15 Day Mongolia & Gobi Desert with Tokyo 2018 Itinerary

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Japan
Depart for Japan

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in dynamic Tokyo in the "Land of the Rising Sun"; transfer to your hotel. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 pm, in order not to miss the orientation meeting with your local guide and dinner. Tonight, dinner together with your fellow travelers welcomes you to Japan
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday - Tokyo City Tour
On today’s tour of Tokyo, witness the contrast of this city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. The tour begins at the Imperial Palace, a huge parkland with magnificent gardens, residence of Japan’s Imperial family. Continue to Asakusa, once Tokyo’s leading entertainment district. Here, enter the Kannon Temple, one of the most visited spiritual sites in the world. Stroll along bustling Nakamise Street; see endless rows of traditional local snacks and souvenirs. Make a photo stop at the impressive Tokyo Tower, the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower, symbol of Japan's post-war rebirth. Next, to the frenetic Ginza district, Tokyo's celebrated shopping, dining and amusement area. Return back to the hotel and spend the balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Saturday - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Depart Tokyo and arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's spiritual and economic center. The city was founded as a monastic center for Buddhism in 1639, and it changed locations 28 times before settling in its present spot in 1778. Tonight, Welcome Dinner and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Dinner

DAY 5, Sunday - Fly to Moron, Ride Horseback
This morning, fly from Ulaanbaatar to Moron near the northern border with Russia. From here, drive to Lake Khovsgol, the largest freshwater lake by volume in the country. Remarkably, it holds 70% of Mongolia's fresh water. Here, stand amidst a magnificent tableau, a national park zone of soaring peaks and pristine forest that is larger than Yellowstone. After a scenic drive, settle in to your simple camp accommodations. This afternoon, saddle up for guided horseback riding to get a taste of the nomadic life. Tonight, dinner is at a camp restaurant
Overnight: Lake Khovsgol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Monday - Explore Khovsgol Province, Meet Yak Family
You're in one of the world's most remote areas, and just above the northern border over the Ulaan Taiga range, Siberia stretches into forever. A highlight of the day is your visit with a local Yak family in their ger and learn about their nomadic life. In the afternoon, perhaps join the optional boat trip to Lake Khovsgol one of the largest lakes in Mongolia, surrounded by the Khoridol Saridag and Bayan Mountain Ranges. Your boat tour will take you to the shore on the other side of the lake and the entire excursion will offer beautiful views and wonderful photography opportunities. Back at the camp, there'll be free time to recount your incredible day amidst this glorious wilderness. After dinner tonight, join your fellow travelers, for drinks at a lakeside campfire
Optional: Lake Khovsgol Boat Trip (PM)
Overnight: Lake Khovsgol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Tuesday - Fly to Ulaanbaatar, Transfer to Mt. Khogno Khan
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar where you'll begin your journey by land over the Mongolian steppe, a wide-open space of nomadic horsemen and shepherds, clusters of gers, and endless wild plains. Enjoy a box lunch en route to Mt Khogno Khan. Later, arrive at your lodge and have dinner at a camp restaurant
Overnight: Mt. Khogno Khan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Wednesday - Explore Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery
This morning journey towards the Erdene Zuu monastery area. Arrive in Karakorum, the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire and visit the Karakorum museum. The exhibits include artifacts from the immediate area, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, plus prehistoric stone tools. You’ll also see pottery, coins, religious statues and stone inscriptions. After lunch at a camp, visit a local market. Continue with a visit the Erdene Zuu monastery, built in 1585, the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. During communist rule, it was allowed to exist, only as a museum. Today is an active place of worship once again. Stop to see some temples, stupas and glittering gilded Buddhas. Time for some souvenir shopping before departing for Khankhar Uul camp for dinner
Overnight: Mt. Khogno Khan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Thursday - Explore Ulaanbaatar
