Preliminary Day by Day Itinerary 

July 4   Depart San Francisco
Wednesday
Meet your traveling companions by 10:30 AM for Korean Airlines flight KE24 departing at 1:30 PM.

Meals aloft

July 5   Seoul-Arrive Ulaanbaatar
Thursday
Arrive Seoul at 6:00 PM. Connect with Korean Airlines KE867 departing at 7:50 PM. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar at 10:20 PM. Welcome to Mongolia! Transfer to our hotel.

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 6 Ulaanbaatar Lake Hovsgol
Friday
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Mörön town, the center of Hovsgol province. Hovsgol is one of the most scenic destinations in Mongolia. This is a land of tall taiga forest, crystal-clear lakes, icy streams and lush grass. It does rain a lot during summer, but this only adds to the scenery: rainbows hang over meadows dotted with white gers and grazing horses and yaks. The area is also famous for its fishing opportunities. The province is dominated by the magnificent Lake Hovsgol, one of the most scenic spots in Mongolia. The lake is surrounded by several peaks of almost 9000 feet in height. To the west there is the Darkhadyn Khotgor Depression, with plentiful forests and lakes. In this region around Tsagaan nuur, live the fascinating but quickly disappearing Tsaatan people, whose lives revolve around domesticated reindeer. Other ethnic groups include the Khalkh, Buryat, Uriankhai and Darkhad. Upon arrival transfer to the ger camp at the lake. Overnight at ger camp. (B/L/D)

Ger Base Camp

July 7   Lake Hovsgol
Saturday
We have a full day to explore the breathtaking shores of this beautiful lake, horse-riding or fishing. There is an ample opportunity to discover local nomad’s lifestyle. Visit a reindeer breeder’s family. Hiking and photo sessions happen along the shorelines, a home to rich wildlife and birds. Dinner and overnight at the base camp. (B/L/D)

Ger Base Camp

July 8 Lake Hovsgol-Ulaanbatar
Sunday
Drive back to Mörön town to catch the flight to Ulaanbaatar. The flight to Ulaanbaatar arrives late in the afternoon. The rest of the evening is at leisure. (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 9   Ulaanbaatar
Monday
Our city tour of Ulaanbaatar includes a visit to Gandantegchinlen Monastery. Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia and one of Ulaanbaatar’s most interesting sights. Built in the mid 19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued during the communist years. Temples are flocked by visitors during religious services. Tour the Megjid Janraisig temple, the most important part of the monastery. The Megjid Janraisig (Avalokiteshvara) Temple was built in 1911-1912 to celebrate the end of Manchu domination in Mongolia and it is said, to have healed the Bogd Gegeen (Khaan) from blindness. The Janraisig statue (25.6 meter in height and 20 ton in weight) is inside of Temple. The deity, consecrated in 1996, is hollow and contains a storehouse of precious items including sutras, medical herbs, bundles of Buddhist mantras and even a statue that was built with donations of the Mongolian people as a symbol of the Buddhist revival in the mid 1990’s. Meet with a citizen’s group, Women for Social Progress (with a possible tour of Parliament) and a U.S. Embassy briefing (subject to State Department schedule.) Enjoy the evening folklore performance. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 10 Ulaanbaatar
Tuesday           
Tour the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts displaying unique collections of Buddhist art, sculptures including many of Zanabazar, 17th century Buddhist leader, sculptor of Mongolia. Visit Choijin Lama Religious Museum. Choijin Lama Temple Museum Complex was built in 1904 and 1908 for Choijin Lama (a lamaistic title) Lubsankhaidav, the State Oracle and younger brother of the eighth Bogdo Gegeen, and is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Mongolia. This is the only museum where all religious objects are kept ready for Buddhist chanting ceremonies. The museum is famous for its collection of Buddhist artworks, original silk icons and Tsam dancing masks. (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 11 Ulaanbaatar
Wednesday
Today is the first day of Naadam in the capital city. Participate in the festivities and see the opening ceremonies with other dignitaries from around the world. Naadam Gala Dinner reception and Gala Concert. (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 12 Ulaanbaatar
Thursday
Start the day with an excursion to Hui Doloon Hudag to see horse racing. Visit the jockey family if time permits. In the afternoon, tour the Museum of Natural History with its splendid collection of Dinosaur exhibits. The museum has excellent displays on several millennia of history of Mongolia; beginning with the Stone Age, running through the Turkic and Mongol Empires, the rise of Buddhism, the communist regime and ending with a colorful display of contemporary society. Dinner at the hotel. Evening tour of Ulaanbaatar City, including the War Memorial at Zaisan, if time permits. Overnight at the hotel. (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 13 Gobi/Yol Valley
Friday
Take a flight to the Gobi Desert, one of the most famous and exotic areas in the world. The Gobi Desert region has a history of adventurers and explorers. Known to be one of the harshest environments on earth with extreme temperature and seasonal changes, the Gobi is surprisingly full of wildlife such as white and Blacktail gazelles; wild ass or hulan in Mongolian; wild camel or havtga; antelopes; argali sheep, the biggest wild sheep on the planet; ibex, the wild goat; and the endangered Gobi bear- Mazaalai. The majority of Mongolia’s population of Bactrian camels live in this area and visitors can take a camel ride. Upon arrival, transfer to the base camp in Gobi. Visit the Yol Valley National Park for a morning soft trek and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape, the rapidly disappearing “Gobi Glacier” and intriguing wildlife. Yol (Lammergeyer) Valley is the narrow canyon of river that flows through Zuun Saikhan Mountain (950 feet above the sea level). The gorge has sheer rock walls in the central part. It has been protected since 1965. During the rainy season rain falls at the summit of the mountain and flows down into the sheer canyon, forming waterfalls. Only two people can pass through the narrowest part at the same time and you will see only a blue line of sky. A small museum marks the entrance to the protected zone and provides information on the petrified tress, fauna and flora of the Gobi. Return to the base camp for dinner. Visit a camel breeder camp for a photo opportunity, a camel riding session and to explore the nomad’s lifestyle. Return to the camp for overnight. (B/L/D)

