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37 Days Lands of the East Tour Package
Stepping outside a ger hut-- traditionally used by Mongolian nomads-- to greet the sunrise peaking over the horizon of the Hustai Nuruu Reserve in Mongolia yields a beauty that can be duplicated neither by word nor picture. Hopefully, we will be lucky enough to spot one of the world last remaining wild horses cantering in the distance. Lush vegetation surrounds us as we walk through the gardens of Suzhou, China, wherein is to be found gardens that have survived for 1,500 years. The natural wonders of China are as vast as the country itself and for centuries people have come from far and wide to bear witness them; some have even lost their lives to see them up close. Past voyagers struggled to stay afloat the Yangtze River, with its fast current, sharp corners and sheer rock walls on its banks. Fulfill the dreams of those who loved adventure enough to risk it all, but do so safely in the presence of experts and with far more advanced technology. The river's Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boot Gorge are humbling spectacles and the sense of ancient mystery of the 8, 000 Terra Cotta Warriors that guard Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's burial site is almost tangible. It's a given that a country with a vibrant past and a vibrant history should yield a vibrant populace. The bustle of the Kashgar Market is astounding because people come from all over to fill the streets every Sunday to peruse stalls boasting a diverse assortment of exotic goods, like rugs, jewellery and dried lizards. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Shanghai Today we arrive in Shanghai and transfer to our hotel. Shanghai, among the two or three largest cities in the world, is China's most populous as well as its most "urban" city. Despite the profound changes in social and economic structure brought on since 1949, Shanghai retains the look and feel of a great Western metropolis, with a population that seems quite at home amidst the press of crowds and the throbbing energy and diversity of city life. In many ways, Shanghai's ambiance is more like that of New York or Rome than that of Beijing or Guangzhou. Overnight in Shanghai. Dinner if required. Day 2 Shanghai: City Tour We spend today exploring Shanghai, starting with the city's famous waterfront promenade, the Bund; and the tranquil Yuyuan Garden. This is possibly the most celebrated classical Chinese Garden in Shanghai. We will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its two rare statues of Buddha carved out of a single piece of white jade. One depicts Buddha at the moment of his enlightenment and the other as he is passing into Nirvana. The two statues were brought from Burma by a Chinese monk in 1890, eight years after the temple's construction. There are a number of other statues of Buddha, his disciples, angels, and celestial guardians to be seen in the various halls. Many worshippers still attend services here, although most are older people and overseas Chinese. We also visit the world-renown Shanghai Museum which houses sensational works of art from all Chinese periods, beautifully displayed on several floors. Out of a collection of 120,000 pieces, the museum is especially famous for its bronzes, jade, and ceramics. Included in your visit is use of a personal Audioguide which provides an informative commentary on the exhibits. Overnight in Shanghai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai Today we travel by bus to the nearby historical town of Suzhou, China's well-known "city of gardens", which tops all others in both the number and the artistry of gardens. Dating from Pi Jiang Garden of the Eastern Jing Dynasty, Suzhou's art of gardening has endured for 1,500 years. There were once over 200 gardens in the city, of which 69 are still in good preservation today. Our tour here will include a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Garden of the Master of Nets. We also visit the Hanshan Temple before returning to Shanghai with the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Shanghai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Shanghai - Wuhan - Yangtze Cruise Today we fly to Wuhan, situated at the confluence of the Han and Yangtze rivers. Wuhan's strategic location has also made it the third most important military center in China, a role that has considerable historical precedence. Battles fought here at the turn of the century accompanied the fall of the Qing Dynasty. In 1949, Communist forces in this sector won key victories over the last pockets of Guomindang resistance, paving the way to their final victory. Today, Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province and the largest city in Central China, with a population of 7.3 million. After a brief look at Wuhan, we continue to Yiching where we board our Yangtze River cruise. Foreigners who travelled this fabled stretch in the early 1900s recount that it took anywhere from 20 to 60 days to traverse the 648 km (405 mile) stretch between Yichang at the mouth of the gorges and Chongqing. The first power boat trip up the Yangtze from Yichang took place in 1898. The famous gorges of the