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Must 5 places to visit in Mongolia

temuujin — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 10:45:26 +0000

Must 5 places to visit in Mongolia

1. Gobi

The Gobi or Gobi desert is known as in the west, is mostly semidesert. Rather than a sandy desert, it is mostly bare rock. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a barren, remote and unexplored place. The Gobi is a vast area encompassing at least one-third of Mongolia, and each region is unique in its way and only South Gobi is well known and well-advertised. The Gurvansaikhan Mountains are an extension of the Altai Mountains into the Gobi and inside the Yol Valley is a deep ravine where Lammergeiers nest. The Yol ravine used to have permanent ice in its shady parts all through the summer. The famous Bayanzag, which was made famous as the “Flaming Cliffs” by the expeditions of Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920s. It is sandstone cliffs where fossiled dinosaur eggs were found. The Hongor Sands is a spectacular 180 kilometers (112 miles) long dune. It is several hundred meters high and just about 300 m wide on average. Along its entire length, there is an open stream, the Hongorin Gol, and blue iris bloom in profusion a couple of days in June. The Khangai Mountains from central Mongolia cause precipitation, and the runoff to the south empties into the Gobi, eventually creating the Gobi lakes of Böön Tsagaan Nuur and Orog Nuur. The Gobi has fascinating wildlife such as the Gobi bear (Mazaalai), wild camels (Havtagai), and the mountains support some wildlife such as Snow Leopards, Siberian Ibexes and Argali Sheep. The surrounding Gobi steppe has Asiatic Wild Ass (Khulan), Black-tailed Gazelle and Foxes.

You can visit the Gobi with our classic trips, such as Mongolian Odyssey and South Gobi trips. Also, you can stay in our camps such as Arburd Sands to experience northernmost dunes and go on Camel treks. Lastly, Ikh Nart Nature Reserve is an upland of Gobi rock formations and our camp Ikhnart Rocks is the best place in Mongolia for viewing of Argali Sheep.

2. The Altai Mountains

The Altai Mountains extend from southeast like the Gobi up till northwest encompassing parts of Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Altai derived from Turkic-Mongolian altan, meaning golden. The highest peak in Mongolia is Huiten Uul (4374m), which is one of the five at Tavanbogd (literally “the five sacred”). Scattered among the Altai Mountains are some 20 glaciers, the Potanin glacier being the largest, and there are about more than 3000 lakes that are mostly originated from glaciers. The Altai Mountain is crisscrossed by a network of turbulent rivers that fed by melted snow and summer rains. In spring and summer, there will be floods in some occasion. Gobi Altai region rivers are shorter and shallower and often either frozen in the winter and dried in summer.

The people of the Altai are diverse, and the Kazakhs are in the majority. The Kazakhs are a Turkic speaking Muslim people. Due to long separation, Kazakh traditions and practices are more intact in Bayan-Ulgii than the country Kazakhstan. The Kazakhs have also revived the tradition of hunting small mammals, especially foxes, with Golden Eagles. The Eagle Festival is at the mid of September and beginning of October each year, marking the start of the hunting season. You can visit both the Eagle hunting festival and Altai Mountain in our Western Mongolia trips. Western Mongolia is one of top must visit places.

3. The Khan Khentii – Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Terelj National Park Natural landscape is picturesque and magnificent rocky scenery. The symbol of Terelj National Park is a giant rock formation like a lying turtle. The Park area is imposing, with massive rock formations set among scenic valleys and hills with a serpentine river and taiga forest. Guests can hike up on meadows admiring fascination rock formations in between beautiful mountains covered with wood. It is part of the Khangai forest-steppe and Khan Khentii strictly protected area. Khangai is a general term meaning forested areas and partly forested valley with rich vegetation, lakes and rivers, which is most of northern and central Mongolia. There are a couple of thousand rivers draining out north and east.

Nomadic Journeys offer numerous trips ranging from fishing, bird watching, Yak trek with yaks and horse-riding trips. Most of the valleys are summer camping spots for local nomads, so you get to enjoy a view of hundreds of herds grazing but also enjoy traditional milk tea inside a nomad families’ traditional home called ger, while staying at our camp Jalman Meadows ger camp.

