Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
The Mongolei Reisen crew will greet you at the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport for transfer to the 4 star hotel, conveniently situated in downtown Ulaanbaatar. After freshening up from your trip, we will spend the day touring some of the capital’s most noteworthy sites starting out at the capital of Mongolian Buddhism, Gandan Monastery. The monastery was one of the few preserved through the 20th century and features a spectacular 25 meter, 20 ton statue of the Megjjd Janraysig Buddha. From here, we will go to the Natural History Museum which holds the skeletons of several of the unique dinosaurs discovered in Mongolia, including the famed ‘Fighting Dinosaurs’ skeletons – considered to be one of the most unique in the world. The heart of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square, is just a short walk away. Here we will see the statue of Sukhbaatar, the hero of the Mongolian revolution, the Parliament house, National Opera, and City Hall. Afterwards we’ll visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing). Overnight in hotel. (L, D)
Day 2: South Gobi
We’ll start our trip with an early-morning flight to the South Gobi Desert, a dramatic landscape of mountains, rock and sand, dotted with grazing camels and herders’ gers. We’ll visit the remarkable “Vulture’s Gorge” within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, an exotic setting of green meadows and dense glaciers situated deep within the arid Gobi. At times, the caverns fill with several meters of ice, forming a stark contrast to the desert surrounding it. If were lucky, we might see some ofthis area’s abundant wildlife, including the rare argali sheep and mountain goat. Overnight in ger camp (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) / Ongi Monastery
One of Mongolia’s more noteworthy sites is the ancient rock formations at Bayanzag, made famous by American scientist Roy Chapman Andrews’s discovery here of complete dinosaur skeletons and eggs in the 1920s. From here we travel to the site of Ongi Monastery – formerly home to a community of more than 500 Buddhist monks – whose ruined structures testify to the devastating religious purges of the 1930s. On the way to Ongi Monastery you will have the opportunity to visit a local camelbreeding family and learn about their unique nomadic lifestyle. Overnight in ger camp (B, L, D)
Day 4: Karakorum (Khogno Khan Mountain)
Our next stop is Karakorum, the former capital of the world’s greatest land empire, established by Chinggis Khaan. Here we will tour the fascinating Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, a religious complex spanning over 400 square meters surrounded by 108 stupas, which, at its peak, was home to over 1000 monks. The original monastery was destroyed in the communist purges of the early 20th century but work has been carried out to rebuild the monastery on its original foundation. It was first established on the ruins of Karakorum in 1586 by Abtai Sain Khan the grandfather of Saint Zanabazar, as the first architectural example of a new style of Buddhism he founded called “Yellow” Buddhism. The site has some of the best works of religious art and architecture in Mongolia. Continuing on through a beautiful landscape of high mountains, grassy steppe and sand dunes, we arrive at majestic Khogno Khan Mountain. The panoramic views from the mountain will give an unforgettable impression of Mongolia’s size, extending out for 200 kilometres on a clear day. Overnight in ger camp (B, L, D)
Day 5: Ulaanbaatar
The journey concludes back in Ulaanbaatar, with the remainder of the day free for rest or shopping. Overnight in hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6: Departure
Our adventure together ends with your transfer back to the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport for your departure.
