Mongolian Adventure: Land of the Nomad July 17-30, 2009

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EXPEDITION SUMMARY

The windswept desert and snow-capped mountains of Mongolia were once best known for Chinggis Khaan and his ferocious armies. Modern-day Mongolians are horsemen of gentler stock, dedicated to their heritage and well versed in their rugged land. Discover the stark beauty of Mongolia on a journey that offers the adventuresome traveler a rare opportunity to witness the ancient customs of one of the world’s last surviving nomadic cultures. This action-packed program will take you from the dunes of the Gobi Desert to the shores of a pristine alpine lake. Trek through a glacial valley in search of rare wildlife and ride by camelback in the Gobi Desert. Explore beautiful Terelj Valley by horseback. Travel by mountain bike through the Khan Khentii Protected Area and spend a night in gers, traditional Mongolian tents, by the ruins of Gunjiin sum Temple. Take a rafting trip down the Tuul River. Hike, canoe and fish along the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in the far north of Mongolia, and end your adventure exploring the rapidly growing city of Ulaanbaatar.

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EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

You should be able (or willing to learn quickly) to ride horseback and a mountain bike over occasionally rough terrain.

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TEMPERATURE / WEATHER

You are apt to experience varying weather conditions as you travel throughout Mongolia. The following chart indicates the average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) during the month of August.

Region Daytime Nighttime Rainfall
Ulaanbaatar 70º 48º 2.0
Dalanzagadad (Gobi Desert) 78º 55º 1.3
Hövsgöl Nuur 63º 38º 4.0


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CLOTHING AND PACKING SUGGESTIONS

We recommend planning your travel wardrobe around casual, practical, and comfortable clothing that can be layered to provide you with maximum comfort and flexibility. Because of the expeditionary nature of our travels, formal dress is not required anywhere on our journey. You may want to bring one outfit that can be dressed up a bit for the welcome and farewell receptions, depending on your personal preference.

Comfortable well-broken in walking shoes with non-skid soles are essential. Please avoid even a moderate heel for excursions--walking on uneven surfaces is easiest in low-heeled, broken-in shoes.

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TRIP DETAILS

Dates:
July 17-30, 2009

Cost:
Double Rooms— $4,220 per person
Single rooms*: $5,025 per person
*Single accommodations in the ger camps cannot be guaranteed absolutely.

Includes:

Does Not Include:

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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

July 17: USA to Ulaanbaatar
Depart from your home city for Mongolia.

July 18: Ulaanbaatar
Arrive in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar late in the evening and drive to the Ulaanbaatar Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the city, about 30 minutes from the airport.

July 19: Ulaanbaatar
Although the majority of Mongolia’s population is nomadic, over one-third of its people live in its capital city. Take a tour of the city, including a stop at the National History Museum which gives a good introduction to the history and culture of Mongolia. Celebrate the start of your adventure this evening at a welcome dinner featuring Mongolian specialties followed by a traditional folklore concert. (B,L,D)

July 20: Ulaanbaatar/Gobi Desert
Fly south into the heart of the Gobi Desert. After settling in to your ger, set off into mountains that rise dramatically out of the flat expanse. Cross into the stunning glacial Lammageyer Valley and, during a 2-hour trek, keep an eye out for local wildlife such as ibex, black tailed gazelle, and the rare Saiga antelope. Back at camp, watch a movie this evening about Roy Chapman Andrews’s expeditions to Mongolia in the 1920s. (B,L,D)

July 21: Flaming Cliffs
Spend the morning at Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. Here lies the so-called “Cemetery of Dinosaurs,” the Gobi’s renowned treasure trove of fossils and eggs. Hike down into the gorge and take in the breathtaking span of the desert landscape. On a visit to a camel breeder’s camp, learn about the habits of the indigenous two-humped Bactrian camel, important to so many aspects of the nomadic lifestyle. Take a ride on camelback through the desert before returning to camp. (B,L,D)

July 22: Gobi Desert/Ulaanbaatar
This morning, take a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Stroll through the Gandan Monastery, the largest functioning lamasery in Mongolia. At one point, Mongolia was one of the world’s centers of Tantric Buddhism and was home to over 720 temples and monasteries. However, most of these were destroyed during Communist rule and today, fewer than 70 remain. Gandan is the best-preserved of these. This afternoon, examine some of paleontology’s most prized finds on a guided tour of the Natural History Museum. Its collection of fossilized dinosaur bones and eggs, found as early as 1922 in the Gobi Desert, have helped shape present-day theories about the age of the dinosaurs. (B,L)

July 23: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Travel northeast into the glorious mountains of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. At an altitude of over 5,000 feet, the air is cool and fresh, and the alpine scenery is spectacular. Practice constructing a ger; then participate in your own archery competition, Mongolian style, before jumping on horses to explore the park on horseback and enjoy a rolling landscape carpeted with wildflowers. (B,L,D)

July 24: Khan Khentii National Protected Area
Depart the ger camp this morning and drive through the park to Dugana tsagaan, where you will find mountain bikes waiting for you. Explore the beautiful Khan Khentii protected area by mountain bike, stopping for a picnic lunch, before arriving at the Gunjiin sum temple, an ancient lamaist temple now in ruins. Help set up a ger camp nearby the ruins and overnight. Tonight’s dinner will be cooked over the campfire, under the stars. (B,L,D)

July 25: Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, leave the Khan Khentii protected area by rafting down the Tuul River. Pull out in time for a picnic lunch alongside the river. Continue by motorcoach to Ulaanbaatar. Along the way, stop by Chinggis Khaan’s monument in Tsonjin Boldog, and newly built 40-meter statue to Mongolia’s national hero. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, check into the hotel. The remainder of the day and evening are unscheduled. (B,L)

July 26: Ulaanbaatar/Hövsgöl Nuur
Fly to the spectacular alpine lake, Hövsgöl Nuur. The second-largest lake in Mongolia, Hövsgöl Nuur is breathtaking, surrounded by 8,000-foot peaks. Settle into a traditional ger tent on the shores of the lake and spend the next two nights getting a taste of the centuries-old lifestyle of the nomad, but with added amenities for your comfort. This afternoon, hike along the shore to view the swans, ospreys, thrushes and various other shore birds. (B,L,D)

July 27: Hövsgöl Nuur
This morning meet with nomads to learn about the process of making airag, fermented mare’s milk, which is Mongolia’s national drink. Canoe along the shore of stunning alpine lake. This afternoon, take a horse-back ride along the shores of the lake and, for those who are interested, join a fishing expedition. This evening, enjoy a dinner of fresh fish, a delicacy in Mongolia.
(B,L,D)

July 28: Hövsgöl Nuur /Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and then visit the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. Zanabazar was Mongolia’s most famous and accomplished sculptor known as "Mongolia’s Michaelangelo." The museum has on display many of his best pieces. This evening is unscheduled for you. (B,L)

July 29: Ulaanbaatar
Today is unscheduled to explore the city on your own. You may wish to visit the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan, the former home of Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha and last king. This evening, bid farewell to the land of the nomad with a festive banquet. (B,D)

July 30: Ulaanbaatar to the USA
Return to the United States. (B)

 

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Terms and Conditions

Trip Price Per Person
The trip price is quoted in U.S. dollars per person.

Trip Price Includes
The trip price includes the cost of your trip guide; accommodation; meals as indicated on trip itinerary; group airport transfers; all special visits and excursions; all transportation and sightseeing with expert guides as set forth in the itinerary; the assistance of a representative of the Association of Yale Alumni and the services of an ATA tour manager; baggage handling for one bag plus one carry-on bag per person; pre-trip notes and guidelines, service charges, taxes and basic gratuities.

Trip Price Does Not Include
The trip price does not include international air tickets and related fees; passport photos and fees; visa fees; meals not specified above; personal items such as wines, liquors, a-la-carte orders, room service, and valet/laundry charges; expenses incurred by Academic Travel Abroad in making individual travel arrangements before or after the program; and other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Single/Shared Rooms
A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Academic Travel Abroad will assist persons requesting a roommate. However, neither a single room nor a share can be guaranteed. Participants will be notified if we are unsuccessful in finding a suitable roommate. In this case, the single supplement will be charged.

Payment Schedule
$500 deposit upon application. Balance due upon receipt of invoice, 90 days before departure. Credit cards may be used only for reservation deposits and airfare. If final payment is not received by 60 days prior to departure, your space is subject to cancellation.

Cancellations and Refunds
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Association of Yale Alumni. After confirmation on the tour, a nonrefundable processing fee of $200 per person will be charged upon written cancellation. Written cancellation between 90-61 days of departure: full refund, minus your deposit (including nonrefundable processing fee). Written cancellation between 60 and 31 days prior to departure: 50% refund of the tour price. Written cancellation within 30 days prior to departure: no refund. Reservations are not transferable without the explicit approval of the Association of Yale Alumni and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. Airfare is fully refundable up to time of ticket issuance, generally three to four weeks before departure. Thereafter tickets are nonrefundable and no changes are allowed except in case of death or hospitalization of passenger.

Cancellation on day of departure or after tour departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of tour, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by Association of Yale Alumni and Academic Travel Abroad: full refund. Cancellation of the program after departure by Association of Yale Alumni or Academic Travel Abroad: full refund of all land fees, less the cost of service up to the time of the group’s return. NOTE: Neither Association of Yale Alumni nor Academic Travel Abroad accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable domestic ticket to the tour departure city and return. We strongly urge applicants to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

A Note About the Itinerary
While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the itinerary as described is subject to modification and change by the Association of Yale Alumni and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc.

Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. We will send you a brochure from Travel Insurance Services, or you may obtain coverage through a company of your choice. $150,000 of flight insurance is automatically provided with each ticket written by Academic Travel Abroad, Inc.

Health Recommendations
To enjoy your travels to the fullest you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diets, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the enjoyment of other participants.

Responsibility
Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. and the Association of Yale Alumni act only as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and tour operation. We and our agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the tour participant. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We likewise reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any tour participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefor. In the event of the exercise of this right, we shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as our absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the tour. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this tour are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The tour participant agrees on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, Academic Travel Abroad, Inc., and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.

California Seller of Travel Program
CST #2059002-40
ATA is a participant in the California Seller of Travel program. California law requires that certain sellers of travel have a trust account or bond. ATA has a trust account. ATA is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.