4. The Eastern Steppe

The Steppe belt of grassland that extends some 8,000 kilometers from Hungary in the west to Manchuria in the east. Mountain ranges divide the steppe into distinct parts. The Eastern Steppe is the last big remaining intact grassland in the world, as the Western Steppe, South American grasslands and the American prairie mostly have been converted to farmland. There are no fences, just grass for thousands of kilometers. The Eastern Steppe is, in every way, a harsher land for human habitation than the Western Steppe. It is higher, colder, and drier than the Western Steppe.

Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve is Mongolian government conservation efforts to protect part of the Eastern steppe. The reserve protects more than 4000 square kilometers of dry steppe ecosystem spread across Khentii and Dornod provinces. The goal for this reserve to protect and provide habitation for gazelle, increase wolf and marmot population. The Mongolian gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppe is a wildlife spectacle that occurs in a fenceless area the size of Texas. A mega herd up to 50000 can be seen.

The Eastern Steppe is the least travelled part of Mongolia by foreign visitors. It is a perfect opportunity to travel one of the pristine grasslands and enjoy a 360-degree view without any fences — a truly ideal place to visit.

5. Orkhon Valley

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO site with numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century, and both banks of Orkhon River are fertile pastureland that supported numerous nomadic civilizations. The site reflects the symbiotic links between nomadic civilization and their administrative and religious centers. Also, the importance of the Orkhon Valley played to the history of Central Asia.

Orkhon Valley was continuously occupied throughout the Prehistoric and Bronze ages. The archaeological findings of the early historical period include successively by the Xiongnu/Hunnu, Turks and their memorial sites of the 6th-7th centuries, the 8th-9th centuries’ Uighur capital of Khar Balgas, the Kidans, and finally the Mongols – the grand capital the Karakorum established by Chinggis Khaan in 1220. Lastly, in the 17th century, Erdene Zuu, the earliest surviving Mongol Buddhist monastery, the Tuvkhun Hermitage and the Shank Western monastery. These monasteries are still used and occupied by monks, and this shows enduring religious traditions and cultural practices of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Also, Orhon Valley has a small waterfall Ulaan Tsutsgalan. In the Khangai Mountains to the north, there is Horgo National Park, with the Terhiin Tsagaan Lake and Horgo extinct volcano.

The Mongolian Odyssey and Karakorum trip will give you a chance to see the historical places and visit the Erdene Zuu monastery.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Spend some days in a Ger!This trip was much more than I expected

This trip was much more than I expected. Our horses and guides were absolutely fantastic. They made us feel welcome, well taken care of, safe and secure. The scenery, the horses and our guides were all delightful. The quality of the tents and meals were above what I expected. All of the elements were there -- people, horses, scenery.

Sheron Latcha

The post Must 5 places to visit in Mongolia appeared first on Tours, Trips & Treks to Mongolia | Travel to Mongolia | Nomadic Journeys.

Do’s and Don’ts in Mongolia

temuujin — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 08:46:38 +0000

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

The Mongolians are warm-hearted and sincere. They welcome strangers travelling to stay for the night in their ger and treat them to milk tea, food and airag/khomis. The guests are given a warm send-off by the hosts and prayed for their safe journey. Visitors have traditionally greeted warmly because, in the past, harsh travelling conditions made nomads rely on each other. Also, travellers were the main sources of news from the outside world. Here are some Mongolia’s basic do’s and don’ts.

Mongolian Greetings

Mongolians are comfortable shaking hands with Westerners as a greeting, and everyday greetings include “Sain bainu?” (“How are you?”) and “Saixan namarjinuu?” (“Are you having a good autumn?”). In response to the first inquiry, you are expected to always answer in the positive: “Sain sain” (“I’m well”). Also, Mongolians when they are close they are comfortable giving each other hugs.

