17 Day Mongolia Escapade

Explore exotic Mongolia, including a memorable
opportunity to experience authentic Mongolian culture
in a traditionally-styled, heated Ger Tent

ESCORTED/ LOCALLY GUIDED
Beijing • Ulaan Baatar • Lake Hovsgol • Gobi Desert

Tour Code: 6AE17OM

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 • Thursday

SAN FRANCISCO to BEIJING
Fly transpacific on United Airlines.

CHINA

Day 2 • Friday

ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive in Beijing, China’s cultural center for the past 700 years. Transfer to the Presidential Plaza Beijing.

Day 3 • Saturday

BEIJING

China's imperial heritage comes to life as you tour Beijing's most famous landmarks. Visit vast Tian An Men Square and the Imperial Palace at the Forbidden Cityvwith admission to the living quarters of emperors, as well as the museum and jewelry sections. Enjoy the pavilions of the storied Summer Palace, and a boat ride on placid Lake Kunming (weather permitting).
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 • Sunday

BEIJING

Enjoy a full day's tour of the Great Wall, one of the greatest engineering feats of the ancient world. After lunch, visit a cloissone factory. Then stroll along the Sacred Way, whose remarkable statues stand vigil at the entrance to the tombs of Ming emperors and Chang Ling Exhibition Hall. Beijing Duck dinner party at the hotel this evening.

MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party

MONGOLIA

Day 5 • Monday

BEIJING to ULAAN BAATAR

Upon arrival in Ulaan Baatar, you will be met at the airport by your local Tour Manager, an expert on Mongolia. Transfer to the centrally located Ulaan Baatar Hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 6 • Tuesday

ULAAN BAATAR

This morning visit Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia's nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition. Visit the National History Museum for an overview of Mongolia's history and culture. This evening, enjoy a performance of traditional dancers and hoomi (throat) singers, followed by a dinner at Seoul Restaurant, featuring Mongolian and Korean specialties.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show

Day 7 • Wednesday

ULAAN BAATAR to LAKE HOVSGOL

Fly to Muron, capital of Hovsgol Province. Continue by motorcoach across Mongolian steppe land to Lake Hovsgol, situated in a pristine alpine setting of forests, mountains and meadows. While in the countryside, stay overnight in gers, the traditional tents of nomadic herders. Covered with layers of felt and canvas, each ger is heated by wood stove and furnished with beautifully painted wood-framed beds, providing an authentic and memorable taste of Mongolian culture. Dinner and overnight at the Ger Camp.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8, 9 & 10 • Thursday – Saturday

LAKE HOVSGOL

Spend three days exploring the lakeshore and surrounding mountains and meadows. You will have the opportunity to visit local nomads' dwellings and, for those interested, try Mongolian-style horseback riding, including a visit with a Tsaatan family who still live in tepees in the deep forest, raising reindeer. Overnight at the Ger Camp along the scenic lakeshore.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 • Sunday

LAKE HOVSGOL to MURON/ULAAN BAATAR

Return to Muron for your afternoon flight to Ulaan Baatar. Along the way, stop for a picnic lunch at Lake Irkh, a small saltwater lake in the midst of the steppe. After your flight, transfer to the Ulaan Baatar Hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 • Monday

ULAAN BAATAR to GOBI/MOLTSOG ELS

This morning, fly to the Gobi, Mongolia's southernmost province of semi-arid desert, in the heart of Asia's most remote region between the Siberian wilderness to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the south. It is also home to some of the most elusive mammals such as the dhole, snow leopard and Gobi bear. Drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. Dinner and overnight at a traditional Ger Camp, Three Camel Lodge.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 • Tuesday

YOL VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Wake to the sight of the sun rising over the vast Gobi landscape. Drive to the Yol Valley National Park, cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and a hike through the valley before visiting the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the area. An easy hike around Bualgtai Mountain reveals a small but interesting petroglyph site.Return to the Ger Camp for dinner and overnight.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 • Wednesday

GEGEET VALLEY/ FLAMING CLIFFS

This morning, travel to Gegeet Valley to explore, with an opportunity to spot wild animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the lodge. In the afternoon, travel to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs,” named for its glowing orange rock that is rich with dinosaur fossils. You will have the opportunity to ride Bactrian (two-humped) camels, explore the area and visit a camel breeding family before returning to Ger Camp in time for dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 • Thursday

GOBI to ULAAN BAATAR

This morning, fly to Ulaan Baatar, where the balance of the day is free for last minute sightseeing or shopping. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in traditional surroundings. Overnight at Ulaan Baatar Hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party

Day 16 • Friday

ULAAN BAATAR to BEIJING

After breakfast, fly to Beijing where you are met at the airport by your Beijing guide and assisted in your transfer to the Presidential Plaza Beijing.
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 17 • Saturday

BEIJING to SAN FRANCISCO

Fly home today on United Airlines.
MEALS: American Breakfast

ALL INCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• Round-trip transpacific air transportation
• All intra-China air/land transportation
• Locally guided in Beijing. A Mongolian Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout Mongolia. Flights to/from Ulaan Baatar are unescorted.
• 8 nights in deluxe and superior first class hotels; 7 nights in Gers, traditional-style nomadic tents
• 15 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges
• Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment and other performances as specified
• $100,000 Automatic Flight Insurance for transpacific air ticketed by Pacific Delight Tours

• United Mileage Plus® members: earn frequent flyer credit with the purchase of each air/land tour package