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MONGOLIA Photographer’s Mongolia A Photocultural Journey with Alison Wright August 22 - September 3, 2018

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Page 1: MONGOLIA - Nomadic Expeditions...Mountains, Mongolia’s highest, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries

MONGOLIA Photographer’s Mongolia

A Photocultural Journey with Alison Wright August 22 - September 3, 2018

Page 2: MONGOLIA - Nomadic Expeditions...Mountains, Mongolia’s highest, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries

nomadicexpeditions.com | 800-998-6634

Journey to Mongolia with photographer Alison Wright!

This 13-day photocultural journey travels to the must-see destinations in Mongolia. First, explore the fascinating mix of ancient and modern culture in Ulaanbaatar before setting out for an adventure in the remote and rugged westernmost region of Mongolia - the Altai Mountains. Here, you’ll meet the Kazakh eagle hunters, who carve out an existence in this stark landscape dominated by the highest mountains in Mongolia. The Kazakhs celebrate a centuries-old tradition of hunting with golden eagles and you’ll have the opportunity to photograph them and learn more about their lifestyle. You will travel to mystical Kharakhorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire, where you will explore Erdene Zuu, purportedly constructed from the ruins of the ancient capital. Of course, no visit to Mongolia is complete without a foray in the Gobi. From sand dunes and ancient monasteries to interactions with nomadic families and a visit to the majestic fossil-rich Flaming Cliffs, as well as a traditional Naadam celebration, these three days will be especially memorable.

Along the way, Alison Wright, an acclaimed documentary photographer and visual anthropologist, will provide invaluable insight into capturing your memories by camera.

MONGOLIAPhotographer’s Mongolia

A Photocultural Journey with Alison Wright

Page 3: MONGOLIA - Nomadic Expeditions...Mountains, Mongolia’s highest, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries

Day 1 ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR

Welcome to Mongolia! The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises.

Upon arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by your private Nomadic Expeditions guide and driver and transferred to the centrally located Best Western Hotel.

(Best Western Hotel)

Day 2 EXPLORE ULAANBAATAR

Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a showpiece for government officials. However, in spite of the government’s efforts to suppress Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia’s spirituality persisted and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Monasteries across the country are again opening their doors to worshippers, and the few lamas who survived the purges are training a new generation.

Experience these exciting developments firsthand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha. Also visit the recently renovated Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high gilded statue is clothed with silk and precious stones and completely fills the biggest of Gandan’s temples.

Next, drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life, including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing, and hunting equipment.

After lunch, visit Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the renowned 17th century artist and politician, who was also the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works.

In the evening (if time permits), stroll through Sukhbaatar Square, named after the revolutionary leader who commanded the Mongolian army to fight for the nation’s independence from Manchuria with the help of the Russian army in the 1920s. It is also the site of the Great Khans Memorial, built in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Mongolian Empire. After 80 years of Soviet domination, a time during which it was forbidden by the government to utter the words “Chinggis Khan,” many Mongols now celebrate their pride in their great ancestors.

Enjoy dinner on your own.

(Best Western Hotel; B, L)

MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA | SRI LANKA | MYANMAR

nomadicexpeditions.com800-998-6634

Y O U R J O U R N E Y

DEPARTURE DATE: AUGUST 22 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

RECOMMENDED FOR:

Travelers with a passion for photography who want to view Mongolia through the lens of their camera and capture unforgettable images.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Two full days with an Eagle Hunter’s Family in western Mongolia’s Altai region

Kharakhorum, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire

Meeting with the Baasan Lama, the abbott of Erdene Zuu Monastery, reputedly built from the ruins of the 13th-century capital

The Gobi’s Flaming Cliffs

Interactions with Nomadic Families

ACCOMMODATIONS:

4 nights at Best Western Hotel, Ulaanbaatar

3 nights at private camps

2 nights at Munkh Tenger Ger Camp

3 nights at Three Camel Lodge

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MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA | SRI LANKA | MYANMAR

nomadicexpeditions.com800-998-6634

Day 3 FLY TO ULGII

After breakfast, fly to Ulgii, capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. Dominated by the Mongolian Altai Mountains, Mongolia’s highest, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries ago. Mongolia’s largest ethnic minority, the Kazakh women are renowned in Mongolia for their skills in embroidery and appliqué, and their gers are decorated in a kaleidoscope of colors. Felt carpets line the floor, each design unique to a family, and delicately embroidered tapestries cover the walls.

Upon arrival, we visit the local mosque and the province museum. If time permits, we can also visit the local market before driving to our private camp set up near a Kazakh golden eagle hunter’s summer pasture. Overnight in private camp.

(Private Camp; B, L, D)

Days 4-5

TWO DAYS OF EXPERIENCING THE DAILY LIFE OF A GOLDEN EAGLE HUNTER

Kazakh nomads continue to hunt with trained Golden Eagles in the winter months, a tradition passed down from their Turkic ancestors. The hunters use female eagles because they are more aggressive and weigh as much as fifteen pounds, or nearly one-third, more than their male counterparts.

The first day spend time with the “eagle hunters” in the nearby mountain valleys and learn how they train their eagles – summer is when they do a lot of training and actual hunting is reserved for the winter months.

On the second day go on day hike or horse safari to explore the landscape, plant life, and wildlife of the surrounding area.

(Private Camp; B, L, D)

Day 6 RETURN TO ULAANBAATAR

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive in Ulaanbataar by mid-afternoon and after checking in at the hotel, we head out to visit and photograph the Choijin Lama temple, housing one of the best collections in the world (in terms of quality and quantity) of Tibetan artifacts outside of the Potala Palace. The evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers followed by a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

(Best Western Hotel; B, L, D)

Day 7 TO KHARAKHORUM

This morning we start our journey through the Mongolian steppes, heading to Kharakhorum (a four-hour drive), site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. The empire, created by Chinggis Khan and his descendants, was the largest contiguous land empire in recorded history, and its scope has never been matched. Travelers in the 13th century were impressed not only

Page 5: MONGOLIA - Nomadic Expeditions...Mountains, Mongolia’s highest, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people who settled here centuries

MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA | SRI LANKA | MYANMAR

nomadicexpeditions.com800-998-6634

with the beauty of Kharakhorum, but also by the internationalism and openness of this city where traders, intellectuals, and clergy enjoyed religious freedom

(Munkh Tenger Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 8EXPLORE KHARAKHORUM

Kharakhorum was destroyed in 1388, but traces of this once-magnificent city still exist at Erdene Zuu, Mongolia’s largest monastery, which was reputedly built from its ruins in the 16th century. Surrounded by 108 stupas, Erdene Zuu has been a place of Buddhist activity for centuries. Explore the monastery grounds and observe the monks as they perform their daily prayers and rituals in temples decorated with fine Buddhist art. We will also have the opportunity to meet Basan Lama (the Abbot of the monastery).

As we explore the town, we will visit a local school, and time permitting, a museum founded to showcase the research findings from the ancient capital of Mongolia by the Mongolian and German joint archaeological expedition

(Munkh Tenger Ger Camp; B,L,D)

Day 9 DRIVE TO GOBI

After an early breakfast, we continue our journey south. Leaving Kharakhorum we drive (on dirt roads) through the rolling hills of central Mongolia, passing through scenic valleys and streams. We will have a picnic lunch at a place of our choosing on top of

one of the hills with views. By early afternoon, arrive at Ongiin Hiid and explore the ruins of this 17th-century temple, situated in a beautiful mountainous region. Still known as the “Pearl of the Great Desert,” Ongiin Hiid was one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia until its destruction during the communist purges in 1939. After we explore the monastery grounds we enter the vast Ongi Steppes, a flat area known for its mysterious beauty with endless mirages and occasional sighting of camels. We will stop to visit with nomadic families on the steppes as they’re known to be very hospitable towards visitors.

By early evening, arrive at Three Camel Lodge luxury eco-lodge, located on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure or explore the surroundings on your own.

(Three Camel Lodge; B,L,D)

Day 10 NOMADIC FAMILY | FLAMING CLIFFS

After breakfast, drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. Explore the sand dunes on foot or on back of a Bactrian camel. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local camel herding family. Return to the lodge for lunch.

Later this afternoon, drive to the legendary Flaming Cliffs, named for the orange glow of the rock at sunset. The world’s first nest of dinosaur eggs was discvoered here in 1923 by Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History and it remains rich with paleontological finds. (Three Camel Lodge; B,L,D)

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MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA | SRI LANKA | MYANMAR

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Day 11 LOCAL NAADAM FESTIVAL

Spend today enjoying the specially arranged Naadam Festival where local nomadic children will compete in the “three manly sports” including wrestling, archery, and horseracing competitions. These three sports traditionally measured the courage, strength, and pride of nomads and warriors, although men, women, boys, and girls all take part in contemporary Naadam games.

Archery: The skill of Mongolian archers and their advanced bow design was a significant asset to Chinggis Khan and his descendants during the years of Mongolian conquest. In the past, sharpshooters would practice by aiming for the heads of marmots.

At today’s Naadam games, small round leather targets are placed at a distance of 60-100 meters from the archers, who still use formidable compound bows made from wood, horn, and sinew. The archers wear a special glove on the thumb and index finger of the right hand and wrap the left arm in soft belts. Referees, lined up next to the targets, mark each hit, raise their hands, and move around the spot singing a short song of praise. The best archer receives the title of “mergen” or marksman.

Wrestling: Each wrestler wears trunks, an open-fronted long-sleeved silk vest, and ornamental knee boots with upturned toes. Before the wrestling match begins, the wrestlers perform the “eagle’s dance” symbolizing power and invincibility. The wrestler who forces his competitor to touch the ground with his knees or elbow is considered the winner. The victor then repeats the “eagle’s dance,” with his opponent passing under his arm (as though under a wing) as a sign of submission.

Horse racing: Horseracing originally involved adult jockeys and the

most popular contests involved riding unbroken horses. Later, so as to ease the burden on horses in long-distance races, the adult riders were replaced by children as young as six years old riding broken horses. The racing is done both with and without saddles, and the horses that take part are two years and older. Depending on the age of the horses, the distance of the races vary from 5 - 30 kilometers. The race’s winner is honored with a cup of airag (fermented mare’s milk), which he or she drinks and sprinkles on the head and croup of the horse.

(Three Camel Lodge; B,L,D)

Day 12 FLY TO ULAANBAATAR

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, home of Mongolia’s last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, which displays elaborate ceremonial robes, other personal effects of Mongolia’s ‘8th Living Buddha.’

In the evening enjoy our “farewell dinner” at a fine local restaurant.

(Best Western Hotel; B,L,D)

Day 13 DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport in time for your departing flight

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary.

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ABOUT YOUR TRIP LEADER: ALISON WRIGHT

Alison Wright, an acclaimed documentary photographer and visual anthropologist, travels to all regions of the globe photographing indigenous cultures and people while covering issues concerning the human condition. She is a recipient of the Dorothea Lange Award in Documentary Photography, a two-time winner of the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award, and an Explorers Club Fellow. She was awarded “The Most Compelling Woman in the Travel Industry, 2014” by Premier Traveler magazine and was named a 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year as someone who travels “with a sense of passion and purpose.” She has published ten books including her latest, “Human Tribe a series of global portraits celebrating our diversity and visual tapestry of humanity.

Alison has been published in numerous magazines including National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Islands and Smithsonian.

Alison’s life was nearly cut short during a devastating bus accident on a remote jungle road in Laos. Her best-selling memoir, “Learning to Breathe; One Woman’s Journey of Spirit and Survival,” chronicles her inspirational story of survival, the years of rehabilitation and her ongoing determination to recover and continue traveling the world as an intrepid visual storyteller. Her experience working in post disaster/conflict areas inspired her to establish a foundation called Faces of Hope (facesofhope.org); a non-profit that globally supports women and children’s rights by creating visual awareness and donating directly to grass-roots organizations that help sustain them through education and healthcare.

nomadicexpeditions.com800-998-6634

MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA | SRI LANKA | MYANMAR

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LAND PRICE INCLUDES:

• Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;

• Transfers upon arrival and departure

• All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel rooms and gers)

• Meals as noted in itinerary;

• All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;

• Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important information about your trip, and luggage tags;

• Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay

• Full time photography assistance by professional photographer Alison Wright

LAND PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International airfare

• Passport and visa fees

• Comprehensive medical and trip insurance

• Airport taxes; excess baggage charges

• Photography and video fees

• Tips to guides and drivers

• 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., | 1095 Cranbury-South River Road, Suite 20A | Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 USA

Phone: 800-998-6634 or 609-860-9008 | Fax: 609-860-9608 | Email: [email protected]

LAND PRICE10 Participants: $6400 per person

8 Participants: $7200 per person

Single Supplement: $1485

(if you require single accommodation on tour)

Internal Airfare: $525 per person

(subject to change)

WHY TRAVEL WITH NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS?

Unrivaled ExpertiseNomadic Expeditions was founded in 1992. Nothing can compete with the experience we have attained over 25 years of designing luxury adventure travel to Asia. While each trip we design is slightly different than its predecessor, our breadth of knowledge, network of contacts, and experience in the field is unrivaled.

Our People We hire the best in the business to create and execute memorable 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.

Passion for Travel While our journeys open your eyes to a whole new world of experiences, we understand that choosing to book a trip with us requires time spent 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 attractions. When you travel with us, we want you to remember drinking tea with a nomadic family or digging for fossils with a renowned paleontologist. We imbue our trips with encounters, whether it’s with a local resident, a high-ranking government official, or a renowned wildlife conservationist, so you take home more than a set of photographs to frame on your nightstand.

Our Philosophy Nomadic Expeditions was founded on the principle of treading lightly long before sustainable travel was a buzz phrase. Every expedition is undertaken with the greatest respect for the lands we explore and the local people we meet. Those who travel with us do so with the assurance that the preservation and protection of the ecosystems and 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 of everything we do, but over our 25 years we have realized additional opportunities where we can lend a hand. We have gone beyond simply treading lightly and have wholeheartedly partnered with local communities and regions. Read more about our sustainable practices and philanthropic efforts here.

All Photographs are Copyright Alison Wright

nomadicexpeditions.com | 800-998-6634