Mongolia Multisport: Through the Land of Nomads

Mongolia Multisport: Through the Land of Nomads Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Upon arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by your driver and transferred to our hotel located in the heart of the capital city. In the afternoon visit Zaisan Memorial which honors Mongolian and Soviet soldiers killed in WWII. Those who make the climb to the memorial on a hill south of the capital are rewarded with a panoramic view of the entire city and the Tuul River meandering through the valley below. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  Our journey begins with a visit to the historic Gandan Monastery (the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia) as well as the recently renovated Chenrezig and Kalachakra Temples, and the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig (“the lord who looks in every direction”).  Woven through Mongolia’s nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan Buddhist tradition with ancient Shamanist practices still evident. After lunch we fly north to Muron (1.5 hours), the capital of Khovsgol Province, and continue overland, passing through grassy steppe and forested mountains to Lake Khovsgol (approximately 4 hours). Containing some of the purest water in the world and known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” Khovsgol is Mongolia’s largest lake extending 85 miles in length, 18 miles in width, and fed by over 90 streams and rivers. Bird life and wildflowers abound here, and we will have ample time to discover the lake’s secrets throughout the following days.  Overnight in a traditional Mongolian Ger (yurt). All meals included.

• Day 3

  This morning after restful sleep in a traditional Mongolian ger, we’ll meet our horse wranglers and begin horse trekking to a camp in the breathtakingly scenic Khoridal Saridag Mountains that border the western shore of Lake Khovsgol. Enjoy spectacular views of the lake from the surrounding ridges. Once at camp the guides set up our tents before cooking us a delicious dinner. As night falls, enjoy the star-filled sky and the serenity of this immense space. Overnight in tents. All meals included.
  
  Horseback riding 3-6 hours.

• Day 4

  After a hearty breakfast, spend the day traversing the scenic mountains and flower-filled meadows by foot. Unscarred by industrialization or intensive agriculture, Mongolia’s countryside sustains some of the last remaining pristine ecosystems in Asia. Mongolia has set aside one tenth of its territory into a system of protected areas with a pledge to increase this to 30% which will result in the largest national park system in the world. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking stunning Lake Khovsgol. Return to our tent camp in the afternoon with time to relax before dinner. Overnight in tents. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 5-6 hours, rocky trail with gradual elevation gain.

• Day 5

  Departing our tented camp on horseback, we trek back to our ger camp before enjoying an afternoon of kayaking on Lake Khovsgol. Our kayaks are the best way to explore the shoreline as we keep an eye out for birdlife and photograph the surrounding mountains from this unique lakeside viewpoint. After a very full day we return to camp in the late afternoon. Sit back and soak up the ambience. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian Ger (yurt). All meals included.
  
  Horseback riding, 3-6 hours; Kayaking, 2-4 hours, flat water.

• Day 6

  This morning we return to Muron for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way we’ll take a break for a picnic lunch at Lake Irkh, a small but pristine lake in the midst of the steppe that is popular with an abundance of birds. This evening we enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and hoomi (throat) singers followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant. Throat singing, historically common in Western Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia, differs from normal singing in that a singer can produce two or more notes simultaneously with the tongue, teeth, larynx and palate. To put it simply, it is a replacement of musical instruments with all aspects of vocal organs. It is a wonder to hear it for the first time. Overnight at a historic hotel in the heart of the city. All meals included.

• Day 7

  Once again we leave the city for wide open spaces, flying over vast steppe to the Gobi (1.5 hours), Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. For the next three days we explore the stunning landscape of the Gobi which is habitat for Bactrian (two-humped) camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, golden eagles, saker falcons, jerboas - similar to kangaroo rats - and many endemic reptiles. The Gobi is also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere’s rarest and most elusive mammals such as the dhole, snow leopard, wild camel and Gobi bear.
  
