Mongolia - Go Nomadic

MONGOLIA - GO NOMADIC

Mongolia, twice as big as Texas and with less than 2 mill. inhabitants, has the lowest population density of any independent country. And it is this vast and majestic emptiness, that is the country's enduring appeal, bringing travellers, as it does, into a close communion with its stunning nature and its nomadic traditions.

A land of undisturbed nature and untouched culture, endless intriguing deserts, tundra forrests, vast grassland and steppes, majestic snowcapped mountains, crystalclear lakes, rich and ancient culture dating back to the time of the great Genghis Khan.

Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, with over 1 mill inhabitants, is a large city of pulsating commerce, noisy traffic and buzzing urban life and in between islands of serenity – quiet monastery courtyards, public squares with calming fountains and odd patios. The river, Tuul Gol, offers a cool respite, while the four holy mountains surrounding the city provide its backdrop.

We hereby present selection of roundtrips in Mongolia including the Gobi Desert in the south of the country and the central parts of Mongolia around the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Accommodation outside Ulaanbaatar is taking place in traditional Mongolian Ger Camps and the tours include encounters with the nomads on the steppes, camel and horse riding and getting acquainted with century old traditions.

Mongolia can easily be combined with Siberia and China and the program also include tours combining Irkutsk and the Lake Baikal with Mongolia and tours combining Mongolia with the great cities of China.

9 DAYS: Siberia and Mongolia:

Novosibirsk – Irkutsk – Ulaanbaatar – Terelj – Ulaanbaatar

Program:

Day 1: Arrival in Novosibirsk Arrival in Novosibirsk, transfer to Hotel Doubletree Hilton Novosibirsk****, check-in, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 2: Departure from Novosibirsk Breakfast, 09.00-13.00 city sightseeing tour incl. Lenin’s Square, Opera and Ballet Theater, Chapel of St. Nikolai, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Voznesensky Cathedral (entrance) and Central market, 14.00-18.00 visit to Academgorodok, the largest centre of Academic Science in Russia, located 30 km from Novosibirsk, visit to Mineralogical Museum with a unique collection of minerals, ancient fauna and flora and decorative stones (entrance), 19.00 dinner at Restaurant “Maniloff”, 21.00 transfer to railway station, 22.19 departure with train 4 “Chinese”

Day 3: With Trans-Siberian Railways to Irkutsk On the Trans-Siberian Railways via Krasnoyarsk to Irkutsk, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the train

Day 4: Arrival to Irkutsk 04.47 Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to Hotel Courtyard Irkutsk City Centre****, check-in, breakfast, 10.00- 18.00 city sightseeing tour including Church of the Savior, Epiphany Church, Irkutsk Drama Theater, Wooden Houses, Prince Volkonsky Mansion, Dekabrist Museum at Prince Trubetskoy Mansion (entrance) and Znamensky Monastery, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 5: Irkutsk – Lake Baikal – Irkutsk, departure from Irkutsk, arrival in Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00-18.00 excursion to Lake Baikal, transfer to Listvyanka located 68 km south-east from Irkutsk, visit to Baikal Museum (entrance), chairlift to Chersky Point for a view of Lake Baikal (entrance), tour to Listvyanka with visit to St. Nicolas’ Church and Fish Market, visit Baikal seal show in Listvyanka Nerpinarium (entrance), return to Irkutsk, en route visit to Talsty Open Air Museum of Wooden Architecture (entrance), 18.00 dinner at Restaurant „Stof”, 19.30 transfer to airport, 22.00 departure with NM102 Mongolian Airlines bound for Ulaanbaatar, 22.30 arrival, transfer to Hotel Bayangol****, check-in

