Mongolia Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

Travel to Mongolia to celebrate one of the world’s great nomadic festivals
Mingle with nomadic families and enjoy their genuine hospitality
Visit the vast Mongolian countryside and the Gobi Desert
There will be opportunities for optional hiking and camel and horse riding

In Ulaanbaatar we celebrate the Naadam Festival with the locals. For the nomads it’s about horsemanship, marksmanship and all skills necessary for nomadic people to survive. For visitors, it’s about appreciating the spirit of the nomads and their heartfelt pride. The festival includes colorful synchronized choreography, an exciting parade of regal Chenngis Khan warriors on horseback, music and dance performances and competitions.

Enjoy breath-taking natural beauty as we traverse the countryside learning about Mongolia’s nomadic culture and Buddhist history. Our Mongolia tour takes us to sacred mountains, monasteries, pristine lakes, with opportunities to interface with nomadic families as well as monks. We will drive 4-6 hours per day on bumpy dirt roads, stopping a few times to visit nomadic families. These are spontaneous visits, not pre-arranged, for a truly authentic experience.

Once we leave Ulaanbaatar, accommodations are traditional gers (yurts) which have been modified and made comfy with nice beds, sheets, pillows, blankets; hand painted furniture and a wood stove in the center. Clean, western bathrooms and showers are housed in a separate building, just a few steps away.

Reenactment of Genghis Khan warrior period

ITINERARY

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Day 1-4: Meet in Ulanbaatar
Attend the Naadam Festival opening ceremonies and the exciting horse-racing competition. Visit the National Museum of Mongolian History, Gandan Monastery, Zanabar Gallery. This is a lively city!

Day 5: Khustain Nuruu National Park
A thrilling safari to see the the takhi, Mongolian wild horses which are the last remaining species of truly wild horses in the world.

Day 6: Kharakhorum
Visit the revered Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) Monastery, built on the remains of the city of Kharakhorum in 1586 by a descendant of Chinggis Khan.

Day 7-9: Tsetserleg - Great White Lake
Tour Zayan Gegeenii Khuree, a remarkably intact monastery with an active community of 70 monks. It houses the Museum of Arkhangai Province, which contains magnificent treasures including ceremonial masks and memorabilia. Enjoy astonishing Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. Optional walk to Khorgo Volcano. Two nights accommodation at guesthouse in town.

Day 10-11: Khognokhaan Mtn. Natural Reserve
Enjoy the unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests and Gobi-type landscapes all in one location. Those interested can trek to ruins of 16th century Uvgun Monastery. Return to Ulaanbaatar.

Day 12-14: Gobi Desert
A short flight to the Gobi Desert. We visit Khongoriin Els sand dunes, known as the "singing sand dunes." Travel to Yol Valley via Bayanzag, pre-historic-looking red cliffs formed from the erosion of sand and rock over thousands of years and the site of several successful dinosaur excavations. Interact with nomadic families. Easy trek through Eagle Valley.

Day 15: Depart