The Mongolian Eclipse

This twenty day expedition offers you the chance to experience the solar eclipse from the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert. Led by the renowned explorer, Steven Ballantine, this adventure explores the wonders of Ulaan Bhatar, the Khoid Tsenkher caves, Deer Stone Monoliths and the breeding grounds of the wild asses and camels. Most of the transfers are by specially equipped off road vehicles, however, four days are spent on horseback and there will be light treks into the surrounding countryside. The nights are spent camping under the stars with the dancing flames of the camp fire and the camaraderie of the group your only entertainment. Enroute you will encounter local nomadic families, whose lives have changed little through the ages, extreme conditions and some of the most breathe taking scenery imaginable.

Arrive in Ulaan Bataar. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport in time to check in for your flight to Khoyd

On arrival, you will be met and transferred by road to Khoid Tsenker Cave.

Khoid Tsenkher Cave is a dwelling for ancient people and you will see their paintings on the cave wall. They are between 3,000 and 8,000 years old.

After visiting the cave, you will be transferred to Khar Us Lake.

Khar Us Lake is a fresh water lake in the Great Lakes Basin and is a designated Ramsar site (a wetlands area of international importance).

After your day’s activities, you will be taken to your camp point where we will set up camp.

You will be transferred to camp at Baatar Khairkhan mountain, which reaches a height of 3984m. The journey will take you through the Altai mountains, giving you your first taste of the spectacular scenery awaiting you in this remote country.

Visit the homestead of a nomadic family in order to experience their lifestyle of continuously moving from one area to the next. This practice is rooted in the sustainable use of land for livestock, preventing over grazing of any one area. You will see the traditional ‘ger’ houses and the everyday life of Mongolia’s mountain people.

Day of leisure riding around the area with guides on locally bred horses. It is a chance to get acquainted with your horse for the next few days riding.

You will ride from Baatar Khairkhan to Bayanzurkh.

As you wind through the mountains passing the occasional lone horseman and herd of sheep you will feel as close to the country and its culture as you can get. Highlights along the way include burial sites from Khunnu and Turkish period and historical stone sculptures. These include the Deer stones and Stonemen, ancient megaliths dating sometimes from 1000 BC.

There will be a farewell celebration on the last evening, to the horsemen who have travelled with you. 

Today you will be escorted on a short excursion in the surrounding area before preparing for the eclipse just after seven that evening. This will be followed by a party. The desert lies directly in the path of totality of the solar eclipse. During the spectacular event, you will witness views unrivalled by almost anywhere else in the world. Even after the eclipse has passed, the light will slowly begin to filter back in to the huge expanse of desert and tangled peaks which make up this remote location, reminding you that you truly are having the most unique experience of a lifetime.

You will be transferred to Takhiin Tal, located in the restricted area of the Gobi Desert.

A day of rest, including an excursion to see the ongoing project ‘Reintroducing wild horses to their homeland’ followed by a short trip to see wild ass.

Continuing your trip through the breath taking scenery of the Trans Altai Gobi to camp for the night at Eej (Mother) Khairkhan mountain. The mountain is associated with an ancient Mongolian legend of a wife fleeing her husband for another. She fell and became trapped between the two and has stayed there ever since, as the ‘Greatest Mother’ mountain, providing shelter to many travellers over the years trying to cross the Mongolia’s vast plains.

You will spend the day trekking through the mountains, viewing spectacular ponds carved into the granite called pot pools. There are nine in total, linked by small flowing streams cascading down the mountain side. There are also numerous natural carvings scattered over the mountain side.

You will arrive in Bayan Tooroi, where you will be introduced to a conservation project running to protect wild camel. We will get a chance to observe these increasingly rare animals in their natural habitat.

You will be transferred north to camp near the breath-taking Altai mountains and gorge. On the way you will stop at Biger Lake, the oasis with in the Gobi.

You will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your flight to Ulaan Baatar.

You will spend the day in Ulaan Baatar.

City tour including a visit to a Buddhist Monastery and the National History Museum. The afternoon can be spent shopping for local gifts in the city. The evening program will be a Mongolian folk concert, finishing the trip with the all the vibrance and unique nature of Mongolian custom.

FROM £2618 PER PERSON SHARING - Excluding International Flights
(SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND CHANGE)


PRICE INCLUDES:
Domestic flights as per itinerary.
All transfers as per itinerary.
All meals except in Ulaan Bhataar
All guides and entrance fees.
All applicable taxes.
EXCLUDES:
International Flights
Meals and services not detailed
Excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature, tips, drinks, laundry, telephone, medical bills, travel insurance and visa charges.

A shorter option for this trip is available. Please do talk to one us if you would like to join the group for part of this itinerary.

For more information or to book your place on this adventure of a lifetime, call Tim or Paul on:-

+44 (0)20 8343 3446