Itinerary
Day
1: Arrival Ulaanbaatar, Bogd Khan's Winter Palace, Monastery of Choiji Lama
Day 2: Bag Gazrin Chuluu, Delgeriin Chior Monastery
Day 3: Tsagaan Suvarag
Day 4: Dalanzadgad, South Gobi Museum, Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park
Days 5-6: Khongoriin Sand Dunes
Day 7: Bayanzag
Days 8-9: Hoshuu Monastery, Ongiin Monastery
Day 10: Khujirt village
Day 11: Orkhon waterfalls, gorges, Tsenger hot water spring
Day 12: Kharkhorin, Erdene zuu Monsatry
Day 13: Drive back to Ulaanbaatar
Day 14: Free day in Ulaanbaatar
Day 15: Departure
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Mongolia Tour: Ancient
Cities & Gobi Sands
15 Days
Mongolia
is a land of extremes; steppe grasslands, forested mountains, alpine lakes
and the vast Gobi Desert. Buddhist traditions are reasserting themselves along
with pride in the warrior heritage of Genghis Khan; Soviet politics and architecture
give way to modern trends despite shortages and a shaky infrastructure.
Far
from barren and empty the Gobi is a fascinating world supporting a rich
and fragile ecosystem - Dinosaur fossils, ice-filled gorges, rock formations
and amazing wildlife. Khongoriin Els are Mongolia’s largest and most
impressive sand dunes – some up to 300m high and the views from the
top are spectacular, well rewarding those with the energy to climb up. Spend
a night in the desert and take a morning trip into the dunes by camel. ayanzag,
also known as the “Flaming Cliffs” is renowned worldwide as
the place where palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first
dinosaur bones and eggs in Central Asia.
Ride through the beautiful gorges of the imposing Altai Mountain Chain. We will pass through the Yoliin Am and the Dungenee Am both located in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Ancient rivers carved these green valleys. We may catch a glimpse of the wild Argali sheep, the Ibex, the desert gazelles or the Golden Eagles.
 Small
monasteries, active and in ruins, nestle below granite cliffs and alongside
desert rivers - the most famous is the vast complex of Erdene Zuu, constructed
from the ruins of Genghis Khan's 13th century capital Karakorum - the most
resplendent, Ulaanbataar's
Gandantegchiliin with its towering gilt Chenresig statue and colorful morning
ceremonies.
This
trip is not without a glimpse of the traditional nomadic life of the steppe.
The green pasturelands and numerous rivers of Khanghai Mountains support
herds of horse, yak, shhep and cows. The Orkhon Valley, cradle of Mongolian
civilization, offers the chance to relax by the waterfall or in the large
open-air hot springs.
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Ulaan
Bataar
'Red Hero'. A fascinating blend of old and new
- soviet architecture and ger suburbs - that was established
in the 17th century as home to a living Buddha. |
Karakorum
Genghis Khan’s 13th century capital |
| South
Gobi
165,000 sq kms of virtually unpopulated land. Far from a desolate
wasteland the area contains dinosaur fossils, ice-filled gorges,
rock formations and supports an amazing abundance of wildlife.
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Khongoriin
Ells
Incredible 300meter high sand dunes - some up to 150kms long! |
Erdene
Zuu
Mongolia’s first and greatest monastery;
built from the ruins of Karakorum it has been a center of Buddhism
for over 1000 years. It suffered a great deal of damage by successive
invasions of Manchus and Soviets, but is once again an active
monastery. |
Remote
Monasteries
Small monasteries are scattered throughout the hills and grasslands
- many having being virtually destroyed, others barely touched
by the years of Comunism. |
Nomadic
Lifestyle
Many Mongolians live as they have for a 1000
years - dependent on their herds of sheep, goats, cattle, horses,
yaks and camels. |
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