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Join us on one of our most unique adventures, allowing us to explore an ancient land with traditional modes of transportation. Our journey begins in Mongolia’s capital city Ulaanbaatar, where we will spend a day learning about Mongolia’s history and culture at the Gandan Monastery, Natural History Museum and the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. To the north, we will explore pristine Lake Hovsgol, known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” by foot, horse, kayak or all three! This lake is considered to be the cleanest freshwater lake left on the planet. To the south, we will camel trek through the mysterious Gobi Desert, both striking and untamed. Here we will witness the towering sand dunes of Hongoryn Els and Moltsog Els, explore petroglyphs and go mountain biking around Bulagtai Mountain, an ancient volcanic outcropping. And in between, we will travel on horseback through the central grass steppe, blanketed by the endless blue sky.
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| A Gobi sunrise. (Mongolia) |
HBS takes you to places you’ve never been and gives you access to people and places you might not encounter on your own. This trip includes special activities planned exclusively for HBS alumni travelers. In addition to lectures with local experts, our group will enjoy the magnificence of nature and culture in harmony, making this a trip that will have added value and interest to the HBS alumni community. Special activities include:
- Visit the legendary “Flaming Cliffs” where, in 1922, Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen.
- Enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and hoomi (throat) singers.
- Take in the sights and meet locals traveling by horseback, camel, kayak and mountain bike.
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| Camel riding in the Gobi. (Mongolia) |
While horse trekking, we will be riding Mongolian horses, generally smaller and leaner than we may be used to, but legendary for their sturdy build, great stamina and ability to negotiate difficult terrain. Approximately four to six hours will be spent in the saddle during horse trekking days and we will provide Russian cavalry-style saddles for each participant. Some riding experience is necessary, but non-riders need only have completed a basic riding course prior to the trip.
The kayaking portion of the trip will involve a full afternoon (approximately 2-4 hours) of kayaking in quality one- and two-person Folbot™ expedition kayaks. Again, some kayaking experience is recommended, but these kayaks are highly stable, and can provide hours of enjoyment even for the beginning paddler.
While in the Gobi Desert, we will be riding Bactrian (two-humped) camels. Bactrian camels are easier to ride than horses and no prior experience is necessary. Beyond this, we ask only that participants enjoy the outdoors and be in good health.
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Space is limited. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will guarantee your reservation. Full payment is due by May 12, 2008. For itineraries, more information or to register for this trip, please contact our tour operator, at:
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June 12-24, 2008
double rooms – $5,650 per person
single rooms – $7,150 per person
- Global Adrenaline tour leader
- local Mongolian guides
- all domestic flights (Ulaanbaatar – Muron – Ulaanbaatar – Gobi Desert – Ulaanbaatar)
- airport transfers
- accommodations: 4 nights in hotels, 6 nights in ger camps, 2 nights camping
- sleeping bags and pads while camping
- all meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner)
- activities as indicated in the itinerary
- transportation as indicated in the itinerary
- tips and gratuities
- entrance fees to national parks, historical sites and museums
- international flights (approximately $2,000 to $2,500 for USA – Ulaanbaatar – USA flights)
- passport and visa expenses
- international airport departure tax ($13)
- meals not included (approximately $40)
- beverages (discretionary)
- travel insurance (discretionary)
- phone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature (discretionary)
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The contrast between ancient traditions and the dawning of a 21st century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries coexist with modern high-rises. Upon arrival at the airport, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to a comfortable, centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops. In the evening, sample traditional Mongolian dishes while dining at Abtai-Sain Khan Palace Restaurant, a large ger like one once owned by Genghis Khan. We will spend the night at our Ulaanbaatar hotel. (D)
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| Bogd Khan Winter Palace. (Mongolia) |
Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia’s nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition with ancient Shamanist practices still evident. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a “showpiece” for government officials. However, in spite of the government’s efforts to suppress Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia’s spirituality persisted and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Monasteries across the country are again opening their doors to worshippers and the few lamas who survived the purges are training a new generation. Massive reconstruction and renovation projects are underway and priceless artifacts that were hidden for safekeeping are now being returned to monasteries by nomadic families.
