South & Western Gobi Desert
(code:20)
The route take you to some of the most unique and untouched
wonders in South and Western Gobi and Western Mongolia. This tour offers you a
rare opportunity to get acquainted with the indigenous culture, traditions and
lifestyle that have emerged in this part of the country many centuries ago. To
make this tour more interesting and exciting, and in order to spend the time
more efficiently as well we offer you a direct flight to the South Gobi.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Tour Length: 13 days
Group size: 2 to 12 people
Tour cost: US$ 2710- (including taxes)
Transport
type: Vehicle
Tour level: Hard
Schedule
2011: June- September (You can choose when you come and the date.)
Highlights:
Ulaanbaatar-one way flight to the South Gobi Desert – Khongoriin Els sand dune
- Khermen Tsav Canyon - Khukh Nuur lake – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur N.P. – Tsenkher
Hot Spring – remain of Mongolian ancient capital KharaKhorum –Ulaanbaatar
ITINERARY
Day-1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar.
After transferring to a hotel, there will be some sightseeing around town. We
visit the Dinosaur Exhibition Hall of the Natural Historical Museum, and Gandan
monastery. Dinner at the History Club restaurant offers the chance to hear a wonderful
performance of pleasant melodies on the horse-headed violin (the morin khuur)
and the famous Mongolian traditional vocal singing, called "Khoomii”. There
will be an overnight stay in the hotel. (L+D)
Day-2
Direct Flight to the South Gobi Desert—Roy Chapman Canyon
Today
we fly to the Gobi Desert in the morning and land at the "Bulagtai” local
airport.
Our staff will welcome you at the airport and you head off to Bayanzag
("Flaming Cliffs”), where US paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews first found dinosaur
eggs in the 1920s. The visit to Bayanzag will furnish you with an opportunity
to see pre-historic fossils, ever-shifting sand dunes, and majestic mountains.
There will be an overnight stay in a tourist camp next to the entrance of
Yoliin Am.
(B+L+D)
Day-3
Yoliin Am NP – Khongoriin Els Sand Dune ( camel riding )
Yoliin
Am ("Vulture gorge”) is one of the most picturesque natural reserves, where you
will have the opportunity to see rare animals like wild sheep and ibexes. You
can observe these animals in their natural habitat from a distance with the
help of binoculars, and, with luck, wild animals may cross your path. The place
is full of beautiful flowers and plants .We will drive through Dungeree Gorge,
a gorge with a small stream, so narrow that only one car at a time can pass
through. The gorge is not often frequented by tourists, and remains mostly
known only to local people. There will be an overnight stay at the Khongoriin
Els sand dune that stretches for over 100km making it one of the biggest dunes
in Mongolia. (B+L+D)
Day-4:
Khongoriin sand dune—Golden Mountain
Today
we set off to the Nemegt Canyon by passing through the Khongoriin Els dune. The
Nemegt Canyon, second largest in Mongolia, contains many kinds of dinosaur
fossils, including Ouiraptosauria and Oviraptor. Before our arrival at the
Nemegt canyon, we visit Saltwater lake, a habitat of wild donkeys, the
intriguing saxaul forest, and the unusual geological rock formation known as
Khanan Mountain. (B+L+D)
Day-5: Golden Mountain – Hundred
Tree Oasis
We head to the Zulganai oasis, the last such place untouched by human
habitation. Further on our route we stop at a site which a natural artesian
well emits water from the top of the hillside. Many tourists enjoy washing and
cleaning off their desert dust in the cooling water. Here we camp near the
oasis "Zulganai”. (B+L+D)
Day
-6: Zuun mod oasis (hundred tree)-- Boon Tsagaan lake
This
day offers us the colorful mountain "Shine Jinst, and the saltwater Boon
Tsagaan lake, nestled at the foot of the Gobi- Altai Mountain Range. Marvel at
the neolithic rock drawings directly in your path. Enjoy swimming in the
beautiful lake. With luck, you will be able to take photos of the sun setting
as well as of migrating birds at the lake shore. Overnight in the tents by the
lake shore. (Please let see: www,vfoto.org.ru) (B+L+D)
Day-7:
Boon Tsagaan Lake –Khuree Maral
Today
we drive the endless steppe called "Shalli Khooloi” on our way to the beguiling
Khukh Lake .Here you will witness a unique horse race horse race where local
nomads show you how to grab things from the ground on a running horse. You will
be amazed by the agility and dexterity of the riders. We overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Day-8:
Khuree Maral –Khukh Lake
On
this day our main highlight will be the Khukh Lake. Surrounding a magnificent
castle overlooking an alpine meadow, this lake offers a unique setting for
summer trout and grayling fishing. The Khangai mountain range in central
Mongolia is over 750 km long with an average altitude of 2500-3000 m. The cool,
humid coniferous forests of this eco-region support a high species diversity of
flora and fauna. Overnight in a tent. (B+L+D)
Day-9
Khukh Lake –Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake NP
We
traverse the Khangai Mountain pass at a breathtaking 2800m above sea level.
There is a nice chance to photograph yak herds and explore how the local people
take care of their yaks, including how they milk them. If the herd has gentle
yaks, you must try the unforgettable experience of yak back riding! Overnight
in the tent. (B+L+D)
Day-10: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake NP
–Tsenkher Hot Spring
Today
we stop at the wonderful natural resort of Khorgo, with beautiful scenery such
as mountain cliffs, rivers with rapid streams, lakes, an extinct volcano, green
woods and pastures. The Chuluut River flows through the deepest tectonic canyon
created from seismic activity. The Tsenkher hot spa offers a health indulgence
for tourists and local people. We will have a chance to visit a wonderful local
ethnographic museum in the provincial center before stopping at the hot spa. We
will stay overnight in a ger tourist camp at the Tsenkher hot spa. This is the
ideal place to take a hot bath in natural hot spa water and relax after the
long journey through the Mongolian wilderness. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist
camp. (B+L+D)
Day-11
: Tsenkher Hot Spring – Little Gobi Desert
This
day is filled with visits to historic sites, the most important being
KharaKorum, the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire in the 13th century.
The imperial site of Kharkhorin was located on the right bank of the Orkhon
River, on the north-eastern slopes of the Khangai Mountains. After only forty
years of its existence, it became the capital of the Empire for thirty-two
years. At this site we will visit Erden Zuu Monastery, built on the ruins of
the ancient Mongol capital.
Overnight in the tourist camp right beside of the dunes called "Little
Gobi-Desert” . (B+L+D)
Day-12 : Little Gobi Desert-
Ulaanbaatar .
Breakfast,
drive to Ulaanbaatar city, where along the way we visit the place of the
re-introduction of the wild horses, known as the Przewalski horse. Today they
are again thriving in their native land. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the
hotel, after which you have time for shopping and a farewell dinner. Overnight
in the hotel. (B)
Day
13: Departure
Breakfast, transfer to the airport/ train station.
B- Breakfast
L- Lunch
D- Dinner
Included:
- Twin bedded rooms in a hotel
- Shared accommodation in tourist ger camp
- Guiding and interpreting service
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Daily supply of bottled water
- Transfers by vehicle 4x4
- Local guides
- All entrance fees
- Horse, camel, yak ride trial
Not included:
- international airfare
- visa cost
- alcoholic drinks
- travel insurance
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