Mongolia is one of
the world's last undiscovered travel destinations.
Permanent dwellings are few and far between,
and fences are even fewer. It is a place to
experience wide-open spaces, cobalt blue skies,
forests, deserts, crystal-clear rivers and
lakes and the traditional hospitality of the
nomads.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Mongolia's diverse landscape
• Camel safari in Gobi Desert
• Unique accommodations in Mongolian-style
yurts
• Lunch with nomads and traditional
feasts
• Nadaam Festival celebrations
• Singing and folk dance performances
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
DAY 01 ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR
Tavtai moril! You will receive a warm welcome from the mountain people upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar. The city was founded in 1649 as a monastery center, eventually becoming the seat of the Living Buddha.
Overnight - Hotel
DAY 02 ULAANBAATAR
Today you will enjoy a full day sightseeing in the country capital, beginning with the Ganden Khiid. Although Buddhism was hit hard in the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, what remains of the Ganden Monastery is well worth a visit. It is Mongolia’s most important religious structure, the focal point of a resurgent Buddhism, and it houses a recently re built 75-foot copper and gold statue covered in precious stones. The statue is called Migjid Janraisig which means “the Lord who looks in every direction” and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama.
This afternoon, you will visit the Museum of Natural History for its unique displays of dinosaur fossils and indigenous flora and fauna. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 03 ULAANBAATAR-KHUVSGUL
You will fly to Moron and, on arrival, transfer by jeep to the remote camp at Khuvsgul. The crystal clear Lake Khuvsugal is surrounded by lush meadows, alpine forest and snow-capped peaks. The gorgeous physical beauty surprises many visitors who expect not much more than a wind-blown steppe.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 04-05 KHUVSGUL NATIONAL PARK
You will spend the next two days exploring the rich ecosystem of the lakes. Its waters teem with fish, and its shores are surrounded by dense forest, home to reindeer, yaks, horses, bear, moose and ibex. There will be time for hiking in the surrounding hills, swimming or kayaking. The remoteness of the area lends itself to simply gazing out over the expanse of the blue water.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 06 KHUVSGUL-ULAANBAATAR
You have an early morning transfer to the airport to connect with your flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, if time permits, you will visit the Buddhist religion museum. The remainder of the day is free.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 07 ULAANBAATAR/TERELJ NATIONAL PARK
This morning, you will drive to Terelj National Park. On arrival, you will be taken to a small ger camp for lunch. It is located in a beautiful spot, and is close to a nomadic family. The afternoon is free to relax, or take an optional horse-back ride in the mountains. You will enjoy dinner, which is a traditional Mongolian hot-stone roasted feast known as a khorkhog.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 08 KHUSTAI NATIONAL PARK
This morning, you will transfer to Khustai National Park. The national park is rolling steppe dotted with birch and aspen forests. You will explore the area on a wildlife walk. With luck, you can spot elk, wolves, Mongolian gazelles, lynx and deer. Your afternoon excursion takes you to the remains of a Neolithic gravesite. This evening will feature a special dinner at the Tuul river bank, followed by an evening game drive to see the takhi (Przewalskii horse). This ancient wild horse species neared complete extinction, but is now being reintroduced into the wild.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 09 KHUSTAI NP-ULAANBAATAR
You will drive to capital city, where preparations continue in anticipation of Mongolia’s great festival. You will visit the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, where nomads from around Mongolia have pitched their gers in anticipation of the big festival. You will explore the encampments, and revel in the general buzz and excitement.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 10-11 ULAANBAATAR/NADAAM FESTIVAL
Spend the next two days at the Naadam Festival, which is the most joyful and grandest holiday for Mongolians. The festival is celebrated annually on 11th of July and lasts three days. The festival originated from the Genghis Khan period and at that time it was organized as a competition to test the skills of Mongolian warriors. The festival consists of three games: wrestling, horse racing and archery. During the Naadam, 1024 wrestlers compete on the green wrestling field with no time limit and no weight divisions. Mongolian wrestlers wear traditional Mongolian boots and special clothes for wrestling: zodog (a small vest across the shoulders) and shuudag (tight pants). The sport of archery originates in Genghis Khan's era and is the oldest sport in Mongolia. In earlier times, only men competed in archery competitions but today both men and women compete.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and a performance of Mongolian folk song and dance.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 12 ULAANBAATAR-GOBI DESERT
A short flight takes you to the Gobi Desert. You began your exploration of one of Earth’s great arid regions at Eagle Valley, a beautiful valley with a long spur of ice, located in the southern Altai Mountains. The natural history museum displays information about the animal in the area, as well as dinosaur eggs and bones.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 13 GOBI DESERT/SAND DUNES
A four-hour drive takes you to Khongoriin Els, Mongolia’s largest sand dunes. This classic desert feature is, for many, the quintessential Mongolian landscape. Take an afternoon camel ride to explore the dunes.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 14 GOBI DESERT/FLAMING CLIFFS
Drive to the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, about one hour from your lodge. An area of red cliffs formed by the erosion of the sand and rock, it is also the site of several successful dinosaur excavations, and evidence of a flourishing Late Cretaceous Age may be experienced first hand. This is considered by many paleontologists to be the “Mecca” of the fossil world.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 15 GOBI DESERT-ULAANBAATAR
Today you fly back to Ulaanbaatar. This afternoon, visit a fine art museum to see its carving and paintings. “A Day in Life” is an epic mural depicting many scenes from Mongolian daily life that is as dear as to Mongolians as the Mona Lisa is to Italians. If time permits, you may take a short tour to Bogd Khan Palace.
Overnight - Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 16 DEPART ULAANBAATAR
Bid a reluctant farewell to Mongolia and your newfound friends.
FACT FILE
• Daily breakfast and lunch or dinner
• First class accommodations
• English-speaking guides
|
 |
|
click map for larger image |
|
|
| Tour Itinerary |
| Day 1 |
Arrive Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 2 |
Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 3 |
Ulaanbaatar-Khuvsgul |
| Day 4-5 |
Khuvsgul National Park |
| Day 6 |
Khuvsgul-Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 7 |
Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 8 |
Khustai National Park |
| Day 9 |
Khustai NP-Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 10-11 |
Ulaanbaatar/Nadaam Festival |
| Day 12 |
Ulaanbaatar-Gobi Desert |
| Day 13 |
Gobi Desert/Sand Dunes |
| Day 14 |
Gobi Desert/Flaming Cliffs |
| Day 15 |
Gobi Desert-Ulaanbaatar |
| Day 16 |
Depart Ulaanbaatar |
| Tour Information |
| Cost: |
US$ 3495\Can$ 3495 |
| Length: |
16 days |
| Limit: |
16 |
| Departing: |
Ulaanbaatar |
| Deposit: |
US $ 500\Can $ 500
|
| Departure Dates |
| 2008 Departures |
 2 Jul - 17 jul
|
|
|
|
|
Talk
to an Expert call:
