SPIRITUAL MONGOLIA

Hustai National Park is the site of a unique re-introduction scheme of Przewalskii's horse called "takhi" by Mongolians. It became extinct in the wild in 1969 and, since 1992, has been successfully re-introduced to Hustai from zoos around the world. The national park is rolling steppe mountains with rather large patches of birch and aspen forests. In addition, red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wolf (Canis lupus) have increased quite a bit during the last few years, as well as Mongolian gazelle.

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2. Terelj National park.

Day 3. Bayangobi.

Day 4. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery.

Day 5. Hustai National Park/Ulaanbaatar.

Day 6. Departure

Day 1. Nation’s Capital - Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel and start city tour in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital, visit Chinggis square, Zaisan Hill; Museum of National History, famous for its exhibition for Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime. Traditional cultural performance with traditional folk songs, throat singing, beautiful melody of horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances and arty contortion. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 2. Terelj National park. Drive to the Terelj National Park after breakfast. The park lies at 1600 meters high and offers great opportunities for hiking, horse, camel and yak riding and rafting and rock climbing. The park is over 1.2 million acres large. Explore amazing egg-shaped granite rock formation and beautiful wildlife and Alpine flowers. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 3. Bayangobi. Breakfast at the camp. Drive to the Statue of Chinggis Khaan on the way back to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch in the city and drive to Bayangobi. It is a unique place with various natural landscape such sand dunes, steppe and rocky mountains. Arrive in the ger camp in the evening. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 4. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery. After breakfast, we visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is located 20 kms from the ger camp. We will have opportunities to visit horse breeder’s family and experience making of airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made by mare’s milk. Hiking, horse and camel riding sessions are available. We will drive to Kharkhorin; an ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and Erdenezuu Monastery. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of Orkhon river in 1220. We will see 800 years old Turtle Rock near the temple. Erdenezuu Monastery is the first Buddhist monastery was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by white walls with 108 stupas. Explore small town Kharkhorin and visit local market. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 5. Hustai National Park/Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, we will start drive back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way we will visit Hustai National Park. The park lies in the southern range of Khentii mountain and it is the place you can see wild horse called Takhi known as Przewalski horse. The wild horses survive in nature by themselves as a result of successful reintroducing projects after 40 years of extinction. Currently, the number of Takhi has already reached more than 240. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar-the nations’ capital. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 6. Departure. Breakfast at the hotel. Our Ancient Mongolia Tours ends here by transferring to the airport.