  Upon arrival we drive to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs” (1 hour), named for the red-orange sandstone which glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. In 1923 Roy Chapman Andrews and his expedition team from the American Museum of Natural History discovered the first nest of dinosaur eggs at this location. Paleontologists from all over the world continue to uncover fossils at this rich site. While the sun is setting at the cliffs we enjoy a memorable Mongolian dinner made from organic meat grazed locally by Gobi herders and produce grown by nearby farmers. Tonight we sleep at the award winning Three Camel Lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 1-2 hours; Terrain: rocky trail.

• Day 8

  We wake early this morning to the sight of the sun rising over the vast Gobi desert. After breakfast we drive through the rugged Gobi- Gurvansaikhan Mountains towards Gyalaan Valley (4-5 hours). After crossing the giant Khongoryn Els sand dunes we meet with a local camel herder and begin camel trekking through the spectacular Gobi landscape. In the late afternoon we will reach our tented camp located in a beautiful, hidden place in the mountains. All meals included.
  
  Camel trekking 2-4 hours.

• Day 9

  Today is all about hiking through the classic Gobi landscape!  The mountains surrounding the Ayaldai Valley are starkly beautiful. We have the special opportunity to visit with a remote, nomadic family and experience the warm hospitality offered to passing travelers in the form of food, shelter, and friendship. Relatively unchanged for centuries, Mongolia has one of the last remaining horse- and camel-based cultures in the world. We’ll return to our tented camp in the evening for one last night of sleeping under the stars. All meals included.
  
  Hiking 6–8 hours, up to 18 miles.

• Day 10

  Today we explore on foot the “singing sands” of the Khongoryn Els dunes which run about 60 miles alongside the Gobi-Altai Mountains range. These mountains of sand reach upwards of 2,500 feet, and with the right winds air turbulences along the ridges create a characteristic “singing” sound. These are rightfully known as the Gobi’s most magnificent dunes, and our hikes treat us to magnificent sandscapes--a photographer’s dream! We return to the Three Camel Lodge in the evening. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 2–4 hours, up to 9 miles; Terrain: packed sand.

• Day 11

  We wake to one last golden morning in the Gobi Desert before transferring to the local airport for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Back in the capital we spend the afternoon at our leisure with time for sightseeing or shopping. For those interested, walking the halls of the National History Museum is an excellent way to gain more insight into Mongolia’s rich cultural and historical heritage. We come together again in the evening to enjoy a farewell dinner and a toast to an excellent adventure.  All meals included.

• Day 12

  After breakfast we transfer to the airport for international departures. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available.  If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement.  Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available. 

Accommodation and meals as noted in the daily itinerary; skilled bilingual guide; private transport throughout; park and site entrance fees; horse and camel trekking equipment; airport transfers when arriving on Day 1 and departing on Day 12.

International airfare to/from Mongolia; internal airfare within Mongolia (mandatory add-on– subject to change); passport; alcoholic beverages; travel/evacuation insurance; medical immunizations; items of a personal nature and optional gratuities to your guides.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and enjoys active days. Travel in Mongolia requires flexibility and a positive attitude. Horses, camels and vehicles will carry all the gear. You only need to carry your daypack but you still need to be in good physical condition to really enjoy this trip. Hiking is moderate with some uneven, rocky trails at elevations up to 8,000 ft. Kayaking on Lake Hovsgol is on flat water. Horse and camel trekking require no previous experience.  Be prepared for some extended drives on rough roads.  Roads outside of Ulaanbaatar are unpaved, bumpy and dusty.

Mongolia has a relatively cool climate with short, mild summers. The best time to travel to Mongolia is from early June through the end of September when travelers can expect average temperatures to be in the high 80s during the day, dropping to the 30s at night. Travelers will experience the greatest temperature differential between day and night in the Gobi Desert. Be sure to have warm layers for very cool evenings in the north or south. Mongolia has approximately 260 cloudless days a year, hence its reputation for endless blue skies, but come prepared for at least some rain, wind, and some very cold nights and mornings. A dusting of snow is always possible at this northern latitude, even in the summer. The rainy season extends from mid-July to August, but showers are usually brief. Because Mongolia is located far from any oceans, the humidity is very low. 

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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