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18
Wild Monglia - from nomadic culture to eagle hunting in the Altai Mountains
The group flight is scheduled to arrive in Ulaanbaatar this morning. The tour starts at our hotel in the city centre. This afternoon/evening there will be a welcome briefing in the hotel, followed by a group welcome dinner. Standard Hotel
We have the whole day to discover Ulaanbaatar. Our sightseeing tour will include a visit to Zaisan Hill where we'll see the memorial painting which honours allied Mongolia and Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II. We'll also visit the Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum, which houses one of the largest collections in the country and we'll go on a cashmere factory tour.Standard Hotel
In the morning we head west out of Ulaanbaatar towards Karakorum, making a detour to the KhustainNuruu National Park, 2 hours west of UlaanBaatar. KhustainNuruu is famous for the re-introduction of Mongolia's wild horse. The Takhi Horse or Przewalski's horse was once native to Mongolia and almost became extinct earlier this century, though thanks to the efforts of several Mongolian and international organizations, these magnificent wild horses now roam once again on the steppes of KhustainNuruu National Park. We will visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses before spending our first night in a traditional Mongolian Ger.Ger Camp
After breakfast we continue our journey westwards towards Karakorum along an asphalt road. Today's destination, the Mongol Els or 'Little Gobi Desert' as it is known, is a unique belt of sand dunes in the steppe. Arriving at lunchtime, we check into a nearby ger camp and after lunch head out to explore the surrounding region. It is an incredible sight to witness the Bactrian camels wandering the desert dunes whilst horses graze on the green steppe nearby. We will also visit Mt Khogno Khan, the small temple at its base. This region is also renowned for its birdlife, including steppe eagles. Mt Khogno Khan offers a great spot for bird watching where we will stay for a while before we return to camp in the late afternoon.Ger Camp
We start the day with a (90km) transfer to the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire - Karakorum. Karakorum was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongols power base until Khublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Here we will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery (meaning Hundred Treasures), this is the largest Monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital. Much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalin's purges of the 1930's but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and a number of temples still remain.Ger Camp
We drive on a paved road to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag and on the northern edge of the Gobi. On the way to Arvaikheer we visit Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theorist Zanabazar. We should arrive at Arvaikheer during the middle of the afternoon and check into our hotel. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the local museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts.Standard Hotel
After an early breakfast we start towards Orog Lake via Bayanteegsoum, a coal-mining centre. Passing over Taats River, the majestic Ikh Bogd Mountain should be visible in the distance, the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai Mountain Range. We stop for a picnic lunch and then skirt the eastern edge of Mt Ikh Bogd, travelling a further 80km southwest to the Gobi Camels Ger Camp where we spend the night.Ger Camp
We start our journey southwards with a short drive (2-3 hours) to the Bayan Mountain Range to view petroglyphs (Rock Art), called Bichigt Khad. The rock inscriptions and pictures here date back to 3000 BC; we will see paintings including depictions of ibex, argali and men riding horses. It is possible to see some of these from the vehicles (better so with binoculars) but for those who wish, it is also possible to hike up to the cliffs for closer inspection of these Bronze Age works of art (the main cliff is a steep climb for 50-60m and walking poles are required so we usually visit the smaller cliff, which is more accessible). Our journey then continues through classic Gobi desert scenery of flat stony plains mixed with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch on the way, with views of the Bogd Mountain to the north. After lunch we head off to our ger camp in the Kongoriin Els sand dunes and should arrive there in the late afternoon.Ger Camp
Today we have a full day to explore the sand dunes and surrounding area. The Khongoriin Els stretch for 200km and reach heights of 300 meters in places. They are known as the 'Singing Dunes' because of the beautiful sound that resonates through the dunes on a windy day. The South Gobi has 100,000 camels, typically used by herders to transport their gers. We will take the opportunity today to visit a camel breeding family and get a glimpse of the way of life of the nomadic herders of these parts.Ger Camp
This morning we drive through the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means 'Three Beauties of the Gobi' and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai mountain range. The park's landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs, ravines, salt pans and oases. We visit a spectacular natural sight of this region - Yolyn Am. Yolyn Am means Vulture's Mouth and is a canyon so deep and narrow that even in the height of summer winter ice can remain on the valley floor. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species can be found here, including Khulan, Ibex, Argali and Snow Leopard. We explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight.Ger Camp
Today we make a short drive to Bayanzag (70 km) known as the Flaming cliffs and hike amongst colourful sands of red, yellow and orange. Bayanzag is a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, discovered in the 1920s by Mongolian and American Palaeontologists. We are free to explore the region and may even be lucky enough to spot dinosaur fossils. After a picnic lunch we head to our camp for the afternoon.Ger Camp