The traditional Mongolian greeting, especially in the countryside, is for a young person to hold out his arms, palms up, and grasp the older person just in front of the elbows. The older person does the same thing except with his palms down. This style of greeting is associated mostly with the Lunar New Year or when people meet for the first time in the new year. It usually is performed only by close relatives and friends. Also, the older person give traditional kiss by giving quick sniffing on forehead or both cheeks.

“Presenting the Hadag” is an essential welcoming gesture. Hadag is a strip of silk or cotton used as a greeting gift among both Tibetans and Mongolians. Mongolian hadag is sky blue, but shades like white and light yellow occur as well. When one is lucky enough to be presented a hadag, one should grasp it gently in both hands while bowing slightly. The giving/ receiving of hadag is an outward sign of mutual respect, something that is very important in Mongolian culture.

Mongolia Customs of Respect

To show respect when accepting something, use your right hand and hold right elbow with your left hand or use both hands together. Even if you are offered something, you don’t want you are expected to accept it and, at the very least, pretend to try it. Refusal or pushing something away is a severe breach of etiquette.

Hats are important in Mongolian culture, so never wear one indoors, especially in a temple or ger. Never touch another person’s hat, even if you are sliding it out of the way. It is also considered bad manners if you don’t take off your gloves or coat when inside, especially when eating or drinking. To do so is to imply your host is not being hospitable by providing adequate warmth.

It is impolite to come out directly and ask for something like directions. Don’t write a name with a red pen, don’t point with an index finger at anyone, don’t point with your feet, it is better to use your whole hand palms up to point at someone or something. If accidentally step on a foot, apologize profusely and shake their hand.

The head is considered the most sacred party of the body and the bottom of the feet is the dirtiest part of the body. One should not touch a person’s head, place a hand on the back of a chair in which someone is sitting, put feet on tables or chairs. If you accidentally touch someone with your foot or touch their head, apologize profusely. A great effort is made to avoid stepping over someone, food, utensils and sacred books. It is much more polite to ask someone to move than to step over them.

Ger Etiquette

A customary greeting when approaching a ger is “Nokhoigo Khorioroi” (“Hold the dog”) even you don’t see dog. Fierce dogs are often the first to appear when one approaches a ger. Knocking on the door is considered rude. There is a taboo about stepping on the threshold of the ger. When entering a ger Mongolians open the door flap with their right hand, from the right side. Doing otherwise invites bad luck. Some of the customs and taboos associated with gers also apply to houses.

When entering a ger, visitors are supposed to go to the left and sit on the ground, a stool, or a bed. The host family sits on the right. The back wall is reserved for the Buddhist altar and family pictures. Inside a ger, you are expected to relax and make yourself at home. It is fine to take a nap if you want. If you spend the night, point your feet towards the door.

Don’t touch or lean on the pillar, whistle, take food with your left hand, throw any trash in a fire, stand or sit in front or near the door, walk in front of an older person. Don’t roll up your sleeves in a ger and can be seen as inviting to a fight. These things are considered disrespectful and anger the spirits. It is customary for the guest to inquire of the host about their health, the well-being of their family, the state of their livestock, and the quality of the grass for their herds.

Pipe Smoking and Passing the Snuffbox

Mongolians traditionally offer each other snuff from their snuffboxes. It is considered rude to decline such an offer. Passing the snuffbox is an old tradition in Mongolian culture, and is the most common exchange of amenities when people meet. When one is a guest in a Mongolian home, the host will take out his snuffbox, open it and pass it to the guest. Its contents generally being very aromatic and consisting of a blend of tobacco and herbs. It is expected to sniff a tobacco’s aroma a little bit to better appreciate the snuffbox or put it under your nose to pretend it is sniffing. To be respectful, you should nod your head or give another sign of admiration. The snuffbox itself may be in any of several shapes, from the rectangular, square to the oval to the cylindrical, and with engravings whose artistry reveals the quality of the snuffbox. The snuffbox contains a small spoon made either of gold, silver, copper, ivory, or camel bone.

Mongolian Eating Customs

Mongolians don’t eat with chopsticks. They generally use a spoon, fork or just their hands. Boiled meat is passed around in a large communal bowl with a knife. People slice off a piece of meat with the most fat.

