Mongolia - the name evokes images of a remote land, home to nomadic horsemen, mystic shamans and Chinggis Khaan. Here wild horses gallop across the steepe and camels wander in the glimmering Gobi desert. Our tour includes two nights in Beijing, a journey on the Trans-Mongolian Train, then south to the stark, arid beauty of Gobi Desert. We continue North to the Kovsoi Lake and the pristine forest, mountains and meadows of the nature reserve abundant with wildflowers and mammals.

This is a Personal Choice private tour, organised for two people travelling together.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly from London to Beijing.

Day 2 – Arrive Beijing after overnight flight. Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 - Board the Trans-Mongolian Train and travel in comfortable two berth compartments. The 30-hour Journey to Ulaanbaatar travels through urban and rural China, beneath the Great Wall and across the Gobi Desert.

Day 4 – Upon arrival meet your English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy lunch on a balcony overlooking Choijiln Lam Temple.There will be a private lecture at the Museum of Natural History. There will also be an opportunity to see the magnificent dinosaur skeletons at the Museum.

Day 5 – Fly to the Gobi Desert. Transfer to one of Mongolia’s best ger camps, located beside a rocky outcrop in the Gobi Desert. This eco-lodge is a luxurious environmental camp with fantastic views across the desert to the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. The Gobi was once a large inland sea and later home to a range of dinosaur species. Bayan Zag is one of the most famous palaeontological sites and was named ‘The Flaming Cliffs’ by Roy Chapman Andrews, the model for Indiana Jones. Chapman’s team discovered excellently preserved dinosaur fossils at this site including the first dinosaur eggs in the 1920’s. A visit in the afternoon allows for exploration of the valley and later the burning cliffs at sunset.

Day 6 – Drive West along the stunning Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. Stop for a picnic as you head through the mountains. After about 5 hours driving you spot the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes. These 800 feet sand dunes stretch off into the horizon. This evening we suggest that you visit a family of camel breeders in the fertile area beside the “Singing Dunes”. A climb to the top of the dunes is rewarded with magnificent views.

Day 7 – At leisure, enjoying the Three Camels Lodge.

Day 8 – Yoln Am Gorge and the rocky hills surrounding it are home to Ibex , Argali sheep and wolves. Rise early to enter the park before dawn. This is the best time to search for wildlife as the animals gather to drink in the streams. As the sun heats the ground Palla’s Pilca awake and scurry away while lammergeyers and other birds of prey circle above.

Day 9 – Morning at leisure and then to airport for the flight to Muron. The drive North to Khovsgol Lake passes through some attractive Steepe land and a small lake. As you approach Khovsgol lake you pass through Siberian Taifa forest with glimpses of the lake between the trees.

Days 10 and 11 – You are surrounded by pristine forest, mountains and meadows. The mountains are home to 68 species of mammal including musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, moose and wolves. The Khovsgol region is home to Dukha herdsmen. They rely on their reindeer herds for virtually ll their needs. Rather than gers, they live in tepees made from reindeer hide. There is an opportunity to visit some local nomadic families and the lake provides wonderful opportunities for fishing, kayaking and bird watching.

Day 12 – Drive back to Muron and visit the local market before your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel to refresh before an evening performance of Mongolian arts including traditional dance, horse headed fiddle and Khoomii overtone singing.

Day 13 – Depart on flight to Beijing. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 14 – Depart on your return international flight to London.

Beijing Extension are available. Please call us or e-mail us for details.

Price per person	Single Supplement	Deposit per person
From £2,195	From £300*	£400

These prices are based on two people travelling together sharing a twin room.

* Please note that the single supplement covers single rooms at hotels. However, it will be necessary to share with your travelling companion on the Trans-Mongolian train, and it may be necessary to share at Ger camps.

Price Includes: 4 domestic flights, 2 nights accommodation in Beijing, one night on the Trans-Mongolian Train from Beijing and one return flight to Beijing, 3 nights in hotels, 5 nights in Ger Camps, all breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners, full itinerary of visits accompanied by expert local guides.

Travel: Travel from London to Beijing is not included.  We can book your flights for you and will search for the best price available at that time. All flights booked by us must be paid for at the time of booking.

Departures: Fly from London on Sunday, arriving in Beijing on Monday.

Suggested British Airways scheduled flight timings.

* next day