NOMADIC DISCOVERY

The Gobi Desert is a great place blessed with true remoteness and rugged beauty. The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, named for the mountain range which flanks the eastern half of the park is the main attraction for this region. Colossal sand dunes, ice-filled canyons, dinosaur fossils and the promise of camel treks ensure that travelers will enjoy their ultimate surroundings.

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar

Day 2. Amarbayasgalant Monastery.

Day 3. Bulgan province

Day 4. Ugii Lake

Day 5. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery

Day 6. Tsenkher hot spring

Day 7. Orkhon Waterfall

Day 8. Ruins of the Ongi Monastery

Day 9. Bayanzag

Day 10. Khongor Sand Dunes

Day 11. Yol Valley

Day 12. South Gobi/Ulaanbaatar

Day 13. Ulaanbaatar

Day 14. Departure

Day 1. 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. Ulaanbaatar/Amarbayasgalant Monastery. After breakfast, we will drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. It is a beautiful monastery which was built in 1736 by Zanabazar, the first Bogd Khaan, a religious and cultural leader. The overall design is Chinese despite some Mongolian and Tibetan influence. In the early 1900s, the 8000 monks were practiced Buddhist philosophy, astrology and medicine. In 1937, all high ranked monks and religious leaders and intellectuals were executed and monastery was abandoned for 50 years. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 3. Bulgan province. After breakfast, we will drive to Bulgan province. Bulgan province is famous for its horsemanship and taste of Mongolian traditional drink airag – fermented mare’s milk. We will visit horse breeder’s family and taste the airag. Overnight in a ger camp.

Day 4. Ugii Lake. Breakfast at the camp, we will drive to Ugii Lake, which is located in Arkhangai province. This beautiful lake has 27km sq with average depth 7m. Delicate sandy coastline and water offers great opportunity for bird watching, boating, swimming, fishing and sunbathing. There are 150 species of rare migrated birds. Overnight in the ger camp near the lake.

Day 5. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery. After breakfast, we will drive to the Turkish stone site of Khushuu Tsaidam. Khushuu Tsaidam are built of four memorial complexes including those erected in honor of Bilge Khan, a famous leader of Turkic Empire (d.734) and Kul Tegin, a general of Turkish army (d. 731). We will drive to the Shankh Monastery, the oldest monastery in Mongolia, founded in 1647 by Zanabazar. It was one of the foremost seats of Buddhist teaching and practice in the country for almost three centuries. In 1937, the monastery was closed, its temples burned and monks were executed or sent to labor camps in Siberia. Overnight in the ger camp in Kharkhorin.

Day 6. Kharkhorin/Tsenkher hot spring. Today we will have a day excursion in 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. Then we will drive to Tsenkher hot spring, a sulphur spring that emerges from the ground at 85 Celsius degree, were outfitted for visitors in 1996. The facility includes outdoor and indoor baths, showers and accommodations. Overnight in the ger.

Day 7. Orkhon Waterfall. Today we will drive to the picturesque Orkhon waterfall which is situated in the Orkhon river, that flows an 1120km; the longest river in Mongolia. The local name of the waterfall is Ulaan Tsutgalan and the height is 24m, waterfall was formed by a volcanic eruptions and earthquakes about 20 000 years ago. The water level of the waterfall depends on the rainfall. Hiking opportunities in the evening. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 8. Ruins of the Ongi Monastery. Breakfast, we will drive to Khujirt resort which is situated near the Khujirt river at 1758m above the sea level. The Khujirt resort is famous for its therapeutic magic for kidneys, joints and various traumas among Mongolians. The temperature varies from +40 to 55 degrees Celsius. In the afternoon, we will drive to the direction of the ruins of Ongiin Monastery. We will visit the ruins of monastery and small local ger museum and experience a stunning sunset from the top of a nearby hills. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 9. Bayanzag/Flamming Cliffs. After breakfast, we will drive to Bayanzag known as a Flamming Cliffs to the world. Picnic lunch. We will arrive at the ancient red rock creation, Bayanzag formed 60-70 million years ago, famous as Flamming Cliifs named by Roy Andrew Chapman, an American explorer who visited Mongolia in 1920s in the afternoon. The red Bayanzag cliffs have dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones all over the place. We will do trekking and overnight in the ger camp.

Day 10. Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes. We will drive to the Khongor sand dunes that stretch for 180 kms, sometimes as wide as 7-20km. The dunes lie on the northern part of Sevrei and Zuulun mountains. The sound of sand masses can be heard from the long distance, therefore it is called as “Singing Dunes”. We will have an opportunity to ride two humped Bacterian camel named by locals as Living Dinosaur and visit camel breeder’s family. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 11. Yol Valley/Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. After breakfast we will drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park and “Yol Valley”. The valley is the narrow canyon of a river that flows through the Zuun Saikhan Mountain. The rock walls stand 200m and the canyon has glacier layer that is deeply set between the walls. We will trek along the canyon and may have an opportunity to see wild sheep Argali, Ibex and Yol Lammergeier. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 12. South Gobi/Ulaanbaatar. After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport and fly back to Ulaanbaatar; a capital city of the nation. Transfer to the hotel and relax. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 13. Ulaanbaatar. We will visit Gandan Monastery a centre of Mongolian Buddhism. We will see the outstanding 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. In the afternoon, we will visit Choijin Lama Museum. This monastery was built in 1908 for the Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, the state oracle and younger brother of the eighth Bogd Gegeen. The temple is now a museum preserving the elaborately decorated interiors and containing a rich collection of other Mongolian Buddhist sculpture and painting. Rest of the afternoon is free for personal activity. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 14. Departure. Breakfast at the hotel. Our secrets of southern Mongolia tours ends here by transferring to the airport.