The Grand Beijing and Mongolia is a tour which combines the best tours of Beijing, with the Trans-Mongolian Railway (from Beijing to UlaanBaatar), UlaanBaatar city tours and three special treks; The Gobi desert, Karakhorum and Lake Huvsgal. Mongolia is 1/3 desert, 1/3 the Steppe and 1/3 mountains (with various lakes), this tour gives you exciting experiences in all three regions. We offer many variations and extensions for this tour including horse treks, jeep treks and even an overnight on a guard tower on the Great Wall of China!
Day 1: In Flight
You will leave the US for your flight to Beijing. The adventure begins!
Day 2: Beijing
You will arrive in Beijing, where your guide will meet you and will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 3: Beijing
The day begins with a tour of a Chinese Hutong. This begins with a rickshaw ride through the old neighborhood, then a short walking tour into the narrow streets of the Hutong. You will be able to visit the home of a family who lives there; feel free to ask any questions. Then we will take you to a special part of the Great Wall at Jinshanling. There you will meet your hosts. They will take you to the Great Wall and show you the options of where you will sleep. Later your hosts will cook for you a home-cooked meal which you can eat either on the Great Wall or down below in their home.
Day 4: Beijing
You will wake up on one of the Wonders of the World! It is certainly the longest of the Wonders. You can spend more time enjoying the wall. After you have finished with your time there you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 5: In Transit
Today you will leave very early in the morning to the train station for the Trans-Mongolian railway to UlaanBaatar. This 30-hour train ride passes the Great Wall in three places, some interesting ruins in Inner Mongolia and through the scrubby part of the Gobi desert in Mongolia.
Day 6: UlaanBaatar
You will arrive in UlaanBaatar mid-afternoon where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. On the way you will be given a brief tour of the city, including SukhBaatar Square and the surrounding buildings. L
Day 7: Ulaanbaater
We will take you on a day trek to the east to Terelj. During this short drive, the countryside dramatically changes twice, providing three distinct landscapes on the trip. You will visit Giant Turtle Rock, and take a stop at the "Dinosaur Statue" campground. After lunch, enjoy the area and you will know this is a great place to ride horses for hours. Return to UB in the evening and your guide will transfer you back to your hotel. B, L
Day 8: Ulaanbaatar
Morning visit to the Gandan Monastery. Then we will visit Choijin Lama Temple Museum. After lunch, you will visit the National History Museum (which has some wonderful exhibits, especially concerning Chingiis Khan and the tribal costumes). B,L
Day 9: Karakhorum
You leave in the morning to go on a trek to Karakhorum, the ancient capital of Chinggis Khan, and See the beautiful Mongolian Steppe (and the Shoestring Gobi patch). Visit Nomads along the way and enjoy Nomad hospitality. Arrive at the ger camp. Go to the 9th century stone tortoises. Eat and sleep at ger camp. B, L, D
Day 10: Hustai Natural Reserve
You start the day in Karakhorum. There are several interesting buildings, Buddhist artwork and possibly view a Buddhist service. Then we drive back east and visit the Hustai Natural Reserve. We will spend the night there. B, L, D
Day 11: Ulaanbaater
After breakfast you will have another chance to see the horses. If you like you can stay for an extra night at Hustai preserve or return back to UB with the group and go to see Naadam Festival next day. B,L
Day 12: Ulaanbaater
Go to the wonderful Naadam Festival! This national celebration of independence includes an opening ceremony in Naadam Stadium and a competition of the three national sports- Horse-racing, Archery and Wrestling. You will view the opening ceremonies and some of the competition of each of the three sports. B, L
Day 13: Dalanzadgad
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dalanzadgad. You will arrive at the ger camp. Once settled in the camp we will take you on a tour of the area including Yol Am. This incredibly beautiful valley features one of the anomalies of nature found in Mongolia-here in the midst of the Gobi Desert is a glacier coming out of the mouth of a cave that is still frozen even throughout the summer. B, L, D
Day 14: Dalanzadgad
Full day tour, including the Flaming Cliffs (where dinosaur fossils were discovered in Mongolia), a camel herder and see the large dunes and varied countryside sites. If there is time we can take a brief tour of Dalanzadgad. B, L, D
Day 15: Ulaanbaater
Enjoy the ger campsite and the beautiful scenery in the area. Fly back to UlaanBaatar and transfer to your hotel. B, L
Day 16: Hatgal
Fly to Lake Huvsgal. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. You will arrive in Hatgal and will be transferred to the Ger camp. There will be opportunities to ride horses, go for nature walks and enjoy the beautiful sunset in this pristine woodland and lake setting. You can also visit Hatgal and see some of the native crafts and artwork from the area. B,L,D
Day 17: Hatgal
You will continue to enjoy the countryside. Today we can drive around the west side of the river. If we are fortunate we will possibly be able to visit a Tsaatan family. The Tsaatan are the reindeer people, whose lives center around reindeer. You can also have additional horse-back riding, nature tours, etc. and even fishing. B,L,D
Day 18: Ulaanbaater
Today you will fly to UlaanBaatar. We will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. B,L
Day 19: Ulaanbaatar
Today you will visit the Zanabazar Art Museum. Then we will take you to the Bogd Khan Summer and Winter Palace. After lunch we will visit Natural History Museum. If time permits you can go shopping at the Gobi Cashmere Store which features fine Mongolian cashmere and camel hair garments as well as State Department Store. B, L
Day 20: Beijing
Today we will take you to the airport for your return flight to Beijing. Upon arriving in Beijing your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 21: Return Flight
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home with a lifetime of wonderful memories!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Exact price is dependant on the international airfare prices Business Class Upgrade on international flights available for excellent rates.
Note: Other departure cities can be substituted or connection flights included for a reasonable fee.
Tour price includes: Domestic Chinese flights, buses, jeeps, private transportation, all tours, guides, drivers, transfers, 4-star hotels (double occupancy) in China, meals as listed.
Not included: International air flight round trip USA-China, items listed as "optional" Airport tax *(Chinese visa, next-day air, service and handling), tips.
Note: We do provide visa service for China. We can provide international flights at excellent rates.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Mongolia
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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