Globe Trekker - Mongolia

Mongolia, land of Genghis Khan, the Gobi Desert and one of the remotest places on earth, is one of few remaining truly challenging destinations for independent travelers. Globe Trekker Ian Wright travels through the grasslands, mountains and deserts of Mongolia. He travels from Beijing, China, once the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire to the present day capital Ulaanbaatar. There he visits the black market to change money and the Gandan Monastery, one of the few Buddhist monasteries to survive the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. His travels take him to Karakorum, then south across the plains to visit with nomads who live in a traditional ger. Ian's next destination is 300 miles south in the Gobi Desert, the least populated area of the country. He spends the night in a tourist ger camp and then sets out the next day for the Valley of the Dinosaurs. Before leaving the Gobi, Ian is determined to ride out into the sand dunes on the rare two-humped Bactria camel. His journey ends back in Ulaan Baatar in time to celebrate the annual 3 day Naadam Festival.