Day 6: Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00-17.00 Ulaanbaatar sightseeing tour including the Gandantegchilen Monastery (entrance), Parliament, Sukhbaatar Palace with the Sukhbaatar Monument, visit to the National Museum of Mongolian History (entrance), Winter Palace of Bodg Khan (entrance) and Zaisan Monument, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park Breakfast, 09.00 transfer to Terelj National Park, en route visit to Genghis Khan Statue, tour of the park 12.00 check-in and lunch at Alungoo Ger Camp, 14.00-18.00 tour of Terelj National Park, visit Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery (entrance), 19.00 dinner at Alungoo Ger Camp

Day 8: Terelj National Park - Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00 continue the excursion in Terelj National Park and visit to a nomadic family, 13.00 lunch at the Alungoo Ger Camp, 15.00 return to Ulaanbaatar, 16.30 check-in at Hotel Bayangol****, 18.00 dinner at hotel, 20.00 visit to Tumen Ekh Ensemble Theatre with folklore concert, return to hotel

Day 9: Departure from Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, transfer to the airport, departure flight

9 DAYS: Mongolia:

Ulaanbaatar – Khustai – Kharkhorin – Bayangobi – Terelj - Ulaanbaatar

Program:

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Arrival at the airport of Ulaanbaatar, transfer to Hotel Bayangol****, check-in, leisure, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00-17.00 Ulaanbaatar sightseeing tour including the Gandantegchilen Monastery (entrance), Parliament, Sukhbaatar Palace with the Sukhbaatar Monument, visit to the National Museum of Mongolian History (entrance), Winter Palace of Bodg Khan (entrance) and Zaisan Monument, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 4: Ulaanbaatar - Khustai Breakfast, 10.00 drive to Khustai National Park (120 km), 12.00 check-in and lunch at Khustai Ger Camp, 14.00-18.00 tour of Khustai National Park including view of wild horses (entrance). The famous Przewalski horses, live in the park. These endangered wild living horses were redistributed in 1992 and today over 100 horses live in the park. 19.00 dinner at Khustai Ger Camp

Day 5: Khustai - Kharkhorin Breakfast, 09.00 drive to Kharkhorin (280 km), the ancient capital of the Great Mongolian Empire and one of the stop-overs of the legendary Silk Route, 13.00 Check-in and lunch at Anar Ger camp, 14.30-18.00 Visit the Erdenezuu Monastery (entrance), the first Buddhist monastery of Mongolia with an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, religious objects and dresses, 19.00 dinner at the Anar Ger Camp

Day 6: Kharkhorin - Bayangobi Breakfast, 09.00 drive to Bayangobi (100 km), 11.00 arrival and short tour of the surroundings with sand dunes, forests and cliffs, visit to the Erdene Khambyn Khuree Monastery (entrance), which was founded by the enlightened philosopher and religious teacher, Bogd Gegeen ZanabazarIt, and is located on the majestic mountains of Khugnu Khaan, 13.30 Check-in and lunch at the Hovor Zagal Ger Camp, 15.00-17.00 visit to a nomadic family, 19:00 dinner at Hovor Zagal Ger Camp

Day 7: Bayangobi - Terelj Breakfast, 09.00 drive to Terelj National Park (380 km), on the way picnic-lunch, 16.00 arrival and check-in at Alungoo Ger Camp, possibility for horse-riding and biking, 19.00 dinner at Alungoo Ger Camp

Day 8: Terelj – Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00-13.00 tour of Terelj National Park, sightseeing of the picturesque landscapes, visit Turtle Rock (entrance), 13.00 lunch in Alungoo Ger Camp, 15.00 return to Ulaanbaatar (65 km), on the way visit to Genghis Khan Statue, 17.00 arrival in Ulaanbaatar and check-in at Hotel Bayangol****, 18.00 Dinner at hotel, 20.00 visit to Tumen Ekh Ensemble Theatre with folklore concert, return to hotel

Day 9: Departure from Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, transfer to the airport, departure flight

11 days: Mongolia:

Ulaanbaatar – Bayangobi – Kharkhorin – Gobi Desert – Ulaanbaatar

Program:

