Two humped Bacterian Camel known as “Ship of the Desert” is the most useful and appropriate animal to ride and transportation. This fascinating animal has developed unique qualities in order to survive in the desert. Bacterian Camels are herbivorous, ruminant animals that consume tender leaves. They thrive well on the salty scrub of the wild desert and well known for its survival ability without drinking water for long period. Camels are friendly animals and despite moving at slow pace camel can travel as long as 29 miles a day. This beautiful animal has thick, warm, long and shaggy coats in winter and is equipped for very extreme temperatures. They can withstand cold down to 40 degrees below zero. In summer they shed and can take heat up to 45 Celsius degree. Desert Mongols depend heavily on camel for food too, as there is hardly any vegetation in the desert. Camel milk has a high nutritive value and is wholesome food. Known as “Desert Vitamin” this has a relative advantage over cow’s milk as the cholesterol content is 40 per cent less than the latter.
Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar with optional transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we will visit Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of the City and the surrounding buildings: Parliament House, State Opera and Ballet Theatre, Cultural Palace, and the House of City Council. We will also visit the National Museum of Mongolian History which features Mongolian history from pre-historic times to present day. We will see the Gandan Monastery; the largest functioning Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Optional dinner. Overnight in hotel.
We will drive to Kharkhorin (375 km), the ancient capital of the great Mongolian Empire. The city was founded in the Valley of the Orkhon River in 1220 and was the capital city of the Great Mongolian Empire until Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. The nearby Erdenezuu Monastery is the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and was founded on the ruins of ancient Kharkhorin in 1586. We will visit the monastery’s magnificent exhibits which include an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, special costumes for religious dances, and superb Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to the Ongi Monastery (250 km) which is located in Saihan-Ovoo area of the Middle Gobi. In route, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian BBQ lunch with a Nomadic family. We will visit the ruins of the Ongi Monastery which was founded in 1660 and consisted of two temple complexes on the North and South of the River Ongi. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to Bayanzag Cliffs (250 km). In the early afternoon, we will arrive at the ancient red rock formation called Bayanzag; formed 60-70 million years ago. The striking red Bayanzag Cliffs contain vast collections of dinosaur fossils, eggs, and bones and are sourounded by Saxual tree forests. We will trek around the surrounding areas. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to the sand dunes. We will see magnificent Khongoriin Els sand dunes that stretch for an extraordinary 180 km. The intense sound of wind-blown sand can be heard from long distances. This sound is so melodic that 200m high sand dunes are called “Singing Dunes”. Here you will have an opportunity to ride two humped Bacterian camels referred to by locals “Living Dinosaurs”. Overnight in ger camp.
We will drive to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the largest national park in Mongolia. It stretches 380 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. We will visit the incredible Yol Valley, an unusually narrow canyon through the Zuun Saikhan Mountains where we can admire the scenery of a frozen river in the middle of the hot Gobi Desert. We will also visit the local Fauna and Flora Museum and enjoy a picnic lunch. Overnight in ger camp.
After breakfast, drive to Ulaanbaatar. On the route lunch. We will reach Ulaanbaatar at noon and check-in to our hotel. The late afternoon offers an optional guided shopping tour to cashmere and antique shops, and to the Central Department Store. In the Evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
International Departure
