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Family Trek- caravan supported by nomads, yaks and camels -
This dramatic journey is adapted to families who love the outdoors and want to get away from it all, kids and parents out camping with Mongolian nomads, the last genuinely equestrian people. Kids can jump on to the carts when tired. Or ride a camel. The nomads here were on horseback already more than 2000 years ago. This was at a time when the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi completed the Great Wall of China. The Chinese and the Mongols raided each other. On this dramatic journey, we will travel on foot with the nomads who are the carriers of this lifestyle to this day. Supported by camel carts in the near Gobi and by yak carts in the Khan Khentii taiga life zone we will journey in two strikingly different environments. The treeless steppes, with sand dunes and many nomads, extends to the endless horizon. We will also trek in the green taiga forests and rivers in the northeast. The trek pace is adapted on a daily basis to the kids. Brief Outline ItineraryOn this journey we use low impact traditional modes of transport. Our equipment will be carried on camel carts; in the same way nomadic herders transport their belongings, moving from one pasture to another. In these areas camels and yaks are being used for this purpose. We will also carry a ger, which is the traditional felt tent that Mongols live in today. Essentially, it means that we can use the services of the local people living in the area where we travel. This kind of a trip is what we have labeled A Nomadic Journey. The herdsmen are the experts and we will be able to get a first hand experience of how to move a camp the traditional Mongolian way. Day 01. Ulaanbaatar Arrive in the Mongolian capital by air. Transfer to the hotel. Day 2:Drive south A.m. Drive to the south over the treeless steppes. In the afternoon we reach Semjit Hairhan, some giant rock formations visibly standing up straight from the surrounding steppe. Here we meet with the camel herdsmen. Put up camp on the steppe. Scan the ridges of the surrounding hills and rocks for Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon), the largest wild sheep in the world. All wildlife viewing requires a great portion of luck. Overnight in tents.
We will trek for a full three days across the treeless steppes meeting nomadic herdsmen families on the way. Our hosts in the area are the relatives to one third of the local population. During the last day we will trek through Arburd Sands, a 20km long sand dune. Strangely, wolves have taken refuge in these dunes and can sometimes be seen. We have brought one ger (yurt) that will be our mobile restaurant. Tents, all provisions and a cook are provided. All equipment will be loaded on to camel carts. There will be one or two riding camels so that we can try some riding as well. Herdsmen will follow the carts. We will make contact with other herdsmen. We will no doubt be invited into the gers, and learn about their ancient lifestyle. Overnights are in tents while the last night stop is at Arburd Sands Ger Camp. Day 6: To Khan Khentii On this day we will drive to the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. There are two routes, and we may choose the one that brings us back through the city of Ulaanbaatar. It is a full day transfer. As we arrive to the Upper Tuul River Valley the landscape has changed from treeless steppes to forested hills, green hills, wildflowers and the meadows along the Tuul River itself. We will meet the herdsmen of this area, with their yaks and horses. If suitable we will pitch camp by the river. Day 7-9: Khan Khentii We load our luggage on to the carts. Our next campsite is in a steppe valley, surrounded by the Khentii hills, covered with larch and birch forests. The protected area was established in December 1993, covering most of the Khentii wilderness areas stretching all the way up to the Russian-Siberian frontier. Herdsmen keep their livestock in the southern areas, and they follow a lifestyle that essentially has been the same since the time of Gengis Khan. Overnight in tents. We trek for three full days toward the Hentii wilderness areas, and soon we touch the limits of human habitation. Although rarely seen, wolves are numerous in the area. There are also wild boars, moose, red deer (Cervus elaphus), marmots and gazelle. We will use yaks to pull the wooden traditional carts on which all our equipment will be loaded and transported. Our Mongol staff will accompany us on horseback. No support vehicles will be required, let alone practical in the area where we are to trek. The yaks will set the pace of the nomadic journey over easy terrain (max. 10 km per day). A cook who knows western and Mongolian cooking will be with us in the field. Members will be able to learn how to build a ger: this can be very quick if several people join in. On the last day of the trek we will reach Jalman Meadows. Overnight at comfortable Jalman Medows Ger Camp for two nights.
Enjoy a day at leisure at this comfortable fully collapisible ger camp. Optional raft float trip. Day 11-12: To local Naadam There are currently plans for local Naadam celebrations around some of the soums (municipalities) of the Central Province. We will drive to this location and bring with us a cook and our camping equipment if need be. We will either stay in a ger camp, or camp out, depending on the location where a suitable Naadam Games is being announced. If there is no Naadam, we will spend this time in Ulaanbaatar or at Jalman Meadows Ger Camp. Day 13: Transfer out Transfer to the airport and depart Mongolia. Nomadic Journeys Style TrekNomadic Journeys have introduced a concept of practical and desirable ways of travel in Mongolia, which is the synergy of Western and Mongolian ideas brought about after many years experience of travel all across Mongolia. Transport: Mongolian families frequently move from one pasture to another using wooden traditional carts. These are tied to the animals available in the region. Here we will use camels and yaks as well as horses. The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals. Staff: A Mongolian leader will accompany the group at all times. For these groups the service will be in English. Other language interpreters are available upon request. There will also be an assistant to the cook. In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals. Camel riding: If you would like to have your own camel to ride during the camel trek part, this can be arranged at the time of booking for an additional cost of USD 25 per day. This cost is payable in Mongolia only. Mongolian camels are Bactrian (two humped) and easy to ride even without previous experience. Riding horses: There will be an opportunity for experienced riders at the time of booking to order a riding horse at the cost of USD 25 per day. This cost is payable in Mongolia only. Mongolian horses are peculiar and horsemanship is somewhat different among the Mongols as compared to home. We suggest you bring your own riding hat with you, since none are available in Mongolia. Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips. For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area. PRICE ex UlaanbaatarUSD 1550 per person (min 2 adults; max 3
Families) Includes: Guide, breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. Transfers. Tents (7n) hotel (2n) ger camp (3n). Camping equipment and all local transport. Excludes: Imported drinks, laundry, rent of riding horse or camel, (USD 25 per horse or camel per day). Single room/ger/tent supplement is USD 20 per night. DATES ex Ulaanbaatar |
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