A Nomad with the cow cart
A Mongolian girl with arch and bow at the Naadam Festival
Tour F1: Grass-Root Mongolia
Duration: 22 days
Transportation: Airplane, Extensive driving
Accommodation: Hotel, ger camp
Departure date: Any time between June 15 and Sep 15
Tour grade: Moderate
Tour code: F1
Destinations: Gobi Desert, Yoliin-Am National Park, Hongor sand dune, Flaming Cliffs, Ovgon Temple, Khustai National Park, Erdene-Zuu monastery in Khar-Khorin, Tuvkhun temple, Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument, 13th century complex, Terelj National Park, Khorgo Volcano, Chuluut River Caynon, Lake Terkh, Lake Huvsgul, the 13th century complex, Chingis Khan complex, Kherlen River
Description: Complete introduction to Mongolian nature, landscape, Nomadic life, culture and religion. The route covers all popular tourist spots in Gobi Desert, Central and Northern Mongolia regions and some tourist attractions in Eastern Mongolia. Recommended for first time visitors to Mongolia.
Activities: Sightseeing, blueberry harvesting, nomadic family visit and soaking in natural spring, Ulaanbaatar City tour, optional trekking, horseback riding and boat trips.
ITINERARY & PRICE
This itinerary is very similar to our "Best of Mongolia" (Tour Code: N10) travel itinerary. However, two features make it more family-oriented: 1) the traveling pace is slower than normal allowing more leisure time, and 2) the itinerary includes a 2 ½ day visit with a nomadic family, allowing our customers to learn about the life of nomads in Mongolia
Day 1: Arrive at Ulaanbaatar City, Transfer to hotel. After some personal refreshment, start guided city tour. Visit to Zaisan Memorial to see a view of the entire city. Our staff will guide you through some major spots, such as Sukhbaatar Square and the Opera House. Visit the Museum of Natural History and other museums, if time allows. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport to fly to South Gobi. Depending on the flight schedule, visit to The Bogd Khan Palace Museum and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar City. Arrive in Dalanzadgad, a provincial center of South-Gobi aymag. Then, drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saihan (The three beauties of Gobi) National Park and arrive at the Hongoriin Els sand dune. Enjoy horse and camel riding along the sand dune. Have dinner at the tourist camp restaurant. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 3: Drive to Bayanzag (The Rich in Saxual), which is referred to as “The Flaming Cliffs” for its shapes and colors. Then head towards Valley of Vultures (Yoliin Am) National Park. Stay overnight at the ger camp close to the Valley.
Day 4: Trek in Yoliin Am National Park. You will see an ice cup if you come here before the end of July. Visit the local museum at the entrance to the valley, named the “Three beauties of Gobi” which presents information about the fauna and flora of the national park. Drive back to Dalanzadgad to catch your flight back to the capital city. Stay overnight in the hotel in Ulaanbaatar City.
Day 5: Drive to the Khogno Khan Mountain, one of the strictly protected areas of Mongolia. Make a trek to the mountain through beautiful surroundings to visit Ovgon Temple. Then drive to Bayangobi, a spectacular combination of sand dunes, and grassland. Have lunch and dinner at the tourist camp restaurants. Stay overnight at ger camp.
Day 6: Drive to Khar-Khorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia in the 13th century, and see Mongolia’s oldest monastery Erdene Zuu. Drive further to Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument on the banks of Orkhon River and explore the rock inscription written by Turks in the 7th-9th centuries about Kultigen King of the Turks. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Days 7-8: Drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring and enjoy free time. At the spring, water with hydrogen sulphide pulses out of ground at 86°C. Take a hot soak. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 9: Head towards town of Tsetserleg, a provincial center of Arkhangai aymag and visit Zaya Gegeen Temple Museum built, in the 18th century. Next drive to Taihar Rock and observe inscriptions in different Asian languages, such as Old and New Mongolian and Turkish, Tibetan, and Chinese. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 10: Drive to the Chuluut River Canyon. The Chuluut river is rich in many species of fish, including lennok and taimen. Trek down to the canyon. Drive westward to the dormant Horgo volcano. Enjoy the stunning natural beauty created by past volcanic eruptions. Do some fishing and swim in Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, our final destination for today. Stay overnight in the ger camp.
Day 11-14: Drive west entering territory of Zavkhan province. We will stay at a nomadic family for 2.5 days. Main activities are:
a) Taking part in daily activities of nomadic family
b) Horseback riding, yak and cow-cart riding.
c) Processing diary products
d) Harvesting and other fruits in surrounding forest
e) Horse trekking to nearby “Tsetsuuh” natural spring and taking hot soak
Day 15: Drive to the Lake Huvsgul through beautiful landscape. Tent camping.
Day 16: Continue driving and reach Lake Huvsgul stopping over Murun, the center of Huvsgul province.
Day 17-18: Enjoy leisure time at Huvsgul Lake. After refreshments, trek to the nearby mountain and do some horse back riding along the shore. Taking a motor boat to the other shore of the river is optional. If the water is warm enough, you can swim in the crystal clear lake and do some fishing. Visit a reindeer breeding family (Tsaatan) living on the shore of the lake. Tent camping on the way to Huvsgul and stay overnight at the ger tourist camp when in Huvsgul
Day 19: Drive back to Murun and catch your flight back to Ulaanbaatar City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 20: Drive to the 13th century complex and Chinggis (Genghis) Khan complex. See how the Mongols lived in the 13th century.
Day 21: Tour Ulaanbaatar City for a full day. Visit Gandan Monastery, and the Museum of National History. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 22: Take advantage of free time before your departure. Visit some cashmere, clothing, souvenir and antique shops. Transfer to the airport.
Duration: 22 days
Transportation: Airplane, Extensive driving
Accommodation: Hotel, ger camp
Departure date: Any time between June 15 and Sep 15
Tour grade: Moderate
Tour code: F1
Destinations: Gobi Desert, Yoliin-Am National Park, Hongor sand dune, Flaming Cliffs, Ovgon Temple, Khustai National Park, Erdene-Zuu monastery in Khar-Khorin, Tuvkhun temple, Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument, 13th century complex, Terelj National Park, Khorgo Volcano, Chuluut River Caynon, Lake Terkh, Lake Huvsgul, the 13th century complex, Chingis Khan complex, Kherlen River
Description: Complete introduction to Mongolian nature, landscape, Nomadic life, culture and religion. The route covers all popular tourist spots in Gobi Desert, Central and Northern Mongolia regions and some tourist attractions in Eastern Mongolia. Recommended for first time visitors to Mongolia.
Activities: Sightseeing, blueberry harvesting, nomadic family visit and soaking in natural spring, Ulaanbaatar City tour, optional trekking, horseback riding and boat trips.
ITINERARY & PRICE
This itinerary is very similar to our "Best of Mongolia" (Tour Code: N10) travel itinerary. However, two features make it more family-oriented: 1) the traveling pace is slower than normal allowing more leisure time, and 2) the itinerary includes a 2 ½ day visit with a nomadic family, allowing our customers to learn about the life of nomads in Mongolia
Day 1: Arrive at Ulaanbaatar City, Transfer to hotel. After some personal refreshment, start guided city tour. Visit to Zaisan Memorial to see a view of the entire city. Our staff will guide you through some major spots, such as Sukhbaatar Square and the Opera House. Visit the Museum of Natural History and other museums, if time allows. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport to fly to South Gobi. Depending on the flight schedule, visit to The Bogd Khan Palace Museum and the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar City. Arrive in Dalanzadgad, a provincial center of South-Gobi aymag. Then, drive to the Gobi Gurvan Saihan (The three beauties of Gobi) National Park and arrive at the Hongoriin Els sand dune. Enjoy horse and camel riding along the sand dune. Have dinner at the tourist camp restaurant. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 3: Drive to Bayanzag (The Rich in Saxual), which is referred to as “The Flaming Cliffs” for its shapes and colors. Then head towards Valley of Vultures (Yoliin Am) National Park. Stay overnight at the ger camp close to the Valley.
Day 4: Trek in Yoliin Am National Park. You will see an ice cup if you come here before the end of July. Visit the local museum at the entrance to the valley, named the “Three beauties of Gobi” which presents information about the fauna and flora of the national park. Drive back to Dalanzadgad to catch your flight back to the capital city. Stay overnight in the hotel in Ulaanbaatar City.
Day 5: Drive to the Khogno Khan Mountain, one of the strictly protected areas of Mongolia. Make a trek to the mountain through beautiful surroundings to visit Ovgon Temple. Then drive to Bayangobi, a spectacular combination of sand dunes, and grassland. Have lunch and dinner at the tourist camp restaurants. Stay overnight at ger camp.
Day 6: Drive to Khar-Khorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia in the 13th century, and see Mongolia’s oldest monastery Erdene Zuu. Drive further to Khoshoo Tsaidam Monument on the banks of Orkhon River and explore the rock inscription written by Turks in the 7th-9th centuries about Kultigen King of the Turks. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Days 7-8: Drive to Tsenkher Hot Spring and enjoy free time. At the spring, water with hydrogen sulphide pulses out of ground at 86°C. Take a hot soak. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 9: Head towards town of Tsetserleg, a provincial center of Arkhangai aymag and visit Zaya Gegeen Temple Museum built, in the 18th century. Next drive to Taihar Rock and observe inscriptions in different Asian languages, such as Old and New Mongolian and Turkish, Tibetan, and Chinese. Stay overnight at the ger camp.
Day 10: Drive to the Chuluut River Canyon. The Chuluut river is rich in many species of fish, including lennok and taimen. Trek down to the canyon. Drive westward to the dormant Horgo volcano. Enjoy the stunning natural beauty created by past volcanic eruptions. Do some fishing and swim in Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, our final destination for today. Stay overnight in the ger camp.
Day 11-14: Drive west entering territory of Zavkhan province. We will stay at a nomadic family for 2.5 days. Main activities are:
a) Taking part in daily activities of nomadic family
b) Horseback riding, yak and cow-cart riding.
c) Processing diary products
d) Harvesting and other fruits in surrounding forest
e) Horse trekking to nearby “Tsetsuuh” natural spring and taking hot soak
Day 15: Drive to the Lake Huvsgul through beautiful landscape. Tent camping.
Day 16: Continue driving and reach Lake Huvsgul stopping over Murun, the center of Huvsgul province.
Day 17-18: Enjoy leisure time at Huvsgul Lake. After refreshments, trek to the nearby mountain and do some horse back riding along the shore. Taking a motor boat to the other shore of the river is optional. If the water is warm enough, you can swim in the crystal clear lake and do some fishing. Visit a reindeer breeding family (Tsaatan) living on the shore of the lake. Tent camping on the way to Huvsgul and stay overnight at the ger tourist camp when in Huvsgul
Day 19: Drive back to Murun and catch your flight back to Ulaanbaatar City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 20: Drive to the 13th century complex and Chinggis (Genghis) Khan complex. See how the Mongols lived in the 13th century.
Day 21: Tour Ulaanbaatar City for a full day. Visit Gandan Monastery, and the Museum of National History. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 22: Take advantage of free time before your departure. Visit some cashmere, clothing, souvenir and antique shops. Transfer to the airport.
Price
| 1. | Add State Naadam Festival during July 10-12 or Naadam Festival either in South Gobi, Arkhagai, Huvsgul provinces or Khar-Khorin |
| 2. | Stay longer or shorter with the nomadic family |
| 3. | Remove either Lake Huvsgul, Central Mongolia or Gobi Desert Gobi, Eastern Mongolia component |
| 4. | Add 1-3 day horseback riding trip |
| 5. | Stay longer at Lake Huvsgul for leisure |
| 6. | Add or Remove 1-2 day Ulaanbaatar City Tour |
Tips for your stay in Mongolia
| • | Pack some warm clothes. It can be quite chilly in the evening in the countryside, even in summer. |
| • | Any major currency can be exchanged for Mongolian currency, "tugrug", at banks or exchange points in the capital, Ulaanbaatar City. But this is not the case anywhere else in Mongolia. |
| • | The exchange rate of Mongolian currency fort major currencies can be found at http://www.tdbm.mn. |
| • | You can buy a cell phone with a prepaid calling card for about $100 U.S. Cell phone service covers about a half of the Mongolian administrative unit centers. International call is possible in those areas from cell phones. |
| • | It is possible to pay for purchases with credit cards only in a few shops in Ulaanbaatar City. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. |
| • | The internet is rarely available, once you leave the capital city. |
| • | It is a good idea to keep your passport and documents in the safe deposit box of your hotel. |
| • | If your itinerary includes a domestic flight, you can carry 10 kilos (22 pound) of baggage for free. |
| • | It is alright to refuse if you are offered alcoholic drinks or fermented mare's milk. But to show respect, you may take a small taste or just dip your upper lip into the drink. |
| • | Do not drink too much fermented mare's milk, unless you have tried it before. Fermented mare's milk from different areas can have a different effect on your digestive system. |
Copyright © 2010 by "Orient Expeditions" LLC • All Rights reserved • E-Mail: info@mongoliatravels.com
| • | Further price reductions for group(s) of 15 people or more. Contact us |
| • | One person is free for a group of every 15 people |
| • | Seasonal discounts / offers may be available. Check here |
The price INCLUDES:
The price does NOT INCLUDE:
| A. | International and domestic airfare and airport charges, international train ticket, if applies. |
| B. | Any type of insurance. |
| C. | Personal purchase such as cigarette, mini bar, telephone. |
| D. | Alcoholic drinks. |
| A. | All accommodation cost, including hotel in Ulaanbaatar city, Ger tourist camp and tent camping costs. (for tent camping, bringing your own sleeping bag is recommended, but not required) |
| B. | All vehicle expense, horseback riding costs, riding equipments and horse-related expenses, if any |
| C. | Everyday 3 meals. |
| D. | National park entrance fee, road tax, museum and entertainment fees. |
| E. | All other taxes in Mongolia. |
| F. | Service of tour guide and driver and other staff. |
| G. | Mineral water, soft drinks. |
|
Number of people in your group |
2 | 3-4 | 5-10 | 11 - 14 |
| Price per person (in USD) | 2890 |
2690 |
2590 | 2390 |