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to Hotel Bayangol****, check-in, leisure, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 3: Ulaanbaatar - Bayangobi Breakfast, 08.00 transfer to the Bayangobi (275 km), a unique place with many different forms of natural landscape, a combination of sand dunes, forests and rocky mountains, 13.00 check-in and lunch at the Hoyor Zagal Ger Camp, 14.30-17.00 visit to the Erdene Khambyn Khuree Monastery (entrance), which was founded by the enlightened philosopher and religious teacher Bogd Gegeen ZanabazarIt, and is located on the majestic mountains of Khugnu Khaan,. 19.00 dinner at Hoyor Zagal Ger Camp

Day 4: Bayangobi - Kharkhorin Breakfast, 09.00 transfer to Kharkhorin (100 km), the ancient capital of Great Mongolian Empire and one of the stop-overs of the legendary Silk Route. 10.30 Visit the Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery of Mongolia with an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, religious objects and dresses, 13.00 Check-in and lunch at Anar Ger Camp, 14.30-12.00 Visit horse breeding family and experience the making of airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made from horse milk. Horse riding opportunity on genuine Mongolian wooden saddles. 19.00 dinner at Anar Ger Camp

Day 5: Kharkhorin-Gobi Desert (Ongiin) Breakfast, 08.00 drive in the direction of south, to the semi-desert Gobi land (300 km). 13.00 check-in and lunch at Ongi Ger Camp, 14.30-17.00 visit to the ruins of Ongiin Khiid Monastery, built in the 18th century and the main religious centre of South Mongolia, where monks practice Buddhist philosophy, astrology and medicine. 19.00 Dinner at Ongi Ger Camp

Day 6: Gobi Desert (Bayanzag) Breakfast, 09.00 continue to Bayanzag Cliffs, (200 km)) formed 60-70 million years ago, known as a the Flaming Cliffs, The striking red Bayanzag Cliffs contains vast amounts of dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones, short tour of Bayanzag Cliffs, 13.00 check-in and lunch at Gobi Bayanburd Ger Camp, leisure, opportunity for trekking or riding camels. 19.00 dinner Gobi Bayanburd Ger Camp.

Day 7: Gobi Desert (Khongoriin) Breakfast, 09.00 continue to the Khongoriin Els sand dunes, that stretch for 180 km, and are until 20 km wide. The sand dunes lie on the northern part of the mountain range Servei and Zuulun. The sound of masses of wind-blown sand is heard from a far distance. 13.00 check-in and lunch at the at the Gobi Anar Ger Camp, 14.30-17.00 trekking in the sand dunes, 19.00 dinner at Gobi Anar Ger Camp.

Day 8: Gobi Desert (Gurvan Saikhan) Breakfast, 08.00 drive to the majestic Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (230 km), 13.00 check-in and lunch at Khanbogd Ger Camp. 14.30-17.00 Tour of the Yol Valley, an unusual narrow canyon of a river that flows through the Zuun Saikhan Mountain. During the summer rainfall, water runs from the top of the walls forming waterfalls. Opportunity to trek along the canyon and observe rarely found Argali wild sheep and Ibex mountain goats. 19.00 dinner at Khanbogd Ger Camp.

Day 9: Gobi Desert (Middle Gobi) Breakfast, 08.00 depart in the direction of Middle Gobi (300 km) On the route meet the nomads on the steppe with their hordes of sheep, cattle and horses, lunch at a nomadic family, 17.00 arrival and check-in at Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp, 19.00 dinner at the Ger Camp

Day 10: Gobi Desert (Middle Gobi) - Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 08.00 departure to Ulaanbaatar (350 km), scenic drive through the Baga Gazriin Chuluu, basalt and granite rock mountain and visit to ruins of 17 th century Buddhist Meditation Temple, picnic lunch, 17.00 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and check-in at Hotel Bayangol****, 18.00 Dinner at hotel, 20.00 visit to Tumen Ekh Ensemble Theatre with folklore concert, return to hotel

Day 11: Departure Breakfast, transfer to the airport, departure flight

11 DAYS: Mongolia and China:

Ulaanbaatar – Terelj – Ulaanbaatar – Beijing – Shanghai

Program:

