Day 1   - Arrival Beijing
Airport transfers overnight hotel.

DAy 2   - Great Wall of China Simatai (BL)
Full day tour to the Great Wall of China at Simatai. The Simatai section of the Great Wall, not far from the Gubeikou section, is located at Gubeikou Town in the northeast of Miyun County, Beijing, 120 kilometres from the city centre. Its construction started in the early Hongwu years (1368-1398) of the Ming Dynasty. Like most sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall often visited today, this section was also built under the supervision of General Qi Jiguang. The Simatai Great Wall is 5.4 km long with altogether 35 watchtowers. As the east section of the Gubeikou defence line, this magnificent section features great strategic significance. Built hundreds of years ago, the Simatai Great Wall still retains all its original appearance. It not only incorporates a variety of styles of other parts of the 10,000-li-long wall, but also displays some unique characteristics. This section of the Great Wall is often described with the following five words: perilous, dense, diverse, ingenuous, and peculiar. It is possible to take a chairlift to the top if you do not want the challenge of the walk. A well-deserved lunch will be taken after descending from the wall. Overnight Hotel – Beijing

DAy 3   - Beijing – Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia) (B)
Morning transfer to train station for the overnight journey to Ulaan Baatar departing at 07.45am. Train tickets to Ulaan Baatar.

Main Tour
Day 1   - Arrive Ulan Bataar (d)
Train or flight arrival. Transfer to hotel, city tour to the main square and Gandan Monastery. Ulan Bataar became Mongolias capital in 1924. Here traditional round "gers" (felt tents) are pitched next to Soviet-style apartment blocks and the newly opened Hard Rock Cafe. Visit Sukhe-Bator square, the main square where a large statue of Sukhe-Bator, the famous patriot characterizes it’s namesake. Important landmarks such as the Parliament House, Stock Exchange and Cultural Palace are located nearby. The Gandan Monastery is home to a huge golden Buddha surrounded by thousands of smaller statues perched in the glass cases which line the walls of the main hall. The monastery's llamas were killed on Stalin's orders in 1937, but there are still around 150 living there. This evening attend a folk dance concert

Day 2   - Amarbayasgalant monastary (B,L,D)
Travel by road to Amarbayasgalant 6-7 hours. Built between 1727 – 1736 this is one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia. The Journey travels across the southern approaches of Siberia. The monastery is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley on the foot of Burenkhan. It has amazing art and decorations, this and the incredible architectural construction makes it one of the most magnificent monasteries in Asia. Overnight in a Traditional Ger.

Day 3   - uran togoo volcano (B,L,D)
Travel a further 6 hours into Mongolia to a spectacular area of extinct volcanoes covered in coniferous woods. This extinct volcano has spectacular red rock formations and is surrounded by coniferous woods and wild flowers. Opportunity to trek on the volcano. Overnight in a Traditional Ger.

Day 4   - Murun (B,L,D)
Today we head to Murun a mid sized provincial town of about 28,000 residents and the administrative centre of Khuvsgul it is situated in the valley of the Delgar River at an altitude of 1,283 meters. A great place for hiking, nature and historic relics such as deer stone of the bronze age and it also has an amazing outdoor market. Overnight in a small hotel.

Day 5   - KHuvsgul lake (B,L,D)
A short morning’s journey of 145km takes us to the lovely Khuvsgul Lake, close to the Siberian border, here you have the opportunity to truly understand the Mongolian way of life. Khuvsgul is the second largest freshwater lake in the World, after Lake Baikal so be prepared to be impressed. Here it is possible to rent a boat or take part in local hikes. Overnight in a Traditional Ger.

Day 6   - KHuvsgul lake (B,L,D)
Freedom day to explore the area. Take a ride in a yak cart to visit a local tribe the shaman people who live in teepees and breed reindeer. Anyone for a reindeer steak? Overnight in a Traditional Ger.

Day 7   - Shine Ider, zuun Nuur (B,L,D)
Travel to Shine-Ider province 125km through the wildflower covered steeps. Overnight in Ger camp near Zuun Nuur a small, beautiful salt water lake which is a haven for birds. Overnight in a Traditional Ger.

Day 8   - Khorgo Tsagaan National Park and Volcano (B,L,D)
Khorgo Volcano is a dead volcano, covered with basalt lying to the east of the Lake Terkhiin an astonishingly beautiful lake, which was formed by a dam of lava flows from volcanic eruption many millennia ago. It is possible to see interesting bubbles of solidified lave named “Basalt ger’. Arhangai aimag, the northest slope of the Hangai chain, is called “the Switzerland of Mongolia” for its forests, rivers and wooded hills.

