Asia modern mongolia land of ancient hoards trip highlights Visit to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing Walk a remote section of the Great Wall Explore the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar and the Gandan Monastery Revel in the Naadam celebrations, Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival Visit Khustain National Park - home of the takhi (Mongolian wild horse) Staying in comfortable ger camps while in Mongolia Ride camels and walk along Mongolia’s largest sand dunes at Khongoriin Els Fossick for dinosaur fossils at Bayanzag Trip Duration Grade Activities Accommodation welcome to World Expeditions Thank you for your interest in the Australian Museum Members Modern Mongolia trip. At World Expeditions we are passionate about our off the beaten track experiences as they provide our travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are committed to ensuring that our unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of small groups or individuals philosophies that have been at our core since 1975 when we began operating adventure holidays. Our itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising World Expeditions can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience!! 1 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 8 days 1 Adventure touring level Adventure Touring 18 Day itinerary, 7 nights hotels, 9 nights comfortable ger camps why travel with World Expeditions? When planning travel to a remote destination, many factors need to be considered. Our extra attention to detail and seamless operations on the ground ensure that you will have a memorable trip in Mongolia. We take every precaution to ensure smooth logistics. Our guides and vehicles are the best available and to ensure the smooth operation of all trips, our partners in Mongolia continually work with us to improve our itineraries to ensure we are taking the ‘paths less travelled’. Our adventures have always sought to benefit the local peoples we interact with, safeguard the ecosystems we explore and contribute to the sustainability of travel in the regions we experience. modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. trip dates 2012 29Jun - 16Jul trip cost Joining Sydney Based on a minimum of 10 people in twin share accommodation: $7890 options & supplements World Expeditions does not require single travellers pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above. Please note: Airfares are based on Singapore Airlines ‘Q’ Class to Beijing and China Airways from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, subject to availability at the time of booking. If flights are not available in the above classes, a higher class may be booked and a surcharge may be applied. Please note: Cost may change in the event of significant changes in the currency rate of exchange or airline surcharges (see Condition 14 on the reverse of the booking form) the trip On this exceptional journey, exclusive to the Australian Museum Members, we fly to Beijing where we marvel at the cities most renowned landmarks of Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City before exploring one of the great wonders of the world, The Great Wall. From Beijing we head to Mongolia where we are greeted by a welcoming concert of Mongolian traditional musicand have a full day set aside to explore the capital Ulaanbaatar, including its Natural History Museum. Our journey commences in Mongolia with a visit to Khustain Nuruu National Park, where we hope to glimpse the famous wild ‘ takhi’ horses. Next we continue to Mongolia’s finest monastery at Erdenezuu and Mongolia’s ancient capital of Karakorum. Returning to Ulaanbaatar we fly south to the magnificent Gobi Desert, one of the last few wildernesses on earth. It is a treasure chest full of astonishing surprises that draw in the most avid travellers, explorers and adventurers. This itinerary takes us to the very best of the Gobi where we will also have the opportunity to experience the full colour of Nadaam.The Naadam Festival (or eriyn gurvan Naadam) ties in the spirit of Genghis Khan (or Chinggis Khaan, who in this isolated country is synonymous with strength, unity, law and order), with competition involving the three manly sports of horse racing, archery and wrestling. The festival, which is held throughout the country on the anniversary of the 1921 Mongolian revolution, is a time of celebration and colour. We explore unique and untouched places amid this vast wilderness - we see the largest sand dunes in Mongolia at Khongoriin Els, ancient dinosaur relics at the “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayanzag, the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park containing the Valley of Yolyn Am with solid ice formations, even in the heat of the Gobi summer. We ride camels and have time to simply marvel at these astonishing surroundings. In true nomadic style we ride through the desert in jeeps visiting a local nomadic family and enjoy the famous hospitality of