HIGHLIGHTS OF MONGOLIA
A cultural tour of Mongolia

Mongolia, the land of Chenghiz Khan, is a land with many interesting facets. From the Gobi Desert, to the interesting Buddhist sites and the rich culture of the nomadic peoples. More than this we have the incredible wildlife including the famous Takhi Przewalski wild horses, two-humped Bactrian camels and over 6000 snow leopards. This surely is a journey into a rich and varied land.

Day 01: Arrival Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon city tour includes a visit to the National History Museum, where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Next stop is the beautiful Winter Palace of the last Mongolian Khan, who ruled until 1924. Lastly, visit to Zaisan Hill War Memorial visit to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Overnight: Khan Palace Hotel (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast transfer by private coach to Terelj National Park, 80 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar. Visit unusual rock formation called Turtle Rock and beautiful monastery in the mountains. After lunch visit nomadic family to get a glimpse of nomadic lifestyle and enjoy your first horse riding session. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Middle Gobi (260 km)
Our overland journey begins today. Drive to Middle Gobi with lunch at Chinggis Namarjaa Ger Camp at beautiful area of Zorgol Hairhan mountains. Visit Baga Gazriin Chuluu Rock formations.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 04: South Gobi (385 km)
Drive to South Gobi on the way visit ruins of Sum Khukh Burd Temple and Sangiin Dalai Temple, one of the few monasteries and temples to survive the communist purges in 1930s. Boxed lunch on the way. Arrive in Khan Bogd ger camp in the evening.
Overnight: Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: South Gobi – Vulture Valley
In the morning excursion to Yol Valley (Eagle Valley) National Park for hiking and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape of the Gobi Glacier and the local wildlife. After lunch attend the Mongolian Ger Program, which will give you an introduction to the traditional Mongolian dwelling, the ger. Learn how to assemble a ger and how to pack the components on a camel. (B, L, D)

Day 06: South Gobi – Singing Sand Dunes (185 km)
After breakfast drive to Hongriin Els Singing Sand Dunes. After lunch hiking tour to the dunes. Visit camel breeding nomadic family in the Gobi and have a camel riding session.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Ongiin Monastery (280 km)
Drive to Ongiin Monastery through Bayanzag Flamming Cliffs. Explore the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery and the trail of paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. After lunch overland journey through famous Ongiin Steppe to the ruins of the Ongiin Monastery (190 km). In the afternoon walk to the ruins of the Ongiin Monastery.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Orkhon Waterfall (300 km)
Today we will drive through changing landscape: from steppe to forest covered mountains. On the way visit beautiful Orkhon Waterfall, which can be dried during the summer.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 09: Karakorum (120 km)
Drive to Karakorum. Stay at Anar Ger Camp with beautiful location at Orkhon River. In the afternoon visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, which almost destroyed in the 1930s. Tour of the monastery grounds and several halls with excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the 16th century. Also easy hiking along River to the nearby Mountains is possible.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10 : Hustain Nuruu Protected Area (280 km)
Drive to Hustain Nuruu Protected Area to see the Prjewalski Wild Horses. Also visit Turkic graves and stone men, or hun chuluu, and the Ongot archaeological complex.
Overnight: Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11 : Ulaanbaatar (100 km)
After breakfast heading back to Ulaanbaatar. Afternoon at leisure for shopping, visiting cozy cafes and beer garden. Farewell dinner along with Mongolian Traditional Costume show and concert.
Overnight: Khan Palace Hotel (1 night) (B, L, D)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Daily departure from June 01 and September 30

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar with hotel taxes Any Airfares Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Departure Taxes All ground transfers & sightseeing mentioned with local English speaking guide Travel Insurances & Visa Fees Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites Beverages / Tips

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 2555 • CA $ 2555 US $ 495 • CA $ 495

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1800 USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast CA $ 2000 USA - East Coast US $ 1800

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.