Day 9   - Day trip to Tsenkher hot spring (B,L,D)
Travel beside the Chuluut River which has carved a deep canyon into the basalt rocks. This canyon is famous for its rich fishing grounds. Arrive Tsenkher hot spring, take a relaxing hot spring bath. Stay over night in the ger camp.

Day 10   - Karakorum city (B,L,D)
Drive to Karakorum in the morning and visit Erdenezuu monastery. Karakorum is the ancient capital of Chingis Khaan’s Mongolia. The Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a massive 400m X 400m wall. Only a few temples remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for daily worship.

Day 11   - Bayangobi (B,L,D)
The Bayangobi, located 270 km west of Ulaanbaatar and the end of the Mongolian Gobi, is a unique combination of forested mountains and desert-type landscapes. Karakorum is the ancient capital of the Mongols and was established in 1220 and served as the capital for 140 years. The area has many interesting walks to sand dunes and to visit nomadic families. Overnight in Ger.

Day 12   - Ongiin khiid Monastery (B,L,D)
This monastery, with its temple Damba Darjaalan Sum was built in the late 18th century to commemorate the first ever visit to Mongolia by a Dalai Lama. The monastery was once the larges monastery in South Mongolia and was used by about 500 monks. It was the only monastery out of nine in the immediate vicinity to survive the Stalinist purges - by becoming a warehouse and shop. The monastery was reopened in 1990 and the current Dalai Lama visited in 1992. Overnight in a Ger Camp.

Day 13   - Bayanzag (B,L,D)
Visit to the Bayanzag area. (known as a Flaming Cliffs "Cradle of Dinosaurs" where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922.) a site famous for the remains of dinosaur which lived here 60 million years ago. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saksaul trees and other classic desert vegetation. Still possible to see dinosaur fossils and eggs as there is little in the way of infrastructure to extract or preserve them.

Day 14 -15   - Camel Trekking in the Gobi desert (B,L,D)
Today you will be riding on camels to explore the Khongor Sand Dunes. The two-humped Bactrian camels are very comfortable to ride as they walk slowly and gently, and you will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Our camel man will lead you safely through the sand dunes. There may be a possibility to visit a camel herdsman’s family to discover their way of life, their culture and traditions. Overnight in Ger camp.

Day 16   - Baga Garzin Rock steepe (B,L,D)
Today we stop as a series of rock formations called Baga Gazarya Chuuluu, the surroundings of granite rocks with the yellow sandy plains in the distance is also the site where two Buddhist monks lived in exile for years, leaving religious texts on some of the walls. The ovoo (rock built stupas) found everywhere in the area implicated that pretty much every boulder in the area was sacred. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 17   - Elstei Camp (B,L,D)
Travel to Elstei Camp located 50kms northeast of Ulaanbaatar. It is situated in a unique area where grassy plains and sandy dunes merge. Your accommodation is in Gers, Mongolian-styled accommodation, and you will have access to hot showers in the mornings and evenings. Enjoy a mix of Western and Mongolian cuisines made from organic foods, and dairy products freshly made by the nomad families that you can visit.

Day 18 - 19  2 - Horse Trekking (B,L,D)
Take part in a 2 day horse trek camping along the way. Spend the next 2 days traveling on horseback like a nomad while exploring the natural beauty of this spectacular landscape. Overnight in tents. A cook, camp crew will accompany.

Day 20   - Ulan Bataar (B,L,D)
Arrival back in Ulan Bataar. Freedom time to shop and explore. Try the Government department store for some fantastic bargains. Lunch and Dinner at Mongolian Restaurants.

Day 21   -departure (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departure.

Ulan Bataar to Ulan Bataar, Mongolia  Tour


Escorted Journey 2012
Pre Tour starts 13th June in Beijing, train to Ulan Bataar 15th June 2012
Main Tour Starts Ulan Bataar 16th June 2012

COSTS
 (Prices Subject to Confirmation) NZ$5550.00
Train add pre tour.
NZ$778.00 per person includes, airport pickup, 4 star hotel, tour to Great Wall, Overnight train to Ulaan Bataar.

INCLUDES:

• Airport pickup, 4 star hotel, tour to Great Wall, Overnight train to Ulaan Bataar.
• 20 x Breakfasts
• 19 x Lunches
• 20 x Dinners
• Company guide on escorted tour
• Local guides
• Travel by mini bus
• 2 nights in hotel
• 17 nights accommodation in Ger camps
• 1 night in tent.
• 2 day camel trek
• 2 day horse trek
• 1 day Yak cart trip
• All entrances fees and permits
• Meals as indicated

Those not wanting to take part in horse trek will have alternative excursions and join group in evening at their camp.

Key terms & conditions
Small group locally guided departure or Independent departures on demand with minimum 2 travellers Single Supplement available only in Ulan Bataar. The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. While every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary provided our company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as indicated by circumstances and conditions beyond our control. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our website.