these hardy people. Every trip to Mongolia is an adventure in the truest sense of the word and this trip is sure not to disappoint. We hope you can join the Australian Museum Members on this exclusive tour. at a glance Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 2 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 9 June 2012 Depart Sydney/Arrive Beijing 2 30 June 2012 Sightseeing Beijing 1 July 2012 Great Wall Visit 2 July 2012 Fly Beijing to Ulaanbataar 3 July 2012 In Ulaanbaatar sightseeing 4 July 2012 Travel to Khustain Nuruu (approx 2 hours drive) and see Takhi Horses 5 July 2012 Travel to Karakorum. Visit Erdenezuu Monastery 6 July 2012 Drive to Tsenkher Hot Springs. Visit Nomadic Family 7 July 2012 Drive to Elsen Tasarhai 8 July 2012 Drive to Ulaanbaatar 9 July 2012 Fly to Dalanzadgad, transfer to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park 10 July 2012 Nadaam Festival 11 July 2012 Morning at Nadaam. To Khongoryn Els sand dunes 12 July 2012 Camel ride and family visit 13 July 2012 Drive to Gurvan Saikhan Mountain, Eagle Valley (Yol Am) 14 July 2012 Fly to Ulaanbaatar. 15 July 2012 Fly to Beijing and onward flight to Sydney 16 July Arrive Sydney modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. what’s included R eturn economy ‘Q’ Class flights from Sydney to Beijing with Singapore Airlines (including $610 taxes) R eturn economy flights from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar with China Airways including taxes Internal flight Ulaanbaatar/Dalanzadgad valued at US$185 1 6 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners A irport transfers as outlined in the itinerary S ightseeing and national park entrance fees as listed in itinerary E xpert bilingual guide in Beijing and Mongolia C omfortable well located hotels in Ulaanbaatar and twin share accommodation in traditional ger camps P rivate vehicles M edical kit C amel riding T rip escorted by Australian Museum Members Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments. detailed itinerary Day 129 June 2012 Depart Sydney/Arrive Beijing You will depart Sydney on SQ212 at 0810am and fly, via Singapore to Beijing arriving into Beijing on SQ810 at 2330pm. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel to rest for the evening meals: nil Day 230 June 2012 Sightseeing Beijing After breakfast we visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square and is located only a short distance from our hotel. People flying kites, a popular pastime all over China, stand next to guards under the ever-watchful eye of Chairman Mao’s portrait. Which ever way you turn there is another photo opportunity to be found in this huge open space. From here we enter The Forbidden City through the Gate of Heavenly Peace. The Forbidden City is a masterpiece of 5000 years of Chinese civilization and still vividly displays the power and prestige of the former dynasties. Sprawling over acres, the City is a magnificent group of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and deep terracotta walls. Ornately furnished palace rooms, priceless artworks and treasures are all now open to the public after 500 years of seclusion. After lunch we visit the Temple of Heaven (time permitting). The Temple itself is an architectural highlight however it’s the crowds of people that makes this spot so interesting and memorable. Thousands of people gather here to practice ballroom dancing, Tai chi and calligraphy. After relaxing in the late afternoon we will make our way to the famous Chinese Acrobat show. Set in an old theatre, the Acrobat show is something to see as very talented young men and women enthrall the crowd with daring feats involving bicycles, dragons, swords and double-jointed body parts! meals: b,l,d 3 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. fast facts Countries Visited: Mongolia and China Visas: Yes* Vaccinations: Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information Private Groups: Private group options are not available for this trip Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Leader: Expert local leader Brochure Reference: Journeys of Discovery *Ask our staff for more information. Day 31 July 2012 Great Wall Visit Today is the real treat as we travel to a beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. The Mutianyu Guan section is approximately a 2 hour drive outside of Beijing, slightly further than the popular and very busy Badaling Gate section. The Chinese say you must do your hair before visiting the Badaling section of the wall as you will no doubt meet someone you know. The Mutianyu section is renown for its Ming Dynasty Guard Towers and stirring views. The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the worlds most unusual and awesome sites. Commenced 2000 years ago, around 221B.C, it was built as a line of defence to keep out invaders, along the course of several thousand kilometres. The Emperor Qin Shihuang unified the various northern walls into the Great Wall we see today. We have the opportunity to walk along this section, quite often with no one else in sight, and appreciate the many watchtowers as well as the surrounding rolling hills. This evening we are treated to delicious Beijing Duck dinner. meals: b,l,d Day 42 July 2012 Fly Beijing to Ulaanbataar This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your CA901 flight to Ulaanbaatar, arriving at around 1050am. On arrival you have the chance to freshen up before enjoying a light lunch and an afternoon walking tour to get our bearings around the capital city. We return to the hotel in the afternoon to relax before a welcoming concert of Mongolian traditional music followed by dinner. meals: b,l,d Day 53 July 2012 In Ulaanbaatar sightseeing Today we will have the opportunity to explore the nation’s capital city. First stop is Sukhbaatar Square, the central square named after the revolutionary hero of 1921 Damdiny Sukhbaatar who declared independence from China. We visit Gandan Monastery the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia, here we may experience monks in worship and see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisig. Next we will visit the Natural History Museum to see real life-sized reconstructed dinosaur skeletons collected from the Gobi. An important landmark on any orientation tour is the State Department Store or “Great Shop” as it is known in Mongolian. meals: b,l,d Day 64 July 2012 Travel to Khustain Nuruu (approx 2 hours drive) and see Takhi Horses Today we will drive to the Khustain National Park. This park has had an ongoing conservation project to save the wild Takhi horse (or Przewalski’s Horse) and successfully reintroduce them back into the Mongolian wilderness. In the evening, we will see the wild horses grazing in the mountains. Overnight ger camp. meals: b,l,d Day 75 July 2012 Travel to Karakorum. Visit Erdenezuu Monastery Today we will travel to the ancient capital of Mongolia, Karakorum. From here we will visit the Erdenezuu monastery. Very little remains of Karakorum, from where Genghis Khan launched his mighty cavalry. What does stand resplendent near the town are the massive walls of the Erdenezuu Monastery. This monastery had to face the onslaught of Soviet desecration during the 19th century, but is now being slowly and lovingly restored. There will also be time to do some art and antique shopping in Karakorum (Approximately 280km/5 hours drive). meals: b,l,d Day 86 July 2012 Drive to Tsenkher Hot Springs. Visit Nomadic Family Today we will continue our journey to the Tsenkheriin Hot Springs, which sprout directly from the mountains and can reach temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius. We will also have the 4 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. responsible travel The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence. World Expeditions were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry’s Environmental Achievement award for our Responsible Travel Guidebook. This detailed guide to responsible and sustainable travel is provided to all World Expeditions clients before they travel. Please ask your consultant if you have not received your copy of our award winning book. Alternatively, you may like to download a copy from our website www.worldexpeditions.com adventure travel By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your consultant or travel agent. important note These trip notes represent the most current information for this itinerary, and may supersede any information in the current brochure, including but not limited to the itinerary and price. The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature and other circumstances beyond our control. opportunity to visit a nearby local nomadic family and learn more about the Mongolian way of life. We will overnight at a ger camp near the springs, with an opportunity for a relaxing soak in a pool with hot spring water (approx 150km/3-4 hours drive) meals: b,l,d Day 97 July 2012 Drive to Elsen Tasarhai This morning we will drive to Elsen Tasarhai located in Burd soum in Ovorkhangai Aimag (Province). The area is surrounded by sand dunes, hills covered with rare bushes and a small forest near a river. Together this presents a unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests and Gobi-type landscape in one location. This area is located approximately 80 km east of Karakorum and is populated by the Maral stag (elk), wolves, deer and fox. The Elsen Tasarhai literally means “an isolated torn-off piece of sand” and it is a small sequence of real desert in the midst of green steppes and can feel in parts like the Gobi desert - a precursor to your visit there in coming days (approx 180km/5-6 hours drive) meals: b,l,d Day 108 July 2012 Drive to Ulaanbaatar Today we return to Ulaanbaatar where you will have the afternoon to relax and wander at your leisure (drive approx 280km/5 hours). meals: b,l,d Day 119 July 2012 Fly to Dalanzadgad, transfer to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park This morning you will meet