Venture East // China & Mongolia
Schools Community Project & Horseback trekking, China & Mongolia
Neighbouring nations, worlds apart
Although neighbours, there are huge differences between these two nations. Our expedition enables students to explore the contrast between the two. From the hustle and bustle of the cities of Beijing and Xi’an, to the massive expanses of the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian steppe. This expedition has so many elements for teams to experience, highlights include exploring China’s cultural heritage and historic sites, the Mongolian community project, horseback trekking and river rafting. The route between China and Mongolia is the awe-inspiring Trans-Siberian railway, a 36 hour overnight journey across the Gobi Desert. Upon arrival teams step out into, what feels like, an entirely different world.
Students will take on managing many of the phases of this expedition themselves, such as navigation, budget and supply management. This expedition has it all and gives students countless development opportunities. Teams will be supported throughout by our experienced expedition leaders and our in-country team.
The community project phase not only enables us to assist in a project that directly benefits the host community, but also gives students the opportunity to really get to know what rural Mongolian life is like. Our last team to visit Mongolia worked with a rural community to renovate a Buddhist Temple in Bayan Agt.
Every project is a collaboration, with decisions on which projects to tackle based on what the local community feel is a sustainable resolution to a problem they’ve highlighted. Our projects benefit not only our host communities, but everyone that takes part. A true collaboration of cultures and global citizenship!
China’s big cities might be highly efficient, well organised and clean, but they are no less difficult to manage if you don’t speak or read the language. The students first challenge will be to negotiate Xi’an, home to pagodas, temples and wonderful street food, before moving onto Beijing. While in China teams will have the opportunity to visit;
- The Terracotta Warriors – extraordinary for the sheer number and preservation, these sculptures were made to accompany the first Emperor of China in the after life
- The Great Wall of China – an interesting vist for teams in advance of the Mongolian phase of the expeditions. The walls were built as a fortification system to protect northern China from nomadic attacks
- Forbidden City – a huge, oppulent palace complex built by the Qing dynasty. Construction began in 1420 and is believed to encompass 9,999 rooms!
While in Mongolia, as well as the community project phase, teams will have the opportunity for plenty of adventures, including;
- Horseback Trekking – The steppes are a truly huge expanse of valleys, low mountains, rivers and lakes. Sparsely inhabited by the nomadic Mongolians with their long history of equitation. Guided by a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic team of local guides, the team will head out into the steppe on horseback, wild camping with friends each night and eating around the campfire.
- Tuul River Rafting – a journey by river through lush green mountains and pastures before finally visiting a truly magnificent and enormous statue commemorating Genghis Khan (whitewater level 1)
- Trek – teams will head out on foot in the rolling hills to experience the amazing steppe ecosystem and the wildlife it supports
Expedition Project
The community project phase not only enables us to assist in a project that directly benefits the host community, but also gives students the opportunity to really get to know what rural Mongolian life is like. Our last team to visit Mongolia worked with a rural community to renovate a Buddhist Temple in Bayan Agt.
Every project is a collaboration, with decisions on which projects to tackle based on what the local community feel is a sustainable resolution to a problem they’ve highlighted. Our projects benefit not only our host communities, but everyone that takes part. A true collaboration of cultures and global citizenship!
China
China’s big cities might be highly efficient, well organised and clean, but they are no less difficult to manage if you don’t speak or read the language. The student’s first challenge will be to negotiate Xi’an, home to pagodas, temples and wonderful street food, before moving onto Beijing. While in China teams will have the opportunity to visit;
- The Terracotta Warriors – extraordinary for the sheer number and preservation, these sculptures were made to accompany the first Emperor of China in the after life
- The Great Wall of China – an interesting vist for teams in advance of the Mongolian phase of the expeditions. The walls were built as a fortification system to protect northern China from nomadic attacks
- Forbidden City – a huge, oppulent palace complex built by the Qing dynasty. Construction began in 1420 and is believed to encompass 9,999 rooms!
Mongolia
While in Mongolia, as well as the community project phase, teams will have the opportunity for plenty of adventures, including;
- Horseback Trekking – The steppes are a truly huge expanse of valleys, low mountains, rivers and lakes. Sparsely inhabited by the nomadic Mongolians with their long history of horsemanship. Guided by a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic team of local guides, the team will head out into the steppe on horseback, wild camping with friends each night and eating around the campfire.
- Tuul River Rafting – a journey by river through lush green mountains and pastures before finally visiting a truly magnificent and enormous statue commemorating Genghis Khan (whitewater level 1)
- Trek – teams will head out on foot in the rolling hills to experience the amazing steppe ecosystem and the wildlife it supports
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Our aim is take students out of their comfort zone. Don’t expect air-conditioned rooms and coaches with waitress service. We don’t provide luxury tours, knowing from experience that traditional life and experiences cannot be found there.
Team accommodation will be a mixture of hostels, overnight sleeper trains, traditional yurts, community centres and tents. Meals will be eaten at cafes and restaurants, chosen by the team, as well as meals cooked by the guides and the team themselves. Team members are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of expedition life and, by doing so, will get the most out of this development edxpedition and hopefully take away memories that will last a lifetime.
KEY INFORMATION
All our expeditions are bespoke and tailored to your team's needs
Community Project
River Rafting
Cultural Visits
Horse Trekking
Duration
30 Days (UK to UK)
- International Flights
- Two Venture Force expedition leaders
- Two funded teacher places
- 24/7 Operations Room support
- Comprehensive travel insurance (see our COVID info page)
- International communications package
- All in-country travel
- In-country agent support
- All in-country activities, food and accommodation
- Team t-shirts
- Heavy duty travel bag
- Group kit and equipment
- Online expedition portal
- Carbon off-setting
- Project donation (expedition dependent)
- Training weekend (only for 14 day & above)
- Personal vaccinations
- Personal equipment (a kit list will be provided)
- Visa costs and passport renewal (if applicable)
- Spending money for gifts and additional drinks/food
