MONGOLIA

Mongolia Exploration

TOUR DATE : AUGUST 5-17 , 2025

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Uncover Mongolia’s Heritage and Wild Beauty on an Exclusive Journey

This is a Small Group Journey with former U.S. Ambassdor to Mongolia Michael Klecheski

Set out on a rare and enriching journey through Mongolia, exploring both Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert, hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, Michael Klecheski. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provides exclusive access to Mongolia’s cultural, historical, and natural treasures. Travel alongside esteemed experts and engage with influential local artists, historians, and conservationists. Delve into Mongolia’s rich history and heritage, from the rise of the Great Khans to modern conservation efforts.

This journey offers a comprehensive educational experience, granting deep insights into Mongolia’s past, present, and future through interactions with key figures, visits to unique historical sites, and immersion in the country’s breathtaking landscapes. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the heart of Mongolia with unparalleled access and expertise.

Michael Stanley Klecheski
An American diplomat who formerly served as the United States Ambassador to Mongolia

DATES:

August 5 – 17, 2025 ( 13 Days)

TRAVELERS:

$14,795 Per Person

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:

$2,750 Per Person

NOTE: Land Price is based on double occupancy

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INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Land Prices Include:

Trip Price Includes:
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure;
All ground transportation in Mongolia;
Internal flight within Mongolia;
All accommodations as described;
All meals as noted in the itinerary;
Services of top local experts including a historian, biologist, and paleontologist;
All excursions and entrance fees as described in the itinerary;
All exclusive meetings, cultural performances and experiences in the itinerary;
A bilingual expert Nomadic Expeditions guide services;
All gratuities to the guide, drivers, camps, restaurants, and support teams;
Extensive pre-departure travel guide, reading list, music and movie lists, and a map of Mongolia. Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;

Land Price Does Not Include:

International airfare;
Passport and visa fees;
Medical and trip insurance;
Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls;
Other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Itinerary

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Days 1-2

Arrival and Exploration in Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, where ancient traditions meet modern democracy, and are immediately welcomed by your Mongolian guide and transferred to a centrally located hotel within walking distance of museums and shops.

On your first full day, begin with a guided stroll across Chingghis Khan Square, symbolizing Mongolia’s path to independence and homage to its legendary leaders. Next, visit the Chingghis Khan Museum, where over 10,000 artifacts reveal 2,000 years of Mongolia’s history, from the era of the Great Khans to the 20th century. A distinguished local historian will accompany you, offering deeper insights into Mongolia’s rich heritage, and will join you again during visits to Kharakhorum on Days 5 and 6.

In the afternoon, discover the National Library’s treasure room, where manuscripts dating back to the 16th century are preserved. Conclude the day with a welcome reception and dinner, sharing an evening with local dignitaries and friends of the Ambassador for a meaningful cultural exchange.

Day 3

US Embassy | Fine Arts Museum Paleontological Center

This morning we will have a special opportunity to meet with an expert in US-Mongolia relations, ideally either the US ambassador or a member of the embassy’s senior staff. During this meeting, we will learn more about the bilateral relations between the United States and Mongolia, gaining valuable insights into the diplomatic ties and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Next, visit the Fine Arts Museum of Mongolia. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the renowned 17th century artist and politician, who was also the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works.
In the afternoon, join a paleontologist for a behind-the-scenes tour of Paleontological Center of Mongolia and examine the latest batch of dinosaur fossils excavated from the field.

Dinner is independent tonight. The hotel offers two restaurants, Hutong and Naadam, as well as Cafe Park located on the first floor. Alternatively, you can venture out and take a leisurely stroll to one of the nearby restaurants such as Silk Road or Bluefin.

DAYS 4-6

Hustain Nuruu National Park & Kharakhorum

Journey to Hustain Nuruu National Park, home to the last wild horses, the takhi, reintroduced after 25 years of extinction. Learn about conservation efforts at the visitor center and drive through the reserve with a park biologist, seeking these majestic animals and other rare wildlife. En route, stop at the Ongot stone complex, a grave site from the Turkic period featuring mysterious stone figures.