your guide and transfer to the airport for the flight to Dalanzadgad, the centre of the South Gobi province. The flight takes approximately one and a half hours, and on arrival we will be met by our local driver and transferred to a ger camp for lunch. In the afternoon we drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The park lies on the northern edge of the Gobi desert, and at nearly 27,000 square kilometres is the largest national park in Mongolia. Our destination is the Flaming red cliffs at Bayanzag. This area is famous as the American explorer and naturalist, Roy Chapman Andrews, led a series of dinosaur expeditions here in the 1920s. The dinosaur skeletons discovered during his expeditions are now kept in the Natural History Museum of America. In the late afternoon we head back to camp for dinner and our first night in the Gobi. Overnight ger camp. meals: b,l,d Day 1210 July 2012 Nadaam Festival The Naadam Festival is the highlight of the Mongolian Summer, and is known as the eriin gurvan naadam, after the three “manly” sports of wrestling, archery and horse racing. Children race horses from as young as 4 years of age and races can be as long as 30kms. The real pride of Mongolia is the wrestler. Much skill and training goes into this sport and the winner is revered as a hero by all Mongolians and hence awarded the most prestigious title of the “Lion”. Overnight Ger Camp meals: b,l,d Day 1311 July 2012 Morning at Nadaam. To Khongoryn Els sand dunes Following breakfast, and a chance to enjoy some more of the Nadaam Festival, we drive deep into the Gobi desert to the Khongoryn Els sand dunes. The ride may be bumpy but you will be rewarded with incredible desert scenery of flat stony plains, outcrops of vegetation, rugged rock formations, and herds of wild antelope racing across the plains. The Khongoryn Els sand dunes - know as the ‘Singing Sands’, cover 965km², and are considered some of the most spectacular in Mongolia. We spend the afternoon exploring this surreal landscapes by 4WD. meals: b,l,d 5 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. Day 1412 July 2012 Camel ride and family visit Today will be an enjoyable rest day at the sand dunes. We will walk up to the sand hills, visit a local family and ride two humped camels along the sand dunes. Riding camels is relatively easy with their gentle gait and slow steady pace. Mongolians use bright, colourful, hand-made saddles for riding which sit between the two humps of the camels. It is important not to frighten or upset the camels, so no wild or sudden movements! Tonight you can relax in camp and look at the stars in the clear Mongolian sky. meals: b,l,d Day 1513 July 2012 Drive to Gurvan Saikhan Mountain, Eagle Valley (Yol Am) Today we will set off again by 4WD and drive to Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountain, Eagle Valley (Yol Am). Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in Mongolia, Yol Am is nestled deep within the hills and is a haven from the desert heat. Some areas of the valley are continually sheltered from the hot sun and house a large ice field that gradually melts away during the summer months. We embark on a walk in the valley with plenty of time to stop, rest, and enjoy a packed lunch. If we are lucky we will also see wild mountain goats jump high on the cliff walls and large birds of prey circling overhead in the sky. Tonight we celebrate our final night in the Gobi in a nearby Ger camp. meals: b,l,d Day 1614 July 2012 Fly to Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast we will transfer to the local airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival in Ulaanbaatar we will transfer to our hotel. In the evening we will enjoy a farewell meal with our new Mongolian friends. meals: b,l,d Day 1715 July 2012 Fly to Beijing and onward flight to Sydney This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to teh airport for your flight to Beijing and onward flight to Australia. Depart Ulaanbaatar on CA902 at 1150, arrive Beijing at 1400. Connect with Singapore Airlines flight SQ805, departing Beijing at 1600 arriving Singapore at 2200. meals: b Day 1816 July Arrive Sydney Connect with flight SQ231, departing Singapore at 0035 and arriving into Sydney at around 1020am meals: nil This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. country information CHINA China never fails to conjure up a myriad of feelings, images and a sense of mystery. Its history cannot be summed up here in a few paragraphs and to fully appreciate the currents that have shaped the country and its people, you must take the time to read at least one of the many excellent books available. Within the almost four million square miles of China’s vast territory live more than 1.2 billion people, which makes it the most populated nation on earth. For centuries, outsiders have yearned to visit China and it’s only since 1976 that tourism really started. Initially, foreign visitors were only allowed to see a fraction of what the country had to offer, however, today it is possible to visit as many as 60 different areas. An increasing number of historical sites are also being restored and opened up to viewing for foreign tourists. 