MONGOLIA 171 CENTRALASIA Imaginative Facts Tour code: AAMW • Activities: Extensive optional hiking on free days, optional camel and horse rides, fishing • Accommodation: 3 nights simple hotels ( may be multi- share on occasion), 17 nights camping in two person tents • Transport: 4WD minivan • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local translator DAYS 1 & 2: ULAAN BAATAR- Arrive and transfer to hotel in Ulaan Baatar. Free time to explore. DAYS 3 & 4: MANDALGOVI - YOLYN AM VALLEY- Drive south through the Gobi to Mandalgovi and onto Yolyn Am, or ' Vulture's Mouth'. DAYS 5 & 6: GOBI DESERT- Hike through the valley to reach the surprising sight of ice that remains there year- round. We then drive west along the edge of some of the largest sand dunes in the Gobi. The next morning we continue to Khongoryn Els and have the rest of the day free to explore these amazing sand dunes. DAY 7: ONGI RIVER- Head north towards the Ongi River, a clear stream that runs through a barren rocky landscape. Our route takes us through Bayanzag, famous for the number of dinosaur fossils and eggs that have been found there. DAYS 8 & 9: KHOGNO KHAN MOUNTAINS-Continue to the beautiful Khogno Khan mountains, a massive series of rocky hills that rise up out of an otherwise flat landscape. We have a full day to explore these mountains. Perhaps hike up to the top of one to experience fantastic views across the plains and watch eagles soaring over the landscape. DAY 10: KARAKORUM - ORKON RIVER-A short drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital built by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. We visit the magnificent Erdene Zuu monastery before continuing to our campsite by the river. DAYS 11 & 12: KHORG- Leave for Khorg, a volcanic lake ringed by stark rocky mountains. We then have a full day to relax at the lake. Wander along the shoreline or hike up into the mountains for awesome views. DAY 13: EN ROUTE TO KHOVSGOL-North through the grasslands towards Khovsgol, passing herds of Mongolian horses. Camp en route. DAYS 14- 16: KHOVSGOL- Continue to the magnificent Lake Khovsgol, on the Siberian border, where we stay near the edge of the crystal clear waters. There are then two full free days to hike around the lake or just relax and enjoy the views. DAY 17: SELENGE RIVER- We drive south to the Selenge River, one of the lushest and most beautiful parts of Mongolia. DAY 18: ORKON RIVER- Continue south and east stopping further down the Orkon River. DAY 19: TUUL RIVER- We drive on to our final picturesque camp spot. By this stage you may be missing some creature comforts. Don't wish your time away. Savour this last day of true wilderness experience. DAY 20: ULAAN BAATAR- Drive back through the grasslands to Ulaan Baatar. DAY 21: ULAAN BAATAR- Tour ends. A remote circuit of this surprisingly diverse country • Journey through the Gobi Desertto the Khogno Khan Mountains • Travel around in 4WD vans, camping for maximum flexibility • Relax at Lake Khorgand amongst the grasslands of Lake Khovsgol • Climbsand dunes, hikein the mountains and swimin crystal clear rivers • Perfect for those who love a pioneering lifestyle in the great outdoors Mongolian Wilderness Adventure Imaginative Facts Tour code: AADM • Activities: Extensive optional hiking on free days, optional camel and horse rides, fishing • Accommodation: 3 nights simple guesthouse ( multi share), 11 nights camping. On day 13 there may be a chance for some, or the whole of the group, to stay in a ger with a local family • Transport: 4WD minivan • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 1- 12, by local guide days 13- 15, services of a local translator DAYS 1- 12: Follow Days 1- 12 of ' Mongolian Wilderness Adventure' DAY 13: KHORG - BATTSENGEL- We drive on to our final picturesque camp spot situated in the grasslands. This night there may be the chance for some or the whole group to stay in a ger. DAY 14: ULAAN BAATAR- We drive back through the grasslands to Ulaan Baatar. DAY 15: ULAAN BAATAR- Tour ends. A shorter version of our ' Mongolian Wilderness Adventure' • Journey through the Gobi Desert to the Khogno Khan Mountains • Travel around in 4WD vans, campingfor maximum flexibility • Relax at Lake Khorgand visit Karakorum, the city of Genghis Khan • Climb sand dunes, hike in the mountains and swim in crystal clear rivers • Perfect for those who love a pioneering lifestyle in the great outdoors Discover Mongolia Imaginative Facts Tour code: AFNF • Activities: Optional hiking and horse riding in Terelj • Accommodation: 5 nights simple hotels ( may be multi- share), 2 nights camping • Transport: Private vehicle to Terelj • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of a local translator DAY 1: ULAAN BAATAR- Arrival day. DAY 2: ULAAN BAATAR- Nadaam Festival. Opening ceremony, horse racing and archery. DAY 3: ULAAN BAATAR- Nadaam Festival. Wrestling knockout tournament, building up to the dramatic finale. Closing ceremony. DAY 4: ULAAN BAATAR- A free day to explore. DAYS 5 & 6: TERELJ- A short drive to Terelj National Park. Optional hikes or rides around the magnificent countryside. DAY 7: ULAAN BAATAR- Return to Ulaan Baatar. DAY 8: ULAAN BAATAR- Tour ends. Witness Mongolia's festival of wrestling, archery and horse- racing Although there are many Naadams throughout Mongolia in the summer months, this is the biggest and most prestigious eventby far. The competitions are in three events - horse- racing, archery and, all the locals' favourite, wrestling. The spectacle is so much more than that. The opening ceremony includes riders dressed as Genghis Khan and his warriors, and the prize- giving is a time for the full range of emotions. Naadam Festival Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 16.12 * Price includes tour price of £ 740, local payment of US$ 250 and food kitty US$ 160 All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 955pp Land Only * Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 16.12 * Price includes tour price of £ 599, local payment of US$ 200 and food kitty US$ 120 All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 765pp Land Only * Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 16.12 * Price includes tour price of £ 315and local payment of US$ 130All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 380pp Land Only * adventurer adventurer adventurer Tour duration 21 days Tour duration 15 days Tour duration 8 days Starts SatEnds Fri Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2009 30- May- 0919- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0910- Jul- 09 11- Jul- 0931- Jul- 09 18- Jul- 0907- Aug- 09 01- Aug- 0921- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0928- Aug- 09 Starts SunEnds Sat Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2010 30- May- 1019- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1010- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1007- Aug- 10 01- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1028- Aug- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2009 30- May- 0913- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0904- Jul- 09 11- Jul- 0925- Jul- 09 18- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 01- Aug- 0915- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2010 30- May- 1013- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 01- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 Starts FriEnds Fri Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2009 10- Jul- 0917- Jul- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat Ulaan BaatarUlaan Baatar 2010 10- Jul- 1017- Jul- 10 new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

AFRICA 172 africa Africa has it all - amazing wildlife experiences, spectacular desert scenery and unrivalled cultural encounters. Imagine standing just metres away from a group of mountain gorillas ambling through the forest or watching a lioness silently stalk her unsuspecting prey. Meet Tuareg nomads, Maasai herders, and the colourful tribes of Ethiopia's Omo Valley. Or find yourself wandering through the unchanged medina of a mediaeval city or climbing to the top of an enormous sand dune to watch the sun set over the changing colours of the desert. Africa creates moments that take your breath away.