Unlike anything you’ve ever experienced…

Mongolia is a rich tapestry woven together with centuries of rich, colorful history; a reverence for nature in all her splendor; and a desire to participate in a global community as an emerging democratic nation.

This WOW! adventure will highlight the best Mongolia has to offer: The bustling city of Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises; the semi-nomadic Kazakh culture where we will dwell amongst the locals near the Kazakhstan border; horseback riding with the famed Eagle Hunters; riding camels and fossil hunting in the Gobi Desert; and so much more!

DAY ONE – Friday, August 1st – Ulaanbaatar

The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side-by-side with modern high-rises.

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to the Shangri-La Hotel, a luxury hotel located just steps from various museums and shops.

Due to varying arrival times, you will be on your own to explore the city or to rest up for a busy day of exploring tomorrow!

 Due to varying arrival times, meals will be on own 
Shangri-La Hotel

DAY TWO – Saturday, August 2nd – Danshig Nadaam Festival

Today is a day you will not soon forget. After breakfast we’ll head to the Danshig Nadaam Festival, first celebrated in the 16th century as a way of uniting the Khalkha princes and as a religious and political event for the Khalka Mongols. The Naadam Festival is comprised of wrestling, archery, and horseracing competitions. The modern-day Naadam Festival now incorporates an element of Buddhism, thanks to the high-ranking lamas of Gandan Monastery who chant and perform Tsam dancing. Tsam translates to “dance of the Buddha,” and the sole purpose of the dance is to subdue and purify the external environment, ridding the region of suffering, war, and famine. The dance is coupled with the chanting of lamas and is simply magnificent to experience, as the lamas hold their high and deep pitch for many hours.

The Naadam Festival is determined by the lunar calendar. It is deeply honored and it is considered that whatever virtue, great or small, is performed that day will be multiplied one hundred times. It is something that few westerners will ever experience!

We’ll enjoy an authentic Mongolian lunch at the festival. And celebrate our special welcome dinner when we return back to the hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shangri-La Hotel

DAY THREE – Sunday, August 3rd – Danshig Nadaam Festival

DAY FOUR – Monday, August 4th – Ulgii, Three Eagle Camp

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for a two-hour flight to Bayan-Ulgii province, Mongolia’s westernmost province. 90% of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh. We will have unique opportunities to meet with the local families and experience the Kazakh culture. Our journey will also take us past ancient stone men statues, reminders of Mongolia’s rich, ancient history. Upon arrival to Ulgii, we will the local museum, where we will develop a better understanding of the history and culture of the Kazakhs.

Lunch will be enjoyed along our journey.

From Ulgii we continue to Tsambagarav Mountain, one of the permanently snowcapped mountains along the Altai Mountains, towering over 12,000 feet above sea level. En route, we’ll make a stop at Lake Tolbo, a large freshwater lake.

Upon arrival at Three Eagle Camp we’ll settle in at traditionally decorated gers and the rest of the day will be ours to relax and enjoy this beautiful place.

Dinner is included.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Eagle Camp

DAY FIVE – Tuesday, August 5th – Eagle Hunters and Archers

Today is another experience that very few Westerners will ever experience! After breakfast, we’ll drive to Altantsugt’s summer pasture to meet the three-time champion of the Golden Eagle Festival. Falconry was founded in Central Asia during the domination of Kitan Khanate dating back to the 9th century. Falconry was registered as a living human heritage by UNESCO in 2010. Learn every cultural aspect of Kazakh people and most importantly learn eagle training methods and techniques that have been practiced for centuries. You’ll even get to meet the falcons up close and personal. Click HERE to watch an interesting video about the Eagle Hunters.

We’ll enjoy lunch together amongst the day’s activities.

And if that’s not enough to make you say “WOW!”, we’ll visit with a Uriankhai family, the most ancient tribe of Mongolia and the loyal guards of tomb of Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan). Historically, Uriankhai people were known as fierce warriors and legendary archers, due to their ancient origin and reputation amongst steppe tribes, they were granted permission to practice their traditional archery during the domination of Qing dynasty from the 17^th century to the 20^th century.

We’ll return to Three Eagle camp for dinner and overnight in our gers.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Eagle Camp

DAY SIX – Wednesday, August 6th – Hiking and Livestock

This morning we head to Namarjin pass, the summer pasture of Uuld tribe, the descendants of Dzungaria Empire. According to historical accounts, the Uuld tribe was the main tribe of confederation and Galdan Khan was the leader of Uuld tribe.