Yangtze lie in a 189 km (118 mile) stretch between Chongqing and Yichange: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. Towering mountains drop almost perpendicularly into the river as if hewn by an axe. The spectacular grandeur of these walls and the turgid river that roars through them have long been the subjects of China's romantic poets and painters. To boatmen and navigators, however, they meant dangerous bends, shallows, rapids, and reefs. Adding to these difficulties are a fast current (prior to recent man-made changes in the "green shallows," the flow reached 7.9 m/s) and a variation of as much as 53 m (175 feet) in the river level between dry and flooded seasons. Yet boats have plied this part of the Yangtze since the Western Zhou Dynasty (1066-771 BC). Yangtze cruise ships are generally about 300 ft long with an average capacity of about 150 passengers. A typical boat will have 4 decks and various amenities such as ballroom, beauty salon, business center, shopping boutique, game room, reading room, satellite phone/TV, restaurants and coffee shop. Cabins are outward-facing with lower twin berths, picture windows, ample closet space, en suite bath and toilet, and air conditioning. FOR 2008 we expect to be accommodated on Presdient Cruise Lines (all cruises this year are upstream). Overnight Yangtze River Cruise. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Yangtze Cruise At some point in our programme we will have an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, taking a bus across the Three Gorges Bridge which leads toward the top of the hill for a birds-eye view of the construction from the observation deck. Visitors will observe the five-step ship lock, the diversion canal, the dam in construction, and the power station. Our guide will provide detailed information on the history of the dam and facts on its construction. In addition, an exhibition room displays a model of the dam and surrounding buildings. Today we make an excursion along the Shennong Stream, which starts at Mt Shennong Jia in Hubei Province north of the Yangtze. It is comprised of Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boot Gorge, both with breathtaking scenery. Moving through the treacherous gorges with lush pine and translucent water, visitors can see spectacular sights like ancient suspension coffins and aquatic caves. Overnight Yangtze River Cruise. All meals. Day 6 Yangtze Cruise Today we have an excursion to the town of Fengdu, said to be the abode of devils and ghosts. Situated on the northern bank of the river between Zhongxian and Fuling, the city was once depicted as the 'City of Ghosts' in two ancient Chinese classic works: "Monkey King" and "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio". The origin of the town's extraordinary reputation can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) when two officials, Yin and Wang, became Taoist recluses here and eventually Immortals. Later in Tang Dynasty their names when combined mean "King of the Under World". Today tourists come to visit temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. Landmarks here bear horrific names: Last-Glance-at-Home Tower, Nothing-to-be-done Bridge and Ghost Torturing Pass. Overnight Yangtze River Cruise. All meals. Day 7 Yangtze Cruise Our cruise today continues through the Qutang and Wu gorges. Our river guide will talk about the historic sites, including Ancient Plank Road, Bellows Gorge (Fengxiang Xia), Chalk Wall (Fenbi Tang) and the 12 lofty and misty peaks and precipices in the Wu Gorge. Overnight Yangtze River Cruise. All meals. Day 8 Yangtze Cruise Disembarkation - Chongqing - Xi'an Today we say farewell to the Yangtze and fly from Chongqing to Xi'an, the ancient capital of 11 dynasties and one of the largest medieval cities in the world when visited by Marco Polo. Of all cities on our itinerary, Xi'an and its history most vividly exemplify the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilization. Only in recent years, however, has Xi'an become well-known outside of China, owing to the 1974 discovery of the astonishing burial site of emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (3rd century BC). To the north of the city lie the rugged Western Hills, dotted with ancient combs and the Wei River which forms a natural boundary. The entire region south of the river is fertile, suitable for growing cotton and coarse grains. The city's impressive ancient walls and wide avenues are laid out in orderly grid patterns. While in Xi'an, we will visit the museum dedicated to the tomb known as Han Yangling, located near the airport.* Built in 2005 and regarded as one of the best of its kind in the world, the museum showcases not only the resting place of the occupant, Jing Di, but also how he and others lived during his time, the second century BC. The displays are exquisitely and sensitively done; the piles of hundreds of artifacts, in situ, are like a modern work of "found" art. *NOTE: depending on flight times, we may visit Han Yangling today, as above, or prior to our departure from Xi'an. Overnight in Xi'an. Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Xi'an: Terra Cotta Warriors Today we view the Terra Cotta Warriors, an impressive legion of thousands of life-size terra cotta warriors that has been guarding the emperor's burial site for over 2,000 years. In 1974, a group of peasants digging a well in Lintong County, about 30 km east of Xi'an, accidentally made one of the century's greatest archeological discoveries. What they stumbled upon were thousands of life-size terra cotta warriors; an estimated 8,000 figures have thus far been identified. We will visit pits 1, 2, and 3 as well as the amazing Bronze Charriots. We also visit the Great Mosque, a five minute walk from the Drum Tower in the center of Xi'an. Inscriptions from the stone tablets indicate that the Great Mosque, located at Huajue Lane, was established in AD 742 during the Tang Dynasty. After restorations in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, the present complex proudly ranks among the largest mosques in China. Unlike Arabic mosques which have splendid domes, minarets reaching into the clouds, and colourful engraved sketches with dazzling patterns, the mosque is built in a Chinese traditional style with the grounds taken up by platforms, pavilions and halls. Finally we visit the Shaanxi Historical Museum, the largest museum in the province. Time permitting, we might also visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower from where you have a spectacular view of all four of Xi'an's city gates. While in Xi'an, we will enjoy a "dumpling banquet" for which this area is famous. Overnight in Xi'an. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Xi'an - Urumqi - Kashgar* Today we transfer to the airport for our flight west to Kashgar (via Urumqi in the westernmost Chinese Province of Xinjiang), arriving late in the evening. We will be met on arrival driven to our hotel for our overnight stay. If we are left with time in Urumqi between flights we can visit the Urumqi Museum before flying to Kashgar. For centuries this cross-roads has been a major trading town. In fact the inhabitants of Kashgar still make their living by trade. Kashgar is a triumph of commerce over both nature and ideology. Historically, it was the junction of at least four branches of the Silk Route, despite being surrounded by awesome physical barriers: the Tien Shan to the west, the Pamirs and Karkorams to the south and the Takla Makan desert to the east. About 300,000 people live here, the majority being of the Uighur ethnic group. * NOTE: A reminder that this itinerary is subject to adjustment according to local flight schedules that can change without notice. Though this itinerary provides a very accurate sense of overall sightseeing activities, the final order of overnight points may be changed in order to work with local flights and to ensure that we are Kashgar on a Sunday. You will be advised of final arrangements with your final documents prior to departure. June 2008 departure: To allow us to combine this trip with Mongolia (whose dates are set according to the Nadaam Festival), and to ensure that we are in Kashgar for the Sunday Market, the itinerary will run thus: XI'AN, DUNHUANG, TURPAN, KASHGAR, URUMQI, BEIJING. An updated itinerary will be provided to travellers on this trip close to departure. Overnight in Kashgar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Kashgar: City Tour We begin our city tour with a visit to a huge statue of Mao -- one of the few left in China. We continue on to the Tomb of Abakh Hoja. This is an unusual piece of Islamic architecture set on the edge of this oasis town. Buried here with Abakh Hoja is one of his daughters. She is also one of Kashgar's famous women, for she was the girl who became known all over China as the Fragrant Concubine. Stolen, or given as a gift to the Emperor Qianlong (there are many legends surrounding her fate), she was said to exude from her body a sweet jasmine fragrance. We return to the city centre for a walk through ancient Kashgar's walled city. Here we will visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Later we will wander through the local bazaar. The daily bazaar comprises myriad tiny intersecting streets where craftsmen, woodworkers, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, cobblers and other artisans supply the people of the Kashgar area with their daily wares. We will also visit the old town and perhaps have a chance to visit a local family in their home; our local guide will do their best to organize this. Overnight in Kashgar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Kashgar Market - Urumqi Today we witness one of the most colourful outdoor markets anywhere in the world. Together with crowds who have journeyed from all over Xinjian, and from as far away as Pakistan, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Russia and elsewhere, we will make our way to this weekly event. Kashgar's Sunday Market is bustling with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle and horses, piled high with saddles and ropes, silk fabrics and cottons, fur hats and woven baskets, dried lizards and pickled snakes, cut glass jewelry, brooms and carpets and even freshly made carts and newly trained young donkeys to take it all home. The Chinese government recently constructed new facilities to house the market and it has lost some of