Base Camp

July 14 Hongor Sand Dunes
Saturday (Hongoryn Els)
Breakfast at the base camp. Drive to Hongor Sand Dunes (130 miles). Hongoryn Els is the largest accumulation of sand in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The dunes rise abruptly from the plain. The dunes can reach an imposing 600 feet in height, 5-7 miles wide and stretches for over 100 miles. These high dunes are called “singing sands” by locals as make various sounds when the wind is blowing. Leisure hiking, trekking and sliding in the dunes. Ger accommodation at the camp. (B/L/D)

Ger Camp

July 15 Bayan Zag, Flaming Cliffs
Sunday
Drive to Bayan Zag, the Flaming Cliffs* (100 miles), to explore the Gobi “Cemetery of Dinosaurs” and the trail of Roy Chapman Andrews. Petrified forests, remains of mammals and in particular the skeleton of a hornless rhinoceros, the largest known mammals in the world, are found in the same area. Drive to the base camp for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Ger Camp

July 16 Gobi- Ulaanbaatar
Monday
Breakfast at the base camp. Transfer to the airport for departure to Ulaanbaatar. Enroute to the hotel, visit Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace Museum. Built between 1893 and 1903, the Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace is the home of last Mongolian King- Javzun Damba Khutagt VII. The Palace contains a number of Buddhist artworks and a private collection of Bogdo Khaan composed of gifts from rulers and kings from all over the world. The artworks displayed here were made by the top Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese master-sculptors of the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the gods of the Buddhist pantheon. Afternoon is free at leisure for individual sightseeing and shopping. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B/L/D)

July 17 Ulaanbaatar -Karakorum
Tuesday
Our destination today is Karakorum, a drive of 220 miles. Situated on the banks of the river Orkhon, the site of the imperial capital Karakorum was chosen by Ghenghis Khan in 1220. The city, capital of the largest land empire the world has ever known, served as a supply point for the Mongol armies and was a cosmopolitan and multi-cultural place in its time. Today almost nothing remains of the once-great city, but the sense of its grandeur and importance can still be felt by the visitor. Karakorum was located on trade routes and was surrounded by walls with four gates, each with its own market. The nearby Erdene Zuu Monastery was the first Buddhist monastery built in Mongolia, constructed using stones and bricks from the ruins of the ancient city in 1586. During the communist purges of the 1930’s, many of the temples in the monastery complex were destroyed, but the remaining temples and stupas are some of the best examples of Mongolian Buddhist architecture. Erdene Zuu is now both a museum and a functioning monastery. Enroute visit to a horse-breeder’s camp to explore the lifestyle of nomads, see the making of airag (the Mongolian national drink of fermented mare’s milk), and horseback riding opportunity on Mongolian wooden saddles. Overnight in gers at the Urguu base camp. (B/L/D)

Ger Camp

July 18 Bayangobi
Wednesday
After breakfast at the base camp, explore Erdene Zuu, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. Tour the monastery grounds and several chapels with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Visit the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. After lunch, visit Shanh Hiid, the local Buddhist Temple still functioning at this time. Drive to the Bayangobi (50 miles). Bayangobi is a unique combination of steppe, forested mountains and desert-type landscape in one combination. The base camp is located along the sand dunes and is the starting point for travel to the beautiful Hogno Khaan Mountains. Time is at leisure for local exploration. Overnight at Double Zagal gers camp. (B/L/D)

Ger Camp

July 19 Bayangobi -Ulaanbaatar
Thursday
Drive to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon. Dinner at hotel. Time at the Bayangol Hotel until transfer to the airport. Our Korean Airlines flight KE868 departs at 11:59 PM.  (B/L/D)

First Class Bayangol Hotel

July 20 Ulaanbaatar-Seoul
Friday Arrive U.S.A.
Arrive Seoul at 4:00 AM. During your layover in Seoul several lounge areas as well as day rooms at the airport are available at this fabulous airport. There’s also a Cultural Museum featuring 5,000 year of Korean history. Your Korean Airlines flight KE 23 departs at 4:30 PM. Arrive back in San Francisco at 11:30 AM the same day. Welcome home! (B)

B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Itinerary sequence is subject to change due to possible flight schedule changes. Flight times are always subject to change.