Tibet to Mongolia

The links between Tibet and Mongolia are profound, with both sharing a wild landscape of high plateaus, a thriving nomadic heritage, and the spiritual bond of their Tibetan Buddhist faith, expressed in traditions woven throughout every aspect of their lives. In Tibet, we explore the stunning monuments of Tibetan Buddhism, including the sprawling Ganden Monastery where the Dalai Lama studied as a youth, and meet devout Tibetans on pilgrimage. In Mongolia, land of the revered “Great Blue Sky,” we visit the famed dinosaur halls of the capital then head across vast, unfenced steppes to meet nomads with their horses and camels, visit the site of Genghis Khan’s 13th century capital, and experience the traditional hospitality of a vibrant nomadic culture.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Lhasa, Tibet / Potala / Ganden

In Lhasa, Tibet’s legendary capital, we visit the Potala Palace, a striking thousand-room monument founded in the 7th century and once home to the Dalai Lama. We also explore the Jokhang, Tibet’s most sacred temple, which houses the gilded Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Outside the temple, we walk in the Barkor, which serves as Lhasa’s traditional bazaar, where we find everything from precious Kham amber to prayer flags. In the magnificent Lhasa Valley, we explore 14th century Ganden Monastery, cradled in a natural amphitheater, and join Tibetan pilgrims on the kora path above the monastery, following a scenic ridge past mani stones, rock paintings, meditation caves, and small temples.

Days 5-7
Yarlung Valley / Samye Monastery / Beijing, China

Crossing the spectacular Tibetan Plateau, we reach the beautiful Yarlung Valley, home of Tibet’s first kingdom. Here we join pilgrims as we ferry across the great Tsongpo River to striking Samye, Tibet’s oldest monastery, laid out in the shape of a giant mandala to mirror the structure of the universe according to Buddhist cosmology. We fly to Beijing on Day 7.

Days 8-15
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia / Hogno Han / Kharakhorum

Flying to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, we visit its famous natural history museum, then head out on one of Mongolia’s few paved roads into the foothills of the Hogno Han Mountains, where grazing horses and camels dot the landscape. We continue to the ancient Orkhon Valley to visit Kharakhorum, the site of Genghis Khan’s 13th century capital, and on our July departure attend the thrilling Naadam Festival. In Hustain Nuruu National Park, we search for Przewalski horses, the last remaining species of wild horse. Out in this magnificent open countryside, we stay in our own private ger camps for a chance to live the life of a nomad in these vast grasslands. Depart on Day 15 or join our Gobi Desert or Lake Hovsgol Extension.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is Level 3, Moderate. It is an adventurous overland and cultural journey. While not a hiking trip, there are two or three optional two-hour hikes on the trip, including the optional walk circling the pilgrim kora at Ganden Monastery. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking is an excellent preparatory exercise.

In Tibet, we will be at altitudes of at least 12,800 feet. Individuals vary widely in both their physical response to high altitude. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches or sleeplessness for a day or two when you first arrive at high altitude. Most people gradually adjust within a few days, and our three-day stay in Lhasa at the start of the trip will aid us in acclimatization. The weather will likely be quite comfortable, with blue skies most days, but nights can be chilly. At high altitude, the weather is unpredictable, and the effect of the wind-chill factor can create very cold conditions.

In Mongolia, roads outside Ulaanbaatar are unpaved and often bumpy and dusty. In most cases, travel on these roads will be done in Russian four-wheel drive vans, which are not up to western SUV standards but are reasonably comfortable. In Ulaanbaatar, our overnights are in a well-located hotel with modern amenities. Our ger camps are simple two-person yurt-style tents with beds, sheets and blankets, and small stoves for heat. Toilet and shower facilities are separate from the gers and shared by all participants. The weather can be unpredictable. We’ll have many beautifully clear and sunny days with bright blue skies, but come prepared for at least some rain, wind, and some very cold nights and mornings. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 30F! A dusting of snow is not uncommon here at this northern latitude, even in the summer. It is expected that each participant be in excellent health and physical condition.

Explanation of Trip Levels