After entering a ger, guests are offered tea with milk and salt (depending on the region) in a bowl, and a plate with various cheeses and bread or cookies. Visitors are expected to take at least one small piece or a sip of what is offered to them. To do otherwise is considered very rude.

Mongolian Drinking Customs

When offered a glass of vodka dip you finger into it and flick it once towards the sky and once towards to the ground and some on your forehead in honor of local spirits. If you don’t want any vodka go through the same ritual, but put your finger to your forehead, say thanks and return the glass to the table.

Airag/khomis is usually spooned out of a large container and served in a large bowl. It is often cane be handed around in a communal bowl.

Religious Customs

Followers of Tibetan Buddhism walk around stupas, temples, sacred mountains or other objects of devotion in a clockwise direction one or an odd number times. Also, on top of the mountain or hill, there is a pile of large stones called Ovoo. You are expected to go around three times and adding new stones, praying for a safe journey and thanking local mountain spirit. In some Ovoos, you will find money, vodka bottles, hadag and skull of a horse. Don’t take prayer flags or hadag. Do not remove any objects from an altar or Ovoo. Don’t take photos during prayers and meditation. As a rule, don’t take pictures without permission and don’t use a flash. Don’t wear shorts or short skirts or hats in temples or monasteries.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Spend some days in a Ger!This trip was much more than I expected

This trip was much more than I expected. Our horses and guides were absolutely fantastic. They made us feel welcome, well taken care of, safe and secure. The scenery, the horses and our guides were all delightful. The quality of the tents and meals were above what I expected. All of the elements were there -- people, horses, scenery.

Sheron Latcha

The post Do’s and Don’ts in Mongolia appeared first on Tours, Trips & Treks to Mongolia | Travel to Mongolia | Nomadic Journeys.

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

temuujin — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 04:36:00 +0000

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

I. Sleep under thousands of stars in a ger

A ger or yurt, as it is sometimes called outside Mongolia, is a simple round dwelling used by many ethnic groups in Central Asia. The ger has existed for more than three thousand years; its design makes it both easy to carry and easy to build—perfect for the migratory lives of nomads. Layers of felt and canvas create a structure that is well insulated against cold or rain and yet surprisingly cool on hot summer days. Since the time of Chinggis Khan, the ger has become a symbol of the Mongolian people. Now you can experience the coziness and comfort of a contemporary ger under the bright stars of the Milky Way. Nomadic Journeys’ excursions to Jalman Meadows and Ikhnart Rocks both offer you the chance to enjoy the incomparable wilderness of Mongolia and the unique adaptability of the Mongolian ger.
Jalman Meadows Ger Camp, located in the uppermost part of the Tuul River Valley, is set in a beautiful meadow teeming with summer wildflowers and fringed by scenic forests of larch and birch.
Ikhnart Rocks, in the eastern portion of the Gobi Desert, is an arid upland with dramatic rock formations. The region’s full name, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu, means “rocks with plenty of sunshine.”

II. Travel like a Nomad

Nomadic life does not mean wandering lost in an empty wasteland. Although Mongolia’s landscape can be harsh, it is also highly varied and occasionally abundant. Mongolian nomads are pastoral herders, moving their livestock to fresh grazing land or winter shelter, as the season requires. During the height of the Mongolian empire, it was often the tribal queens who assumed the arduous task of leading tens of thousands of people and animals to new pastures. Nomadic herding is a complicated process, requiring intimate knowledge of both topography and climate. This ancient way of life continues to be practiced by many Mongolian families, with skills and knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
By participating in a Nomadic Journeys trek, you too can experience the nomadic tradition, following local nomads either on foot or by horse. On these authentic excursions, all equipment and luggage is loaded onto traditional carts or trained pack animals. In the arid Gobi region as well as on the true steppe, the carts are usually pulled by camels (Camel Trek). In northern areas, yaks provide the pulling power (Yak Trek). At higher elevations, such as the remote Altai Mountains or Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), where the slopes are too steep for carts, camels and yaks typically carry the loads on their backs instead (Naimun Nuur Trek).

III. Enjoy solitude in a wild and beautiful place

The top reason many people travel to Mongolia is because it offers both a unique nomadic culture and a rich history, it is also one of the least crowded countries on the planet. The overall population density is only two people per square kilometer, with nearly one-half of the nation’s three million people living in or near the capital, Ulaanbaatar. To many visitors, the countryside seems empty, unspoiled by the advances of the modern world. Here you can enjoy the feeling of being alone in the vastness of the Mongolian landscape, and imagine what the explorers felt as they discovered new lands.
360 degrees Mongolia offers a bespoke experience with small mobile camps. You can choose to visit the varying Mongolian countryside, Siberian-taiga in the north, Gobi Desert in the south, Altai Mountain Range in West Mongolia to the vast Eastern Steppe or all four places. On these intimate and private excursions, you will find yourself far from telephone wires and power poles, tour groups and traffic jams.

IV. Experience the ancient history of the Great Mongol Empire

The Central Asian steppes produced numerous distinct cultures over many thousands of years. Mongolia’s Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO site, is considered the cradle of many of these civilizations. Among the ruins found here are capitals of the Gok-Turk empire, the Uyghur empire, and the Khitan empire.
Most importantly, the Orkhon Valley also includes the former capital of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum, as well as Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, Erdene Zuu. Built in the sixteenth century, this was the center of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia.
Nomadic Journeys’ Mongolian Odyssey visits all of these historic places, along with the Gobi’s famed Bayanzag, the “Flaming Cliffs” described by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, whose expedition first discovered fossilized dinosaur eggs there in 1920. Important thing to do is visit Dinosaur museum in Ulaanbaatar before heading to Bayanzag.

V. Go on a natural adventure

Mongolia is a superb, Birding destination, home to more than 440 species of birds. These include globally scarce species such as Swan Goose, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, White-naped Crane, Altai Snowcock, Oriental Plover, Henderson’s Ground Jay, and Saxaul Sparrow. Raptors are especially plentiful in this vast country, with healthy populations of Lammergeier, Black Vulture, Upland Buzzard, and Saker Falcon.
Anglers will appreciate the opportunity to experience one of the world’s finest Fly fishing adventures, in pursuit of the legendary Taimen as well as Amur Trout, Lenok, Grayling, and other species. Taimen are the largest members of the salmon family. Once common from the Pacific Ocean to the Balkans, the taimen’s range has been sadly reduced by habitat destruction. Mongolia is its last, best stronghold and one of the top reasons why fishermen want to come to Mongolia.

The Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia’s far west is one of the world’s most compelling events. Since ancient times, the Kazakh nomads of this region have hunted foxes and other small mammals with domesticated Golden Eagles. This autumn gathering in Bayan-Ölgii provides a spectacular setting for the Kazakhs, an ethnic minority in Mongolia, to maintain their hunting traditions. Visiting Eagle hunters family should be in your things to do list.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Spend some days in a Ger!This trip was much more than I expected

This trip was much more than I expected. Our horses and guides were absolutely fantastic. They made us feel welcome, well taken care of, safe and secure. The scenery, the horses and our guides were all delightful. The quality of the tents and meals were above what I expected. All of the elements were there -- people, horses, scenery.

Sheron Latcha

The post TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA appeared first on Tours, Trips & Treks to Mongolia | Travel to Mongolia | Nomadic Journeys.