Experience these exciting developments first-hand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, we will hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and can observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras (teachings of the Buddha). Also visit the reconstruction and renovation projects of the Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig (“the lord who looks in every direction”). This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples.
Next, visit the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing and hunting equipment. Travel back in time with a visit to the dinosaur halls of the Natural History Museum, showcasing the spectacular fossils unearthed in the Gobi. On display are fierce Tarbosaurous fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus Rex), dinosaur eggs, large Hadrosaur fossils (duck-billed dinosaurs), and many others, all of which illustrate the richness and importance of the paleontological sites in the Gobi desert.
After lunch, drive to Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia and renowned sculptor, artist and politician from the 17th century, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works. In the evening enjoy dinner at Pizza Della Casa. We will enjoy the evening at our Ulaanbaatar hotel. (B, L, D)
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| Kayaking on Lake Hovsgol. (Mongolia) |
After lunch, fly north to Muron (1.5 hours), the capital of Hovsgol Province, and continue overland to Lake Hovsgol (approximately 4 hours), passing through Mongolian steppe land and forested mountains. Mongolia’s largest lake by water volume, it extends 85 miles in length, and 18 miles in width, and is fed by over 90 streams and rivers. Water exits the lake only through one river, the Egiin, whose waters eventually reach Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. This crystal-clear alpine lake, known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” remains untouched by industry and is situated among the most pristine forests, mountains and meadows in the world. Bird life and wildflowers abound and we will have ample time to discover the lake's secrets in the following days.
While in the countryside, we will sleep in gers, the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. Made of a latticed wood structure covered with layers of felt and canvas, each ger is heated by a wood stove and furnished with beautifully painted wood-framed beds. The camp restaurant and western-style toilet and shower facilities are located in a central building found a few hundred feet from the gers. Based on double occupancy, gers provide an authentic and memorable taste of Mongolian culture and allow us to visit areas which otherwise lack traveler accommodations. Most visitors find their stays at ger camps to be among their most enjoyable experiences in Mongolia. (B, L, D)
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Horse trekking in the
Khoridal Saridag Mountains. (Mongolia) |
In the morning, we will begin our horse trek into the breathtakingly scenic Khoridal Saridag Mountains, bordering the western shore of Lake Hovsgol, where we will gain spectacular views of the lake from mountaintop. Our guides will set up tent camps for every two people, outfitted with high-quality sleeping bags and mats. We will enjoy the evening at our tent camp. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will horse trek back to the base camp and enjoy an afternoon of kayaking on Lake Hovsgol using quality one- and two-person Folbot™ expedition kayaks. This will give us the opportunity to explore the shoreline and photograph the surrounding mountains from the lake side. We will return to the base camp in the late afternoon and spend the evening in gers. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will return to Muron for our afternoon flight to Ulaanbaatar. On the way we will stop for a picnic lunch at Lake Irkh, a small but pristine lake in the midst of the steppe that is popular with a variety of birds. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon, we will transfer to the hotel. In the evening we will enjoy dinner at Taj Mahal Restaurant, serving Northern Indian cuisine. We will spend the night at our Ulaanbaatar hotel. (B, L, D)
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| Magnificent sand dune. (Mongolia) |
In the morning we will fly over vast steppe land to the Gobi (1.5 hours), Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Of all the world’s arid lands, the Gobi (which means simply “desert”) has about it the greatest air of mystery, perhaps because it lies at the heart of Asia’s remotest hinterland between the Siberian wilderness to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the south. Contrary to the sterile sameness that the word “desert” suggests, the Gobi holds many fascinations including sites of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of this century. For the next three days, we will explore the stunning landscape of the Gobi, habitat for Bactrian 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 and Gobi bear.
