During a great tribal meeting held in the Khan Khentii Mountains in 1206, a man from poor nomadic origins was proclaimed Chinggis Khan, ruler of the Great Mongolian Nation. This was the birth of what would become the modern nation of Mongolia, and began the Mongol rule that dominated half of the world for the next few centuries. During this time, the Mongols initiated unsurpassed world trade and interaction between cultures that shaped the futures of Asia and Europe. Later, during the 89 years of the Yuan Dynasty – established by Chinggis Khan’s grandson, Khubalai Khan—the mingling of Mongolian arts and…

Explore the wonders of Mongolia’s scenic and cultural treasures on foot and horseback, atop a Bactrian camel or in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Adventure Mongolia! is an active trip designed for enthusiastic explorers who want to travel off the beaten track, from the meadows and pine-forested mountains of the Central Mongolian countryside to the dramatic landscapes of the legendary Gobi Desert. Overview This adventurous journey begins in the Orkhon Valley, the cradle of Mongolian civilization, and continues to Erdene Zuu Monastery, erected from the ruins of Kharakhorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Travel to the hot springs and summer ger…

For an unforgettable outdoor adventure, join us on a trek through the magnificent Altai Mountains, located at the borders of Russia, China, and Mongolia. One of the last untouched wilderness areas of Asia, the stunning beauty of these peaks - Mongolia's highest, with several reaching upwards of 14,000 feet - will be the backdrop of our journey. Overview Western Mongolia is still relatively unexplored and this expedition offers active travelers a unique opportunity to trek among the region’s snow-capped mountains and camp beside pristine rivers and lakes. Highlights include trekking through the foothills of Tsambagarav Mountain, exploring the forests of the…

Across the vast grasslands stretching beneath Mongolia's endless blue sky, one can find fascinating cultural treasures of the ancient past - monuments bearing runic inscriptions, mysterious stone carvings, and ruins of the capital of a once-great empire. An excellent introduction to Mongolia's early history, this overland trip traverses diverse landscapes to discover the country's most intriguing archaeological sites. Overview Travelers will explore ancient burial mounds, the site of the ancient city of Kharakhorum, Turkic "stone men," and mysterious deer stones, erected thousands of years ago by Turkic-Mongol tribes and characterized by carvings of deer in a "flying gallop." This journey…

On this active journey into Bhutan explore trails that wind past isolated villages, strings of colorful prayer flags, and stunning views of the Himalayas. Experience the incredible vistas and ancient culture of this remarkable country during a three-day journey through Phobjika Valley, Bhutan's finest low-level trek, passing through lush valleys, wildlife preserves, and fields of rhododendron, juniper, and bamboo. Overview This trip is scheduled to coincide with the conclusion of the teschu mask and sword dances of the Ura Yak-choe Festival, a dynamic Buddhist celebration held to commemorate the local guardian deity, "Yak Nagpo," to whom local farmers make offerings…

Bhutan is a fascinating and little-visited kingdom where the preservation of culture and traditions, as well as the stunning natural beauty of the Himalayas, has created a travel destination like no other. Our expedition into the heart of Bhutan reveals an unforgettable landscape of forests, valleys, and snowy peaks where the last Tibetan Buddhist kingdom reveals its riches to the intrepid traveler. Overview This journey is specially timed to coincide with the Jambay Lhakhang Festival, one of the country's many colorful Buddhist celebrations. A whirling spectacle of color, music, and dancing, the festival is held to commemorate the birthday of…

Designed as a fascinating introduction to the people and culture of Mongolia, the Classic Mongolian Odyssey includes visits to traditional nomadic ger camps, exploration of the grasslands, and the chance to join in the excitement and celebration surrounding Naadam, Mongolia's National Games. Overview For an intimate and genuine cultural experience, we will attend the Naadam games in the Gobi, away from the increasing crowds of tourists who attend the games in Ulaanbaatar. Wrestling, horseracing, and archery are the three age-old competitions traditionally used to measure the courage and strength of nomads and warriors. Contemporary Naadam games showcase the abilities of…

This off-road adventure showcases some of the most spectacular, varied, and historically important sites in Mongolia. Traverse the country from north to south in four-wheel-drive vehicles and discover historic monasteries, ancient monuments, a fascinating traditional culture, and endless expanses of breathtaking scenery. Overview After exploring the museums and monasteries of Ulaanbaatar, begin the journey with a flight north to Lake Hovsgol, where there will be opportunities to visit local nomads, ride horses, fish, or simply relax among some of the world's most pristine mountains and meadows. Continuing south, travel through mountains, grassland, and steppe, stopping along the way at ancient…