Happy Naadam

temuujin — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:42:25 +0000

Happy Naadam

Program of Naadam Festival

The 813^th anniversary of the Great Mongolian State

The 2228^thanniversary of the First Statehood, Hunnu

The 98^th anniversary of the People’s Revolution

July 10, WEDNESDAY

08:00-11:00 Hyzaalan race for 4 years old horses at the Hui Doloon Hudag

08:00-22:00 Opening of Anklebone shooting tournament, at the Anklebone shooting area at Anklebone pavilion

08:30-14:30 Wall Archery Starter Games at Archery Field

10:00-11:00 Ceremony to commemorate State Flag Day Reverence and Military Ceremony at Sukhbaatar Square

10:00-18:00 “Beautiful Mongolia” art exhibition at Art Gallery of Union of Mongolian Artists

13:00-13:30 Flower Ceremony at the Sukhbaatar statue and Chinggis Khan memorial

14:00-18:00 Deeltei Mongol Festival (National cloth fashion show)

14:00-16:30 Shudlen race for 3-year-old horses at the Hui Doloon Hudag

14:30-20:30 Wall Archery Middle Games at Archery Field

15:00 & 18:00 State Concert to commemorate 2228th Anniversary of New Regime, 813th Anniversary of Ikh Mongol State, 98th Anniversary of People’s Revolution.

20:00 Ceremony to Honor State Banner at Sukhbaatar Square

Rural Naadam

July 10, WEDNESDAY

07:00-08:30 Soyolon, Race for over 5 years old horses

10:00 Wrestling tournament, round 3-5

11:00 Final 32 Wrestling tournament

11:30 Teenagers Wrestling for over 12-16 years old

12:30-13:30 Lunch time

13:30 To Hui Doloon Hudag

14:00-16:30 Shudlen race for 3-year-old horses at the Hui Doloon Hudag

17:00 To Ulaanbaatar

July 11, THURSDAY

8:00-11:30 Azarga, Stallion Race at the Hui Doloon Hudag

08:00-11:00 Anklebone Semi-Final at Anklebone pavillion

09:00-17.00 “Kumis” festival

09:30 Ceremonial Procedures for The State White Banners bringing from Government Palace into Central Stadium /Special Program/

11:00 State Concert to commemorate 2228th Anniversary of New Regime, 813th Anniversary of Ikh Mongol State, 98th Anniversary of People’s Revolution. The president of Mongolia Mr.Battulga, Khaltmaa opens the ceremony of the National Naadam Festival at the Central Stadium

11:10 Opening Performance of National Naadam Festival

11:40-12:40 Opening Ceremony of Anklebone Shooting

13:00-22:00 Anklebone Semi-Final at Anklebone pavilion

13:00-17:00 1st round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

13:00-16:00 1^st round of Youth Wrestling

13:30-14:00 National archery showcase in Archery Field

14:00 Hui Doloon Hudag Naadam Games Opening Ceremony

14:00-17:00 Ikh Nas, Race for over 6 years old horses at the Hui Doloon Hudag

14:30-17:30 Wall Archery Final Game at Archery Field

14:00-14:30 The head of Mongolian Government visit for Anklebone shooting at Anklebone pavilion

16:20-18:00 2nd round of the Teenagers Wrestling at the Central Stadium

17:10-20:00 2nd round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

17:30-21:30 National Chip Archery starter games at Archery Field

21:00-23:00 “Ulaanbaatar’s night” Evening Concert at Sukhbaatar Square

23:00 Firework for Naadam Festival Ceremony

July 12, FRIDAY

07:00-10:30 Soyolon race for 5 year old horses at Hui Doloon Hudag

08:00-11:00 Semi Final competition of Anklebone shooting at Anklebone pavilion

07:00-12:00 Chip Archery Middle Games at Ankle Bone pavilion

09:00-11:00 3rd round of the National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

10:00-11:00 3rd round of the Youth Wrestling at the Central Stadium

09:00-17.00 “Kumis” festival

10:30-12:30 Colt Racing at Hui Doloon Hudag

11:20-12:40 4th round of the Youth Wrestling at the Central Stadium

11:20-12:40 4th round of the National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

12:00-14:00 Chip Archery final games at Archery Field

11:00-14:00 Award ceremony for Anklebone shooting at Anklebone pavilion

14:00-14:30 Best, Final 16 Archers Competition

14:00-15:30 Best, Final 8 competition of Anklebone shooting at Anklebone pavilion

14:30-15:10 5th round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

15:10-15:30 Awarding Ceremony of Archers and Ankle Game Winners by the President of Mongolia