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the mid-morning flight to Ulaanbaatar (please note that we may be flying at a different time, possibly even the evening before depending on the airline's changeable schedules). Once back in UB we transfer to the Terelj National Park, here there are lots of things to see and we will spend the day exploring the fascinating rock formations, visiting the meditation temple and strolling through the green meadows carpeted with wild flowers. After lunch at our camp we will make a short trip to visit a local nomadic family to see how they live and hear about the nomadic way of life, here we will also enjoy a tasting experience of homemade dairy products, such as yoghurt, cheese, curds and traditional salty milk tea.Ger Camp
After breakfast we drive to the giant Chinggis Khan Statue, standing at 40 meters tall and made of stainless steel it is quite a sight! Here we have some time to fully explore the statue and surrounding area before making our way back to Ulaanbaatar where we have the option to go and see a live performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance. Performed by the world famous Tumen Ekh dance troupe, we will see throat singers, contortionists and Tsam dancers.Standard Hotel
In the morning we fly to Olgii in western Mongolia, from where we drive off-road for about an hour to Sagsai village. Here we visit the home of the Kazakh people; there will be plenty to see and do. We spend the day seeing how they go about daily life, taking care of and milking the cows, goats and sheep and we may even get to help process the dairy products. We will also be able to sample their traditional food and taste home-made yak cheese and yogurt. This is a great opportunity to explore the real way of living like a nomadic family and to personally experience their friendliness and hospitality. In the afternoon we return to Olgii and stay overnight at Ger Camp.Ger Camp
Today we attend the Eagle festival. For the first day of the festival, we will see the competition for the best Kazakh costume, horse racing and archery. In the evening we will see a cultural performance in the local theatre.Ger Camp
Today we have another chance to witness the competitions and events of the Eagle festival. We will be able to see a demonstration from the eagles and their hunters, a camel race and the lively competition of Kukhbar. Kukhbar is essentially a fighting match on horseback where two riders have to fight over a goat skin each trying to claim possession of it. After enjoying the festivities we return to camp for dinner.Ger Camp
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the mid-morning flight to UlaanBaatar, arriving in the nation's capital at midday. We transfer to the hotel and freshen up before a light lunch. This afternoon is free for last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping around UB - cashmere, leather goods and traditional handicrafts are all good options and the guide will recommend the best places to go for these. Night owls may want to sample the nightlife of UlaanBaatar!Standard Hotel
5 nights hotels, all en suite and 12 nights ger camp with shared
facilitiesNormally 4 to 16, plus local leader, Min age 16 yrsTravel by 4WD,
bus and internal flightsThis deparure visits Khustain Nuruu N. P. at the
start of the trip
All breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners included.Traditional Mongolian
diets are very meat and dairy heavy. Whilst there will be opportunities to
try some of these products such as dry-curd and fermented mare’s milk, the
meals provided in the ger camps are generally western meals, at times with an
Asian influence. There will normally be some form of soup and salad as well
as a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for, if
you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements please make sure to
inform us in advance. Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are
buffet style whilst others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot
dish will be provided. On some days a pack lunch will be provided, this is
often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and
will generally be from 5L water-containers so make sure to bring a water
bottle to decant into. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the
time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is opportunity to buy
snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple other occasions along the way when we
drive through towns or villages.
5 nights hotels, all en suite and 12 nights ger camp with shared
facilitiesNormally 4 to 16, plus local leader, Min age 16 yrsTravel by 4WD,
bus and internal flightsThis deparure visits Khustain Nuruu N. P. at the
start of the trip
Mongolia is 6.5 times larger than the UK but with a population 21 times
smaller. Understandably this means that large tracts of the country do not
have much infrastructure. Much of our time is spent in areas where roads are
barely tracks through the landscape. On this trip we go further into the
wilderness than the average visitor to Mongolia and whilst this allows us to
travel through stunning parts of the country, encountering few people other
than the odd nomad, it does mean that some days involve long and bumpy
drives. These drives are balanced out with some downtime to relax and just
take in the incredible surroundings or offer, with the option of going for a
walk or even, at times a horse or camel ride. There are some scheduled hikes,
looking for wild Takhi horses, visiting the Singing sand dunes, Vulture
canyon or the Flaming cliffs, for instance. These are relatively short, no
more than one or two hours on mostly flat or undulating terrain. The Flaming
Cliffs hike may not be recommended if you have an acute fear of heights and
can involve some scrambling, however, it’s possible to still enjoy great
views of the cliffs and opt out of the walk. The climate in central Mongolia
is generally pleasant in summer when the trip runs. In the Gobi Desert,
however, temperatures can get well above 30’C, even approaching 40’C.
This is a trip that goes off the ‘tourist trail’ and comes to the
encounter of local nomads. It takes us through spectacular and diverse
wilderness and gives us an insight into a fascinating country unlike any
other.
