DINOSAURS OF THE GOBI - August 17 - 29, 2020 - Nomadic Expeditions
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DINOSAURS OF THE GOBI
August 17 - 29, 2020
DINOSAURS OF THE GOBI
Long before the days of Genghis Khan, the Tarbosaurus ruled Mongolia. 230 to 65 million years ago
dinosaurs roamed this east Asian country. Since then, many notable paleontological discoveries have
been made throughout the country, and fossils are still being uncovered today. Teaming up with some of
Mongolia’s top paleontologists, Nomadic Expeditions is able to conduct digs in fossil-rich regions only
the experts have knowledge of. Our team of knowledgeable guides and skilled paleontologists will ensure
you have an authentic experience unleashing your inner paleontologist.
Nomadic Expeditions has been supporting Mongolian Paleontology for over two decades. With over a
dozen joint paleontological journeys under our belt, we are well-versed in the best locations for fossil
digs throughout the richest localities in the Gobi Desert. One of our proudest moments was when a
new species of Ankylosaurus (armoured dinosaur) was discovered in 2000 and it was named “Zaraapelta
Nomadis” after our company’s namesake. Let us take you on a fossil-filled 12 day journey that will enrich
your mind and fill your soul with wonder as you discover treasures of the past.
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Y O U R J O U R N E Y
Day 2
DEPARTURE DATE: AUGUST 17- 29, 2020
ULAANBAATAR
RECOMMENDED FOR: Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of
Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia’s nomadic
Adventurous individuals wanting to learn more about the culture is a rich Tibetan Buddhist tradition in which ancient
paleontological sites of Mongolia and uncover fossils. shamanist practices are still evident. Although Buddhist
monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums
HIGHLIGHTS: during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery
Tugrugyn Shiree continued to operate as a showpiece for government officials.
However, in spite of the government’s efforts to suppress
Hongoryn Els Sand dunes Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia’s spirituality
persisted, and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in
Guided fossil digs with skilled Paleontologist 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Monasteries across
the country are again opening their doors to worshippers, and
Nemegt Basin
the few lamas who survived the purges are training. Continue
Flaming Cliffs to the Paleontological Laboratory of Mongolia to get advanced
knowledge of Mongolian Paleontological science. On display are
fierce Tarbosaurous fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus rex),
dinosaur eggs, large Hadrosaur fossils (duck-billed dinosaurs), and
many others, all of which illustrate the richness and importance of
the paleontological sites in the Gobi Desert.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
5 nights at Shangri-La Hotel Ulaanbaatar
Next, head to National Museum for an excellent overview of
5 nights at Ger Camps Mongolia’s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum
displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including
3 nights at the award-winning Three Camel Lodge Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s
minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing,
and hunting equipment. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner
at a fine local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
(Shangri-La Hotel; B, L, D)
Day 1
Day 3-4
WELCOME TO ULAANBAATAR
FLY TO GOBI/ TUGRUGYN SHIREE
The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st century
democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to the Gobi desert.
and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises. Upon arrival, drive to Tugrugyn Shiree and spend the next two
Upon arrival at the airport our travelers are welcomed by their days on excursion at Tugrugyn Shiree, the site where the famous
Nomadic Expeditions guide and transferred to a centrally “Fighting Dinosaurs”, a fossil of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor
located hotel within walking distance of various museums and locked in combat, was discovered in the 1970s. Explore this
shops. white-sandstone escarpment and nearby sand dunes. Overnight
in tents.
(Shangri-La Hotel)
(Tented Nights; B, L, D)
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MONGOLIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | NEPAL | CHINA | SIBERIA | INDIA
Day 5 Drive to Ukhaa Tolgod (5-6 hours), an already legendary site
HONGORYN ELS SAND DUNES discovered by the American Museum of Natural History in the
mid-1990s where an almost complete fossilized embryo in an
After breakfast, drive to Hongoryn Els Sand Dunes (4 hours). egg was unearthed with several nests with the mothers on top.
Hongoryn Els extend for 60 miles alongside the Gobi Altai Overnight in tents.
Mountain range and reach 600 feet in height. Those who are (Tented Night, B, L, D)
interested will have the opportunity to visit a camel-herding family
and explore the area on the back of a Bactrian camel. Overnight
in local camp. Day 9
(Ger Camp; B, L, D) HONGORYN ELS SAND DUNES
In the morning, drive back to Hongoryn Els sand dunes (4 hours).
Day 6-7 Upon arrival, settle at local camp and spend rest of the day at
NEMEGT BASIN leisure. Overnight in gers.
(Munkhtenger Ger Camp; B, L, D)
After breakfast, travel to the legendary Nemegt Basin, the site
where the famous “Tarbasorous Bataar” fossil of a distant cousin
Day 10
of the T-Rex was discovered in the 1970s (6 – 7 hours drive). Upon
arrival, get settle into tents and receive your instructions for fossil THREE CAMEL LODGE
digging from your guide. For the next 2 days, you will discover
the hidden treasures of the Mongolian Paleontology, which are After breakfast, drive to Three Camel Lodge (4 hours), located at
an indescribable amount of dinosaur fossils. This region in Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National
particular is known to have an abundance of fossils and you Park. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or explore the
will be left wanting to discover more than two days’ time surroundings on your own. The lodge offers a wide variety of
allows. Overnight in tents. activities for travelers; such as reading a book on Mongolia,
watching a documentary about nomadic culture, learning how to
(Tented Nights, B,L, D ) play traditional Mongolian games, or enjoying a relaxing massage.