15:20-16:00 5th round of Youth Wrestling at the Central Stadium

15:30-16:20 6th round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

16:00-16:40 Awarding Ceremony of Horse Race Winners by the President of Mongolia

16:20-16:40 6th round of Youth Wrestling at the Central Stadium

16:40-17:20 7th round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

17:30-17:40 Award Ceremony for Wrestlers to be Awarded “Nachin”, “Hartsaga” Wrestling titles by the President of Mongolia

17:40-18:40 8th round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

18:30-19:00 7th round of Youth Wrestling at the Central Stadium

19:00-19:20 Award Ceremony for Wrestlers to be awarded “Zaan” wrestling titles by the President of Mongolia

19:20-19:50 9th round of National Wrestling at the Central Stadium

19:50-20:00 President presents Awards to the Wrestling champions Naadam Festival at the Central Stadium

20:00 Closing Speech by the President of Mongolia

20:10 Closing Ceremony of National Naadam Festival to deliver the State Banner to Government Palace

21:00-23:00 “Mongolian Classical Night” performance at Sukhbaatar Square

July 13, SATURDAY

Horse Trainer’s Naadam Festival

07:00 – 09:30 Cross –bred Horses Race for Stallion Azarga, 6-year-old Ikh Nas, 5-years-old Soyolon horses

09:00-14:00 Ambler Horse group stage race

10:30-12:30 Cross –bred Horses Race for 2-year-old Shudlen, 4-year-old Hyazaalan horses

13:00-13:10 Opening of Horseman’s Naadam Festival

13:10-13:30 Opening Concert for Horseman’s Naadam Festival

13:30-14:20 1^st round of Wrestling

13:30-15:30 Cross-bred Horses Race for Colt

14:20-14:30 Award and Present Certificates to National Naadam Festival Awarded Wrestlers

14:30-15:20 2^nd round of Wrestling

15:20-15:30 Concert

15:30-16:30 3^rd and 4^th round of Wrestling

16:30-16:40 Concert

16:40-17:00 5^th round of Wrestling

17:00-17:30 Praise for Award Horses, Award Horses and riders

17:30-18:00 6^th round of Wrestling

18:00-18:30 7^th round of Wrestling

18:30-18:50 Award 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th place winner of Wrestling

18:50-19:00 Closes the Horseman’s Naadam Festival by Mr. Batbileg. Kh, Director of Committee of Race Horse

The post Happy Naadam appeared first on Tours, Trips & Treks to Mongolia | Travel to Mongolia | Nomadic Journeys.

Birding in the East

temuujin — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 09:07:30 +0000

Birding in the East

Introduction

Mongolia is a superb birding destination. The Eastern Mongolia is rich with wildlife and endless steppes with lakes, all remote, beautiful, fascinating and full of birds.

It is home to around 497 species of birds which include globally scarce species such as Bar-headed Goose, Swan Goose, Siberian Crane, Hooded Crane, White-naped Crane, Falcated Duck, Asian Dowitcher, Red-necked Phalarope and Great Bustard. Raptors are plentiful in this vast country, with good populations of Black Vulture, White Tailed Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon and Amur Falcon.

This trip will be more than just birding tour – it will be a true adventures travel. Our birding journey will go through Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Gun Galuut Nature Reserve and in the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area.

Trip Details
Birding in the East
9 Days/ 8 Nights

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Itinerary

Day 1: To Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

We pick you up from your hotel in Ulaanbaatar in the morning and transfer to IkhNart Rocks Ger Camp directly by vehicle. We spend about six hours traveling southeast over the grassland, which gradually turns into more arid Gobi steppe. After arrival at the camp check-in to your ger and have free time to explore the surrounding area for birds.

Day 2-3: Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

Two full day of exploring and sighting the birds in the nature reserve.

Ikh Nart Nature reserve birds: Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Saker Falcon, Daurian Partridge, Chukar, Daurian Shrike, Little Owl, Meadow Bunting.