Continue to Kharakhorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. Settle into camp and visit the Kharakhorum Museum, showcasing the city’s storied past as a thriving center of politics, trade, and the Silk Route. Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, surrounded by 108 stupas and rich with Buddhist art and architecture. In the Orkhon Valley, enjoy an afternoon hike through grasslands considered the cradle of Mongolian civilization.

On the final day, explore the Turkic monuments at Khoshoo Tsaidam, honoring King Bilge and General Kultegen. End with a visit to Khar Balgas, the former capital of the Uighur Empire, where ruins reveal the city’s vibrant history of religion, law, and commerce before its fall to the Yenisei Kirgiz.

Days 7-8

Journey to the Gobi & Three Camel Lodge

After breakfast, set out for the Gobi, stopping en route at the 17th-century Ongiin Hiid Monastery. Nestled in a mountainous area, Ongiin Hiid was once a significant Buddhist monastery, known as the “Pearl of the Great Desert,” until its destruction in 1939 during the communist purges. Enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by the Three Camel Lodge team before continuing to the lodge at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Spend the evening at your leisure, with activities ranging from horseback riding to nature walks or a Mongolian cooking class.

On Day 8, venture to the Moltsog Els sand dunes, a rare expanse of dunes in the Gobi. Walk the dunes and, if nearby camel herders are present, ride a native Bactrian camel across this stunning landscape. Later, immerse yourself in Mongolia’s nomadic culture by learning how to build a ger, the traditional felt tent used by herders. This experience offers a window into Mongolia’s timeless way of life, where over 30% of the population still embraces a nomadic existence, living in harmony with nature.

Days 9-10

Havsgait Valley & Flaming Cliffs Adventure

On Day 9, begin with a short drive to Havsgait Valley for a rewarding climb up Havsgait Mountain, where a 30- to 45-minute hike reveals one of the largest collections of ancient rock carvings in the Gobi, along with sweeping views of the northern desert. Spend the afternoon embracing Mongolian traditions—try your hand at archery, or ride horseback across the open landscape. Conclude the day with a talk on the Gobi’s unique ecosystems, providing an enriching perspective on its diverse flora and fauna.

On Day 10, join a paleontologist to explore Tugregiin Shiree, Alag Teeg, and the renowned Flaming Cliffs. At Tugregiin Shiree, see the iconic “Fighting Dinosaurs,” a preserved fossil of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor in combat. Then, journey to Alag Teeg, an ancient habitat for armored dinosaurs. Finish at the legendary Flaming Cliffs, where Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs in 1922. As the cliffs glow in the sunset’s warm hues, enjoy a special dinner with a live performance by some of Mongolia’s top artists, capturing the soul of the country’s culture.

Days 11-13

Ulaanbaatar’s Cultural Legacy & Departure

On Day 11, fly to Ulaanbaatar and visit the workshop of Mongolia’s esteemed calligraphy master, Mr. Naidandorj. Recognized by UNESCO as an essential cultural heritage, Mongolian calligraphy’s flowing script is an art that encapsulates centuries of nomadic heritage. You’ll explore its techniques and historical significance and even try your hand at crafting strokes. In the afternoon, discover Mongolia’s innovative fashion landscape, visiting renowned local designers who blend traditional motifs with modern styles. Learn about Mongolia’s esteemed cashmere industry, whose high-quality fibers are sought by luxury brands like Hermès and Loro Piana.

Day 12 offers a deep dive into Mongolia’s contemporary art scene, led by the Arts Council of Mongolia. Visit eight prominent artists’ studios, including the Red Ger Art Gallery and the private family studio of Erdenebayar and Munkhtsetseg, gaining intimate insights into Mongolian artistic expressions ranging from traditional to abstract. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating the spirit of Mongolian culture.

On Day 13, after breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure, marking the end of an enriching cultural journey through Mongolia.

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