The Gobi Desert Expedition - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Enter the land of the blue sky, where horses roam grassy steppes and the secrets of Genghis Khan lie hidden in the desert. You’ll travel by camel, horse and off-road vehicle as you explore vast unspoiled landscapes in the nation with the world’s lowest population density.

Across the Steppes
Your two-week journey will begin in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll load up the off-road vehicles and set out across the rugged roads of central Mongolia. Not all of this vast country is desert, and the grassy steppes you’ll drive through are home to diverse wildlife and many nomadic families. Stop along the way to visit with locals over a cup of warm milk tea and get to know this rustic way of life.

The first half of the journey will carry you through sacred mountains, into hidden monasteries and along rainbow-colored cliffs. There are no hotels out in these grasslands, so you’ll stay in the homes of families along the way. The hospitality of the Mongolian people is legendary, and most nights you will stay in a local family’s ger, a large one-room tent that is the traditional home of the nomads. On other nights you will set up camp under a sky full of stars and tuck into a sleeping bag for the night.

Into the Mythical Gobi
As you enter the legendary Gobi Desert, you’ll climb aboard your very own two-humped camel and embark on a trek across mountains of sand and desert steppes. As the sun sinks beneath the horizon, the sky will explode into a rainbow of color that illuminates the grasslands. Explore eerie ice canyons in the middle of the desert and follow in the footsteps of legendary adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews as you hunt for dinosaur fossils in the Flaming Cliffs. A deep orange glow will emanate from these cliffs as you visit the site famous for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur egg fossils.

Just when you think the excitement is over, you’ll turn north and begin the western side of your loop back to Ulaanbaatar. Stop to explore ruined monasteries, hot springs fed by an extinct volcano, and hidden waterfalls along the way. Enjoy the pristine environment as you ride on horseback around beautiful alpine lakes or trek through gorgeous canyons. You’ll also stop by Khustain National Park to glimpse takhi horses the world’s last truly wild horses. You’ll finish the expedition back in Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll spend the day shopping and relaxing.

Mongolian Barbeque
Throughout the journey you’ll feast on Mongolian cuisine at traditional barbeques. Mongolia is a carnivorous country, and people here survive on meat and dairy. Feast on a goat cooked Mongolian style, munch on fresh cheese, and sip yogurt. Vegetables are hard to grow in this dry landscape, so the people here have learned to rely on animals for nourishment. We will cook almost all of our own meals and provide alternatives for the vegetarians among us.

Are You Up for the Adventure?
The Gobi Desert Expedition is a rugged and exciting journey through the heart of the Mongolian countryside. We are seeking bold students who have a limitless sense of adventure and an open mind. Do you want to delve deep into this diverse country? Then join us on this first-of-its-kind adventure!

If you have questions about any of our Mongolia programs, please e-mail mongolia@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1, Monday
Relax and prepare yourself for your adventure on world-class Korean Airlines. Meet other students, watch on-demand movies and unwind. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader will accompany each of our escorted group flights from JFK, LAX, and SFO. Our staff and flight leaders will make sure that your journey is easy and enjoyable!

Day 2, Tuesday
Today will be ‘lost’ as you cross the International Date Line – not to worry, however, because you’ll get it back on your way home.

Day 3, Wednesday
As your plane soars over the pacific and enters Asia, you will land in Korea where a Rustic Pathways Employee will be waiting to pick you up. You will be escorted to your hotel in Seoul. We will get you checked in, and you will be free to sleep and relax until your morning wake up call. We’ll feed you a delicious Korean breakfast and then send you on your way to your connecting flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Day 4, Thursday
Take a look out the window as you fly over the rolling steppes of Mongolia and prepare yourself for embark on an incredible adventure on the terrain below. You’ll arrive at Chinggis Khan International in the early afternoon, where your Rustic Pathways leaders will be waiting for you. Your leaders will take you to our Russian 4WD vans, and we’ll toss your luggage inside and depart on our Gobi Expedition.

