DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 • Depart San Francisco for Beijing, China
Fly transpacific aboard United Airlines

CHINA

Day 2 • Arrive Beijing, China
Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the hotel.
Presidential Plaza Beijing

Day 3 • Beijing

China's imperial heritage comes to life as you tour Beijing's most famous landmarks. Visit vast Tiananmen Square and the Imperial Palace at the Forbidden City, with admission to the living quarters of emperors, and museum and jew­elry sections.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 • Beijing

Enjoy a full day's tour of the Great Wall, one of the great wonders of the ancient world. After lunch, visit a cloisonné 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. Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner party at the hotel this evening.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party

MONGOLIA

Day 5 • Beijing to Ulaanbaatar , Mongolia

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be met at the airport by your local Tour Manager, an expert on Mongolia. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening.
Ulaanbaatar Hotel
American Breakfast, Dinner in Hotel

Day 6 • Ulaanbaatar

This morning visit Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia's nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition. Continue on to 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 • Ulaanbaatar /Lake Hovsgol

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

Days 8, 9 & 10 • 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.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 • Lake Hovsgol/Muron/ Ulaanbaatar

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

Day 12 • Ulaanbaatar /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.
Three Camel Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 • 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 • Gegeet Valley/Flaming Cliffs

This morning, travel to Gegeet Valley to explore, with the 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.
Ger Camp
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 • Gobi/ Ulaanbaatar

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

Day 16 • Ulaanbaatar /Beijing

Fly to Beijing where you are met at the airport by your Beijing guide.
Presidential Plaza Beijing
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 17 • Depart Beijing for San Francisco

Fly home today on United Airlines.
MEALS: American Breakfast

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS:
BEIJING: 4 Nights Presidential Plaza Beijing
Tiananmen Square • Forbidden City's Imperial Palace with living quarters, museum and jewelry sections • Great Wall • Sacred Way to Ming Tombs • Chang Ling Exhibition Hall • Cloisonné Factory •  Peking Duck Dinner Party at the Presidential Plaza • Temple of Heaven

ULAAN BAATAR: 4 Nights Ulaanbaatar Hotel
Ganden Monastery • National History Museum • Mongolian song and dance performance

LAKE HOVSGOL: 4 Nights Ger Camp
Visit nomadic dwellings • Mongolian horseback riding • 4 nights in a traditional Ger camp

GOBI : 3 Nights Three Camel Lodge (Ger Camp)
Moltsog El's sand dunes • Yol Valley National Park tour • Natural History Museum • Gegeet Valley • Flaming Cliffs • camel ride; visit to camel breeding family • 3 nights in a traditional Ger camp

ALL INCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• Round-trip transpacific air transportation
• United Mileage Plus® members earn: frequent flyer credit with the purchase of each air/land tour package
• 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, cultural activities and performances as noted
• $100,000 Automatic Flight Insurance for transpacific air ticketed by PDT
• USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

THURSDAY DEPARTURES; SATURDAY ARRIVALS ON UNITED AIRLINES: