Day 1:  Flight from your home to San Francisco, where the group will meet and depart for China and Mongolia.  Lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Day 3:  Beijing.  (L,D)
Arrive in Beijing.  Transfer to the four-star Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel.

Day 4:  Beijing. (AB,L,SD)
Full day tour beginning at Tian An Men Square with the Mao Zedong Mausoleum, Tian An Men Gate, Great Hall of the People, Monument to the People's Heroes and Qianmen Gates.  Then we will go through the extensive and most impressive Forbidden City, home of China's Emperors.  Our tour will conclude with a visit to the beautiful grounds and buildings of the Summer Palace.  We will then end the day with a special dinner featuring Beijing's most famous dish, Beijing (Peking) Duck at a restaurant which specializes in this one dish.

Day 5:  Great Wall (AB,L,D)
Today will take us outside of Beijing to the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs.  The Great Wall is one of great man-made wonders of the world still standing today.  Return to Beijing.

If you have been to Beijing before and want to see more of Beijing  than the places of primary tourist interest listed above, we will provide a separate tour for you to other interesting but less frequently visited attractions in China's capital.

Day 6:  Beijing/Ulan Bator (AB,L,D). 
We leave China today and venture into the great grasslands of Outer Mongolia, to the capital city of Ulan Bator.  Transfer from the airport to either the Bayangol or Flower Hotel.  Orientation to Mongolia and some free time

Day 7:  Karakorum.
Bus tour to Karakorum early in the morning with lunch on the way.  Visit the Erdenezuu Monastery, built in 1586 on the ruins of the ancient city of Karakorum.  This monastery is the first Buddhist Center in Mongolia founded by Abtai Sain Haan.  The temples contain a valuable collection of writings and holy objects.  Overnight in Ger at Karakorum Camp.

Day 8:  Bayangobi (AB,L,D)
Drive to Bayangobi resort.  Visit the sand dunes and horse breeding family.  Bayangobi is a unique combination of Mongolian forested mountains and desert-like landscape in one location.  The camp, where we will overnight, is along the edge of the sand dunes.

Day 9:  Ulan Bator (AB,L,D)
Drive back to Ulan Bator having a box lunch at the Mongolian Wild Horse Protection Reserve.  Overnight at the Bayangol or Flower Hotel.

Day 10:  Ulan Bator  vicinity (AB,L,D)
Drive to the Ondor Dov Resort.  Excursion to Mandshir from the resort to see a museum of local history.  Return to Ulan Bator.

Day 11:  Ulan Bator (AB,L,D)
Visit the Gandan Monastery, Central Museum, Fine Art Museum, and Hunting Museum.  A highlight of the day will be the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan.

Day 12:  Ulan Bator/Beijing  (AB,L,D)
Fly to Beijing.  Return to the Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel.

Day 13:  Beijing/Hohot (AB,L,D)
Fly to Huhot.  Transfer to the three-star Jao Jun Hotel.
We now arrive in Inner Mongolia, which currently is part of China. The area around  Hohot, capital of Inner Mongolia since only 1952, is known for its great grasslands with horse breeding, sheep herding, and cattle ranching. 

Day 14:  Hohot (AB,L,D)
We will visit the five Pagoda Temple dating back to 1740, the Inner Mongolia Museum of Mongolian Culture, and the Wang Jao Jun Tomb.

Day 15:  Hohot/Beijing (AB) 
Morning flight to Beijing and return to the Holiday Inn.  Afternoon free to explore on your own.

Day 16:  Beijing (AB)
Return home.