Upon arrival at Namarjin Pass, we will start hiking to Khar Yamaat valley, located on the southern body of Tsambagarav Mountain. It is the home to the endangered snow leopard and Siberian Ibex. Maybe the WOW! Travel Club’s good juju will allow us to see one of these majestic creatures!

We’ll enjoy an authentic lunch amongst our adventures.

After hiking, we’ll visit a Uuld family and learn about their history and daily lifestyle. There will be an opportunity to learn how to prepare dairy products and help them to herd and milk their animals.

Return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Eagle Camp

DAY SEVEN – Thursday, August 7th – Three Eagle Camp, Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast at the camp, we’ll transfer to the local airport for our flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Once in Ulaanbaatar, we’ll head to the Chinggis Khan Museum. It is a must-visit spot if you’re curious about Mongolia’s most famous historical figure. Opened in 2022, this museum dives deep into the life and times of Genghis Khan, offering a treasure trove of artifacts, historical documents, and interactive exhibits. It’s a place where you can get a sense of the incredible influence and legacy of the Mongol Empire. Whether you’re into military history, governance, or just the cultural impact of Genghis Khan, there’s something here for everyone. The museum makes history come alive and provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of history’s greatest conquerors.

Lunch following our museum visit, after which we’ll return to where we started – the Shangri-La Hotel.

Enjoy dinner on your own.

Breakfast & Lunch
Shangri-La Hotel

DAY EIGHT – Friday, August 8th – Gobi Desert, Yol Valley

Today we head south to Gobi, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Contrary to the sameness that the word “desert” suggests, the Gobi is a fascinating and diverse region and includes sites of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of the 20th century. We’ll explore the stunning landscapes of the Gobi, habitat for Bactrian camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, Golden Eagles, Saker Falcons, jerboas (similar to kangaroo rats), and many endemic reptiles. The Gobi is also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most rare and elusive mammals, such as the dhole, snow leopard, wild camel, and Gobi bear.

Once in the desert, we’ll drive to the Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river carved this surprisingly green valley, and its remnant streams create ice formations that sometimes persist as late as July. A hike through the valley leads to the habitat of indigenous vulture-like Lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep. After exploring the valley, we’ll visit the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the surrounding area.

Next we’ll drive to Three Camel Lodge ger camp, located at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure or explore the surroundings on your own. The lodge offers a wide variety of activities to travelers from reading a book on Mongolia to watching a documentary about nomadic culture, and from learning traditional Mongolian games to enjoying a relaxing massage.

Lunch and dinner are included.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Camel Lodge

DAY NINE – Saturday, August 9th – Havtsgait petroglyphs, Moltsog Els Sand Dunes

After breakfast we’ll drive to Havtsgait petroglyphs. They have gathered the interests of the archaeologists for decades, as it was discovered by the Soviet archeologist A.P. Okladnikov. Dating back to the Pre-Bronze Age (2,500 BC) well into the Iron age (600 BC), most petroglyphs are dominated by the Bronze age rock drawings. Within the 300-meter radius, with 84 different rock faces visible. You may find different pictures of Ibex, deer, camel and so on. However, the most interesting of all, on one of the surfaces, clear images of camp site is clearly visible, a sight that is worth spending some time to discuss about the details, dating back to the 1st century BC.

In the evening, drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by dunes. Explore the sand dunes on foot or the back of a Bactrian camel. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local camel-herding family and experience their hospitality and way of living.

Lunch and dinner are included.

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Camel Lodge

DAY TEN – Sunday, August 10th – Gobi

After breakfast, participate in lodge-based activities including ger building demonstration and/or horse riding over a vast expanse of Nutsgen steppe.

In the late afternoon, drive to the legendary Flaming Cliffs, named for the red-orange sandstone that glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. To the trained eye, the dramatic formations of the Flaming Cliffs are rich with fossils, and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. 

Lunch and dinner are included.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Three Camel Lodge

DAY ELEVEN – Monday, August 11th – Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, we’ll leave this tranquil beauty and transfer to the local airport for our flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Upon arrival, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, home of Mongolia’s last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, which displays elaborate ceremonial robes, and other personal effects of Mongolia’s ‘8th Living Buddha.’

We’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit local modern art galleries and Mongolian specialty shops.

This evening we will spend our final evening together enjoying a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 Shangri-La Hotel

DAY TWELVE – Tuesday, August 12th – Depart to the US

Your 11-night journey, filled with wondrous delights, has come to its conclusion. After breakfast, transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport for flights back to the United States.

 Breakfast