Mongolia: Tour Logistics
Chris Rainier leads the NatGeo Expedition
Photography up close and personal
On jeep trail above Lake Hovsgol. Felt like the Colorado Rockies.
Bill on stoop of his ger at tourist camp by Lake Hovsgol
Ger interior. Staff sets fire in oven at dinnertime.
Discipline holds photogs to the line at ger erection demo
Local guide Bataar explains elements of shamanism.
Allison and her father Bruce at site of shaman's seance.
Local vendors know how to capture an audience. A No Exit strategy.
Map of area around Three Camel Lodge in South Gobi.
Three Camel Lodge is among top 50 eco-lodges in world.
Inside the lodge.
Guest gers and Adirondack-style porch have view of the steppe.
Deluxe ger with cold water bathroom attached.
Deluxe ger interior.
Bathroom attached to ger. Cold water only.
Western-style toilet, with rules.
Solar heaters feed showers in lodge basement.
Dining room at the Three Camel Lodge.
How to get around in the Gobi?
Saddle Options
Another option.
4-wheel drives are another choice. Sometimes.
Best ride - the Three Camel Lodge fleet
At speeds up to 70 mph, it's like being in the Baha 500. We're all shook up.
Looks smoothe from afar. It's an illusion. There are times to go slow, very slow.
Rest stop. Men to leeward. Women to windward. No peeking.
Pick a lane, any lane. It's all one road.
No billboards for cops to hide behind.
Gobi rush hour.
No signs, no traffic lights, no light posts, no …
Taxi queue.
Off to see the dunes.
Megan pauses for the view on way to hilltop petroglyphs.
Tom and Allison trek between nomads' gers out on the steppe.
Steve and Charryl steppe out.
Locals like the shot but Roz R feels she might do better.
Seattle Allison digs the sun and dry air
Exploring for summer ice in a canyon
The last ice of summer (Altai Mountain gorge).
Off the beaten path. Way off.
Lunch-stop discussion of life back in the Soviet era.
Ladies lead the canyon trek.
Either yoga or a Y-M-C-A rendition.
East of the sun and west of the moon. It ends here.