its exotic atmosphere, but the visit is still very much worthwhile. Later today we board our flight to Urumqi. Overnight in Urumqi. Holiday Inn or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Urumqi - Turpan: Jiaohe Urumqi means 'beautiful pastures' in Mongolian. It stands 900 m (3,000 feet) above sea level, just below the northern foothills of the Heavenly Mountains. The snow-clad Bogda Peak dominates the skyline. The city is predominantly Han, but does include many other ethnic minorities. This afternoon we drive through the desert to the oasis town of Turpan (pronounced 'toor-fan'). A short drive west of Turpan brings us to the ruined city of Jiaohe, which means "confluence of rivers". The layout of the city is still clear among the dusty ruins, including private homes, government buildings, watchtowers and a Buddhist monastery complex. Although the city developed many centuries earlier, most of today's remains are from the Tang Dynasty, a period when the population numbered more than 5,000. Overnight in Turpan. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Turpan - Gobi Desert - Overnight Train The population of Turpan is predominantly Uighur. These people are famous for the raisins they make from the grapes grown in this oasis. This morning we will visit the Emin Minaret and Song Gong Ta Mosque, located at the edge of the oasis surrounded by vineyards and corn fields. This exquisite minaret is made entirely of mud bricks and stands 36 m (118 feet) high. The elegant tapering style is known as pre-Safvid, and originates in Iran. We will also visit the ancient karez irrigation system. The water, which flows from the melting snows of the northern mountains, is supplied to Turpan by man-made underground channels or "karez". Over 1600km (992 miles) of these channels prevent the water from evaporating in the intense summer heat before reaching the town. Today the water is used to irrigate the grapevines, a key feature of the oasis. In the afternoon we will visit the impressive ruins of the ancient city of Gaochong, 47km (29 miles) southeast of Turpan. Having come about as a garrison town and a Chinese base for grain production, this town eventually became the capital of the Kingdom of Gaochong. The practice of Buddhism led to the establishment of many tombs, monasteries, temples and large religious communities--the ruins of which can still be seen today. This evening we will board the southeast bound train for an overnight train ride to Dunhuang (4 OR 2 person compartments, as available; single compartments NOT available; single supplements reflect sharing for this one night). Overnight train. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Arrival in Dunhuang Today we will disembark from our train journey in the large oasis town of Dunhuang. The people of Dunhuang are overwhelmingly Han, and one immediately feels one is in the China of the east. Overnight in Dunhuang. Dunhuang Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 16 Dunhuang: Mogao Caves & Dunhuang Oasis Early this morning we will make a visit to the Mogao Caves, the greatest repository of Chinese Buddhist cave art, spanning the period from the Northern Wei to the Yuan dynasties (7th to 14th centuries). Begun in AD 366 and constructed over 1,000 years, these caves are filled with murals, dedicated mainly to Buddhism. In AD 33, a vision inspired a monk to cut the first hundred caves and over the next ten centuries, Dunhuang became a flourishing centre of Buddhist culture on the Silk Road. In the early days of the Silk Road, Dunhuang (meaning "Blazing Beacon"), was an important centre and the western-most outpost for China in the first century BC. Later this afternoon we will take a short drive to the edge of the Dunhuang Oasis, where cultivation is brought to a halt by 40 km (25 miles) of sand dunes (the highest dune rises 1715 m / 5,660 feet above sea level). The spring-fed crescent lake is nestled amidst the high yellow sand dunes of Mingsha Shan. Camel rides into the dunes are available (optional expense), or you may choose to climb the dunes for a view of the Dunhuang Oasis and surrounding desert. Overnight in Dunhuang. Dunhuang Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Dunhuang - Beijing Today we fly from Dunhuang to Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. While many of its elements are common to other Chinese cities, the sum of this city--its scope and presence in history--has no equivalent in China or anywhere else in the world. Beijing is not only the political and administrative center of the People's Republic of China, it is also China's single greatest repository of monuments and treasures from the imperial era. It is also the second-largest and fastest growing municipality in today's China, the home and workplace of 9.3 million people. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Beijing: Great Wall & Summer Palace This morning we travel north of Beijing to the Great Wall of China. A walk along the enormous undulating towered and turreted wall is spectacular. Rising and falling in concert with the ridges of the northern hills and undulating far off into the distance, the Great Wall consistently exceeds visitors' expectations and remains one of humankind's most remarkable accomplishments. The wall's construction began during the Warring States Period (403-221 BC), when separate sections were built in scattered strategic areas. Following China's unification under the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi (221-206 BC), 300,000 men--many of them political prisoners whose bodies are buried in the wall--were put to work connecting the segments into one huge rampart of stone and earth. We will have plenty of free time to explore the wall before returning to Beijing early this afternoon. After lunch we will have a tour of the Summer Palace, located in the northwest area of the city. During the late Qing Dynasty this was the summer retreat from Beijing's heat for the imperial family and court. Originally created as an imperial garden by Emperor Qianlong, it was destroyed and plundered during the Second Opium War in 1860. In 1888 the notorious Empress Cixi used the money intended for the Chinese Navy to build this opulent summer retreat for herself. In 1900 the Summer Palace was damaged extensively once again during the Boxer Rebellion, but was rebuilt shortly thereafter. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called "Yiheyuan" (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 19 Beijing: Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven We begin today with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the place where one million students rallied for democracy in 1989. This is the largest public square in the world. Originally built in 1651, the square was quadrupled in size in 1958 to its present 40.5 hectares (100 acres) during a massive city-wide reconstruction program. Each flagstone is numbered so that parade units can line up in their assigned places. From here we walk to the Forbidden City, a huge complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens, which was off-limits to commoners for 500 years. This is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties carried out their administration and lived, now open as a Palace Museum. This afternoon we visit the Temple of Heaven, completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. Qinian Hall, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing. It was hit by lightning in 1889 and then completely restored. No nails or pegs were used in the original construction nor in the restoration. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 20 Beijing: Hutong Tour This morning we embark on a Hutong Tour. Hutongs are lanes or alleys formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live. Roaming through Beijing's old, narrow streets by old-fashioned pedicab lets you witness daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens. After a tour focusing on ancient history and monuments, this is a fascinating opportunity to witness how everyday Chinese live and work in an environment that is rapidly disappearing in a rapidly developing country. This afternoon you can explore on your own or do some shopping for which Beijing is famous. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 21 Beijing, China - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Today we fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, has the look and feel of a neglected 1950s European city. The old Soviet cars and buses have been replaced by newer Japanese versions. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 22 Ulaanbaatar - Hustai Nuruu Reserve We depart by (bad) road for Hustai Reserve (approx 100 km) and arrive at a ger camp in the reserve. Hustai is Mongolian for birch, and nuruu means mountains.The reserve covers about 57,000 hectares. In the afternoon we visit the center of the reserve and, with luck, see free roaming Przewalskii Horses (Takhi), released here in a unique conservation program aiming at reintroducing this last remaining wild ancestor of the domestic horses. Classified as extinct in the wild, Przewalski's horse is the last true wild horse, and the only ancestor of the domestic horse that has survived to the present day. The common name refers to the Russian explorer Nikolai Przewalski who first discovered the subspecies in the 1870s. We spend our first night in a traditional 'ger'.* Gers are the moveable domed structures used by nomads for centuries. Made of a latticed wood structure covered with layers of felt and canvas, each ger is heated by a wood stove and furnished with comfortable wood-framed beds. The traditional ger has a lattice-work frame of narrow birch and willow boards held together by leather strips. Traditionally, the "door" consisted of a felt curtain over the door-frame; this is now replaced with a carved or painted wooden door. The entrance of the ger always faces south because the winds usually blow from the north-east. Though basic, gers allow us to visit areas that lack travellers' accommodations, and most visitors find their stays at ger camps to be among the most enjoyable experiences in Mongolia. The camps have a maximum capacity of about 20 guests in double occupancy gers that are fully collapsible, and most have shower and WC blocks. The toilets are long drop style allowing for natural decomposition. Showers can be organized in the outdoors with hot water by portable showers and a shower tent that is provided. Personal water basins for washing are provided and water always kept topped up. A stove is placed in the middle of each ger and the staff will attend to it in order to provide warmth on cool nights. Towels are provided. Soft drinks, wine and bottled water are all available for purchase from the camps. * Single gers are NOT available. Single supplements reflect sharing in gers and single rooms in hotels in cities. Overnight at Hustai Ger Camp. All meals. Day 23 Hustai - Hoghno Khan Mountain Area We depart this morning for a drive to the steppes of Kharkhorin (Karakorum). There will be steppe landscape all the way, and upon reaching the Hoghno Khan Mountain area we will see Mongol Els sand dunes in the middle of the steppes. They are locally known as "Little Gobi" and next to them there is a very small lake where waders such as herons and ducks may be seen. Transfer from the main road to our ger camp tucked away in a secluded valley at Hoghno Khan Mountain. Overnight at Hoghno Khan Ger Camp. All meals (picnic lunch). Day 24 Hoghno Khan & Kharakhorum Full day excursion in this fascinating area. We will drive approx 2 hours / 80 km on the recently refurbished road to Kharkhorin (Harhorin). We visit Erdenezuu Hiid, a functioning monastery in constant renovation to its former splendour. This is one of the historically and archeologically richest places in Central Asia. Once, 1000 monks used to inhabit Erdenezuu. Built in 1586, it was constructed from the ruins of the buildings that had once made up the city of Kharkhorin. The architecture exemplifies the skill of Mongolia's master builders, and is even complete with an ancient freshwater supply system from the nearby Orkhon River. It had some 100 temples within its 400 by 400 meters long walls. The monastery was sacked during the purges of 1937 and only the walls and 3 temples remain. Erdenezuu is still one of the most fascinating sites of Mongolia, and usually we will be able to witness the prayers. Return to Hogno Khan. Overnight at Hogno Khan Ger Camp. All meals. Day 25 Hoghno Khan Area Today is free for optional activities. The Hogno Khan Mountain is a giant rock formation in the middle of the steppes. The small Erdene Khombo monastery, which can be reached by bus or on foot, is now being restored. It was destroyed during the purges of the 1930s. This is an interesting area where many nomadic herdsmen and women live. We can do some day walks into these areas, visit some nomadic families, do some horse riding, or vehicle-supported trips at additional cost. Overnight at Hogno Khan Ger Camp. All meals (picnic lunch). Day 26 Hogno Khan - Ulaanbaatar We drive back to the capital and have the evening at leisure. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. All meals (picnic lunch). Day 27 Ulaanbaatar - Gobi Desert / Yol Valley We transfer to the airport for our flight south to Dalanzadgad, gateway to the Gobi region, not far from the Chinese border. Many visitors regard the Gobi as a remote, exotic and mystical place. While it is some of those things, it is also mainly grass, shrubs and rocks. Oases and sand cover only about 3% of the desert. It is, however, a land of extremes--it only rains every 2 to 3 years, and it can be well over 40C (105 F) during summer and below -40C (-40 F) in winter. Sand and dust storms can be fearsome in spring. The word Gobi refers to a shallow, wide basin. We travel to the Yol Valley in the Gurvansaikhan National Park. This park is rich in dinosaur fossils, extraordinary sand dunes, rock formations and a gorge so narrow and deep that the ice within it lasts for most of the year. The surprisingly green park is cradled between the peaks of the Altai Mountains and home to over 200 species of birds, including the Mongolian Desert Finch, Cinerous Vulture, Desert Warbler and the Houbara Bustard. The sparse vegetation manages to support black-tailed gazelle, snow leopard, ibex, argali sheep and endangered species of wild camel. Later today we arrive at our camp. Overnight at Dungenee Ger Camp. All meals. Day 28 Bayan Zag & Hongor Sands We drive south to see the dunes of the Gobi Desert and spend a night near the dunes. A full-day drive will bring us to the famous Hongor Sands, a giant sand dune stretching lengthwise some 180 km away in the distance. Sometimes it is just a couple of hundred meters wide, sometimes as wide as 7-20 km. During this day we might be lucky enough to spot herds of endangered Asiatic Wild Ass (Hemionus hemionus), that are called Khulans in Mongol. We also stop at Bayanzaag (Flaming Cliffs) where a large number of dinosaur fossils have been (and continue to be) found. The bright red sandstones of the Djadokhta rock formation contain Protoceratops fossils, dinosaur eggs, prehistoric mammals and even hadrosaurs. In the setting sun these sandstone cliffs are tinged a bright orange / red colour, hence their name. Our camp is located near the giant sand dune of Hongor Sands. It is very high and has a small stream following the leeward side. Herdsmen also live nearby; for those who are interested there is the chance to ride a camel through the dunescape (depending on our time of arrival today, these activities may take place