After a couple hours of driving down the rugged roads we will stop for the day at a nameless sacred mountain. Once we stop we’ll unload our camping gear and set up our tents. Your leaders will cook you a delicious back country meal, and then you will be free to relax or go on a hike around the beautiful rock formations with your leader.

Day 5, Friday
We will wake up early the next morning and tear down our camp. Your leaders will prepare a hearty breakfast and then we will jump in the vans and set off to our next destination. We will arrive at Baga Gazriin Chuluu around lunch time and we will eat a relaxing meal before we start the day’s exploration. After lunch your leaders will lead you to a ruined monastery that monks built to hide from the soviet forces. Enjoy listening to the story of this temple from the local caretaker and then you will go back to the vans and go on a short drive to your camp for the night. After you set up camp and have your fill of dinner, your leaders will lead you on a hike through the eerie rock formations and will find the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Then you will be lead back to camp for a peaceful nights sleep.

Day 6, Saturday
You will awake early and tear down camp as your leaders prepare breakfast. Then we will begin our drive to Tsagaan Suvarga. We will break for lunch at the city of Moron, where we will take in traditional Mongol cuisine. Notice as we enter this city the similarities between this city and a town from any wild west movie. After restocking any supplies you’ll start your way across the true Gobi Desert. We will drive across the bumpy desert roads until we find our way to the rainbowed colored cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, a place similar to the Badlands of South Dakota and Nebraska. Here we will enjoy the odd beauty of the desert and marvel at the strange mix of colors on the cliff walls, which long long ago used to be the bottom of the ocean. You will then be taken down the road to your camp site for the night.

Day 7, Sunday
You will wake up early once again and will do the same morning routine. You will pack into the vans and continue down the dusty desert roads. As the van takes many rest stops along the way you will have an opportunity to meet nomadic families. Listen as they share their stories of a hard life. Around noon you will enter into yet another city straight from the wild west. You and your leaders will eat lunch at Dalanzadgad and also gather any supplies needed for the next leg of the trip. After lunch you will enjoy the short drive into the canyons of Yolyn Am. On arrival your leaders will take you on a gorgeous hike through canyons made of solid ice, then you will spend the night with a local family. You will be amazed as you interact with such a beautiful culture. Sit inside your ger and listen to the friendly chatter of your Mongolian hosts and the laughter that will go on into the night.

Day 8, Monday
You will repeat the usual morning schedule and then you will drive through narrow canyons and around beautiful mountains until you arrive at Khongoryn Els. You will stop for lunch along the road. These meals usually consist of sandwiches. After lunch you will notice in the distance massive sand dunes that stand as high as the mountains surrounding them. You’ll arrive at the dunes mid afternoon and will stay the night with a local family. After dinner, your leaders will lead a hike to the top of one of these dunes. There is nothing more beautiful than watching the sun set from the top of these mountains of sand. Tonight you will enjoy a peaceful night tucked away inside your gers.

Day 9, Tuesday
Today you will have a free day at the dunes. Your leaders will organize a camel trek through the dunes. Enjoy the relaxing ride on the back of an amazing animal that has learned to make the desert its home. Tonight you will go back to your host family and have a very traditional Mongolian BBQ. The BBQ will consist of goat meat and an assortment of tasty dairy products.

Day 10, Wednesday
After the morning routine you will say goodbye to the new local friends you made and travel towards the Flaming Cliffs. You’ll break for lunch at Bulgan City where you will have a delicious meal full of fresh veggies at Pol’s place. After lunch we will go on a short drive to the Flaming Cliffs. A place made famous by adventurer Roy Chapman Andrews who found the first intact dinosaur egg. Since then this place has been the home of the most famous paleontology discoveries in history. Your leaders will lead you on a hike through the area, stopping at places where discoveries have been made. And who knows, maybe you’ll stumble across a dinosaur and make one of the greatest discoveries ever. Tonight you will enjoy sharing your discoveries, if any, with the rest of the group as we eat our delicious back country meal.