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to Hotel Bayangol****, check-in, 20.00 dinner at hotel

Day 3: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National Park Breakfast, 09.00 transfer to Terelj National Park, en route visit to Genghis Khan Statue, tour of the park 12.00 check-in and lunch at Alungoo Ger Camp, 14.00-18.00 tour of Terelj National Park, visit Turtle Rock and Aryabal Monastery (entrance), 19.00 dinner at Alungoo Ger Camp

Day 4: Terelj National Park - Ulaanbaatar Breakfast, 09.00 continue the excursion in Terelj National Park and visit to nomad family, 13.00 lunch at the Alungoo Ger Camp, 15.00 return to Ulaanbaatar, 16.30 check-in at Hotel Bayangol****, 18.00 Dinner at hotel, 20.00 visit to Tumen Ekh Ensemble Theatre with folklore concert, return to hotel

Day 5: Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Trans-Mongolian Railways Breakfast, 06.00 transfer to railway station, 07.15 departure with train 4 “Chinese” bound for Beijing, lunch, dinner on train

Day 6: Trans-Mongolian Railways, arrival in Beijing On the Trans-Mongolian Railways to Beijing, breakfast on train, 14.04 arrival in Beijing, transfer to Hotel Jianguo****, check-in, leisure, 19.00 dinner at hotel

Day 7: Beijing Breakfast, 09.00-17.00 Beijing sightseeing tour including visit to Beijing Financial District, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (entrance), the Palace of Heaven (entrance), Panda Zoo (entrance) and Olympic Stadium, 19.00 dinner at hotel

Day 8: Beijing Breakfast, 09.00-17.00 Excursion with visit to the Badaling Great Wall (entrance) and to the Ming Tombs (entrance), 19.00 dinner at hotel

Day 9: Departure from Beijing, arrival in Shanghai Breakfast, 09.00 transfer to Beijing South Railway Station, 10.00 departure with high-speed train bound for Shanghai, 14.55 arrival at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, transfer to Hotel Astor****, check-in, leisure, 19.00 dinner at hotel

Day 10: Shanghai Breakfast, 09.00-18.00 Shanghai sightseeing tour including visit to the Bund, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Pudong Financial District, Yu Yuan Gardens (entrance) and the Jade Bhudda Temple (entrance), 20.00 dinner cruise at the Huangpu River

Day 11: Departure from Shanghai Breakfast, transfer to the airport, departure flight

Hotel Descriptions

Hotel Doubletree by Hilton****, Novosibirsk

Address: 7/1 Kamenskaya Str., Novosibirsk, 630099, Russia, tel. +7 3832 230 100, www.doubletree3.hilton.com

Doubletree by Hilton is a very comfortable 4-star hotel conveniently located 4 km from the centre of Novosibirsk. Local tourist attractions like Globus Theatre, Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre and Pervomaisky Square are not far from the hotel. Room facilities include climate control, clock radio, coffee/tea maker, free local calls and phone. In-room entertainment options include pay movies, premium television channel(s) and satellite television; additional charges are applied for wired high-speed Internet access. There are also restaurant, bar/ lounge, gift shop, newspapers stand, hair salon and tennis court, indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities, concierge desk, room service (24 hours), safe-deposit box at the front desk, well-equipped business centre with audio-visual equipment and conference and meeting rooms.