5 nights hotels, all en suite and 12 nights ger camp with shared facilitiesWe use hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Arvaikheer and ger camps elsewhere. Gers are
similar to yurts, generally airy and comfortable with beds and, normally, a
central wood-burning stove (though in the summer the stoves are not normally
needed). The bathrooms are shared and all have hot water (however due to the
remoteness of the camps this can, at times be erratic). Many of the ger camps
now have 24hr electricity in the ger itself for charging batteries. If there
is no charging facility inside the ger itself then there are charging
facilities in the common area (though this may during limited periods of the
day only when the generator is turned on). Accommodation at the eagle
festival will be four people per ger, for the rest of the camps it will be
two people per ger and hotels will be on a twin share basis too. Due to the
remoteness of Ulgii, there is a limited choice of accommodation and the ger
camps here are more basic than elsewhere. There may also be rare occasions
when a single cannot be guaranteed in a particular ger camp.
All breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners included.Traditional Mongolian
diets are very meat and dairy heavy. Whilst there will be opportunities to
try some of these products such as dry-curd and fermented mare’s milk, the
meals provided in the ger camps are generally western meals, at times with an
Asian influence. There will normally be some form of soup and salad as well
as a main course and desert. Vegetarians are generally well catered for, if
you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements please make sure to
inform us in advance. Breakfasts can vary from place to place, some are
buffet style whilst others are set, normally cereal, bread and possibly a hot
dish will be provided. On some days a pack lunch will be provided, this is
often still a proper meal (though without the soup). Water is provided and
will generally be from 5L water-containers so make sure to bring a water
bottle to decant into. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, vodka and (most of the
time) wine are available to buy at the ger camps. There is opportunity to buy
snacks in Ulaanbaatar and on a couple other occasions along the way when we
drive through towns or villages.
We travel around in a convoy of 4WD vehicles as we make our way around
central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. These are generally 6 seater (including
the driver) vehicle but we normally will use them for 4 passengers (plus the
driver). For journeys around Ulgii we use Russian vans, which although less
comfortable than the vehicles used elsewhere on the trip, are more durable on
the off-road sections. Driving in the wilderness can be hard going on the
vehicles and they sometimes may get a puncture or may need to be cooled down
from overheating so pelase come with an open mind. We may also use a coach
for getting around Ulaabaatar and Terelj National Park. We also use internal
flight.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 20 daysThe group flight from London
departs two days before Day 1 of the itinerary. There is no same day
connection from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar at this time of year. The group
flights, therefore, involve an overnight flight from London to Beijing,
followed by a hotel night in Beijing (the hotel is provided by the airline
and you will be issued with a transit visa, at the discretion of the airport
immigration), and an onward flight to Ulaanbaatar the next day.Flights from
LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of Air China (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.Travelling
land only: 18 days starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar Your trip normally
starts at our accommodation in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon of Day 1 of the
itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final
Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check
the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this
transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your
own expense.The cost of a taxi is likely to be about £16 (approx. US$25)
should you decide to make your way independently.
September/October is very much shoulder season in Mongolia. Temperatures can
vary quite widely from very hot to freezing and you should pack for both hot
and cold weather as you’ll be in a t-shirt one minute and a down jacket the
next. This is possibly the best time to visit the Gobi Desert as the
temperatures cool down and the crowds have mostly gone. In Olgii, where the
Eagle Festival takes place, the weather is likely to be cold with
temperatures averaging 7’C.
In addition to your 'normal' daily clothes, you will need the following
essential items:SunhatSunglassesStrong sunblock creamFleece and down
jacketgloves and hatGood mosquito repellentRain jacketWalking shoes or boots
are essentialA water bottletorch / headtorch warm sleepwear (the nights in
the camps gets cold)Small gifts from home for local herders are a nice touch;
ideal gifts include pictures from home, pictures of family, children's
presents (colouring‐in books and pencils etc), as well as anything
practical for home, sewing kits etc (not knives)Binoculars are recommended
for Eagle festival departuresBedding, including blankets and clean sheets,
are provided at the ger camps.At time of writing the standard weight limit
for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is
20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.Internal
flights are subject to a weight limit of 10kg for checked-in luggage and 5kg
for hand luggage, it's possible to pay for extra weight (US$2/kg).As advice
about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to
change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
An extra US$150 should be budgeted for incidental expenses such as laundry,
telephone and excursions into the nightlife of Ulaanbaatar. Cashmere, leather
products, carpets, woodcarvings, watercolour paintings and traditional
Mongolian dolls all make great souvenirs - US$100 is a modest souvenir
budget. Baggage allowance on domestic flights (including both checked and
carry-on) is small - 10kg (checked in) +5kg (hand luggage) - and excess
baggage charges are US$2 per kg, so light packing would be advantageous.
Tipping is at your discretion, but is customary in Mongolia and has become
standard for tourism. We have found that a tip kitty is the easiest way to
ensure that the correct levels are given out. This will include tips for
local staff at the camps, hotels and airports as well as your driver. Your
leader will advise the amount, which will depend on the size of the group.
You should budget around US$75-100 for this.This tip kitty will not include
the tip for your leader, which is discretionary, though USD30-50 is common.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodationAirport transfers for Land Only
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