Explore some of the most magnificent and pristine wilderness regions of Central Asia on this active outdoor adventure. Traveling by road, foot and kayak, discover the historical treasures, vast steppe, and sand dunes of Mongolia before visiting Siberia and the shores of Baikal, the world's deepest lake. Overview Trek through Mongolia's rolling grasslands and forested mountains, with stops along the way to relax in hot springs, visit centuries-old monasteries, and share tea with nomads. Nights will be spent camping in tents or ger camps beneath a breathtaking canopy of stars. Hike beside Lake Baikal, cruise on a boat on the…

Join one of our most unique adventures and explore diverse regions of Mongolia by traditional modes of transport: traveling by kayak and on horseback. Overview Traveling by kayak, glide across pristine Lake Hovsgol in the north, considered the cleanest freshwater lake on the planet, and explore the surrounding mountains on horseback. In the south, camel-trek through the Gobi and discover an awe-inspiring landscape with a surprising variety of wildlife. And in Central Mongolia, discover the beauty of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, where nomads camp and gazelles cross the grasslands beneath the vast blue sky. Approximately four to six hours will be spent…

Of all the world's arid lands, the Gobi has about it the greatest air of mystery. This adventurous journey is designed to provide trekking enthusiasts with a desert experience like no other, through a land of boundless sand dunes, hidden mountain springs, isolated forests of saxaul bushes, and canyons where ibex roam among prehistoric rock paintings. Overview Follow in the footsteps of the many explorers who have been drawn to this dramatic desert, such as Marco Polo, who crossed its trade routes over 700 years ago, and Roy Chapman Andrews, the legendary adventurer who in 1923 discovered the first nest…

Join us for an unforgettable journey to the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ulgii Province, located in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia. Each year Kazakh hunters from near and far attend the festival with their Golden Eagles, known as berkut, to enter them into competitions testing speed, agility, and accuracy. Ceremonies, dance performances, a parade in the provincial capital's city square, and a Kazakh play in honor of the hunters and their eagles are all a part of this unique experience. Overview This annual festival, which celebrates the Golden Eagle as well as the hunters' traditional culture, is arranged by…

Experience the thrill of riding alongside Kazakh nomads as they hunt with trained Golden Eagles. Specially timed for the winter hunting season, this journey leads to Mongolia’s far western province, Bayan-Ulgii, where Kazakh hunters track small rabbits and foxes in the snow with the help of their magnificent eagles. Overview Following the hunt on horseback through the mountains of Western Mongolia, witness firsthand a unique tradition that has survived for centuries in this remote corner of Asia. Spend the night in a finely decorated Kazakh ger, visit a local mosque, and enjoy the hospitality of the Kazakh families who call…

Join us on a journey to the "Roof of the World" and experience the spiritual, cultural, and artistic riches of Tibet. Explore the holiest sites of Lhasa, including the Potala Palace, before embarking on an overland adventure to some of the world's most stunning temples and monasteries. Highlights include the tombs of Tibet's first kings in the Yarlung Valley and the temples and stupas of Gyantse and Shigatse. Beginning and ending in Beijing, this journey is ideal for those who wish to experience some of the most spectacular and historically important destinations in Tibet and China. While in Tibet, we…

Hagiin Har Lake lies hidden within one of the most scenic and unexplored areas of Central Mongolia. Accessible only by foot, horse, or helicopter, and until recently known only to local hunters, this pristine lake remains one of Mongolia's best-kept secrets.  Overview Travel on horseback north from Ulaanbaatar, through river valleys and mountain passes, stopping along the way to explore the atmospheric Gunjin Temple ruins. A horse trek designed for experienced riders, the dramatic journey to Hagiin Har passes through coniferous forests, marshlands, and grassy hills to reach this extraordinary crystal-clear lake. Surrounded by the wild crags of the Han Hentii…

Discover two of Mongolia's most fascinating regions, the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia, where Kazakh hunters celebrate their traditional culture and magnificent Golden Eagles, and the diverse ecosystems of the Gobi Desert. Overview The journey begins in Bayan-Uglii Province at the Golden Eagle Festival. Each year the region's Kazakh hunters attend the festival with their Golden Eagles, known as berkut, entering them in competitions testing speed, agility, and accuracy. Ceremonies, dance performances, a parade in the provincial capital's city square, and a Kazakh play in honor of the hunters and their eagles are among the highlights of this unique experience.…

For awe-inspiring scenic beauty Mongolia has few rivals, and this journey is one of our most popular introductions to its extraordinary biodiversity. Experience the hospitality of Mongolia's nomads while exploring a wide variety of landscapes, from the clear waters of Lake Hovsgol in the far north to the magnificent Gobi Desert in the south. Overview Mongolian Vistas begins in the forests of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, which includes the southern Khentii Mountain Range and the confluence of the Terelj and Tuul Rivers, and is home to endangered musk deer and moose. The journey continues to Lake Hovsgol, believed by scientists to…

