Tripology

Commercial Flight

You will leave the US for China. The adventure begins!

You will arrive in Beijing in the early evening and will be transferred to your hotel.

Sightseeing

Beijing - The capital of China, where many miraculous structures have been built for the glory of the Emperor! This city is rich in history and culture. It has been the capital of China at various times in history as well as now.

Sightseeing

You will start the day going to the incredible Temple of Heaven, where the emperor went to commune with the gods. After lunch we will take you on a tour of a Hutong. This is the traditional housing in old Beijing that was generally four small houses surrounding a court area. These quaint dwellings are disappearing in the continual modernization of China.

Performing Arts

Chinese Acrobats.

Sightseeing

We will take you to Tiananmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. In addition to seeing the buildings and grounds of the Emperor's palace, we will also take you to Emperor QingLong's private painting collection and the Emperor's clock collection (which Westerners rarely see). After lunch you will go to the Yong He Gong Lama Temple. The temple is one of the few Tibetan Buddhist sites in Beijing. It has some very interesting exhibits in the buildings as well as being a practicing Buddhist Temple.

Train

Then we will take you to the train station for a 17-hour train ride to Xi'an. You will be able to sit in your comfortable Soft Sleeper rooms (4 berths to a room) with a view of the Chinese countryside.

Sightseeing

Xian- The oldest capital of China and the home of incredible archaeological discoveries and the Eastern-most city of the Silk Road. It is the site of the ancient emperor's burial sites. Xi'an is naturally a flat area. The many hills that you will see there are actually burial mounds of emperors, governors, and other rich dignitaries. In the morning you will be picked up by your guide at the train station and taken to your hotel. You will be given a tour of the city, including the old city wall (which 4 chariots could ride abreast) and the Wild Goose Pagoda, with its Drum Tower and Bell Tower. After lunch we will take you to the World-Class Shangxi Provincial Museum (once again not typically on Western tours), which chronologically features the dynasties of China in order through artifacts, brassware and other cultural displays.

Hotel

Hotel : Dinner at Dim Sum Restaurant.

Sightseeing

Today we will take you to what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World: the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum. Oftentimes, one of the farmers who discovered the site is actually there. You could possibly ask him some questions through your guide.

Commercial Flight

Then we will transfer you to the airport for a flight back to Beijing.

Hotel

The guide will transfer you back to the hotel.

Sightseeing

Today we will take you to the Ming Tombs, including both entering one of the tombs and walking the Sacred Way. After lunch we will go onto the incredible Great Wall of China (at Badaling). It is an incredible feeling to be standing on one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which is over 3,900 miles in length!

Hotel

We will then transfer you back to the hotel.

Commercial Flight

Today you will fly to Mongolia!

When you arrive at the airport of UlaanBaatar your guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Sightseeing

You will visit the Chingiis Khan Campground on the way into Ulaanbaatar. This interesting Ger hotel has replicas of the old platform Gers, hero's totems, ancient weapons and costume. You may also have an opportunity to take a short horse-back ride and enjoy the area. Then you will go to UlaanBaatar After a brief orientation of the center of town (including Sukhbaatar Square and the surrounding buildings) we will transfer you to the hotel.

Performing Arts

In the evening we will take you to Tumen Enkh National Performers (concert which includes the Tsam dance, traditional Mongolian singers, dancers, Tuvan throat singing and contortionists.

Sightseeing

Morning visit Gandan Monastery (80 foot tall statue of Buddha, practicing Tibetan Buddhist Lamas) then Choijin Lama Temple Museum. After lunch visit the National History Museum (which has some wonderful exhibits, especially concerning Chingiis Khan and the tribal costumes). B, L.

Commercial Flight

Fly to Lake Huvsgul.

Sightseeing

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.

Horseback Riding

You will continue to enjoy the countryside. If we can get a boat to go to the west side of the lake, the reindeer people may be available to meet us. Additional horse-back riding, nature tours, fishing etc. and practice shooting a Mongolian bow. B,L,D

Performing Arts

Evening: If we are fortunate, some of the locals may put on a concert of traditional music and dance. The similarities between the music, crafts, art and general appearance of this tribe of Mongols and the Native Americans is incredible. You will see for yourself some of the evidence for why many claim that the Mongols are the ancestors of the Native American.

Commercial Flight

You can enjoy the morning at the ger camp while you are waiting for the return flight, as the air strip is just minutes from the camp.

Hotel

Upon returning to UlaanBaatar (UB), we will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. B,L.

Food and Dining

Dinner and show at a ger restaurant, which includes dinner and a private performance of contortionists, Tuvan Throat Singers, dancers, musicians.

Sightseeing

Go to the wonderful Naadam Festival! This national celebration of independence includes an opening ceremony in Central 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.

Museums

We will take you to the Natural History Museum and the Zanabazar Art Museum.

Shopping

After lunch you can go shopping at the Gobi Store which features fine Mongolian cashmere and camel hair garments. B,L

Commercial Flight

Fly to Dalanzadgad area in the morning.

Camping

Arrive at Juulchin Ger camp NO#1.

Sightseeing

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.

Camping

Overnight in ger camp. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

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.

Sightseeing

Enjoy the ger campsite and the beautiful scenery in the area.

Commercial Flight

Fly back to UlaanBaatar and transfer to your hotel. B,L.

Sightseeing

Today 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 (which makes for some fun photo opportunities).After lunch enjoy the area and you will know this a great place to ride horses for hours. Your guide or another Mongol can ride with you to show you the area.

Hotel

Return to UB in the evening and your guide will transfer you back to your hotel. B, L.

Early in the morning we will transfer you to the airport to fly to Beijing. From Beijing you will continue on for your return flight to the US with a lifetime of wonderful memories.