tomorrow instead). Overnight at Juulchin Gobi Ger Camp. All meals. Day 29 Hongor Sands - Dungenee Ger Camp We have a full day's drive back through the Gobi Altai Mountains, a surprisingly green area home to over 200 species of birds, including the Mongolian Desert Finch, Cinerous Vulture, Desert Warbler and the Houbara Bustard. The sparse vegetation manages to support black-tailed gazelle, snow leopard, ibex, argali sheep and endangered species of wild camel. Overnight at Dungenee Ger Camp. All meals (picnic lunch en route). Day 30 Gobi Desert - Ulaanbaatar Today we transfer to the Juulchin Gobi Airstrip for our +/- 2 hour flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 31 Ulaanbaatar - Jalman Meadows This morning we drive from Ulaanbaatar to Jalman Meadows. In the uppermost parts of the Tuul River Valley is Jalman Mountain and Jalman Meadows. It is a huge meadow along the Tuul River with a lot of wildflowers in the summer. It is located within the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia's only true wilderness area, extending all the way to the Russian-Siberian frontier. We stay in a ger camp located next to the Tuul River and Jalman Meadows. The first part of our route consists of driving on the tarmac road towards Baganuur. We drive out of the cityscape and enter a region of treeless steppe after which we switch to jeep tracks and drive for an hour through a steppe valley devoid of any telegraph poles and inhabited by numerous herdsmen with their livestock. The last part of our journey is through patches of larch and birch forests up the Tuul River Valley. Overnight in Jalman Meadows Ger Camp. All meals. Day 32 Jalman Meadows We have the day to explore the Jalman Meadows. The area is in the transition zone of steppes and taiga forests in the uppermost parts of the Tuul River Valley, a mere full day's ride from where the river originate. Hence, there are steppe valleys, meadows along the Tuul River, larch forests with patches of birch. Wildlife such as wolf, lynx, brown bear, red deer, gazelle, moose, wild boar are certainly present but hard to see during the summer. Jalman Meadows is located in the autumn and winter pastures of nomadic herders of Erdene soum. A few remain, but most families vacate the area with their animals to allow for good seasonal pasture. Possible activities today include day hikes and swimming. The Tuul River is in its most pristine here and is next to the camp. The water may be cold, but usually pleasant during parts of July and August. The river is crystal clear and transparent, with regular deep pools with excellent fishing. Horse riding: Hourly, half days and full day rides can be organized with local horsemen (extra charge USD 20 per per person full day. USD 10 per half day. USD 5 one hour). You might also enquire about a gentle rafting trip on the Tuul River. Or you could relax and take advantage of the camp's library resources. Overnight in a ger camp. All meals. Day 33 Jalman Meadows - Ulaanbaatar We travel back to the capital and visit the Mongolian Museum of History* which chronicles effectively Mongolia's history on three floors. The museum is located on a square near the imposing and impressive Parliament Building. * NOTE: Due to flight variable timings, this museum visit may occur elsewhere in our programme. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 34 Ulaanbaatar: Naadam Festival With UB as our base, we'll experience the Naadam Festival. The Naadam Festival, or "eriyn gurvan naadam," is the biggest Festival of the year for Mongolians. Occuring in July, it runs for three days in all parts of the country and highlights the greatest athletes in horse racing, archery, and wrestling: Mongolia's most popular sports. Women participate in all but the wrestling category. The word Nadaam means game or competition in Mongolian. Today we witness the opening ceremony at the Central Stadium. Horse races, archery and wrestling are the main events of this very competitive festival. We attend the opening ceremonies at the national stadium followed by archery and Jarmag horse racing in the afternoon. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. All meals (picnic lunch). Day 35 Ulaanbaatar: Naadam Festival This morning we drive to "Naadam Camp" in Yarmag village. Naadam horse racing participants from all the provinces of Mongolia organise the camp and horse races in the area. The jockeys average between six and nine years old! The atmosphere is electric and there is always plenty to watch. The largest Nadaam is held in Ulaanbaatar every year along with other celebrations. Riotous in comparison with the Mongolian landscape, the wrestling, racing and archery make for an exciting few days, and an opportunity to experience one of Mongolia's rarest events--crowds of people! Overnight in Ulaanbaatar. All meals (picnic lunch). Day 36 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Beijing, China Today we fly from UB to Beijing. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 37 Departure Departure from Beijing. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our China Adventure Vacation specialist Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 6/09 |
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