Great Experience Tour

Traditionally, Mongols worshipped heaven “the clear blue sky” and followed ancient north Asian practices of shamanism. In 1578 Altan Khan, a Mongol nobleman invited the head of the rising Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the following centuries the Yellow Sect Buddhism spread throughout Mongolia. Besides Yellow Sects of Buddhism, Mongols have other stream of Buddhism-Red Sects. One of the famous representatives is Danzanravjaa who was well-known Lord of the Gobi. Danzanravjaa focused his basic training in Buddhist literature, art, religion and philosophy. Danzanravjaa established the three monasteries of Galbyn Uul, all of which became local centers of culture, art and education. Danzanravjaa gave considerable attention to the development of Khamar Monastery, in particular where he established a professional theatre, public library, museum and primary school.

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar. 40km Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the morning and rest until lunch time. We will start city tour including Chinggis square and Zaisan hill, museum of government and museum of National History. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 2. Gandan Monastery/Gorkhi Terelj National Park. 150km In the morning, we will visit Gandan Monastery - center of Mongolian Buddhism. We will see the outstanding 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. We will drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, located in the Khentii Mountain range via Statue Of Chinggis Khaan which was erected in 2006. We will visit the in the afternoon. The park is the popular destination because of its granite rock formations, a famous “Crawling Turtle Rock”, alpine forests and flower scenery. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 3. Murun/Lake Khuvsgul. 200km In the morning, we will fly to Murun, a capital of Khuvsgul province. We will continue to drive to Khuvsgul lake, second largest freshwater lake in the Central Asia with depth of 262m. This lake is fed by ninety six rivers and streams but only Egiin River flows out from the lake, joining the Selenge River on the way to its sister Lake Baikal. Khuvsgul lake is inhabited by nine species of fish, while the nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, mountains and the lake provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, wolf and moose as well as 244 species of birds and 750 species of plants. The lake is surrounded by dozens of stunning mountains, thick pine forests and lush meadows with grazing yaks and horses. Overnight in the ger camp near the lake.

Day 4. Lake Khuvsgul. 60km In the morning we hike in the surrounding forest mountains to have a better look of the crystal blue lake. Riding around the shores are breathtaking and lots of fishing opportunities with boats. In the afternoon, we ride to the up north to visit Reindeer village where we can experience Tsaatan; reindeer breeders’ unique everyday life, traditional tent dwelling “Urts” and herds of reindeers. Return to the ger camp and overnight in the ger.

Day 5. Ulaanbaatar 200km. After breakfast at the camp, we will drive back to Murun. On the way,we will enjoy alpine scenery with pine, larch trees and green lush meadows with full of yaks, cattle and horses. We will catch our flight back to Ulaanbaatar and visit Zanabazar fine art museum which holds rich display of Mongolian traditional arts. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6. South Gobi. 150km Early morning breakfast, we will fly to Dalanzadgad, a provincial capital of South Gobi. The Gobi Desert is called “Golden Gobi”, is an extreme area with high temperature changes, sparse vegetation and small community of nomads. The Gobi is also unique for its fauna; homeland of two humped Bacterian camel and the Gobi bear. We will visit Yoll valley in the afternoon. Overnight in the ger camp.              

Day 7. Khongor sand dunes. 180km After breakfast we will drive drive to the Khongor sand dunes. sand dunes in the afternoon. Khongoriin Els dunes stretch for 180 kms, as wide as 7-20km. The dunes lie on the northern part of Servei and Zuulun mountain. The sound of masses of wind-blown sand can be heard from the long distance. Overnight at the camp.

Day 8. Bayanzag. 200km After breakfast at the camp, we will drive to Bayanzag, a famous Flaming Cliffs named after by Roy Andrews Chapman, a modern day Indiana Jones. He was an American explorer who visited Mongolia in 1920s. The striking red Bayanzag cliffs have dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones all over the place and neighbored by bushy Saxual tree forests. Overnight at the camp.

Day 9. Ulaanbaatar/ Bogd Khaan Palace Museum. In the morning we will drive to the airport at Dalanzadgad where we catch our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will visit the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum; the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 dedicated to the 8^th Bogd Gegeen, the head of lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Amazing bronze castings, silk paintings, paper icons, mineral paintings, god statues made by Zanabazar and his students including a royal ger made out of snow leopard skins are the main attraction of this palace. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 10. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery. In the morning, we will drive to Kharkhorin; an ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and Erdenezuu Monastery. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of Orkhon river in 1220. Kharkhorin played significant role in Mongolian history and was a capital city of Mongolian Great Empire until Khubilai Khaan, a grandson of Chinggis Khaan moved the capital to Beijing of Yuan Dynasty. Erdenezuu Monastery – the first Buddhist monastery was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, descendant of Chinggis Khaan, on the ruins of Kharkhorin in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by beautiful looking white walls with 108 stupas. For centuries it was a spiritual and intellectual centre of Mongolia and there are extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special dresses for Tsama religious dance and excellently made Buddhist iconography with true Mongolian and Tibetan style. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 11. Bayangobi/Ruins of Uvgun Monastery. We will drive to the Bayangobi. It is a unique place with many different forms of natural landscape; combination of a Gobi sand dunes, forests and rocky mountains. In the afternoon, we will visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is 20 kms drive from the camp. The monastery is located in the majestic looking Khugnu Khaan mountain. Enlightened Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar, a religious leader, philosopher, artist and sculptor was founded these Uvgun and Zaluu temples for his religious teacher. We will visit horse breeder’s family and experience making of airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made by mare’s milk. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 13. Hustai National Park/ Ulaanbaatar. We will drive to the Hustai National Park. We will arrive at the Hustai camp and lunch there. The park lies in the Khentii mountain range and it is the place where you can see wild horse called Takhi known as Przewalski horse to the world. The wild horses survive in nature by themselves because they have been reintroduced successfully to their homeland after 40 years of extinction. Currently, the number of Takhi has already reached more than 240. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar-the nations’ capital. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 14. Departure. We will transfer to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with professional Blue Gobi Tour Team.