Mongolian Panoramas

Day 1 – Sep 18. Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the centrally located hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we will provide your pre-trip briefing and then host a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; D)

Day 2 – Sep 19. Ulaanbaatar

We will spend this day exploring sights and sounds of Mongolia’s capital. Begin this morning with a private blessing of a Buddhist monk at Gandan, the country’s largest monastery. An imposing 90-foot-tall statue of Megjid Janraisag ( Avalokites – vara in Sanskrit) stands in the largest temple in the monastery. This statue is considered the religious symbol of Mongolia’s independence and democracy after the country’s democratic transition in 1990. When a Mongolian student in the mid-1990s discovered fragments of the original statue (which was destroyed by Soviet authorities in the 1930s) in St. Petersburg, a nationwide campaign began to collect money for rebuilding the Buddha. After years of hard work, this magnificent Buddha was resurrected and is now standing proud, making all Mongolian Buddhists happy.
Next, we will visit the National History Museum located in downtown Ulaanbaatar. This museum offers an excellent introduction to Mongolia’s history from prehistoric times through the 13th century Mongolian Empire, and on to the democratic movement of the early 1990s, which overthrew the Communist regime.
After lunch, we will visit the Zanabazar’s Fine Arts Museum with its excellent collection of Mongolia’s arts, including golden Buddha statues of 17th century and some of the best preserved tankas in the world.
In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance, featuring Khoomii or “throat” singing, followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Day 3 – Sep 20. Hovsgol Lake

After breakfast, we will fly north to Lake Hovsgol, known also as the “Dark Blue Pearl”. This magnificent lake is one of most scenic regions in the country, and located at the foothills of breathtaking Horidal Saridag Mountains to the west and the Siberia to the north. Lake Hovsgol contains 70% of all of Mongolia’s potable water
resources and there are no industries along the lakeshore. Entire lake falls under a National Park boundaries and Mongolia has a rare chance of preserving this ancient lake in its original form. Upon arrival, in Murun transfer to your ger camp, located on the shore of the Lake Hovsgol.
Gers are Mongolians’ traditional tents, made of a circular latticed wood structure covered with layers of thick felt. Gers are heated by a wood burning stove and furnished with traditional painted furniture. Based on double
occupancy, they provide an authentic and memorable taste of Mongolian culture and allow you to visit areas which otherwise lack traveler accommodations. (Ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 4 – Sep 21. Horsetrek along the lake

Enjoy a day riding horses, visiting local herder families along the way and hiking. Those choosing this trip should be comfortable traveling on horseback over variable and sometimes steep terrain. We will ride Mongolian horses, legendary for their stamina, sturdy build, and ability to negotiate difficult terrain. Saddles will be the so called Russian cavalry type with a cushion, and you will be provided with a riding helmet.
Each night come back to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 5 – Sep 22. Murun / Ulaanbaatar

Today we drive to Murun, provincial center of Hovsgol to fly back to Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; D)

Day 6 – Sep 23. Ulaanbaatar / Gobi Desert

In the morning, meet your guide and begin driving south to the Gobi desert. On this journey, you will witness the northern Mongolian grassland ecosystem transforming into that of the Gobi ecosystem gradually. En route, stop at Mandalgovi town for a road lunch. We will continue driving and will arrive at our ger camp located at the heart of the Gobi in the evening. Check in to your ger and enjoy dinner. Overnight in gers. (Approx. 8 hours driving; B, L, D)

Day 7 – Sep 24. Gobi / Khongoryn Els  dunes

After breakfast, begin driving to the Khongoryn Els dunes, Gobi’s largest of the dunes. Here, we will enjoy climbing the tallest dune and visiting a camel herder family to sample ride Bactrian camels. Overnight at a tourist class ger camp. (Approx. 3 hours driving; Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 8 – Sep 25. Khongoryn Els dunes

Spend one full day for various photography sessions including for the endemic Saxual tree forest, the incredible landscape and Mongolia’s two humped camels and friendly Mongolian herders. Overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 9 – Sep 26. Havtsgait Petroglyphs / Flaming Cliffs

In the morning, drive to the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park and visit Havtsgait Petroglyphs site, where hundreds of pre-historic rock drawings are found on a mountain top. Next, drive to the ger camp and enjoy lunch.
In the late afternoon, drive to the Flaming Cliffs, a red cliff stretching about 3 km in wide, where hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been found. Paleontological expeditions from many countries, including from U.S, Poland, Japan and Russia have worked here in the last 80 years. Each year rain and wind reveals yet more fossils and every summer new discoveries are made. We will equip ourselves with brushes and small cleaning materials and look for rare fossils hidden in the cliffs. Enjoy a sunset dinner at this majestic place before returning back to our ger camp. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 10 – Sep 27. Gobi Desert / Ulaanbaatar

In the morning, begin driving back to Ulaanbaatar, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day is independent. Overnight in gers. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Day 11 – Sep 28. Bayan-Ulgii

Today, we will fly to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, home to Kazakhs and many other ethnic groups of the western Mongolia. Though Kazakhs’ pastoral-nomadic lifestyle is similar to that of the Mongolians, these nomads are predominantly Muslim. Explore the city and visit its’ market with a chance to purchase renowned Kazakh hand made art crafts including felt rugs. Then, if time permits, visit a local museum, which displays excellent cultural and natural
exhibits. In the evening retreat to Khovd River on the eastern part of the city. There is an excellent chance to do evening fishing for trout. Overnight in gers. (Rustic Ger Camp; B, L, D).

Day 12 – Sep 29. Hatuu Mountains

Spend this day trekking in the neighboring Hatuu mountains and visiting `local herder families of different ethnicity. Enjoy lunch with a family. Meet hunters and engage in discussions over this ancient trade. Dinner and overnight at the camp. (Rustic Ger Camp; B, L, D).

Day 13-14. Sep 30-Oct 1. The Golden Eagle festival

For two days, attend the magnificent Golden Eagle Festival. The festival begins with a parade of eagle hunters coming into the central field and showcasing their hunter eagles to the public. Eagle skills are then tested by releasing them from a cliff top to time how fast they can land on their owners’ arms when called. Attend competitions of a traditional tug of war game called kukbar , also witness tenge ilu and kyzguar which all involve horseback riding and have been brought back to life thanks to the Eagle festival. One of the highlights of the festival will be the archery contest by ethnic Uriankhai people, who will compete by their skills by traditional Mongolian arrow and bow which have retained the same design and force since the 13th century. The eagle festival was established in 2000 and became one of truly authentic events of the western Mongolia with average of 70-80 competitors traveling to Bayan Ulgii from all local villages and being a very much anticipated holiday for all people of Bayan Ulgii.
In the evenings, enjoy a traditional Kazakh meal followed by beautiful Kazakh singers performing for us on the last evening. Overnight in gers. (Rustic ger camp; B, L, D)

Day 15 – Oct 2 Ulgii / Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, drive back to Ulgii for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the afternoon for shopping and individual sightseeing. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Day 16 – Oct 3. Ulaanbaatar

Today, we will spend exploring the city for last minute sightseeing and shopping. UB is the hub of Mongolia’s cultural and commercial center and is rich with museums, shops and entertainment. After our field trips, we will spend this day relaxing in the city.
Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening at a fine local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Day 17 – Oct 4. Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B)