Upon arrival we will drive to the towering sand dunes of Hongoryn Els (approximately 6 hours drive) which run 60 miles alongside the Gobi Altai Mountain range. These dunes, reaching upwards of 2,500 feet, are the Gobi’s most magnificent sand dunes and, due to their isolation, the secret of this area’s beauty has been kept safe for thousands of years. Meet our camel wrangler and embark on a camel trek along the dunes at sunset. We will spend the evening in a ger or tent camp. (B, L, D)
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| Overlooking the desert. (Mongolia) |
Anticipating another day of exploring the spectacular panoramas of the world’s northernmost desert, we will wake up early in the morning for a sunrise hike along the dunes nicknamed by locals as the “Singing Sands” for the remarkable, low-pitched groan that is emitted when its surface is disturbed.
Afterwards, we will drive to Yol Valley National Park (2.5 hours), cradled between the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river carved this surprisingly green valley. Now, its remnant streams create ice formations at the base of the valley that sometimes persist as late as July. A hike through the valley allows us to discover habitat for indigenous vulture-like lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks and Argali mountain sheep.
We will drive to our luxury ger lodge, Mongolia’s premier expedition camp. Built on the outskirts of the Gurvan Saikhan National Park according to environmentally and culturally sustainable development guidelines, the camp offers an extraordinary combination of adventure and sophistication, intertwining traditional style and superb service. (B, L, D)
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| A local farmer. (Mongolia) |
Wake up early in the morning to see the sun rise over the magnificent Gobi desert. After breakfast, drive to Moltsog Els (1.5 hours) – one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes stopping to visit the town of Bulgan, a local settlement established near a natural spring. Bulgan has one of the only farms found in the Gobi and they supply local ger camps with fruits and vegetables (an example of local businesses being supported by ecotourism).
After exploring the area, drive to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs” (1 hour), named for the red-orange sandstone which glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. It was here, in 1922, that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. To the trained eye, the ancient formations of the Flaming Cliffs are rich with fossils, and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. We will have the opportunity to explore this site as Roy Chapman Andrews did, by camel back.
After a picnic lunch we will travel to Tugrigiin Shiree, the site where the famous “Fighting Dinosaurs” (a fossil of a Protoceratops and a Velociraptor locked in combat) were discovered in the 1970s. Explore this white-sandstone escarpment and nearby sand dune. We will return to our ger lodge where we will have dinner and enjoy the evening. (B, L, D)
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| Mountain biking. (Mongolia) |
After breakfast we will explore petroglyphs located near our lodge (45 mins drive). Afterwards, we will have the opportunity to go mountain biking around Bulagtai Mountain, an ancient volcanic outcropping. We will spend the night at our ger lodge. (B, L, D)
We will catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will visit Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum, home of Mongolia’s last theocrat, Bogd Jabzan Damba Hutagt VIII (Mongolia’s 8th Living Buddha). The museum displays elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of the leader.
We will then drive to nearby Gorkhi-Terelj National Park (1 hour) for hiking, horseback riding or golfing. Comprised of the southern Khentii mountain range, this mountain forest steppe region offers beautiful landscapes, including unique geological formations, and provides habitat for a variety of bird and plant life. Also sheltered in this protected area are endangered musk deer and moose, brown bear, roe, elk, wolf, fox and badger. We will enjoy dinner and spend the night in our ger camp. (B, L, D)
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| Golfing at Genghis Khan Country Club. (Mongolia) |
In the morning we will explore the park on foot, horseback or enjoy an optional round of golf at the local Genghis Khan Country Club. After lunch we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar where we will enjoy a free afternoon of sightseeing and shopping.
In the evening, we will enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and hoomi (throat) singers followed by dinner at Seoul restaurant. We will spend the evening at our Ulaanbaatar hotel. (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our international flights home. (B)
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