Hotel Courtyard Marriott Irkutsk****, Irkutsk

Address: 15 Chkalov Str., Irkutsk, Russia, tel. +7 3952 481 000, www.courtyardirkutsk.ru

The hotel was opened in 2011 and is the first hotel representing an international hotel chain in the Irkutsk region. The hotel is located in the city center, near the Kirov Square, and only 70 km away from the UNESCO heritage site Lake Baikal, the largest fresh water lake in the world. There are 208 rooms: 110 standard doubles, 91 standard twins and 7 senior suites. Each room is equipped with TV, telephone, in-room safe, coffee/ tea making facilities, Internet, hairdryer, private facilities with shower or bathtub. Hotel provides room service. There is also “Place to Meet” restaurant for 108 guests and private dining room “Malakhit” for up to 24 guests. There are 5 conference rooms

Hotel Bayangol****, Ulaanbaatar

Address: Chinggis Khaan Ave-5, Ulaanbaatar, 210643, Mongolia, tel: + 976 11 312255, www.bayangolhotel.mn

The hotel was opened in 1964. It always played a significant role in the Mongolian tourism and hospitality industry. The Government privatized the hotel in 1991, since then, it was the first privately owned and managed hotel in Mongolia. The hotel is located in the city center, within close proximity of business, cultural and commercial centers. The hotel has 215 well-furnished guest rooms with 400 beds. The hotel has 5 food & beverage outlets: “Bayangol restaurant” (Asian and European cuisine) for 300 guests; “One day of Mongolia restaurant” (Mongolian cuisine) for 80-100 guests; “Wine House Bar” serving quality wines and seats 60 guests; “Bellagio restaurant” (Vietnamese cuisine) for 60 guests; and “Casablanca Cafe & Bar” (Asian and Singaporean cuisine) for 100 guests. All rooms are connected with Wi- Fi Internet Access and cable television with 45 international and local channels. Guest services available: tea and coffee service in a room, welcome mineral water, mini-bar, laundry service, room service (24 hours), sauna, hairdressing salon, beauty salon, massage and fitness club

Hotel Jianguo****, Beijing

Address: Jianguomenwai Da Jie, 5, Beijing, China, tel. +86 10 65002233, www.hoteljianguo.com

The hotel is located in the heart of Beijing, close to major business and commercial centers as well as city’s top attractions like Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Beijing Silk Market. There are 459 rooms equipped with mini-refrigerators, in-room safe, cable TV and Internet access. Guests dining at the hotel can enjoy a variety of dishes both Chinese and Western cuisine, with Justine's restaurant serving some of the finest French food in Beijing and the authentically Chinese decorated Shang Court offering local cuisine. To organize events, business guests can take advantage of the luxurious conference hall. The hotel also provides translation, PC and typing services. For recreation, there are fitness center with various gym equipment, large indoor swimming pool and a sauna room. The hotel has business center, laundry service, room service (24 hours).

Hotel Astor House****, Shanghai

Address: Huangpu Road 200080, Shanghai, China, www.pujianghotel.com

The hotel was established in 1846 by the Richard's family. It is located in the very city center, just next to the Huangpu River, north side of Garden Bridge. It is within walking distance to the famous Bund and Nanjing Road, financial and shopping center. The hotel has 134 rooms and suites. All rooms are decorated in Baroque style of Victoria times in 19th century; they are very spacious and bright. Each room has satellite TV, IDT/DDT, air conditioner, alarm clock, hairdryer, in-room movies, radio and trouser press. The Richard's Restaurant has many chefs experienced in cooking Shanghai and international cuisine. The restaurant has a grand hall, which can hold 22 banquet tables. Richard’s Bar is ideal for tea tasting.

Ger Camps Descriptions

Terelj, Alungoo Ger Camp The camp is situated in the in the Terelj National Park surrounded by forest mountains, uniquely formed granite rocks and a wide-open valley. The ger camp is 65 km away from Ulaanbaatar to the east and the location of the camp gives easy accessibility to Gunj Temple, Turtle Rock, Aryabal Monastery and nomads. Alungoo is a newly established ger camp and opened in 2013. There are 27 en-suite gers complete with modern bathroom facilities. There are three ger-shaped restaurants and a pub.

