Winter in Mongolia

Day 1
On arrival to Ulaanbaatar transfer to Bayangol hotel. An afternoon sightseeing: first is the residence of the last Mongolian King, displaying a collection of Buddhist artifacts and items of his personal use. Then we will proceed to the Natural history museum highlighted by rich display of dinosaur fossils unearthed from Gobi desert. Welcome dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
A day of preparations: morning visit to National History Museum , a colorful display of traditional clothing and a comprehensive tour on Mongolia ’s history. One of the essential skills a Mongolian woman should have is the ability to make the so-called ‘ del ’ – traditional downjacket. We will visit a del maker, and learn of traditions. We then continue to the Ger restaurant and learn about ger etiquette and of ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ the Tsagaan Sar Festival. Finally we will have dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3
Morning visit to Gandan monastery. Experience Tsagaan Sar in the city and in the countryside. We will drive Gachuurt and visit our horseman’s Tsagaan Sar feast. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 4
A winter horse race. Watch the ‘new Mongols’ showing best samples of traditional clothing, gadgetry. After lunch get back to the hotel. Evening concert of Folk song and dance.

Day 5
Transfer to airport for a morning flight to the Gobi . On arrival you will be taken to the 3 Camels Lodge. In the afternoon you will be taken to the ‘Flaming Red Cliffs’ – the famous site where the first ever dinosaur eggs were found by an American expedition in 1920-ies. Meals and overnight at the ger camp.

Day 6-7
Mongolia 's two-humped Bactrian camel is nicknamed by local people "the Gobi Ship". It inhabits the Gobi desert in the southern part of Mongolia . Because the camel is an indispensable part of life for nomadic herdsmen, a local association of camel herders organizes this gathering of camels and their breeders each year to promote continued breeding of the Bactrian camel and to educate both Mongolians and foreigners on the importance of the camel in the Mongolian way of life. Camels and riders compete in a race, in camel polo tournaments, and even in a camel "beauty contest" where owners display the finest saddles and rigging for their camels. This festival is held in Bulgan village of the South Gobi province 30km from the ger camp.

Day 8
This morning we will take a direct flight to Moron the capital of Khuvsgul province. The flight will take you 3 hours. On arrival you will be driven to the lake, the smaller brother of Baikal, renowned for the clarity of its water and nature. In the end of the 4 hour drive you will reach the ger camp on the shores of the lake.

Day 9-10
Organized yearly on frozen lake Huvsgul by National park rangers, local residents and businesses, the Ice Festival has been held five years running. A respite from the confinement of the winter months, the Ice Festival is a time to get outdoors and play games. The festival features a gathering of local residents and nomadic reindeer herders, and performances by shamans, musicians, and sportsmen. Competitions include ice sumo, a horse-drawn sleigh race, ice skating races, tug-of-war between loca teams, and a Russian Jeep race on the ice. Many traditional games are played on the sidelines, and this is an ideal venue for visitors to join in the fun and games with local people. The festival is held at Khar-Us on Huvsgul lake, a short drive north of Hatgal across the frozen lake ice.

Day 11
Early in the morning we will set for a return drive to Moron . In the afternoon we will catch a flight to UB. On return you will be transferred to you hotel for rest.

Day 12-13
Such deep insight into the lifestyle of Mongols has never been given to a common visitor. 2 days living next to a nomadic family, learning how to tend animals, riding horses as well as some training of using a real composite bow.
Some logistical secrets of the successes of Medieval Mongol warriors will be revealed to you.
You will be accommodated in a traditional Mongolian tent, our chef will cook the meals served directly in your tent. In the evening of the second day you will be driven back to UB.

Day 14
Transfer for the international departure.

Prices in a group of 9 and more: USD 3,220 per person

Prices include the following: Domestic flights, transportation within Mongolia , twin accommodation in a 3 star hotel. Single accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost. Tented accommodation while on trek, three meals a day, English-speaking guide, all sightseeing costs, transfers, camel or horse hire where specified, support staff including drivers, horse/camel men and camp assistants.

Prices do not include: International transportation, travel insurance, visas, departure tax, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, items of a personal nature.
t is the responsibility of the client to be fully covered with travel and medical insurance while traveling in Mongolia .

Please note:
Additional ‘single supplement’ prices are given with all our prices. Single supplement refers to ger camps and tented camps and the other one refers to hotels only. Incase, single accommodation in ger camps was not provided the amount would be calculated based on missing nights and reimbursed.
Should circumstances beyond our control, such as the imposition of quarantine restrictions, require a change of itinerary, we will inform your agent and propose an equivalent itinerary.