Day One:

Arrive in Ulaan Baatar

Upon arrival, meet with your guide and check in to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day Two

The Naadam Festival

After breakfast head to  the Central Stadium for the colorful opening ceremonies of the Naadam festival. Watch competitions of the 3 main sports: Mongolian wrestling, archery, and horse-back riding. There will also be processions of monks, athletes, local dress, historical re-enactments, music, and dancing. Complete your day with a city tour.

Day Three

Karakorum

After breakfast, drive to Karakorum (6 hours)- the capital Chinggis Khan built in the 13th Century, which became the center of power for the Great Mongol Empire. Along the way, you'll stop to see another Naadam Festival event - the horse-racing competition- as Naadam is celebrated all over the country.

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Tonight's accommodations are at a local ger camp where you can experience the traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle. Dinner at the ger camp.

Day Four

Erdene-Zuu

After breakfast visit the Historical Museum of the Great Emperor Chinggis Khan, reviled in the West, but still known for created one of the greatest empires in the world that produced many other empires and dynasties. In Mongolia he is still worshipped today.
 

Explore Erdene-Zuu, an ancient city and monastery that once had 60 temples, but was vandalized by the Manchurians in the 18th century and further damaged by the Stalanist purges of the 1930s. Only 3 temples remain. From there head to ruins of 7th and 9th Century Turkish monuments before returning to your ger camp for dinner and overnight.

Day Five

Return to Ulaan Baatar

After breakfast, return to Ulaan Baatar and visit the Fine Art Museum.

Day Six

Gobi Desert

Fly to the Gobi Desert and visit the Eagle's Canyon, which has ice all year round, even in August. Visit a local nomadic family that breeds camels. You can even ride a camel, if you'd like.

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Overnight in Ger Camp #1

Day Seven

Bayanzag

Visit Bayanzag, or the Flaming Cliffs, which are known for the spectacular dinosaur fossils found there that are now exhibited all over the world, including the Museum of Natural History in Ulaan Baatar. While it is prohibited to take anything from the site (especially dinosaur bones), you can admire the beautiful desert mountain landscape. From there drive to the sand dunes at Moltsog Els before heading to Ger Camp #2 for an overnight.

Day Eight

Desert & Dinosaurs

Today, visit Tugrug Shiree, a famous dinosaur excavation site, to learn more about the history of the Gobi Desert and the excavations that take place here.

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Return to Ger Camp #1.

Day Nine

Terelj National Park

Fly back to Ulaan Baatar and drive to Terelj National Park, stopping at a 13th Century complex that shows what life was like in Mongolia at the time of Genghis Khan. From there, take in the magnificent alpine scenery and enjoy hiking and rock climb activities.

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Overnight in a ger camp.

Day Ten

Ulaan Baatar

Return to Ulaan Baatar and visit the Dinosaur Museum to see some of the fantastic fossils we learned about in the Gobi Desert.  In the afternoon, enjoy some free time for shopping or any other activities.

Day Eleven

Return Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.