Join Nomadic Expeditions on our 2013 journey to Mongolia to take part in the celebrations surrounding Naadam, Mongolia’s national games. The journey begins in search of “takhi”, commonly known as Przewalski’s horse and continues as we uncover the secrets of the Gobi Desert; discover the fascinating culture of the local nomadic people of Mongolia; and explore the stunning scenery at Gun Galuut Nature Reserve.   Overview For an intimate and genuine cultural experience, we will attend the Naadam games in the Gobi, away from the increasing crowds of tourists who attend the games in Ulaanbaatar. Wrestling, horseracing, and archery are…

This eight-day horse trek passes through the spectacular forests and meadows of Mongolia's northernmost province before reaching Lake Hovsgol, a crystal-clear alpine lake known as Mongolia's "dark blue pearl." Overview Designed for more experienced horseback riders who are comfortable riding over steep and difficult terrain, a highlight of this journey will be visiting the Tsaatans, members of the Turkic-speaking Tuvinian ethnic group known as Dukha. Tsaatan families herd domesticated reindeer, which they use primarily for transportation and milk, and live in teepees among the mountains, lakes, and larch forests of this remote region. The horses used on the trek are…

Experience the grandeur of two of Central Asia's most remarkable regions, as you discover the biodiversity of the Gobi Desert and Siberia's Lake Baikal, with stops along the way to explore the cultural riches of Mongolia and Russia. Overview Spin the prayer wheels at the Gandan Monastery, travel to the legendary fossil sites of the Gobi, and stand on the shores of the world's deepest lake. The Gobi Desert's Gurvansaikhan National Park encompasses the foothills of the Gobi Altai Mountains and contains two million hectares of dramatic rock formations, vast sand dunes, and the legendary Flaming Cliffs. Explore this awe-inspiring landscape,…

This active expedition to Tibet explores the monasteries, historical sites, and scenic landscapes of one of the world’s most intriguing and spiritual destinations. Discover ruined hilltop palaces, visit ancient monasteries and cave retreats, and trek to Lhamo La Tso, Tibet’s most important oracle lake. Overview After visiting Beijing and the grandeur of the Forbidden City, fly to Lhasa, home to such architectural and cultural treasures as Potala Palace and the 17th-century Jokhang Monastery. Tour the city’s famed temples, experience the daily life of its people, and attend the Saga Dawa Festival, which celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment and often involves tsam…

Join one of Nomadic Expeditions' most exclusive trips and explore Tibet and Mongolia, the "Roof of the World" and the "Land of Blue Sky." These fascinating countries, inaccessible to the world's travelers until only recently, share a direct spiritual bond through their Buddhist heritage, and reward visitors with a wealth of artistic and cultural riches, unforgettable vistas, and warm hospitality. Overview The journey begins in Beijing with a tour of the Forbidden City, the legendary Imperial Palace dating back to the Ming Dynasty of the 15th century. Continuing with a flight to Lhasa, one of the world's most spiritual and…

Dinosaur fossils, Bearded Vultures, and singing sand dunes are just a few of the many treasures to be discovered in the Gobi Desert. From the green valleys in the foothills of the Gobi Altai Mountains to the dramatic red sandstone of the Flaming Cliffs, this adventure provides an in-depth exploration of the Gobi's secrets. Overview Journey into this unforgettable landscape and share the Gobi with the two-humped camels and Argali mountain sheep, snow leopards and Gobi bears that live among the canyons, valleys, and dunes of this diverse region.The multicolored granite rocks of the Gyalaan Valley and the immense "Singing…

On this journey into the wild and rugged Altai Mountains, travelers experience the traditional cultures, ancient history, and unforgettable scenery that make this one of Asia's most exciting and unique adventure destinations. Explore Mongolia's remote western frontier, where Kazakh nomads hunt with Golden Eagles amidst unspoiled valleys, lakes, and snow-covered peaks. Overview Beginning in the provincial capital of Ulgii, travel deep into the mountains and forests, passing ancient Turkic "stone men" on the way to remote lakeside campsites. Visit with Kazakh nomads who breed yak beside Lake Dayan and see their magnificent hunting birds, while at Tolbo Lake a local…

An exploration of Mongolia's dramatic winter landscapes, this journey is a unique opportunity to attend a festival held on the frozen surface of Lake Hovsgol, and join a celebration in honor of the Gobi's Bactrian camel. Overview The Thousand Camel Festival, held amidst the dazzling scenery of the Gobi Desert, is a celebration of the endangered Bactrian camel and the important role it plays in the lives of the Gobi's nomads. Camel races and polo competitions, as well as performances of traditional Mongolian music and dance, are among the highlights of this annual event. Lake Hovsgol, located in the pristine alpine…