Mongolia and Tibet Adventure

US citizens don't need a visa for Mongolia for a stay up to 90 days. After clearing immigration and custom, you will meet your guide and driver at the arrival gate, followed by a transfer to your hotel in the city (25 minutes). Check into the hotel, and the balance of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you for sightseeing of Ulaanbaatar. The first stop will be at the Gandan Monastery that is the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia. Here you may experience the monks in worship and see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisig.

Next, visit the Chinggis Khan Square, in the central square of the city. The center of the square has an equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, one of the leaders of Mongolia's 1921 revolution, and the square was named after him from 2013 to 2016. The place also features monuments of Chinggis Khan, as well as to Ögedei Khan and Kublai Khan in the square's north side and in front of the government palace called Saaral Ordon.

Now, visit the National Museum of Mongolia, located on the west side of the palace. The museum exhibits prehistory, pre-Mongol Empire history, Mongol Empire. It also presents Mongolia during the Qing rule, ethnography and traditional life, and the twentieth-century history of Mongolia.

The other two attractions nearby are Bogd Khan Palace Museum and Zaisan Memorial. The Bogd Khan Palace Museum is one of the few Ulaanbaatar historical attractions not destroyed by the Soviet and Mongolian communists. It used to be a winter residence of the last Bogd Khaan of Mongolia, Javzandamba. Among the museum's exhibits are sculptures by Mongolia's first Bogd Khaan Zanabazar, the famous Taras. The museum has 21 invaluable statues of Taras.

The Zaisan memorial lies in the foothills to the south of Ulaanbaatar. The Russians built the monument to commemorate Soviet soldiers fallen in World War Two. A tiled mural lies within the solid ring, which is raised about 5 m above the ground. Zaisan is a popular tourist attraction and one of the highlights of Ulan Bator due to the fantastic views it offers over the city. 

In the evening, enjoy local cultural dances.

(1.5 hours flight, approximately 2 hours driving).
This morning you fly over the vast steppe to the Gobi Desert, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Meet your local guide and driver upon arrival and then transfer by a 4WD vehicle to the Yol Valley in Gurvansaikhan National Park, situated in the lap of the Altai Mountains. On the way to the lodge, you will stop to visit the local Natural History Museum for an insight into flora and fauna of the area.

Check into your ger tent accommodation. Today and the next two days, we will spend exploring the vast Gobi. It is the habitat of the Bactrian Camels, Argali mountain sheep, Golden Eagles, Jerboas- which resembles the Kangaroo rats, Saker Falcons, and more. You may also take a scenic hike through the valley to discover the habitat of the indigenous vulture-like Lammergeyers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep. This valley is nestled deep within the hills and is a haven to get away from the desert heat. Some areas of the valley are in the shade and don't receive the sunlight directly; thus, the ice-blocks take time to melt away and some time till late summer. It is extensive at the entrance and narrows gradually into a remarkable gorge. You will get to see wild animals such as ibex and wild sheep and the vulture. You can hike on foot or go horseback or camel riding around the area to the gorge (Horseback ride costs US$ 5-7 with the lead).

After breakfast, we proceed on a scenic drive to Khongoryn Els (125 miles, four hours) with an occasional stop for photography.

You will have time to settle into your yurt and take rest before you proceed for the exploration of the dunes. If you are not exhausted from a long drive, you can attempt climbing the dune wall. The view from the top is rewarding!

Khongoryn Els or Khongor Sand Dunes are some of the largest and most spectacular dunes in Mongolia. Also known as the Duut Mankhan (Singing Dunes – from the sound they make when the wind moves the sand ), they are up to 984 ft high 7.5 miles wide and about 62.5 long. The largest dune is at the northwestern corner of the range. From afar, the dunes look painted on the southern horizon in front of those gorgeous granite mountains. There is also a beautiful green oasis known as Seruun Bulag near the Khongor River.

Next, we visit a nearby nomadic family and take a look inside their traditional dwelling. The family treats us with camel cheese and yak milk tea. You can rent a camel and explore the area around it. Each summer, they bring their livestock to graze on a pasture close to the Khongoryn River and offer camel rides. Visiting such a family provides unique insights into the local way of life. (Camel ride costs $7 or $8, not included in the trip cost).

After breakfast, we leave Hongoryn Els for Bayanzag. It's a long day drive today and can take up to 5 hours, but it's a scenic drive through the vast land. We will occasionally stop for photography and to watch the birds and the animals of the area.

We check in our camp, wash, and change, and after lunch, we drive to visit the Flaming Cliff. The place was named as 'Flaming Cliffs' by Roy Chapman Andrews, an American explorer who searched throughout the Mongolian Gobi Desert and found dinosaur skeleton and eggs for the first time in Asia. The red cliff gleams with sunlight and is visible from far away. We will take a short walk on the ridge of the cliff and look for the pieces of Dinosaur Bones. We will drive a little further to see the saxaul trees that contributed to the name Bayanzag. Bayanzag means rich in saxaul.

Early morning breakfast, and your driver will see you off at Dalanzadgad Airport. Upon arrival at the Ulaanbaatar airport, meet your driver and then proceed to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. This unforgettable excursion will take you to features such as unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a winding river, and quiet groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where they find lush grazing land for their animals. You will take a tour in the park and visit the notable rocks called "The Turtle rock," and "Monk reading a book." You will visit the Aryabal meditation center located inside the mountains to learn more about Mongolian Buddhism.

Check into your ger camp and tour to Terelj National park on foot or rent a horse that costs less than $10/hour. 

After a leisurely morning breakfast, we retrace our drive back to UB and continue further to Hustai National Park, renowned for the successful reintroduction of the wild horse. 

