a 1km hike each way in the valley to reach the rock art site and involves ascending then descending a hill.
Afterwards we check into our ger camp where we can relax out of the afternoon sun before exploring the nearby ‘Flaming Cliffs.
The Flaming Cliffs derive their name from the breath taking red sandstone formations that ignite with fiery colours during the sunset. However, it is not just the visual spectacle that makes this site iconic; it’s also the wealth of paleontological treasures hidden within its layers. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Just 5km from the Flaming Cliffs is Bayanzag, a grove of saxual trees (haloxylon ammodendron) which are only found in Central Asia. The grove offers not only a welcome sight glimpse of green in the desert landscape but also provides emergency fodder for camels and fuel for nomads. The trees also plays an important role in preventing soil erosion and the expansion of the desert sands.
Our adventure then continues driving across the open Ongi Steppes to the ruins of Ongi Monastery Originally there were two separate monasteries made up of over 30 temples situated in a bend in the Ongri River and connected by a bridge. The monasteries’ buildings and temples covered a huge expanse and were destroyed in the socialist purge in the 1930’s except for one stupa.
We will visit explore the monastery and temple ruins, visit a new active temple built in 2004 and a ger museum. Afterwards we will walk up a nearby hill to take in the stunning views of the surrounding area. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Today we travel through a transition zone from the Gobi Desert to the mountain steppes.
Kharkhorin, formerly known as Kharakhorum, was the capital of Genghis Khaan’s Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the Mongolian capital moved to Beijing and the fall of the Empire, Min soldiers destroyed the abandoned Kharkhorin in 1388.
Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. We will see some valuable religious articles in the monastery museum and view its stunning architecture. Afterwards we visit the Kharkhorin Museum, a fantastic small museum that was opened in 2011. The museum not only displays artifacts excavated from the ruins of Kharkhorin but also numerous other items pertaining to Mongolia’s history from the Upper Palaeolithic period to the 14th century. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Today we enjoy a much shorter drive to Ugii Lake. Set amongst the mountain steppes and grasslands, the lake is worshiped as sacred by the local people. Our ger camp is located on the shores of the lake and you will have time to relax, bird watch and walk along the lake’s shore. It is the perfect spot to break our journey between the Orkhon Valley and Hustai National Park. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Hustai National Park was established in 1993, a year after the successful reintroduction of ‘Takhi’or Przewalski’s horse. The Tahki is considered to be the last and only remaining wild horse species in the world. The horses once roamed across the expanses of steppe of Western Europe & Asia before becoming extinct in the wild in the 1960’s. Fortunately, some Takhi were still held in zoos and private collections in western countries and the reintroduction of the first 15 Takhi was a success. Today they number around 380 and Hustai National Park is the only place where they exist within their historical range.
We will visit the National Park’s Information Centre where they screen a short documentary about the wild horses and the park. In the afternoon we will drive to the national park’s core zone to see the wild horses. A hike (usually relatively short) is needed to view the horses. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
This morning we return to Ulaanbaatar’s airport to fly to Ulgii, a town nestled in the Altai mountains of Western Mongolia. Most of the population are Kazakhs who unlike other ethnic groups in Mongolia follow the Muslim faith and are distinctive in their dress (they have a rich tradition of colourful embroidery) and customs. Kazakh Gers are larger than those found in other parts of Mongolia and are colourfully decorated.
After checking into our ger camp we drive up Zaisan Hill for a panoramic view of the town with its mountain backdrop on the edge of the Hovd River. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Over the next two days we will attend the Golden Eagle Festival.
Hunting with eagles is a tradition that has been passed down within the Kazakh people of this region for thousands of years. Up to 60 eagle hunters from across the region compete in contests showcasing their hunting techniques and the agility and ability of their Eagles.
A highlight at the start of the festival is the parade of hunters, dressed in in traditional clothing, riding horses and holding their prized eagles on their right arm. As well demonstrating control and prowess as eagle hunters, other events focus on horsemanship skills, local games and a number of other nomadic customs of this fascinating ethnic group. Overnight Ger Camp (BLD)
Today we return to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival we will transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is free. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight 3* Hotel (BLD)
Departing Ulaanbaatar after lunch we will arrive in Seoul late afternoon and transfer to our hotel for the night. Overnight 3* Airport Hotel
Free morning. Returning to the airport mid-afternoon we will check in for our overnight flight back to Auckland.
Our flight will arrive in Auckland mid-morning.
Estimated Tour Price including Economy Class Flights ex Auckland
The above itinerary is subject to change due to airline reschedules, adverse weather and road conditions, unexpected political situations, or the decision by the host ground operator based on what is best for the group at time of arrival. Every effort will be made to deliver the itinerary and tour price exactly as stated.