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Further Information
For further information, contact:
Sandra Radford, ISSET
email: sradford@isset.org
telephone: +44 (0)2920710295
Transit of Venus Programme
Adventure Begins
Depart from Heathrow (2nd June).
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and tour the city
Sukhbaatar Square, Museum of National History.
Enjoy a delicious nomads’ traditional lunch.
Enjoy a guided, 1 hour tour of Gandantegchilen Main Monastery Complex with grand Megjidjanraisag Buddha statue.
Folk Music concert, watch Khuumii and shamanism ritual dance.
Middle Gobi Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Drive to Middle Gobi Baga Gazriin Chuluu, an outstanding granite formation in the middle of the Mongolian Sandy plane. At the foot of the formation we will visit the remains of Delgeriin Choir Monastery.
South Gobi province and to Yoliin Am
Drive to South Gobi province and to Yoliin Am. Hike in the Yolyn Am canyon. The canyon is often completely shaded from the sun by high cliff walls and is famous for ice formations even during the hot summer months.
Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes
Drive to Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes that extend for 180 km. Get to ger camp. We will explore the area, hike through and climb up the Singing Dunes. The dunes can reach 200 m in height. The sound produced by the moving sand can be mistaken for the sound of an aeroplane. We will explore the dunes on two humped camels. In the morning we will view the Transit of Venus from here.
Hiking over the sand dunes and drive to Bayanzag
Bayanzag is a saxual (large Asian shrubs) forest and area of red cliffs. These Flaming Cliffs themselves are very imposing and are the site of dinosaur skeleton and egg findings, making it one of the world’s most famous paleontology sites.
Drive to Karakorum
Karakorum is the ancient capital of Mongolia and visit the Monastery of Erdene-Zuu. The Monastery was built in 1586 and is surrounded by a vast 400 m wall. It is one of the very few remaining ornate temples left following the communist purges.
National Park Mountain Khugnu Khaan, natural beauty Elsen Tasarkhai and Ulaanbaatar city (350 km)
We will hike in the mountains and the sand dunes, then return Ulaanbaatar City for shopping, sightseeing and dinner.
Adventure Ends
Departure for Heathrow (10th June) Arrive the same day.
Or Continue With:
Beijing extension (Optional)
Departure for Beijing for optional programme extension. Arrive in Beijing, transfer to 4 star hotel and take in local sites.
Visit to the Forbidden City, the Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven.
Visit to the Great Wall of China.
Depart for Heathrow to arrive the same day (13th June).
Further Details
Location: Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Date: 2nd to 10th June, 2012 (Optional extension from 10th to 13th June, 2012)
Cost: £2400 for main programme only (includes air fare from London). £2800 for main programme plus Beijing extension. If you wish to meet us in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia then the cost of the programme will be £1475. Accommodation is on a shared room basis.
Travel Visa: Participants will need to apply for own Visa (Cost of Visa not included).
When signing up, please give your name as it appears on your passport.