Day 8 Overnight in gers.
UKHAA TOLGOD
(Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D)
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Day 11 Day 12
YOL VALLEY NATIONAL PARK/FLAMING FLY TO ULAANBAATAR
CLIFFS In the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Ulaanbaatar (1,5
After breakfast, drive to Yol Valley National Park (1.5 hours), hours). Upon arrival, visit Bogd Khan Palace, home of Mongolia’s
cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, which displays
carved this surprisingly green valley, and its remnant streams elaborate ceremonial robes, other personal effects of Mongolia’s
create ice formations that sometimes persist as late as July. 8th Living Buddha.
A hike through the valley leads to the habitat of indigenous In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance
vulture-like Lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and followed by farewell dinner at fine local restaurant. Overnight
Argali mountain sheep. After exploring the valley, visit the local in hotel.
natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of
the surrounding area. Drive back to Three Camel Lodge in time
for lunch (1.5 hours).
(Hotel Shangri-La; B, L, D)
In the late afternoon, drive to Bayan Zag (1 hour), commonly Day 13
known as the Flaming Cliffs for the orange glow of its rock at
DEPARTURE
dawn and dusk. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman
Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum Transfer to airport for departure.
of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs.
(B)
Although not obvious to the untrained eye, the Flaming Cliffs
are rich with dinosaur fossils and have been the site of important
paleontological discoveries. B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
Overnight in gers.
Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above
(Three Camel Lodge; B, L, D)
itinerary if necessary.
nomadicexpeditions.com
800-998-6634
MONGOLIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | NEPAL | CHINA | SIBERIA | INDIA
LAND PRICE:
WHY TRAVEL WITH
2020 PRICING NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS?
5 – 7 participants: $8,625 per person /double occupancy Unrivaled Expertise
8-10 participants: $7,145 per person /double occupancy Nomadic Expeditions was founded in 1992. Nothing can compete with
11-13 participants: $6,890 per person / double occupancy the experience we have attained over 25 years of designing luxury
adventure travel to Asia. While each trip we design is slightly different
Single Supplement: $1,515 than its predecessor, our breadth of knowledge, network of contacts,
and experience in the field is unrivaled.
Internal Airfare: $275 per person (subject to change by
airlines) Our People
Airfare for international flight is not included. We hire the best in the business to create and execute memorable
Please contact us for details. journeys for our clients. From our Expedition Specialists in the United
States, Ulaanbaatar, Lhasa, and Thimpu who turn wish lists into reality
to our English-speaking, professionally trained guides who share
their extensive knowledge of the culture and natural history of our
destinations, our staff is what makes Nomadic Expeditions successful.
LAND PRICE INCLUDES:
• Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;
Passion for Travel
• Transfers on arrival and departure;
While our journeys open your eyes to a whole new world of experiences,
• All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel we understand that choosing to book a trip with us requires time spent
rooms and gers); away from friends, family, and work. Your time is precious and we take
that to heart. It’s why we design journeys that go beyond a checklist of
• Meals as noted in itinerary; attractions. When you travel with us, we want you to remember drinking
tea with a nomadic family or digging for fossils with a renowned
• Horse and camel riding as noted in the itinerary; paleontologist. We imbue our trips with encounters, whether it’s with a
local resident, a high-ranking government official, or a renowned wildlife
• All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary; conservationist, so you take home more than a set of photographs to
frame on your nightstand.
• Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important
information about your trip, map and luggage tags;
• Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay.
Our Philosophy
Nomadic Expeditions was founded on the principle of treading lightly
LAND PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: long before sustainable travel was a buzz phrase. Every expedition
is undertaken with the greatest respect for the lands we explore and
• International airfare the local people we meet. Those who travel with us do so with the
assurance that the preservation and protection of the ecosystems and
• Tips to guide and drivers cultures we visit is of the utmost importance to us, both as individuals
and as a company. Respect for the places we travel to is at the heart
• Passport and visa fees of everything we do, but over our 25 years we have realized additional
opportunities where we can lend a hand. We have gone beyond
• Comprehensive medical and trip insurance simply treading lightly and have wholeheartedly partnered with local
communities and regions. Read more about our sustainable practices
• Airport taxes
and philanthropic efforts here.
• Excess baggage charges
• Photography and video fees
• Food and beverages not included in the group meals
• Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry
and telephone calls
• Other items not specifically mentioned as included.
We would love to share this exceptional adventure with you!
Our Expedition Specialists are available from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM EST, Monday thru Friday
Nomadic Expeditions Inc., | 57 Station Road | Cranbury, NJ 08512, USA
Phone: 800-998-6634 or 609-860-9008 | Fax: 609-860-9608 | Email: info@nomadicexpeditions.com
nomadicexpeditions.com | 800-998-6634
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