On the way, we will stop to visit the giant statue of Chinggis Khan, which stands 40 m high. The icon is the landmark of the area and is visible from far away. Next is the 13th Century Camp- a living museum that gives you a glimpse of life as an ancient Mongol during the time of Chinggis Khan. It has into six camps, each showcasing critical cultural aspects of 13th Century life in Mongolia.

Upon arrival in Hustai, we check in our ger camp. After wash and change, we will take the jeep ride in the park. Usually, we can see the herds of wild horses grazing in the grasslands of the parks and other wild animals.

We will have more time to explore the park before we head back to Ulaanbaatar. This afternoon is free for you to take rest or go shopping.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival at Beijing international airport, complete your immigration and customs formalities and take the shuttle van to the hotel.

Take the hotel shuttle van to the airport in time for the flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gongar Airport, meet your Tibetan Guide and transfer to the hotel in the city.
Today, take complete rest for acclimatization. Drink plenty of water and liquid food in meals.

Following breakfast, set out with your guide and driver to explore the attractions of Lhasa. First, we drive about 5 miles in the outskirt of the city to visit Drepung Monastery- the most extensive, wealthiest, and the most powerful of the three major "Yellow Hat" Sect monasteries of Tibet. Drepung commanded the administration of Tibet before Potala Palace rose as the power center. At Drepung, we visit the Ganden Palace, the main Assembly Hall, and some of the colleges of Buddhist studies. Drepung Monastery also commands a breathtaking view of the city.

From here, we head to Norbulinkha Gardens to see the summer palaces of the Dalai Lama. Of all the castles, the palace of the 14th Dalai Lama (the current Dalai Lama) is a major attraction. We visit his private chambers and audience hall.

In the afternoon, we head to Barkhor- the old Tibetan town where we will have a lunch break (lunch not provided). After lunch, we visit the ancient Jokhang Temple- built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to house the image of Buddha. This image was brought to Tibet by his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti as part of the dowry. After that, we will take a relaxed stroll on the pilgrimage path of Barkhor that goes around the Jokhang Temple. Barkhor area has authentic Tibetan characteristics with Tibetan shops lining up on either side of the street. We will see devout Tibetans walking and spinning the prayer wheels or counting the holy beads and uttering the sacred Buddhist mantras-'Om Mane Padme Hum!'

Today, we visit Potala Palace- which is undoubtedly the principal attraction of Lhasa. The massive architecture, situated atop the red hill in the city center, served as the residence of Dalai Lama and hence was the power center of Tibet until he fled to India in 1959. The original palace was believed to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of the 7th century, but the current structure dates back to the mid-17th century. The castle has two parts- the Red Palace and White Palace. The Red Palace is for the religious purpose that enshrines the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the monks' assembly hall, numerous chapels and shrines, and libraries for Buddhist Scriptures. The White Palace is for the administrative purpose containing living quarters, offices, the seminary, and the printing house.

Our next destination is the Sera Monastery- other major Gelugpa monasteries of Lhasa. If you are hiking enthusiast and well acclimated, you can join the local pilgrims on an hour-long hike on the pilgrimage path, known as "kora" (pilgrimage that goes around the monastery). Along the trail, we will see the rock paintings and hermitages of Tsongkhapa (Founder of Gelugpa sect).

As we conclude the kora hiking, we enter the monastery and visit its main assembly hall and some of its several Buddhist colleges. We will also take a chance to attend the debating session of the monks. We also have the option of hiking to Pabonka Monastery, which takes about one hour from Sera. Pabonka is one of the most ancient Buddhist sites in the Lhasa region and unfrequented by tourists.

 (183km/122miles, 4 hrs. drive).

After breakfast, leave for Tsedang- the capital of ancient Yarlung Valley. The Yarlung Valley is referenced as the cradle of Tibetan civilization, and it was in Yarlung that early Tibetan Kings unified Tibet in the 7th century. On the way, we will take a detour of Kambala Pass (15, 915 ft) for the views of Yamdrok Tso Lake. The  Kambala Pass (15, 915 ft.) offers spectacular views of Yamdrok Tso Lake-which is among the holiest lakes of Tibet and the vast Tibetan plateau and Himalayan mountains.

We will also stop at Mindrolling Monastery- a 17th-century temple which is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We arrive in Tsedang late afternoon. Check into the hotel and take rest for the balance of the day.

Today, we explore the historical and cultural sights of the Yarlung Valley. Visit the ancient Tradruk Temple (7 km or 4.5 miles), which is one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. It is contemporary in comparison to the Jokhang and Ramoche of Lhasa. At Tradruk, visit the courtyard area, ringed by sanctuaries, the main chapel with statues of Tara or Drolma, the 5 Dhyani Buddhas, and the famous Thangka painting of the Drolma in the chapel upstairs.

From Tradruk, you head south to Yumbulgang Palace (6km or 1.8 miles), which is a beautiful tapering finger of a structure that pops up from a rocky ridge overlooking the patchwork of fields of the Yarlung Valley. Visit the ground floor chapel consecrated to the ancient kings of Tibet and the upper floor chapel with an image of Chenresig (Avalokityaswora) and also see some excellent murals depicting the descent of Nyentri Tsenpo from heaven to Yumbulagang. Walk up along the ridge above the building to enjoy fabulous views of the Yarlung Valley.

In the afternoon, we visit Samye Monastery- the first Buddhist Monastery in Tibet. The monastery is famous for its sacred mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, the center of the universe. It is a renowned pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists, some of who travel on foot for weeks to reach this holy shrine.

(120km/7.5miles, 1.5 hrs. drive)
The trip concludes today. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for a flight to your next destination. You have options to fly to Chengdu, Beijing, or other mainland Chinese cities as well as Kathmandu, Nepal.