Khustai, Khustai Ger Camp The camp is located 95 km from Ulaanbaatar city to the east, at the entrance to Hustai National Park. It is ideally situated for exploring the reserve, that is home to the wild Mongolian Przewalski, horses, bird watching, photo opportunity of untouched nature. The camp has 14 fully furnished gers with 2-4 single beds in each. Furnishings are traditional and colourful, featuring bright weavings and carved and painted wooden beds. A separate shared bathhouse provides bahrroom facilities. The on-site restaurant serves a wide variety of Mongolian and western dishes. There are sauna, conference hall, information centre, laundry, souvenir shop. The main activities in the camp are horse riding and visit nomad families.

Bayangobi, Hoyor Zagal Ger Camp Hoyor Zagal Ger Camp is located by Unegt Tsohio Mountain about 275 km from Ulaanbaatar on the way to Kharkhorin, surrounded by a beautiful natural scenery. The ger camp has 40 gers with 130 beds. Three ger-shaped restaurants have a capacity to serve about 120 guests. The restaurants offer many delicious dishes of traditional local and European cuisine. Additional service includes coffee corner, open-air pubs, movies, traditional Mongolian games, relaxing massage and souvenir shop. Around the camp there are "Bichigt Khad" (rock with scripts), "Shiree tsagaan Nuur" (lake), "Khugnukhaan Uul" (mountain), the central point of Mongolia and the sand dunes and oasis.

Kharkhorin, Anar Ger Camp Anar Ger camp is situated in a very picturesque place on the bank of the Orkhon River and it is 375 km away from Ulaanbaatar and 5 km away from Erdenezuu Monastery. The camp consists of 45 gers and a ger-shaped 100-seat restaurant, which features traditional Mongolian song and dance performances.

Ongiin Monastery, Ongi Ger Camp The Ongi Ger Camp is located at Saikhan Ovoo Sum in the Dundgobi province, ca 515 km away from Ulaanbaatar. 45 gers can accommodate up to 100 guests. The restaurant is able to serve up to 120 people and offers both Mongolian and European meals. The camp has a remarkable architecture and is built of natural wood and stone

Bayanzag, Gobi Bayanburd Ger Camp Gobi Bayanburd Ger Camps consist of Gobi Bayanburd 1 located 10 km from Dalanzadgad, the provincial capital of the South Gobi province and Gobi Bayanburd 2 located in the Bayanzag area – the classic desert, which has become known to the world as "cemetery of dinosaurs". Accommodation includes 40 gers offering king, twin and three- or four-bed occupancy. The ger-shaped restaurant can serve up to 250 guests.

Khongoriin Els, Gobi Anar Ger Camp Gobi Anar Ger Camp is located just nearby the beautiful Khongoriin Els sand dunes in the territory of the South Gobi province and it is 640 km away from Ulaanbaatar to the south-west. There are 30 gers with bathroom facilities and a capacity of receiving 70 guests, two restaurants with European, Asian and Mongolian cuisine, snack shop, BBQ place. The camp offers some extra services like horse riding, camel riding, short trekking trips on camel or horseback riding to sand dunes and Mongolian folk concert. Besides, souvenir shop, game corner, sand tanning place and sand volleyball field.

Gurvan Saikhan, Khanbogd Ger Camp The Khanbogd Ger Camp is located in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain, at a comparatively high altitude. In the hot Gobi desert this place has a nice, temperate climate and unique natural landscapes which has been dubbed as “The Gobi’s Khangai” (cool mountain). It was founded in 1991 and has the capacity to accommodate 80 guests. There are restaurant and pub with internet access, folk concert performances and motorcycle rentals. The camp offers horse and camel riding, short trekking trips on camel or horse.

Middle Gobi, Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp, Erdene Ukhaa Ger Camp is located in the Middle Gobi Province near Baga Gazryn Chuluu. The camp has 15 gers to accommodate 40 guests. The ger-shaped restaurant can serve 45 guests. The camp offers such activities as camel trekking, hiking, visit to a nomadic family, traditional games.

General

We offer accommodation in single or twin occupancy in 2-, 3- and 4-bedded gers, if not otherwise noted. The ger camps have sanitary facilities including hot showers and restroom facilities in separate buildings. The gers have daily housekeeping.