Mongolian felicity

Day 1

WELCOME TO ULAANBAATAR

On the arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city, our guide and driver meet you at the airport, and then head to the city center. The short drive passes through ger district which is Mongolian traditional housing district. The urban landscape quickly changes into expansive shopping malls and brand new residential complexes, shifting again to the scenes of the city center, where modern skyscrapers are quickly built amidst soviet-era buildings. After checking into our hotel, and if time permits, we will have an orientation tour of the city center through the Genghis Khan central square, named after the nation’s forefather. Right at the heart of the square we see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of 1920’s. We then visit the National History Museum, which displays you the rich history of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present. This exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. From here we take a short walk to the drama theater to attend an exciting cultural show. Its great traditional performances will truly impress you. After a welcome dinner, we drive back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Day 2

ULAANBAATAR – MONGOL NOMADS – KHUSTAI NURUU SPA

Today we head in time to a place where we can see the real Mongolian nomadic way of life. This is the best spot to learn how nomads live. Here you will have chance not only riding yaks and camels but also playing some traditional games. After lunch in the camp we drive to Khustaiin Nuruu Strictly Protected Area (SPA). The SPA was established as part of a unique project to reintroduce the world’s last surviving wild horses back to their natural environment on the brink of extinction. The SPA is also famous for its wilderness. It has many kinds of wild animals such as wild goat, gazelle, red deer, marmots and many kinds of birds. Overnight in a ger camp- traditional felt-made dwellings or yurt how the nomads of Central Asia often call ger.

Day 3

KHUSTAI NURUU –KHARKHORIN

Leaving Khustai Nuruu, we take the approximately 4-hour drive west to the Elsiin Tasarkai sand dune. Marking the northern edge of the great Gobi Desert, Elsiin Tasarkhai stretches over 130 km north into the heart of Central Mongolia. We take a hike for a marvelous view over the dune, that seems as if it’s locked between two mighty mountain ranges. After lunch we continue our journey for another one hour drive. Built by Ghengis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin, better known as Karakorum, was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city, kings were chosen, laws made, and the fate of the next city to be conquered were determined. We will visit the ruins of the old city, the Erdene Zuu monastery, and other historical monuments in the area for as long as time, and daylight permits. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 4

KHARKHORIN – TUVKHON MONASTERY – THE ORKHON VALLEY

After breakfast, we start to drive through Orkhon valley registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. In other word, we drive through traces of ancient kings. In the ancient time, whoever controlled this valley used to be considered as a heavenly appointed leader. The valley has been at the center of several kingdoms and empires that have ruled much of Central Asia. the Orkhon River is also the longest river in Mongolia, and it runs all the way to Lake Baikal in Siberia. On this very day, our first stop will be for a three and a half hour trek (with the first hour uphill) to Tuvkhon Monastery, established during the 1650’s by Zanbazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated with a natural system of caves perched near a hilltop, offering beautiful views of the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its unique natural features, the monastery was a perfect location for the great religious leader to meditate. Continuing south; we reach a beautiful viewing point over the Orkhon River canyon, where we stop for the night.

Day 5

THE ORKHON VALLEY – THE RED WATERFALL – TSENKHER HOT SPRINGS

Leaving our camp, we take an hour’s drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon through which the Orkhon River flows. Here we will take an easy hike along the canyon floor, and end up at the pool at the bottom of the Red Waterfall. For the brave of heart, a cool swim awaits! From here we go on to the region the Mongolians call the ‘paradise of the horse herders’ due to its lush grasses and open valleys. We drive through thick pine forests to the Tsenkher hot springs, where water flows out of the ground at about 80°C (176°F), and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight in a ger camp by the hot springs.

Day 6

HIKING AROUND TSENKHER

Today we will take a short drive to the trailhead, where we begin our day’s hike. The hike is a truly enchanting walk up a stream where we hop from one boulder to another to the top of a hill, for an amazing view of the surrounding valleys. In this part of Arkhangai the wildflowers are plentiful, and it is likely we will see families cutting hay for winter fodder for their animals. From here we hike back down through a thick pine forest to our vehicle, and then take the return drive back to camp, where we enjoy another night of soaking in the hot water pools. Staring at thousands of stars, sitting in the hot water pool is the real joy of life. Overnight in the same ger camp for a second night.

Day 7-8

THE HOT SPRINGS – TSETSERLEG – CHULUUT CANYON – NARIIN GECHGIIN RIVER

Driving out of the hot springs, we pass through Tsetserleg, the provincial capital, where we make a short visit to the local market (closed on Sundays). We then visit the provincial museum, located in an ancient monastery (closed on Sundays as well) and if time permits, we have an easy walk up to a hill where we can see the view of Mongolian provincial capital. Back in the days when Mongolia was ruled by a religious figure, the monastery served as the palace for the local head monk, who served as head of the provincial administration on behalf of the king. Continuing west, we spend a few minuts by Taikhar Chuluu, a massive legendary rock. In the afternoon we arrive at the hundred-branches-tree. Despite the fact this strange-looking tree has been burnt in recent years during shamanic ceremony, the site still is considered holy, and is worshipped by local people. From here we take a short walk to a good observation point for the Chuluut Canyon. Another one-hour drive brings us to our camp, great secluded place by a crystal clear river, where we spend the night and the next relaxing day.