6 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. As much as China is keen to display its stunning scenery, historical sites and impressive cities, it is also dedicated to conveying something about how its society works. Although its political system has set it apart from the west, China is now moving forward in leaps and bounds, especially in the areas of trade and commerce. The major cities are indicative of the burgeoning economy of modern China. As in the days of Marco Polo, travellers are still regarded as honoured guests and the locals delight in watching you watching them. MONGOLIA Mongolia is a vast country, dominated by the steppes to the north and the Gobi Desert to the south. It is landlocked and with an average altitude of 1,580m (5,180 ft), it is one of the world’s highest countries. Between the deserts are lakes, both salt and freshwater. Lake Hovsgol holds 2% of the world’s fresh water – so fresh you can drink it. The nomadic lifestyle in Mongolia prevails even in the growing urban landscape around Ulaanbaatar, where gers (yurt is a Russian word for ger) are found between the crumbling Soviet style buildings. The ger is the centre piece of Mongolian traditions. The mobility of the tent suits the nomadic lifestyle, and the layout of the interior is culturally significant. The door always faces the south and the rear is reserved as a place of honour for guests, where a family altar is found decorated with family photos and Buddhist images. The predominant religion of Mongolia is Buddhism, which has been revived following the lifting of the ban on religion in 1990. Historically, Mongolia has had close ties with Tibet through the Buddhist religion, and many similarities exist in the culture and lifestyle of these two countries. Mongolian religion and their nomadic lifestyle is depicted in their music, literature and artwork. Throat (or Khoomi) singing is a particular style of male singing which requires special training, and involves several notes being released at once from the base of the throat. Contortionism is also a Mongolian tradition, and dance performances will often include a sequence. The language is Mongolian - part of the Ural-Altaic family which also includes Finnish, Turkish, Uzbek and Korean. The language is written using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. climate In Beijing in summer the days may be hot, up to 30C (86 F) but it is more likely to be quite pleasant. Rain can occur at any time but is more likely in spring, March-May. Mongolia suffers from a severe climate, characterised by long sub-arctic winters where the average temperature hovers around minus 15ºC. During the summer months of June to August, daytime temperatures average a pleasant 25ºC with very low humidity in central parts of the country. The rainy season is from mid-July to September and strong dust storms occur between May and June. At the peak of summer in mid-July when the Naadam Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar, daytime temperatures of 35 ºC are possible however winds can still be cold out on the steppe and a good warm jacket is still recommended. what you carry In your daypack you will need to carry anything you may need while you are out sightseeing during the day for example, water bottle, camera, spare jacket etc equipment required Specialist gear required include comfortable walking shoes and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking). what’s not included Items of a personal nature such as laundry and postage 7 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00 modern mongolia - land of ancient hoards Discover the highlights of Beijing before gaining a thorough insight into the people, culture and places of Mongolia, including Mongolia’s largest and most important cultural festival, Nadaam. B everages A dditional transport required due to any emergency situation V isa costs T ravel Insurance (compulsory) subscribe to our e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, www.worldexpeditions.com or contact our office. how to book Please fill out the booking form and return with a $400 deposit to World Expeditions to reserve your place on the tour. Please note that all reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. The deposit is payable by cash, cheque, or credit card (made payable to World Expeditions) & is non-refundable. Please send your completed booking form to the following address: World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 8270 8400 Fax: (02) 8270 8401 Please Note: This is an Australian Museum Members Tour and participants are required to be current Members. For further details about Membership, please call Australian Museum Members on (02) 9320 6225. 8 – © 2011 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 8 Sep 2011 11:06:00
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