We are excited to combine the wonders of the Yangtze River Cruise and Beijing with the adventure of Mongolia. The Chinese are building the largest dam in the world on the Yangtze River which will raise the level of the water to 135 meters above sea-level by 2003 and to 175 meters by 2009, which will dramatically affect the grandiose beauty of Three Gorges. 2002 is the last year that we can enjoy this wonder of nature in its current state. This tour combines some fascinating experiences in Beijing, with the Three Gorges Cruise and Mongolia. In Mongolia we will go to Karakhorum - the ancient capital of Chingiis Khan. This area features the ErDenn Zuu Monastery and 9th century stone tortoises. You will go through the Mongolian Steppe, UlaanBaatar and experience the wonderful Nadaam Festival (July tour only). Nadaam is the national celebration of Mongolian independence which includes wonderful pageantry, costume and a competition of the three national sports-wrestling, horse-racing and archery. We will also meet the Nomads and experience Mongolian hospitality! You will not only see the lands but also experience the people. This will be a wonderful trip that you will remember for the rest of your life!
Day 1: Shanghai We will meet at LAX. Then we will fly to Shanghai (With our International guide). The adventure begins!
Day 2: We will arrive in Shanghai in the early evening, our guide will transfer us to the hotel.
Day 3: We will visit the historic Bund. Then we will go to the world-class Shanghai Museum. After lunch we will visit the beautiful Yu Yuan Gardens. Evening option: The Shanghai Acrobats
Day 4: Today we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple and the Jade Factory. We will have lunch at the Mongolian Barbeque, then onto the a private Lotus Shoe Museum. Then we will take a late afternoon flight to Chongqing and board the cruise ship for the Yangtze River Cruise.
Day 5-6: The Yangtze River Cruise continues (Three Gorges, Shendong stream, beautiful scenery).
Day 7: The cruise ship arrives at Yichang early in the morning, we will be greeted by our local guide and transfered to the Wuhan. Along the way we will stop at the ancient city wall of Jinshou and the provincial museum. Then we will take you to the hotel at Wuhan.
Day 8: We will go to the museum in Wuhan which features many fine exhibits including a demonstration of the bell orchestra of ancient China. After lunch we will take a flight to Beijing and will be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 9: Today we will go to the Ming Tombs. After lunch we will go to the Great Wall. It is incredible to stand on and walk along the Great Wall and see it majestically sprawling along the tops of the mountains from east to west.
Day 10: The morning is free. After an early lunch we will go to the airport to fly to Mongolia. When we arrive at the airport of UlaanBaatar our guide will pick us at the airport and take us to the Chingiis Khan campground on the way into Ulaanbaatar. This interesting ger hotel has replicas of the old platform gers, heroes totems, ancient weapons and costume. Then we will go to UlaanBaatar. After a brief orientation of the center of town we will transfer you to the hotel.
Day 11: Morning visit Chojiid Lama Monastery and the Natural History Museum. After lunch Visit the Gandan Monastery (80 foot tall statue of Buddha, praticing Tibetan Buddhist Lamas). Evening option: Tumen Enkh National Performers (concert which includes the Tsam dance, traditional Mongolian singers, dancers, Tuvan throat singing and contortionists. B, L
Day 12: Leave in the morning to go on a jeep trek to Karakhorum. 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 at ger camp. Sleep in gers.
Day 13: Visit the Erden Zuu Monastery. There are several interesting buildings, Buddhist artwork and possibly view a Buddhist service. Then we drive back east and visit the Dutch Horse Ranch (this area is where the only originally wild horses can be found). Sunset as this is the best chance to see the horses coming close to where we will be. We will spend the night there.
Day 14: After breakfast (and a very early morning chance to see the horses for those who are interested) we will return to UB. We will check you back into the hotel. After lunch the rest of the day is free.
Day 15: Go to the wonderful Nadaam Festival! This national celebration of independence includes a opening ceremony in Nadaam Stadium and a competition of the three national sports- Horse-racing, Archery and Wrestling. We will view the opening ceremonies and some of the competition of each of the three sports. B, L
Option A:
Day 16: Beijing
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport to fly to Beijing. Upon arriving there, the guide will pick us up and take us to Bei Hai park on the way to the hotel in Beijing.
Day 17: Beijing After breakfast we will transfer back to the airport to return to the US with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Option B:
Day 16: Dalanzadgad A trip to the Gobi Desert
Fly to Dalanzadgad area in the morning. Arrive at campsite. Once settled in the camp we will take you on a tour of the area and especially featuring Yol Am.
Day 17: 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.
Day 18: Ulaanbaatar Enjoy the ger campsite and the beautiful scenery in the area. Fly back to UlaanBaatar and transfer to your hotel or apartment.
Day 19: Beijing After breakfast we will transfer to the airport to fly to Beijing. Upon arriving there, the guide will pick us up and take us to Bei Hai park on the way to the hotel in Beijing.
Day 20: Beijing After breakfast we will transfer back to the airport to return to the US with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour price includes: Domestic Chinese flights, domestic Mongolian flights, buses, private transportation, all tours, guides, drivers, transfers, 4-star hotels (double occupancy) in China, hotels in Mongolia, 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, dinners in UlaanBaatar (this is to allow those who want to rest in UB to go back to the hotel and rest).
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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