Lyn Taylor Adventure Travel
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Discover Mongolia

Discover Mongolia Tour and Nadaam Festival

Do you want to experience all Mongolia has to offer but don't know where to start? To see not only the boundless steppe and Gobi deserts but to also explore the historical sites and meet the people? Then this tour is for you. Amazing scenery, history, wildlife and adventure await on this fabulous trip - we promise you won't forget it!

Southern Mongolia (5 days) a chance for you to try riding the 2 humped Bactrian camel amongst the huge sand dunes of Southern Mongolia. Meet the camel herdsman and his family and then go on to see the land of the Dinosaurs, with relics from 60 million years ago.

Central Mongolia (5 days) Visits to huge Buddhist Erdenezuu monastery, the symbolic ruins of the ancient capital Karakorum, and great extinct volcano area with White Lake. Visit nomadic horseman family and sample their home made dairy products.

Northern Mongolia (5 days) Huvsgul Lake is the second biggest freshwater lake in Asia after Baikal and is a great place for fishing and boating and hiking through the beautiful scenery on land to explore the flora and fauna. Plus here you will meet Tsaatan reindeer nomads and explore their lifestyle.


Additional Info

01 July 2012
17 Days

Day 1. (July 01 Sunday) Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and city tour.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel.  After lunch, take a half-day city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see huge gold plated Buddha, a symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival and visit National Museum of Mongolian History, where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Excursion to Zaisan Hill War Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city. Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)

Day 2. (July 02 Monday) Eagle valley in South Gobi.

After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Dalanzadgad, the capital of Umnugobi aimag. The flight takes hour and a half and on your arrival at the airstrip in Dalanzadgad, the Black Ibex team will be waiting for you. Take a trip to Yol Am – a wonderfully picturesque place with ice even in summer, and surrounded by sheer rocky walls, forming incredible canyons. Visit Gobi museum. These areas are situated in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park that encompasses the "Three Beauties" peaks and the most easterly points of the Altai Mountains. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 3. (July 03 Tuesday) Mongolian largest sand dunes

After breakfast, take a trip to Khongor sand dunes. These are Mongolia's largest sand dunes, reaching a height of 300 meters in some areas. The sand dunes change color with each hour of the day, from yellow to silver to rose-color at (sunrise or sunset). Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 4. (July 03 Wednesday) Camel ride and Nomad family

Today you will be riding on camel to explore the Khongor sand dunes. The two-humped Bactrian camels are very comfortable to ride as they walk slowly and gently, and you will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably in between them. Our camel guide will lead you safely through the sand dunes. Plus, you will have an opportunity to visit a camel herdsman family to experience their lifestyle, culture and traditions. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 5. (July 05 Thursday) Bayanzag, land of the Dinosaurs

Today we will drive to Bayanzag, (known as Flaming Cliffs where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922) a site famous for the remains of the Dinosaurs which lived here 60 million years ago. What a chance to walk around where the Dinosaurs once roamed and also get to know saksaul trees and other classic desert vegetation.  Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 6. (July 06 Friday) Ongi Temple

After breakfast, we will drive to Ongi Temple which had about thousand lamas. It is a ruin of big monastery Bari Yonzon Hamba on the bank of a river. On the way, we will enjoy the vast steppe of the country. Overnight in the tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 7. (July 07 Saturday) Karakorum and Erdenzuu

After breakfast, continue driving to Karakorum, the symbolic ruins of the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire. On the way, we will enjoy beautifully changing landscape from semi desert Gobi into forest steppe. Visit Erdene-Zuu, the oldest monastery, with 108 stupas, built in 1586. Dinner is real authentic Mongolian barbecue, prepared in the traditional style with hot stones. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 8. (July 08 Sunday)

Tour to Arkhangai province, claim to be Switzerland in Mongolia Tour to Arkhangai province will be quite exciting with exploration of attractive landscape composition of mountain, forest, grassland and rivers. Overnight in tourist camp near legendary Taikhar rock. (B+L+D)

Day 9. (July 09 Monday) Local Naadam Festival

Today is the inauguration ceremony of Naadam, opened by the governor of the town. There will be held wrestling, horse racing and archery tournaments. A chance to try the local foods and beverages. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 10. (July 10 Tuesday) Local Naadam Festival

Naadam festival continues on the second day with tournaments of wrestling, horse racing, archery and other traditional games. A real chance for you to experience the tradition and culture of the people of this unique country. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 11-12. (July 11-12 Wednesday Thursday) Horgo extinct volcano and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

Drive to Horgo extinct volcano and Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. We will have trekking to explore big volcano crater and nearby White Lake - good spot for bird watching and fishing. Next day, we will visit a local horseman nomadic family where you have an opportunity to experience their lifestyle. Free horseback riding trial. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 13. (July 13 Friday) Zuun Nuur Lake

After breakfast, we will drive to Zuun Nuur Lake, great place for bird watching on the way to Huvsgul lake Park. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 14. (July 14 Saturday) Huvsgul National Park

Today, we will drive to Huvsgul Lake, the deepest and purest lake in Mongolia. You have opportunity to trek to the lakeside & mountain for taking photos and exploring and enjoying the wildlife, flora & fauna of Huvsgul lake area. (B+L+D)

Day 15. (July 15 Sunday) Visit Tsaatan reindeer herding people

Tsaatan ethnic people are found in Huvsgul Lake area. These enigmatic people herd reindeer and live in the deep taiga forest. Reindeers are herded for their antlers, a lucrative medicinal material as well as for their milk and meat. You have a chance to ride on the back of the reindeer for taking your memorable picture. Overnight in tourist camp. (B+L+D)

Day 16. (July 16 Monday) Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Murun for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. If you would like to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmeres in Ulaanbaatar, here is the chance and later in the evening, we all attend a live performance of Mongolian National folklore followed by farewell dinner in Mongolian Barbeque restaurant. Overnight in 4* hotel. (B+L+D)

Day 17 (July 17 Tuesday) Departure from Mongolia

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)

B- Breakfast L- Lunch D- Dinner

US$ 3675 twin share
Moderate
  • Hotel: Hotel cost is based on two people sharing one room with twin beds at 4* hotel 2 nights including Western or Mongolian breakfast Free luggage storage at the hotel while on tour to countryside
  • Tourist Ger camp: Shared accommodation in tourist ger camp Ger (traditional dwelling) has 2 to 4 beds – very interesting and unique Western style toilets and hot shower facility is separate block – shared The restaurant serve usually Western and Mongolian meals Single supplement cannot be guaranteed but possible
  • Transportation: Domestic flights from Ulaanbaatar to South Gobi from Huvsgul to Ulaanbaatar
  • Private Transfers on each day: Air conditioned and comfortable Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 off road van. Highly skilled driver Airports pick up and drop off service Allow only 4 passengers for 5 passenger seats - Your comfort is our priority!
  • Guides: English speaking guiding service throughout the entire time Local guides for horse and camel ride trials Boat driver
  • Meals: All meals as listed in the itinerary Finest Western and Mongolian meals, deserts Authentic Mongolian Traditional Barbecue, Daily supply of bottled water: 3 x 0.5 bottle per day
  • Entrance fees: To all scenic spots as listed in the itinerary such as museums, monasteries, strictly protected
    areas, parks, concert, road fees.
  • Extra Services included in your tour are the following activities:
  •  
    • Horse ride trial – 1 hour
    • Camel ride trial – 1 hour
    • Boat cruise – 1 hour

Services not included in the price

  • International airfare
  • Mongolia entry visa fee: We provide confirmed clients an invitation letter for obtaining entry visa to Mongolia.
  • Excess luggage charges: Free luggage allowance is 15 to 20kg for domestic flights depending on the air company.
  • Personal expenses: Such as laundry, beverages, alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.
  • Travel insurance: Mandatory travel insurance.
  • Single room supplement: Single supplement available only in hotel room not Ger $70 per room per night