The China, Yangtze River and Mongolia Tour is another safe adventure! We are excited to combine the wonders of the Yangtze River Cruise and Beijing, with the adventure of Mongolia. The Chinese are building the largest dam in the world on the Yangtze River. In Mongolia we will go to Karakhorum, the ancient capital of Chingiis Khan. This area features the ErDenn Zuu Monastery and 9th century stone tortoises. You will go through the Mongolian Steppe, UlaanBaatar and experience the wonderful Nadaam Festival. Nadaam is the national celebration of Mongolian independence which includes wonderful pageantry, costume and a competition of the three national sports-wrestling, horse-racing and archery. We will also meet the Nomads and experience Mongolian hospitality! You will not only see the lands, but also experience the people.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart for flight to Shanghai. The adventure begins.
Day 2: We will arrive in Shanghai in the early evening, our guide will transfer us to the hotel.
Day 3: We will visit the historic Bund. Then we will go to the world-class Shanghai Museum. After lunch we will visit the beautiful Yu Yuan Gardens. Evening option: The Shanghai Acrobats.
Day 4: Today we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple and the Jade Factory. We will have lunch at the Mongolian Barbeque. Then we will go to a private Lotus Shoe Museum. Then we will take a late afternoon flight to Chongqing and board the cruise ship for the Yangtze River Cruise.
Day 5-6: The Yangtze River Cruise continues (Three Gorges, Shendong stream, beautiful scenery).
Day 7: The cruise ship arrives at Yichang early in the morning. We will be greeted by our local guide and transfered to Wuhan. Along the way we will stop at the ancient city wall of Jinshou and the provincial museum. Then we will take you to the hotel at Wuhan.
Day 8: We will go to the museum in Wuhan which features many fine exhibits including a demonstration of the bell orchestra of ancient China. After lunch we will take a flight to Beijing. Transfer to the airport (in Wuhan), fly to Beijing and then we will check-in the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 9: Today we will go to the Ming Tombs. After lunch we will go to the Great Wall. It is incredible to stand and walk along the Great Wall and see it majestically sprawling along the tops of the mountains from east to west.
Day 10: The morning is free. After an early lunch we will fly to Mongolia. When we arrive at the airport of UlaanBaatar, our guide will pick us at the airport and take us to the Chingiis Khan campground on the way into Ulaanbaatar. You may also have an opportunity to take a short horse ride and enjoy the area. Then we will go to UlaanBaatar. After a brief orientation of the center of town we will transfer you to the hotel.
Day 11: Morning visit the Gandan Monastery (80 foot tall statue of Buddha, practicing Tibetan Buddhist Lamas). Then we will visit the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. After lunch visit the National History Museum (which has some wonderful exhibits, especially concerning Chingiis Khan and the tribal costumes). Meals: (B) and (L).
Day 12: Leave in the morning to go on a jeep trek to Karakhorum. See the beautiful Mongolian Steppe. Visit Nomads along the way and enjoy Nomad hospitality. Arrive at the ger camp. Go to the 9th century stone tortoises. Eat at ger camp. Sleep in gers.
Day 13: Visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery. There are several interesting buildings, Buddhist artwork and possibly view a Buddhist service. Then we drive back east and visit the Dutch Horse Ranch. We will spend the night there.
Day 14: After breakfast, we will return to UB. We will check you back into the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 15: Go to the wonderful Naadam Festival. This national celebration of independence includes an opening ceremony in Naadam Stadium and a competition of the three national sports- Horse-racing, Archery and Wrestling. We will view the opening ceremonies and some of the competition of each of the three sports.
Day 16: Today you will visit the Zanabazar Art Museum. Then we will take you to the Bogd Khan Summer and Winter Palace. After lunch we will visit the Natural History Museum. If time permits you can go shopping at the Gobi Cashmere Store which features fine Mongolian cashmere and camel hair garments as well as State Department Store. Meals: (B) and (L).
Day 17:
- Option A: Beijing. After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport to fly to Beijing. Upon arriving, the guide will pick us up and take us to Bei Hai park on the way to the hotel in Beijing.
- Option B: Dalanzadgad. A trip to the Gobi Desert. Fly to Dalanzadgad area in the morning. Arrive at campsite. Once settled in the camp, we will take you on a tour of the area and especially featuring 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.
Day 18:
- A: After breakfast we will transfer back to the airport to return to the US with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
- B: Full day tour, including the Flaming Cliffs, a camel herder and see the large dunes and varied countryside sites. If there is time, we can take a brief tour of Dalanzadgad.
Day 19: Enjoy the ger campsite and the beautiful scenery in the area. Fly back to UlaanBaatar and transfer to your hotel or apartment.
Day 20: After breakfast we will transfer to the airport to
fly to Beijing. Upon arriving, the guide will pick us up and take us to Bei Hai park on the way to the hotel in Beijing.
Day 21: After breakfast we will transfer back to the airport to return to the US with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Domestic Chinese flights
- Domestic Mongolian flights
- Buses, jeeps, private transportation
- All tours, guides, drivers, transfers
- 4-star hotels in China, hotels in Mongolia
- Meals as listed.
Price Excludes:
- International air flight round trip USA-China
- Items listed as "optional"
- Airport tax, Chinese visa
- Tips
- Dinners in UlaanBaatar.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Mongolia
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Boating and Sailing
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