3 DAYS UGII LAKE ESCAPADE

Founded in 1586 by Altai Khaan, Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It had between 60 and 100 temples, about 300 gers inside the walls and, at its peak, up to 1000 monks in residence. The monastery went through periods of neglect and prosperity until finally the Stalinist purges of 1937 put it completely out of business. All but three of the temples in Erdene Zuu were destroyed and an unknown number of monks were either killed or sent to Siberian gulags. However, a surprising number of statues, tsam masks and thangkas were saved – possibly with the help of a few sympathetic military officers. The items were buried in nearby mountains, or stored in local homes (at great risk to the residents).

Day 1. Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes

Day 2. Erdenezuu/Ugii Lake

Day 3. Ulaanbaatar

Day 1. Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. After meeting at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar, we will drive Kharkhorin, an ancient capital of Mongolian Empire. We will have a picnic lunch on the way and visit nomadic families to experience nomadic way of life and taste of fermented mare’s milk. Arrive and overnight at the ger camp.

Day 2. Erdenezuu/Ugii Lake. We will visit Erdenezuu monastery, which is the first Buddhist monastery founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by white walls with 108 stupas. We will have a lunch at the camp in Kharkhorin. Explore small town Kharkhorin and visit local market and drive to Ugii lake. On the way, we will visit sacred memorial complex dedicated to Bilge khan of Turkic empire, which flourished during the 6^th-8^th century, and his younger brother Kul-tegin. Arrive in Ugii lake and opportunities for hiking on the shoreline and horse riding opportunities. Overnight at the ger camp

Day 3. Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, we will ride a horse for couple of hours then we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Picnic lunch on the way. We will drop you at your hotel in Ulaanbaatar.