Day 9                                                                                                                                                    

HIKING TO KHORGO VOLCANO AND THE WHITE LAKE – JARGALANT HOT SPRINGS

We spend this day hiking to the top of Khorgo Volcano, for a view over its perfect crater. From here we also enjoy a view over the vast lava fields that dominate the surrounding landscapes. Reaching the top of the volcano we continue our hike through basalt fields studded with pine trees. En route we stop at the Yellow Dog Cave, an interesting volcanic phenomenon, and we then end our hike at a pilgrimage site on the shores of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. Late in the afternoon we drive north on one of Mongolia’s most beautiful routes, as we cross high mountain passes, vast grasslands, and small creeks. We end the day at Jargalant Hot Springs in the mountainous region of Khovsgol, where we spend the night in a ger camp by the hot springs.

Day 10

JARGALANT – ERKHIL LAKE – LAKE KHOVSGOL

As we head north, we pass through the town of Murun, the provincial capital of Khovsgol. A short while later we arrive at an ancient burial site, featuring Mongolia’s mysterious deerstones. These memorial stones represent important leaders and warriors, carved with deer motifs. After visiting the site, we continue our trip northwards. One of the world’s largest fresh water sources, Lake Khovsgol and its amazing surroundings are home to several of Mongolia’s ethnic minorities, among them are the Tsaatan, or better known as the reindeer people. The protected area surrounding the lake is a refuge for a wide variety of wildlife. We arrive at the lake’s shores late in the evening, and check in our ger camp for the night.

Day 11-12

HORSE RIDING BY LAKE KHOVSGOL

Today we take a horseback riding trip through the beautiful scenery near the lake. Crystal blue, Khovsgol lake, someone call it as a blue pearl, is deep and pure. This is an enjoying day. At the camp, you will have some options to go to bird island and holy peninsula to whisper your wishes.

Overnight in the same ger camp by the lake’s shore.

Day 13

LAKE KHOVSGOL – MURUN ✈ ULAANBAATAR – TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast in our camp, we drive back to Murun, taking the first available flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we meet our driver in Ulaanbaatar, and embark on the one and a half hour drive to Gorki-Terelj National Park. The park features unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a winding river, and restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where they find good grazing for their animals. If time permits, we will take a short hike to a nearby hill, from where we watch the sun set over the park (weather permitting of course). We will spend the night in a ger camp in the park.

Day 14

TERELJ NATIONAL PARK – GHENGIS MONUMENT – ULAANBAATAR

This morning we take an easy hike to the famous Turtle Rock, unique natural rock formation with a symbol of wisdom and longevity to the Mongolians. We then continue hiking to a meditation temple named Ariabal. In the site of great tranquility, we can have a look of mantras of buddism, and enjoy the great view of range of Mountains, completely different scenery from where we traveled through. After lunch, we leave the park and drive to the biggest Ghengis Khan Monument in the world. Rising 40 meters in height over the surrounding steppes, this mighty structure plays a major symbolic pride for Mongolians. This monument is expected to be surrounded by thousands of Mongolian warriors’ monuments. So, you will have an opportunity to a witness of the great construction. We then head to the Mongolian Capital, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a fine restaurant, followed by a visit to the Zaisan Hill, for a view over the city at night. Overnight in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 15

ULAANBAATAR ✈ BAYN ULGII-KAZAH FAMILY

After landing in Bayn Ulgii, we will have a lunch in a Kazah family where we can see different ethnic group of Mongolia, Kazah.

Day 16

BAYN ULGII-EAGLE HUNTER’S FAMILY

We leave the provincial capital and travel towards the Khovd River, stopping for lunch on the shores of Bayanuur Lake. By early afternoon we arrive at the home of one of the province’s most renowned eagle trainers with whom we shall spend the coming two days. The trainer will share with us some of the secrets of the hundred’s of years old tradition of training and hunting with golden eagles. In the evening we join the trainer’s family in their ger (which is known in this part of the country as yurt- the turkic name of the felt-made dwelling of central Asia’s nomads), and enjoy the traditional music Kazakhs are famous by. We spend the coming two nights with our host family, either in their yurt, in a guests yurt they might have built for us, or in our own camping tents.

Day 17-18

EAGLE HUNTER FAMILY-ALTAI TAVAN BOGD MOUNTAIN

We will drive to highest peak of Mongolia, Altai tavan bogd mountain. The mountain is snow capped and the most beautiful mountain of Mongolia. On the way, we will stay one night next to Khoton Lake.

Day 19

BACK TO ULGII

On the way back to ulgii, we will see deer stones of bronze age, and human stones during turkik period of time (7-8th century).

Day 20

BACK TO ULAANBAATAR

Taking the first available flight from Ulgii, we head to Ulaanbaatar. As soon as landing in Ulaanbaatar we will go to Bogd King’s museum. Then head to Zaisan monument to see the view of Ulaanbaatar. Farewell dinner

Day 21

DEPARTURE FROM ULAANBAATAR

After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the airport for our international departing flight.

Tears of Love and Thankfulness is Unlimited…..