This morning, return back to Ulaanbatar and after lunch at a local restaurant set off on a city tour. What makes Ulaanbaatar so remarkable is its pre-settlement history. For its first 140 years, it operated as a mobile ger, or yurt, monastery. Its leaders were able to relocate the capital as the needs of its residents required. Stop to share a simple lunch with a nomadic family in their home, and learn about this unique culture that still relies on the horse for commerce and trade. This afternoon you will see Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of the city. Its centerpiece is the statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar astride his horse, the heroic leader that led the 1921 revolution against the Russians and founded the Mongolian People's Republic. Several important buildings line the square, including the Government Palace, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet, and the Culture Palace. You'll also see a statue of Mongolia's most noted figure, Genghis Khan, the 12th-century founder of the great Mongol Empire. Visit the National History Museum. Here, view exhibits featuring Mongolia’s geography, flora and fauna. You will see an outstanding collection of costumes hats and jewellery, representing Mongolia’s ethnic groups. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Friday - Fly to Gobi, Hike the Eagle Valley
Fly to the Gobi Desert today. Its landscape and legends truly are the stuff of dreams. This is where the double-humped Bactrian camel roams, and where many famed cities along the ancient Silk Road prospered. After landing in Dalanzadgad, head to South Gobi Natural History Museum. Afterwards, set out for Yolyn Am, also known as Eagle Valley, and experience its starkly beautiful setting up-close during a hike down into the deep and narrow gorge, habitat of the lammergeier, an old world vulture. You might also see wild goats and sheep high on the cliff walls. Continue to Dream Gobi camp for lunch. Tonight, have dinner at the camp
Overnight: Gobi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Saturday - Journey to "Singing Sand Dunes", Enjoy Camel Ride and Dune Climb
Today take a breathtaking drive to the Khongoriin Els "Singing Sand Dunes." From the grass-green steppe, the golden dunes are a wonder to behold as they roll to the horizon. But they're even more of a wonder to listen to. Marco Polo was among the first travelers to tell of these desert sands that sing. Today, scientists believe that the dunes' curves and slopes form a gigantic musical instrument for the wind. During the visit to this spectacular site, board some Bactrian camels for a thrilling ride, and later tighten your hiking shoes for a dune climb. Afterward transfer to your lodge located right near these impressive dunes and enjoy the evening at leisure
Overnight: Khongor Sand Dunes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Sunday - Visit Bayanzag's Flaming Cliffs, Khuushurr Cooking lesson
This afternoon after lunch learn about khuushuur fried dumplings during a cooking lesson. Later, visit a treasure trove among paleontologists: Bayanzag's Flaming Cliffs. Here, in the 1920s, American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews led expeditions that uncovered specimens of Velociraptors, Tyrannosaurids, and dinosaur egg fossils at the foot of these red bluffs. The Flaming Cliffs, which stand alone amidst this vast landscape, got their name from their red-orange hues, especially prominent at sunset. They are protected by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Afterwards, continue to the camp for dinner
Overnight: Gobi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Monday - Return to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar today and depart to Chenggis Khaan Complex. Visit the museum and see exhibits relating to the Bronze Age and Xiongnu archaeological cultures in Mongolia. Enjoy lunch inside the statue. Continue the tour with a visit to the fascinating Zanabazar Museum, a sky-blue gem of Russian architecture. Its holdings include paintings and sculptures by Zanabazar, considered the "Michelangelo of Asia". Afterwards you’ll visit the revered Gandantegchinlen Monastery. This Tibetan-style monastery is home to more than 150 monks. Communist rule closed its doors through the 20th century, and it was lucky to have escaped the destruction that most other monasteries suffered. It reopened in 1990. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant with demonstrations of throat-singing, the two-toned music locally known as "hoomii." You'll also enjoy some traditional "long song," in which each note is drawn out, and experience an authentic tribal shaman dance and contortion
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Tuesday - Flight to Tokyo, Japan
In the morning fly back to Tokyo. Transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy all of the delights of Tokyo on your own. Shop to your heart's content, visit the local markets and try some of the fabulous restaurants in this cosmopolitan city
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Wednesday - Depart Japan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast