Mongolia’s Buddhist Culture
With Dr. Robert Thurman
A Special Departure Created For Tibet House
With an Optional Post-Tour Extension to the Gobi Desert
May 23 – June 2, 2010
Extension Dates: June 2 – 7, 2010

Why Geographic Expeditions?
The travel business—the world’s largest industry—is intensely competitive, and the modern traveler is increasingly sophisticated. We’re proud that the readers of Travel & Leisure have consistently voted us one of the world’s Top Ten Tour Operators and that Conde Nast names us one of the Top Travel Pros, but laurels are not to be rested on. Here are some of the reasons we think GeoEx should be at the top of the list of companies you consider:

Personal Service. GeoEx has earned its spurs as a company that puts personable, individualized service first and foremost. We know discerning travelers expect it, and we expect it of ourselves. And because of our commitment to service, well over half of our business consists of Private Journeys, which demand persnickety attention to detail and the continual ability to meet and anticipate our travelers’ unique needs and desires.

Passion. We know, we know: everybody these days has to be passionate about what they do, including the guy who changes your oil. But it’s a strong word, still a good one, and it’s accurate. We’re a company, top to bottom, of travel enthusiasts, of map browsers, book readers, and dreamers. There’s nary a nook or worldly cranny we haven’t explored, with eyes-open gusto. And when we return we get to work at sharing those sublime places with our travelers.

Experience. We’ve been at this great task for a long and fruitful time, growing from a little start-up into an industry leader. Our eyes are still full of stars, but they’re also clear; we’ve encountered problems and solved them again and again; though it might be self-serving to say it, there is no substitute for experience,
and we’ve got it.

Innovation. Twenty-five years ago GeoEx pioneered travel to the newly opened hinterlands of Tibet and Central Asia. Since then we’ve been at the forefront, charging ahead (carefully, intelligently), bringing travelers to places like Tuva, the Empty Quarter, Iran (we were the first American company to run trips to that country after its revolution), the backroads of Cambodia and Kenya, to long-sequestered areas of northern India, to the South and North Poles and just about everywhere in between. We design our trips from the ground up, incessantly looking for new delights and new ways to experience time-honored destinations.

Responsibility. We stand by our commitment to careful, mindful, and environmentally and culturally responsible travel. Once again, this is something most every travel company is careful to trumpet. Bottom line: as travel enthusiasts, as fans of the human species, we detest going to places that have been subject to touristic predation, conscious or unconscious. We will not add to that predation. Doing it thoughtfully and sensitively is a little harder than doing it willy-nilly, but well worth the effort, ethically and economically.

Safety Net. We maintain 8,760 hour per year emergency logistical support for our travelers in the field. (You got it: 24 x 365.) Our automatically included insurance program—$50,000 medical expense, 24-hour medical assistance, and $75,000 evacuation insurance for every trip member, with optional and recommended trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage insurance—is tops (a claim we’re more than happy to back up). We think you’ll come away convinced that GeoEx is utterly committed to our travelers’ safety and peace of mind from beginning to end.

Comfort. We’re not fans of discomfort for discomfort’s sake, so we carefully pick the most salubrious accommodations, from hotels in the major cities to little inns along the way. Our boats around the world are built for comfortable exploration rather than floorshows and costume balls. Our treks are frankly luxurious, with all the cooking, cleaning up, portage, and camp setting up done by our rigorously trained staff.

Mongolia’s history and culture are inextricably linked with the spread of Buddhism through Central Asia. Although the recent history of Mongolia (like that of Tibet) seriously challenged the continued existence of Buddhism as a guiding force in the region, today’s Mongolia is enjoying a cultural and religious renaissance. This mind- and heartwidening trip focuses on Mongolia’s religious heritage and culture, but also ventures into the vastly open countryside, which is much more quintessentially Mongolia than any city ever could be.

Join scholar and author Dr. Robert Thurman to explore sacred temples and monasteries, enjoy active day hikes, and take time for daily meditation and teachings with Dr. Thurman. Throughout the trip, we examine Mongolia’s unique cultural, religious, and environmental positions and its efforts at continuation and preservation. Throughout the trip, Dr. Robert Thurman will lead daily guided meditations, provide commentary on the sites we will be visiting, and special meetings with Mongolian dignitaries and Buddhist teachers are being planned.

During our journey, we will visit some of Mongolia's most impressive monastic communities, including Erdene Zhuu and Gandan monasteries, which are both once again teeming with chanting monks. Our itinerary will also include a special event, the boisterous Naadam festival, which features horse racing, archery and Mongolian wrestling.

GETTING THERE
We recommend that you depart your home city for Seoul or Beijing two days before the start of your trip. Departing the U.S. you cross the International Dateline and arrive in Asia one day later. Some airline schedules (notably those stopping in Beijing) necessitate an overnight en route, so it takes three days to reach Ulaanbaatar via Beijing. Please note that international flights and en route hotel accommodations are not included in the land cost. Our full service air department will be happy to assist with these arrangements.
Hotel on own

DAILY ITINERARY:
Day 1. Sunday, May 23
ARRIVE IN ULAANBAATAR Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in the center of town. First impressions of the city are typically bleak, but beneath the dreary aesthetic of Soviet modernity beats the pulse of the Golden Horde, the most ferocious and successful army in history. In the 17th Century, Mongolia came under Chinese domination; for many years it was known as Outer Mongolia, to distinguish it from the Inner Mongolia (now a part of China and more than 90% Han Chinese).

Mongolia, until recently the Mongolian People's Republic, was the second country in the world to adopt a Marxist form of government. Like its domineering northern neighbor, it has begun the process of unshackling itself from the Soviet model in order to embrace a new global sensibility and reclaim a sense of national identity and pride in Chinghis Khan and his legacy. Still one of the few countries where livestock outnumbers humans, Mongolia gives life to that cliche of travel literature: it is a mixture of the old and the new. A prime example is the many workers in Ulaanbaatar's uninspired, Stalinist-modern office buildings who live in gers (round, homey tents very similar to the yurts of Central Asia's Turkic peoples). This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner with the group participants.
Khan Palace Hotel (D)

Day 2. Monday, May 24
ULAANBAATAR We have a full day to explore some of the interesting sights in and around Ulaanbaatar. A good place to begin is with a visit to the memorial site at Zaisan hill, from where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole city.

In the center of town is Sukhbaatar Square, Mongolia’s answer to Beijing’s Tien'anmen and Moscow’s Red Square. In July 1921, the 'hero of the revolution', Damdin Sukhbaatar, declared Mongolia's independence from the Chinese. The square (where he made his historic declaration) now bears his name and features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he proclaimed at the time are engraved on the bottom of the statue:

If we, the whole people, unite in our common effort and common will, there will be nothing in the world that we cannot achieve, that we will not have learned or failed to do.

Our exploration continues with a visit to the Choijin Lama temple and museum, which contains some of the most impressive Buddhist artwork to be found anywhere in Mongolia. One of our trip leaders, a veteran of a dozen trips to Tibet and numerous visits to Nepal and Bhutan, recently wrote of his first visit to Mongolia:

As you know, I fancy myself something of a connoisseur and lover of Buddhist art. I was literally shocked to see in Ulaanbaatar by far the most fabulous thangkas, sculptures, and such I have ever seen, including in Lhasa and even the great Wisdom and Compassion exhibit. I just had no idea that Mongolia was such a wonderful treasure-house of Buddhist art and culture.

Then it’s on to the still-functioning Buddhist Gandan Monastery. A vital spiritual center, Gandan Monastery gives us a particularly vivid look at the Mongolia of old. After the immense conquests of Genghis Khan and his descendants (including fabled Kublai Khan), Mongolia converted to Buddhism in the mid-thirteenth century and became a placid, largely untroubled land. Its presiding lama Jebtsundampa Khutuktu was the third highest incarnation in the Mahayana Buddhist hierarchy – following Tibet’s Dalai and Panchen Lamas. Our group will have a private audience with the abbot of the Gandan Monastery. We will have a presentation on Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia by a Mongolian monk.

This evening we will enjoy a traditional folk performance by the group Tumen Ekh, which includes khoomei (throat singing), Tsam dancing, folk songs accompanies by morin huur (“horsehead fiddle”), contortionism and much more.
Khan Palace Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3. Tuesday, May 25
FLY ULAANBAATAR TO KARAKORUM / ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY This morning we transfer back to the airport for the short flight to Karakorum (Kharkhorin). Upon arrival, we’ll meet our drivers and vehicles and head to our comfortable ger camp. After settling in, we’ll set out to explore Karakorum, the ancient capital of the 13th century Mongol empire constructed by Ogodai, Chingis Khan’s son and successor. Although little evidence remains of the great man himself, this was the site from where Chinghis Khan launched his army, eventually creating the largest empire the world has ever known.

Mongolia's history is a juicy tale. The early days were defined by conquering hordes; the Huns occupied the land from the 3rd century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., followed by an ascendancy of Turkic peoples from the 6th to the 11th centuries. Then came Chinghis Khan (1167-1227) and his illustrious offspring, who flooded and subdued Asia.

In the late 13th century Chinghis' grandson, Kublai Khan, moved the Mongol capital from Karakorum to Peking (Beijing), establishing the Yuan Dynasty. After the Mongols were overthrown in 1368, their capital moved back to the ancestral homeland, and evolved into the nomadic center known as Urga. The capital eventually settled into its present site and was renamed Ulan Bator ("Red Hero") following the Marxist-Leninist revolution led by Suke Bator in 1921. (For a few years before that the country was ruled by a gleefully despotic White Russian baron named Ungern-Sternberg.) A bloody counter-revolution was mustered in the 1930s by the monastic establishment and was resolutely squelched. A period of oppression followed, but the last few years have brought much positive change and lightening of spirit. There is a renewed pride in Mongolia's outlandish history and spectacular countryside.

There is not much left of the ancient capital, but 400 year old Erdene-Zuu (“hundred treasures”), Mongolia's first Buddhist monastery, is well worth the visit. This monastery, Mongolia's oldest, was built in 1586 on the base of Karakorum, the former site of Chinghis Khan's capital. Erdene Zuu Monastery compound encompasses 17,640 square meters. Its walls, stupas, temples and statues, as well as the sculptures in the temples, exemplify the high skills of the Mongolians masters. The walls consist of four large gates (symbolizing the four directions) and 108 stupas (25 on each side and two at every corner).

We’ll visit the spacious monastery complex, and if we’re lucky we may witness monks chanting in the dimly lit prayer halls. Erdene Zuu is one of the most glorious examples of the revival of the Buddhist religion in Mongolia, where the temples are slowly and lovingly being restored and are once again teaming with chanting monks.
Dream Land Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 4. Wednesday, May 26
DRIVE TO KHANGAI MOUNTAINS Today we head west toward Tsetserleg and the Khangai Mountains. The “road” (if it can be called that) is quite rudimentary, and in some places it may be more convenient to drive overland, so progress tends to be somewhat slow. It should take us approximately 5 – 6 hours to reach Tsetserleg, the aimag center for Arkhangai province. The word tsetserleg means “garden” in Mongolian, and the town is more appealing than most settlements of similar size. The town is ringed with forested mountains and a lovely temple overlooks the town. Tsetserleg is a great place to break up the drive and to stretch our legs as we explore the tree-lined lanes.

Our ultimate goal today is the Lapis Sky Ger Camp, located on the banks of the Tamir River in the Bunkhan Valley, about 30 miles (another 1 ½ hours drive) south of Tsetserleg in Arkhangai aimag (province). To get into the valley, we must cross a low pass that is covered with Scythian burial sites.

The gorgeous Lapis Sky camp is surrounded by the larch-covered foothills of the Khangai Mountains, and the Tamir River winds its way beside the camp, with lush cottonwoods lining the river's edge and the sacred Bayondur Mountain looming above. It’s as if we are part of a huge mandala of varied terrain, with sweeping vistas of glacier-formed valleys, and alternating forests and steppes, making it an ideal center for horse riding (those who are interested may enjoy wonderful horseback riding excursions up toward Suuarga or Mandal Mountain).
Lapis Sky Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Days 5 – 7. Thursday – Saturday, May 27 – 29
LAPIS SKY GER CAMP / NAADAM FESTIVAL We have three days to explore the Khangai Mountains using Lapis Sky camp as our base. Nearby are numerous Turkic grave sites that make for interesting excursions. These date primarily from the 6th – 10th centuries CE, and hint at a turbulent history of raiding and retribution, until ultimately the Turkic tribes were pushed west by encroaching Mongols.

Numerous activities are available at camp depending on your interests. Those who enjoy horseback riding or hiking will be pleased with the variety of terrain available in the vicinity of camp. Every summer, families of Mongolian nomad set up their camps nearby, and we can pay them a visit as well. We can also explore further afield using our jeeps to access the more remote valleys. But the most intriguing activity we’ll enjoy is the celebration of Naadam.

The Naadam festival, or eriyn gurvan naadam, is the largest and most colorful festival of the year for Mongolians. Naadam has been held for centuries as a form of memorial celebration, as an annual sacrificial ritual honoring various mountain gods or to celebrate a community endeavor. Held in early July, it highlights the greatest athletes in horse racing, archery, and wrestling: Mongolia's most popular sports. Women participate in all but the wrestling category. The word Naadam means “game” or “competition” in Mongolian. The National Naadam Festival is celebrated throughout Mongolia, in large towns and small villages alike. The Festival consists of the three “manly” sports of horse racing, wrestling and archery.

The Three Manly Sports
Horse Races: Mongolians have a high regard for horses since, for centuries, they have relied on them for transport, sustenance, and companionship. During the races, up to 1,000 horses can be chosen to compete. The horse races are broken down into six categories based on the age of the horses. For example, two-year-old horses race for 10 miles and seven-year-olds for 17 miles. The races are conducted on the open grasslands with no set track or course. Children from the ages of 5 to 13 are chosen as jockeys since this guarantees that the race tests the horse’s skill and not the rider’s.

The small size of the jockeys also increases the horses' endurance. Even still, jockeys train for months before Naadam and the horses are put on a special diet. The winning jockey is praised with the title tumny ekh or "leader of ten thousand" and the five winning horses are talked about and revered in poetry and music. The losing two-year-old horse is also serenaded with a song. Music is very important before the race too, as the audience sings traditional songs and the jockeys sing a pre-race song called a gingo.

Eating and drinking is the other "sport" during the Naadam festival. The horse races are held in the steppes behind the people who stop to drink tea and arak, fermented mares' milk. Cold meat pancakes, called khuurshuur, ice cream, bread, and fruits are other popular festival foods. Archery: The sport of archery originated around the 11th century, during the time of Khanate warfare. Contestants dress in traditional costumes and use a bent bow constructed of horn, bark, and wood. The arrows, made from willow branches and vulture feathers are shot at round, leather targets with gray, yellow or red rings. Men must stand 246 feet and women 197 feet from the target. Judges, standing near the targets, assess each shot with a cry, called a uukhai, and a raised hand. The winning archer, or mergen, is the one who hits the targets the most times. Note that archery is usually not included in the Kazakh Naadam competitions.

Wresting: The wrestling competitions begin around noon on the first day of the festival and end on the second day. They are quite unlike American wrestling matches in form and have two other important differences. First, there are no weight divisions. A small wrestler can be pitted against someone two times his weight. This can lead to some very interesting matches. Second, there are no time limits.

The loser of a match is the wrestler who falls first. A fall is when any part of a wrestler’s body, except his hands or feet, touches the ground.

Titles are given to winners of a number of rounds: Falcon to those winning five rounds, Elephant for seven rounds, and Lion to the one winning the whole tournament.

One elite wrestler was once given the title "Eye-Pleasing Nationally Famous Mighty and Invincible Giant." Wrestlers honor the judges and their attendants with a dance called devekh, or eagle dance. The winner also performs the eagle dance after the loser of the bout takes off his jacket and walks under the winner's arm. Wrestlers wear small, over-the-shoulder vests called zodog, and snug shorts called shuudag. The heavy, traditional Mongolian boots are called gutuls.
Lapis Sky Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 8. Sunday, May 30
DRIVE TO KARAKORUM (KHARKHORIN) VIA TSETSERLEG We depart the Bunkhan Valley this morning for our drive back to Karakorum, stopping briefly in Tsetserleg en route. We should arrive in Karakorum by mid-afternoon, and after settling into our comfortable ger accommodations, we’ll enjoy an evening meditation and teaching by Dr. Thurman.
Eden Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 9. Monday, May 31
DRIVE TO KHUSTAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK This morning we drive to the Khustain Nuruu National Park. Established in 1992 with the help of international environmental agencies, the park is part of a program to reintroduce the indigenous Takhi (an Asian wild horse) to its original territory. Known in the west as Przewalski’s horses (after the famed Polish explorer, the Russian Captain Nikola Przewalski, who first “discovered” them in the 1870’s), the Takhi are the last remaining wild horses in the world. In fact, Prezewalski wild horses are thought to be the oldest living ancestor of all modern horses, the direct ancestors of all living breeds of horses (with their sandy color and dark dorsal stripe, they bear a striking resemblance to the horses depicted in the cave paintings at Lascaux, in southern France). The word “Takhi” is derived from the word “Tahi” or “sacred”, as horses are the most sacred animals to Mongolian.

Unlike the wild horses found in many other countries (which are actually domestic animals which have gone feral), the Takhi are an altogether different species from the modern horse. For centuries, the Takhi roamed the steppes of central Asia in great herds. However, as human populations grew, hunting and competition with domestic livestock caused their numbers to decline drastically. The last Takhi spotted in the wild was in 1969, in the western Gobi.

Although extinct in the wild, there were about a dozen Takhi living in zoos. Special breeding programs were set up in Australia and Europe, and their population has now reached nearly 1500 – all descended from the bloodline of three stallions. When Mongolia opened to the world in the early 1990s, it became possible to reintroduce the Takhi to its native territory. The process began in 1992 with the help of the Dutch government and various environmental agencies. There are now over 100 Takhi in Khustain Nuruu National Park. The best time to see the horses (and other wildlife) is around dusk or dawn.
Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 10. Tuesday, June 1
RETURN TO ULAANBAATAR After another morning game drive to see the Takhi, we continue our eastward drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Portions of the “road” (such as it is) are under construction, so be prepared for potential delays and some dusty conditions. The drive generally takes about 2 – 3 hours, so we should arrive in Ulaanbaatar in time for lunch.

After settling into our hotel, we’ll head out for some more sightseeing. A great place to start is with a visit to the winter palace of the last Bogd Gegen (the ruler of Mongolia prior to 1924, also considered a living Buddha, similar to the Dalai Lama of Tibet). Traditionally, the Bogd Khan of the Khalkha tribe is considered the reincarnation of Jebsun Tarnata, and is third head of the Buddhist hierarchy, after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. The first Bogd Khan of Mongolia, Zanabazar, was a famous painter, sculptor and philosopher as well. In all there have been eight Bogd Khans who ruled Mongolia, the last of whom died in 1924 (a ninth Bogd Khan was identified in Tibet in 1931, but he never served as Mongolia’s ruler, as the political landscape took a sudden detour in the 1920’s).

The walled complex of the Winter Palace, completed in the early 1900’s as a winter home for the eighth Bogd Khan, escaped destruction by the Russians and has been turned into a museum. An amazing collection of historical artifacts is on display, including gifts received from foreign dignitaries and a huge collection of stuffed animals (the Bogd Khan was an avid collector).

Depending on the group’s interests, following are a few other sites that may be visited:

• Handicraft Emporiums & souvenir shops
• National Museum of Mongol History
• Natural History Museum
• Military Museum
• Zanabazar Museum

In the evening, we’ll gather for a festive farewell dinner at one of Ulaanbaatar’s many fine restaurants.
Khan Palace Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11. Wednesday, June 2
DEPART MONGOLIA Return to the airport for the initial stage of your journey home. Geographic Expeditions group arrangements end with your departure from Mongolia.

Optional Extension to the Gobi
June 2 – 7, 2010

Day 11. Wednesday, June 2
FLY ULAANBAATAR TO S. GOBI Today we return to the airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Today’s approximately two-hour flight takes us from the vital metropolis of Ulaanbaatar to the remote Gobi, where we can experience the amazingly diverse landscapes while exploring by jeep or riding a two-humped Bactrian camel (optional).

Mildred Cable, an intrepid traveler who traipsed across the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert in the early part of the last century, described the peculiar state of mind that the desert prompts:

"The human body, having found its natural swing, becomes strangely unconscious of itself and releases the mind to its normal function of transmuting incident into experience. These are conditions in which the wayfarer becomes, according to his own measure, an observer, philosopher, a thinker, poet and seer."

The Gobi is hypnotic: mirages dance on the horizon during the heat of day while stars rain down throughout the vast night. The scene is immensely flat, broken by sculpted dunes erupting from the hot sands.

After settling into our comfortable ger camp, we’ll visit Bayanzag to explore the "Dinosaur Cemetery", made famous by American archaeologist Roy Chapman Andrews. Neolithic tools and dinosaur remains are still being discovered in the area. Bayanzag is also well known for its “Flaming Cliffs”, a striking feature of the rocky landscape of red sands and shrubs. You can explore the cliffs at your leisure, searching for dinosaur fossils.

In the evening, we’ll retire to our well-appointed gers to bask in the limitless night of the heart of Asia, and to prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.
Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12. Thursday, June 3
DRIVE TO KHONGORIIN ELS / CAMEL RIDING IN SAND DUNES Today you embark on a drive of approximately three hours to reach the remote Khongoriin Els (els means “sand dunes”) where you can experience the Gobi while riding a two-humped Bactrian camel.

The Khongoriin Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in the country - up to 2625 feet high, 7 miles wide and about 62 miles long. It’s worth the effort to climb to the top, as the views of the surrounding desert are incredible. One region of the dunes is called Duut Machan, (‘singing sands”) and, if the is wind blows in a certain way, it makes an eerie wailing sound.

This evening we’ll be staying at a ger camp beside a stream in a beautiful green valley. Blue and red rocky mountains frame the horizon with the immense Khongorin Els sand dunes in the fore.
Gobi Discovery Ger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 13. Friday, June 4
VISIT NOMAD FAMILY / RETURN TO THREE CAMEL LODGE The day begins with a visit to a family of nomads who live in the vicinity. In the Gobi (and throughout most nomadic areas worldwide, for that matter), hospitality to strangers is the rule, and you’ll experience the traditional welcome and have the opportunity to see how the nomads of the Gobi survive in the often harsh environment. You can also see how they care for their domesticated camels.

By mid-afternoon you embark once more on a cross-country drive back to the comfortable Three Camel Lodge, arriving in time for dinner.
Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 14. Saturday, June 5
ALTAI MOUNTAINS & THE YOL VALLEY / FLY TO ULAANBAATAR Today begins with a drive (about 1 ½ hours) across the desert, as we make our way deep into the heart of the Gurvansaikhan Mountain Range, which form part of the Gobi Altai Mountains (the Altai Mountains stretch from here all the way to the northwest corner of Mongolia and even further west into Kazakhstan). Our drive across the desert will bring us to the precipitous greenery of the Yol Valley, named after Mongolia's Lammergeyer (yol), a huge vulture with a wingspan of up to nine feet. Numerous other wild animals may be encountered in and around the Altai Mountains as well, including gazelles, ibex, sheep, goats, Bactrian camels, and of course, the yol.

Yol Valley was originally established to protect the birdlife in the region, but has become famous for its unique and dramatic scenery – it is a valley in the middle of the Gobi Desert, with thick ice almost all year round. Lammergeyer Vultures, among other birds, nest here, and you are guaranteed to see them flying over the ravine.

After exploring Yol Valley, we’ll head back to our comfortable accommodations at the Three Camel Lodge.
Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 15. Sunday, June 6
FLY TO ULAANBAATAR This morning we bid farewell to the Gobi and head to the airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Depending on the flight schedule, once we reach Ulaanbaatar, we may have some time to enjoy more of the city’s attractions.
Khan Palace Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 16. Monday, June 7
DEPART MONGOLIA Today you return to the airport for your departure to Seoul or Beijing (the initial stage of your flight home). Geographic Expeditions Mongolia land arrangements end upon your departure from Ulaanbaatar, but if you would like us to book your onward travel arrangements, we are happy to assist.
Hotel of your choice (B)

Important Note
While we endeavor to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate schedule of activities rather than a rigid schedule of events. Trip itineraries are subject to revision due to weather, trail conditions, government restrictions and other reasons beyond our control. In addition, frequent reconnaissance of routes sometimes determines a better routing - we do our best to ascertain that the most beautiful and best route possible is taken into the area.

INCLUDED IN LAND COST

• All hotel and ger camp accommodations as specified in the itinerary
• Services of an experienced English-speaking Mongolian guide and support personnel
• Services of Brent Olson as your Geographic Expeditions Leader and Robert Thurman as trip lecturer on the main trip
• All meals while in Mongolia
• Sightseeing as described in the itinerary
• Optional horseback & camel riding
• All arrival and departure transfers and ground transportation as specified in the
  itinerary
• Geographic Expeditions' Medical and Accident Insurance and Assistance Plan

NOT INCLUDED IN LAND COST

• International air transport USA/Ulaanbaatar/USA
• Internal flights within Mongolia (listed separately)
• Meals, hotel accommodations and expenses at any stopover points en route to
  Mongolia
• Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
• Gratuities to guides, driver and cook
• Visa and passport fees (Mongolia does not require a visa for US citizens, but China does. If you are flying via Beijing, you will need a visa for China).
• Items of a personal nature such as liquor, laundry, mail, phone calls and faxes
• Trip cancellation travel delay or baggage insurance. (Note: This optional coverage is highly recommended and can be purchased through Geographic Expeditions)
• Additional expenses incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Geographic Expeditions

Refunds for Unused Portions of Trip
No refunds can be made for any accommodations, services, or features not taken. If cancellation occurs while the trip is in progress, there will be no refund for any unused portion.

Trip Grade
Moderate to Rigorous Touring
Please note that this trip involves overland travel over poor (and occasionally non-existent) roads in cars, minibuses and 4 wheel drive vehicles. Anyone with a history of medical problems, particularly cardiac, respiratory or back-related, should consult a doctor before considering this trip. Release of liability and medical certificate (signed by your physician) are required for participation on this trip. Optional horse and camel riding may be included for those who are interested.

Accommodations will always be the best available, but please note that this itinerary involves not only hotel stays, but also a few nights in tourist ger camps. These camps generally have flush toilets nearby (the western, sit-down variety), plus facilities for hot showers (which sometimes work). However, facilities may be a bit “rustic”. We pride ourselves on the level of comfort we provide while traveling through in these remote areas, but this kind of trip is not for everyone. It is important to remain open-minded and physically willing.

It is also important to understand that, while food, service and accommodations are adequate and, at times, surprisingly good in Mongolia, you may still encounter problems with plumbing, mediocre meals, indifferent service, and rigorous schedules. These factors necessitate a flexible, tolerant attitude and a sense of humor.

Mongolian Horses & Tack
Horse riding in Mongolia is a fun and rewarding way to get from place to place. Mongolian horses are smaller than what most Americans may be accustomed to, and their appearance may be disturbing at first. With prominent hips, ribs and spines they appear to be undernourished, but this is not the case. The varying and often harsh climate of Mongolia has produced this strong, agile and calm little horse.

The tack generally consists of a head collar and lead rope along with a bridle with a simple snaffle. The saddles may be Russian, English or Western. The horses are neck-reined and respond to normal European leg commands. They are fairly simple to handle, but the ride not only requires riding skills, it demands endurance. We never ride more than 2 hours at a time without taking a break. It is important to be fit to avoid soreness or injury.

International Air & En Route Stopovers
The land cost does not include your roundtrip international transportation from your home city to Seoul and Ulaanbaatar. Geographic Expeditions has a full-service, in-house, air ticketing department with many years of experience arranging complex travel to remote destinations. Unless you are working with a travel agent or specify otherwise, we will assume that you want us to make all domestic and international air reservations according to the trip itinerary.

We will try to secure the best possible fare for you and request that you notify us immediately of any pre- and post-trip extension plans. Our air department will be happy to assist you with these arrangements and with any other additional extensions you may wish to add to your trip itinerary. Early reservations ensure the most desired airlines, routings, seating, and departure times.

If you are not using Geographic Expeditions for your air travel (including using frequent flyer tickets), it is essential that you give us your air schedule at least 60 days prior to your departure, so that we may confirm your arrival and departure hotels.

Following are some sample airfares. Fares are subject to change and do not include international taxes, airport fees, or fuel surcharges.
San Francisco - Seoul - Ulaanbaatar – Seoul - San Francisco $1995.00
New York - Seoul - Ulaanbaatar - Seoul - New York $2560.00

Trip Lecturer: Dr. Robert Thurman, Ph.D.
Robert A.F. Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important texts from the Tibetan Tanjur.

Professor Thurman also translates important Tibetan and Sanskrit philosophical writings and lectures and writes on Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism; on Asian history, particularly the history of the monastic institution in the Asian civilization; and on critical philosophy, with a focus on the dialogue between the material and inner sciences of the world's religious traditions.

The New York Times recently said Thurman "is considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism." But it's Thurman's unique take on the relevance of Buddhism to American culture and politics and his wit and creativity in weaving ancient Buddhist wisdom and popular Western ideals that make his knowledge entertaining and useful as well as informative.

Professor Thurman's scholarly and popular writings focus on the "inner revolution" that individuals and societies successfully negotiate when they achieve enlightenment. He defines this inner revolution as accurate insight into the true nature of reality and determined compassion for the suffering beings. He also works toward what he terms a "Second Renaissance," which he sees currently taking place as Western culture goes beyond the 14th century European discovery of the natural sciences of the ancient Greeks that catalyzed the "first renaissance" to discover and apply in practice the advanced "inner science" of ancient Indian culture.

Popularizing the Buddha's teachings is just one of Thurman's creative talents. He is a riveting speaker and an author of many books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics and culture, including Circling the Sacred Mountain, Essential Tibetan Buddhism, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet, Worlds of Transformation, and, most recently, Infinite Life: Seven Virtues for Living Well. He is credited with being at the forefront of making Tibetan art accessible and understandable in the West and, with distinguished art historians, he collaborated in curating several important traveling exhibitions, including "Wisdom and Compassion," "Mandala," and "Worlds of Transformation," which set a standard in the art world.

Geographic Expeditions Trip Leader: Brent Olson Brent Olson is one of the few Westerners to have lived in Bhutan (he worked with its government in the creation of a photographic archive of the country's rich artistic heritage). A veteran of 30 (and counting) trips to the remote Himalayan kingdom, member of the advisory board of the American-Bhutan Council (in addition to a number of Bhutan-related board memberships) he is unquestionably one of the United States' ranking experts on Bhutan. Brent has presented numerous slide shows and talks on Bhutan around the country, including a slide presentation for the Smithsonian Institution seminar on Bhutan at the Textile Museum in Washington, DC.

Raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Brent began his life of travel soon after graduation from Iowa State University, roaming extensively in Europe and the Middle East, working on an archeological dig in Jerusalem, eventually discovering his deep personal connection with Bhutan. Settling in San Francisco, Brent brought his extensive knowledge of Bhutan to Geo Ex in 1985.

Since then, Brent has created and led numerous treks and tours all over the kingdom, and forged close friendships with a wide variety of Bhutanese, from villagers to the royal family. His devotion to Bhutan is mirrored in the unique quality of his itineraries, which are designed to highlight and support the country's determination to maintain its proud culture.

Due to Brent's unique and comprehensive knowledge of the kingdom, GeoEx has been successful in planning and operating trips to Bhutan for such prestigious organizations as The Asia Society, The Textile Museum of Washington, DC, Dr. Robert Thurman and Tibet House, The California Academy of Sciences, The Society for Asian Art, The Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, The World Wildlife Fund, The Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard, The National and Pacific Crest Outward Bound organizations and the American Museum of Natural History to name a few.

The People in Charge of Your Trip in San Francisco
Michael Steigerwald is Geographic Expedition's Director for Mongolia. Michael has spent extended periods in the remote corners of Asia and is intimately familiar with the people who make these regions their home. An avid student of history and anthropology, Michael has lived overseas for over seven years and speaks five languages (with varying degrees of fluency).

Michael graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with a degree in Classical Guitar, and spent a number of years teaching and performing music in the Bay Area before embarking on a series of adventures to the far corners of the world. He supported his vagabond lifestyle along the way with odd jobs, including a short stint on an archeological dig in the Golan Heights, a grape harvest in the Bordeaux region of France, a few episodes bartending in nightclubs, some time teaching English, and whenever the opportunity presented itself, playing music in local taverns and restaurants. More recently, Michael has been exploring the backroads of California on his BMW R100GS motorcycle (all the while dreaming of a trip by motorcycle through Mongolia). Michael can be reached by e-mail at michael@geoex.com.

Nicole Peelle is our Regional Director for the Himalayan Region and Mongolia, and a veteran of 25 years in the travel business. Nicole has brought her French background to bear in creating and arranging imaginative and lively trips to all seven continents. Before joining GeoEx, she worked for a number of years for one of our fine competitors, specializing in Bhutan, India, Tibet, and China. Email her at Nicole@geoex.com.

Keegen Brookes is our Country Manager for the Himalayan Region. Keegen sites her first travel memories as those formed while gazing out the large windows of the family station wagon that brought them across the long smooth highways of the America West. After university Keegen traded the mountains, high desert, and Chevy wheels for Alitalia wings and landed in the Italian countryside just outside of Verona. Here she spent 6 months teaching English to high school students, learning Italian herself and gaining a great appreciation for Italian culture and wine. Keegen’s Italian language proficiency and proclivity for food and wine earned her the title of Trip Leader for one of our friend’s in the Adventure Collection. She spent the next 3 years living out of a suitcase and leading Americans by bicycle up and down the lush hills of Tuscany.

Keegen recently traded in the leading lifestyle for the chance to plant some roots in the Bay Area and be on hand for any opportunity to hop on a flight and explore the high deserts of the Himalayas. You can email her at Keegen@geoex.com.

Geographic Expeditions
Geographic Expeditions is a professional travel management corporation, which provides a broad range of travel and location management services for individuals, travel agents and corporations. It also supplies an array of location and marketing support services and specializes in remote locations and complex logistics. The company has operations throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Pacific.

Geographic Expeditions was organized in 1981 (as InnerAsia Expeditions) to develop and operate specialized travel programs in central Asia. It was the first American company to negotiate protocols with the Chinese government to operate tours into Tibet and western China. Nepal, India and Bhutan were added soon thereafter. It has pioneered travel in Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Burma, Patagonia and remote sections of the former Soviet Union. Over the years, Geographic has expanded from its Central Asian roots to the rest of the world. Currently the company provides travel services for approximately 4,500 passengers a year.

Geographic has acted as tourism development consultants to numerous governments and nongovernmental organizations. Another expanding and significant area of Geographic's services is location consultation and management for a grand variety of companies such as ABC Television, Boeing, Sotheby's, the Walt Disney Company, ESPN, the BBC, Travel and Leisure, the National Geographic Society, Fox Broadcasting, HarperCollins, and CBS Television to name a few. The company also arranges special interest trips for a variety of non-profit organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Audubon Society, Stanford Alumni Association, the Tibet House, World Monuments Fund, the University of Chicago, Houston Museum of Science, Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, Outward Bound, the California Culinary Academy, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Nature Conservancy and many, many more.

Operating Standards
The staff of Geographic Expeditions is dedicated to preserving the character of the lands and cultures we visit. We invite you to call us for a description of the steps we are taking to promote environmental and cultural preservation.

Additional Questions? Please call (800) 777-8183