Into the Realm of the Eagle Hunters
20 Days

Days 1-2: Arrive in Ulaanbataar, a city of incredible contrasts where Soviet architecture is giving way to trendy stores and cafes; suburban homes are traditional gers on unpaved streets and monks and nomads share the streets with suited businessmen and cellphone toting teenagers.
In the afternoon visit the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace. This series of beautiful traditional temple buildings in which Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha and last king lived. Spared by the Russians, it is now a museum displaying fascinating artifacts and costumes associated with the last king as well as his collection of stuffed animals.
A morning visit to the active Gandantegchinlen Monastery offers the chance to see some of the 500 monks at their prayer ceremonies. The largest and most important monastery of Mongolia, Gandan was built in 1838 and hastily restored in 1944 for use as a showpiece for foreign visitors until full religious operation was reestablished in 1990. One of the monasteries main attractions is the magnificent 26.5-meter gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion).
The Monastery (now museum) of the Choijin Lama was saved destruction by its conversion into a museum illustrating the deficiencies of the feudal past. Although never restored as an active monastery it contains a magnificent collection of Buddhist statues, thangkas, masks and other artifacts.

Days 3-4: It is a long drive west to Mongolia’s 13th century capital. Kharkhorin (Karakorum), capital of the Mongolian Empire for a mere 40 years, was established by Chinggis Khan though Manchurian invaders and Stalinist purges have left little of this legendary city. In the 16th century the ruins of Karakorum were plundered by Abtai Khaan to build Erdene Zuu, the first and largest Monastery in Mongolia. It consisted of 60-100 temples, around 300 gers and up to 1,000 monks – the complex surrounded by monumental walls topped with 108 stupas and stone turtles mark the boundaries of the complex.
After a lunch head westward toward the Khangai Mountains. The green mountainsides and the network of smaller and larger rivers offer excellent pastureland for the herds of horses, yaks and cows. The Orkhon Valley is known as the cradle of the Mongolian civilization with many ancient Mongolian and Turkish monuments in the area. The Orkhon Waterfall is the result of volcanic activity over 20,000 years ago. The night will be spent at the Tsenkher hot springs. In the large open-air pool the hot water flows continuously in from the hot water spring. Spend the evening sitting in the pool staring at the stars.

Day 5: In the afternoon head northwesward to Tsetserleg, capital of Arkhangai province and a pleasant little town surrounded by forested hills. Here visit the town’s main functioning monastery – Buyandelgeruulekh. From a small abandoned hilltop monastery there are beautiful views over Tsetserleg and the surrounding countryside.

Days 6-7: The volcanic freshwater lake Terkhiin Tsagaan is one of the most beautiful lakes of the country – perfect (though cold) for swimming with stretches of sandy beach along its shoreline. Surrounded by extinct and craterous volcanoes it was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago. With a full day here there is time to make the excursion to the top of Khorgo Uul Volcano and the gorges that lead from Tariat to the volcano.

Days 8-10: Leave the Khangai Mountains behind, heading northwest for three consecutive days on Mongolia’s worst roads towards one of the country’s least visited regions, the Great Lakes Depressions. This arid semi-desert region stretches over 40,000kms2. On the evening of day 10 reach, at last, the Alten Els Sand Dunes - the northernmost desert on Earth.

Day 11: Uvs lake, Mongolia’s largest lake and lowest point, and 5 times saltier than the ocean.

Day 12: After visiting the market in Ulaangom, head along a rough but scenic road into the Kharkhiraa valley to camp by the Kharkhiraa River.

Day 13: Head across the Ulaan Davaa Pass with stunning views of the red mountains to reach Uureg Lake, close to the Russian border and Siberia. It is a large, beautiful, slightly salty lake surrounded by glorious mountains and snow-capped peaks. The valley is lined with nomad’s summer gers and it is a great opportunity to visit their gers. You can also swim in the lake, hike, fish, bird watch and lie back and relax. Sunsets and sunrises in this dramatic scene can be stunning and give the illusion you have reached the edge of the world.

Day 14: In the morning leave for Archit Lake via the Ogotor Hamar Pass with its breathtaking views of the region. Archit is the largest freshwater lake in the region and home to an incredible array of waterbirds.

Day 15: Today you will reach the most western aimag of Mongolia, Bayan-Olgii. Unlike the rest of Mongolia, which is dominated by Khalkh Mongolians about 90% of Bayan-Olgii’s population are Kazakh, almost all of them Muslims. Olgii, capital of the aimag is Muslim influenced and ethnically Kazakh. Spend the afternoon exploring the city, visiting the mosque and the museum will give a good overview of Kazak culture in preparation for visiting settlements in the Namarjin Valley.

Days 16-17: On the way to Namarjin Valley there are excellent views of Tsambagarav Mountain (4200 meters), one of Mongolia’s most glorious snow-capped peaks and numerous Kazakh settlements. Namarjin and Bayangol are lovely valleys of grasslands, alpine flowers, turquoise lakes and nomad camps.
In the evening we will set up our tents close to a nomad family and experience the warm hospitality offered. For dinner we will be offered a typical Mongolian barbeque and those willing have the opportunity to try the “airag” or fermented horse milk.

Day 18: In the morning we will drive into Khovd with time to explore the city before heading to the airport for the flight back to Ulaanbataar.

Days 19-20: After a morning with the nomads or exploring the valley leave for the return drive to Ulaanbataar. Here there is a full day for shopping and to explore the cities other sights. An evening performance will introduce such Mongolian traditions as “throat singing”.

Tour Costs
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
2 people: USD 2350 p/p
3 people: USD 1940 p/p
4 people: USD 1720 p/p
5 people: USD 1600 p/p
6 people: USD 1820 p/p
7-8 people: USD 1720 p/p