BEST OF MONGOLIA
A cultural tour of Mongolia

Mongolia will surprise you...
Mongolia, the ancient realm of Chingis Khan, has emerged from the shadow of Communism and is now open to the world. Mongolia is one of the best kept travel secrets and a most rewarding destination for both lovers of culture and adventurous travelers.

This 15 days Best Of Mongolia Tour has been so designed to reveal the secret that is Mongolia. In a comfortable journey you will have lots of opportunities to mingle with the friendly people and even experiencing stays in traditional Ger Camps - yurts.

Day 01: Arrive Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.   Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.  
Overnight: Hotel Khan Palace (2 nights)

Day 02: Ulaanbaatar / Terelj National Park (80 kms)
This morning we head out to Terelj national park, which is 80km northeast of the city. Spend the day touring the area and enjoying the magnificent alpine scenery. There are great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing and horse riding. You can visit a nomad family, explore their unique lifestyle, and go horse riding. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Ulaanbaatar / Middle Gobi (220 kms)
After an early breakfast, leave Ulaanbaatar. On the way to the Gobi visit Baga Gazriin Chuluu Lake and the ruins of Sum Khukh Burd Temple. Spend the night in traditional Mongolian gers at our Middle Gobi camp.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Middle Gobi / Tsagaan Suvarga (280 kms)
Today we head to Tsagaan Suvarga, which is a strangely shaped, white limestone rock formation that is about 30m tall.
Overnight: Ger Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Tsagaan Suvarga / South Gobi / Eagle Valley / Tsagaan Suvarga
A full day excursion to Yol Valley (Eagle Valley) National Park for hiking and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape. Have a picnic lunch in the Yoliin Am National Park. Spend the afternoon hiking or relaxing. Return to the camp and spend the night. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Tsagaan Suvarga / Khongor sand dunes (200 kms)
After breakfast drive to Khongor sand dunes known as Singing dunes. Have packed lunch on the way. Visit and possibly climb up Mongolia’s biggest sand dune.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Khongor sand dunes / South Gobi / Bayanzag (150 kms)
After an early breakfast at the camp, start the drive towards Karakorum. On the way explore the world famous Flaming Cliffs (BayanZag), the Gobi Dinosaurs Cemetery and the trail of the paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews. Visit a local camel breeding family and go on a short camel ride. Have dinner and spend the night in the ger camp near the Flaming cliffs.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Bayanzag / South Gobi / Ongyn Khiid (150 kms)
This morning we head north. Stop for the night in a ger camp near Ongyn Khiid. Visit a local small temple museum. Have dinner and spend the night in the ger camp.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 09: Ongyn Khiid / Karakorum (300 kms)
Continue driving to Karakorum. Arrive at Karakorum in the afternoon. Shortly after arrival, witness an archery competition.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Karakorum / Erdene Zuu (150 kms)
Visit Erdene-Zuu, which was once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia,which was almost destroyed in the 1930s. Go on a tour of the monastery grounds and see 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. Drive to the Tsenkher hot springs. Enjoy a natural hot bath and foot massage at the ger camp.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Erdene Zuu / Ogy Nuur Lake (240 kms)
Drive to Lake Ugiy in Arkhangai province. Enjoy bird watching by the lakeshores and spend the night in the ger camp located on the shore of the Ogylake.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Ogy Nuur Lake / Hustain Nuruu Natural Reserve (270 kms)
After breakfast drive to Hustain Nuruu Natural Reserve. Drive deep into the Natural reserve to search for wild horses (TAKI). Travel back to the Hustai Nuruu camp, have dinner and spend the night.
Overnight: Ger Camp (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Hustai Nuruu Natural Reserve / Ulaanbaatar (120 kms)
Drive to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Khan Palace Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 14: Ulaanbaatar
Day free at leisure. (B)

Day 15: Depart Ulaanbaatar
This morning we are transferred to the airport. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Jun 02, 13 & 30, Jul 09 & 18 & Aug 01, 08 & 29
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar with hotel taxes International airfares & Departure/airport taxes Ger camp (2 persons or 1 person ger) Insurance / Visas Meals as mentioned B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner Tips / Gratuities All ground transfers & sightseeing mentioned with local English speaking guide   Entrance fees
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 2012 US $ 3960 US $ 880 Note: High season supplement surcharge for June 30 & July 09 dates US $ 380.00 per person
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 04 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
The only hotels in Mongolia are in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Throughout the countryside accommodation is offered in the form of traditional Mongolian ‘gers.’ These ger camps are slightly modified for foreign tourists but in effect offer a traditional experience and the opportunity to experience Mongolia’s wilderness. Most ger camps are situated in attractive areas:  on the shores of small rivers, nestled under rocky hills or on vast open plains and all under amazing night skies. The gers are made from wooden frames with layers of canvas and felt. Interior wood is usually carved or brightly painted and they are equipped with 2 beds and a small table and stools. There is a central stove for wood-fire heating at night. Communal bathroom facilities are in basic but clean blocks nearby and with hot water (an impressive feat in the middle of the Gobi desert!).  There are also restaurants and bars in a separate concrete building, or sometimes in large gers. Whilst visiting Mongolia is hugely rewarding, it is a wilderness destination and the accommodation is basic; however, we do use the best gers available in each area and the itinerary above has been put together to enable stays in the best camps at the most attractive locations.
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.