Day 11, Thursday
Today we will turn our course back North and begin our return journey through Central Mongolia. Wave good bye to the camels as we drive by a herb, because we are now moving into the country of the wild horse. You will stop for the day near the Ongiin monasteries nestled at the banks of the Ongiin River. Here two monasteries lay in shambles from the soviet purification of Mongolia. Tonight we will explore these monasteries and stay the night at a tourist ger camp. This would be a great time to clean up and relax for our next leg of the expedition.

Day 12, Friday
Depart for the Water Falls. We will stop for the day at an extinct volcano that is home to many hot springs and waterfalls. Here the students can enjoy and cool dip in the springs or an exciting hike across the landscape. We will be camping this night.

Day 13, Saturday
Next up on our expedition we will visit the ancient city of Khar Khorum. This is the ancient capital of Mongolia and is home to the Tuuhn Temple, the oldest temple in the country. Zanabazar, a well known Buddhist philosopher, often frequented this temple and it is here where the national symbol was created. You will explore this temple with your leaders and embrace the ancient Buddhist culture that has withstood spiritual purification from the soviets. Tonight we will stay the night with a local family.

Day 14, Sunday
We will leave the ancient city after our usual morning routine. You’ll cross through rivers and pass by serene mountains as you drive through central Mongolia. After riding for a few hours we will arrive at Ongiin Lake. We’ll set up our camp near the lake shore and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere around us. Students are free to go for a swim in the cool water or go on a hike around the lake. After dinner you can watch the sun go down over the lake and get a good nights rest.

Day 15, Monday-
Today you will hang out at the lake all day. We’ll hop on some well-trained horses and trek around the lake. You will experience

Day 16, Tuesday
Today after a short drive you will enter in a beautiful national park full of Mongolia’s favorite animal. Hustai National Park is home of the Tahki horse, the world’s only true wild horse. Here you will watch with wonder as these beautiful animals dance in the valleys and gallop across the steppes. Tonight we will camp at the park and enjoy our final day in the countryside.

Day 17, Wednesday
Back to Ulaanbaatar. This will be your last day traveling inside the Russian van. You will make it to Ulaanbaatar early today and will check into our guesthouse once you arrive. We will let you get cleaned up and then we will go out for a night on the town. We will wonder the streets of the city, check out the city square, but souvenirs, and eat a delicious meal. Then we will go back to the guesthouse and get a good nights rest on a bed.

Day 18, Thursday
You will be taken to the airport if you are flying home or connecting to another country. If you are continuing your adventures in Mongolia you will get ready for your next program.

*Most meals will be prepared by Rustic Pathways staff. All food for the trip will be purchased in Ulaanbaatar or in a city along the way. Lunch will usually be served on the roadside during our lunch break unless we are eating in a town.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

Checked Luggage:
A medium sized duffel bag or large back pack will be most efficient. Wheeled bags are not recommended due to the rough terrain, but is acceptable if that is what you have. It is important that you try to keep your total luggage to one piece of checked luggage, and do your best to keep it under 40 pounds. You will be carrying it with throughout the program and you want to keep it movable.

You Should Bring :
small backpack- this can be used as your carry on and will also be used for day hikes
sleeping bag (The nights in Mongolia can get chilly, so a sleeping bag with a rating of 0 degree is reccommended)
Sleeping pad or Thermarest – optional but recommended for extra comfort while sleeping.
hiking shoes (for all trips) – it is best to wear hiking shoes for all trips, which give good support and protect your feet from rocks, loose stones, etc.
towel – a travel towel that is compact, very absorbent, and fast drying is the best kind
waterproof shell/rain jacket or poncho – in most cases a waterproof/windproof shell with a hood is ideal. Ponchos are more practical on a horse trek as they can cover your saddle and prevent your seat from being wet. Jackets or ponchos for horse treks should be of a subdued, darker color, and preferably of a material that does not crackle or rustle much. Some Mongolian horses are spooked by unfamiliar bright/light colors and noises from plastic or nylon rain gear.
waterproof pants – should fit over your other pants, and from May through September need not have a lining or should have a very light, breathable lining.
fleece jacket or warm sweater/jumper –a fleece jacket with a full length zipper in front would be the most practical. Pull over fleece jackets or any kind of synthetic material would be good as well.
cotton t-shirts – two to three T-shirts will usually suffice
long sleeve shirts – one light weight, fast drying, light colored one, preferably with buttons down the front so you can wear it open over a T-shirt for sun protection – and one medium weight for cool evenings.
lightweight pants – two pair, and if you have one with zip-off legs that can double as shorts, this is ideal
shorts – the fast drying kind are ideal
warm hat – wool or fleece, which can cover your ears
long underwear – (for treks and horse treks) in summer a lightweight top and bottom will suffice. Your long underwear should be the synthetic kind that wicks away moisture from the skin and keeps you dry
swimsuit- be mindful that Mongolia has a very conservative culture, so be considerate of the type of suit you pack
socks – socks should be of a material that keeps your feet dry
underwear – fast drying. Sports/athletic bras offering good support are best for countryside portions of all trips – roads are bumpy here!
sun hat – should shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck
gloves – lightweight for trekking and riding, warm for spring and autumn trips
sandals – to be worn around camp, in the shower, and wading in streams or lakes. The best kind have adjustable straps around the ankle, and will stay on your feet if you are walking in a slippery stream bed
sun glasses – should be dark and offer UV protection
sunscreen – choose one with stronger protection (SPF 20 or more) if you are light skinned. A sunscreen in stick form that can be applied to lips, nose, cheeks, and the tops of your ears is a very handy item
comfortable shoes – should have sturdy soles and good support
insect repellent – read the label carefully and avoid those that are toxic to fish and amphibians, or wash these off well away from rivers, lakes, and streams
resealing (ziploc) plastic bags – bring enough to protect your documents, money, camera, binoculars, and other items from wetness, sand, and dust. A few extra bags are handy for repacking wet clothing until you reach your next camp and can dry them out
binoculars/camera – carry in a soft padded case if possible
water bottle – for treks and horse treks, should have a wide mouth for refilling easily
wet tissues – choose unscented ones that will not attract insects
chapstick- a stick that has spf would be best
watch/alarm clock – an inexpensive watch with an alarm is a handy item
hand sanitizer- just something to keep your hands clean.
notebook and pen- good to keep track of you adventures through Mongolia.
Optional- gifts for your host families. These can be simple gifts like a tee shirt or some small souvenir from the states.

1 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Traveling through a very dry country such as Mongolia, we will be sure that you will receive the proper amount of water, and we will only be drinking bottled water or pure natural spring water.

2 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
On arrival to Mongolia you will receive a stamp that will be valid for thirty days. No other paperwork is necessary.

3 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
We will be staying in tents, tourist ger camps, and with local families. The accommodations at best will be rustic.

4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
There are no immunizations required for this trip.

5 - What costs are not included on this trip?
You should bring your own money to buy souvenirs or for any snacks.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
There will be a flight leader that will escort the students to Korea. In Korea someone from the rustic pathways team will be there to pick them up and take care of them for the night. The next day they will be escorted back to the airport and put on the flight to Ulaanbaatar. At Ulaanbaatar their program leaders will be waiting for them at the terminal.

7 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Due to the somewhat secluded nature of Mongolia, we recommend starting your Rustic Pathways summer in Mongolia and then connecting to other programs.

8 - How long is the flight to this country?
Total flight time should be around 14 hours.

9 - What kind of food will we be eating?
We will stock up on our own food before we depart for the countryside. Most of our meals will be prepared by our staff. Breakfast will be your typical western breakfast (toast, pancakes, yogurt, ect. ). Lunch will usually consist of sandwiches. Dinner will be cooked by our staff (pasta, stir fry, and ect.). We also enjoy traditional Mongolian cuisine which is typically meat and dairy products. If you have any food allergies or are a vegetarian please let us know before you arrive so we can properly cater to your food requests.

10 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
This is the first year for our Mongolia programs and we are uncertain of what the ratio will be. However, we expect it to be fairly even between the amount of girls and boys.