Day 4: To Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

After breakfast, a half day drive to Gun Galuut. There are high mountains named Baits and Berkh where gray wolf, wild sheep, fox, vole , wide steppe and river- Herlen, lakes- Ayaga and Tsen wetland and where water and wetland birds gather and lay their eggs. There besides birding, also can see some wild animals. Have a packed lunch en route.

Day 5: Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

Full day birding at Ayaga lake, Herlen river and Tseng burd wetland.

Twin lake and Ayaga lake birds: Whooper swan, Swan goose, Bar headed goose, Eurasian spoon bill, Red crested pochard, Falcated duck, Baikal teal, Black throated loon, Stejneger’s scoter, Great crested grebe, Slavonian grebe(horned grebe), Little grebe, Red throated grebe, Smew, White headed duck, Mongolian gull, Pallas’s gull, Relict gull, Arctic tern, Little tern, Whiskered tern, Black tern, White winged tern, Asian dowitcher, Eurasian curlew, Far east curlew, Little curlew, red necked phalarope, red necked stint, Ruff, Sharp tailed sandpiper, Marsh sandpiper.

Steppe and Kherlen river birds: Cinereous vulture, Steppe eagle, Upland buzzard, Amur falcon, Merlin, Saker falcon, Eastern marsh harrier, Hen harrier, Osprey, Mongolian lark, Richard’s pipit, Tawny pipit, Daurian redstart, Siberian rubythroat, Paddy field warbler, Arctic warbler, Pallas’s grasshopper warbler, Common and Leaser whitethroat, Leaf warbler, Black faced bunting, Pallas’s read bunting, yellow breasted bunting*, Meadow bunting, Little bunting. Daurian jackdaw

Tsengiin burd wetland birds: Demoiselle crane, White-naped crane, Hooded crane,Siberian crane*, Black stork, Oriental white stork, Japanese quail, Daurian partridge

Day 6: To Jalman Meadows

Ealy morning drive west to Jalman meadow ger camp which is located on the bank of Tuul river and is one of the best eco camp of Mongolia. About 320 km from Khurkh vally to there, but almost a half of which is asphaltic road. Picnic lunch on the way.

Day 7-8: Jalman Meadows

Two full day birding at Tuul river sides and Bugat forested mountain side.

On the pass: Black billed capercaillie*, Eastern buzzard, Goshawk, Eurasian hobby, Peregrine falcon, Booted eagle, Ural owl*, Spotted nutcracker, Coal tit, Eurasian jay

Tuul river side: Black woodpecker, white- backed woodpecker, Greater and Leaser spotted woodpecker, Eurasian three toed woodpecker*, Grey headed woodpecker, Grey shrike, Brown Shrike, Azura tit, Daurian redstart, Daurian jackdaw, Common starling, White cheeked starling, Taiga flycatcher, Asian- brown flycatcher, Lanceolated warbler, Pallas’s grasshopper warbler,

Bugat forested mountain side: Black grouse, Hazel grouse*, Japanese quail*, Daurian partridge, Eurasian jay, Siberian jay, Red-flanked blue tail, Spotted nutcracker, Northern nuthatch, Little bunting.

Day 9: To Ulaanbaatar

Early morning birding. After breakfast , depart to Ulaanbaatar.

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Tour Dates

Dates 2020 ex Ulaanbaatar:

Mid May to Mid June.
Mid August to Mid September.

Prices

PRICE 2020 ex Ulaanbaatar:

2 – 12 members: USD 2220 per person

Single supplement (8n): USD 320

Practicalities

Practicalities:

Transport:

This tour is supported by a jeep or minibus depending on the number of travelers. Dependent on flight times and days, the trip may be done in reverse direction.

Accommodation:

We stay in Ger (yurt) camps for the duration of this trip. The semi-permanent camps are equipped with a restaurant and shared bathroom and shower blocks.

Staff:

An English-speaking Mongolian guide will accompany you at all times. Other language guides such as Russian, French, German, Italian, Korean etc. available at additional cost, upon request.

Meals:

The meals will be provided in the ger camps, or as picnic lunches.

Including:

All meals outside Ulaanbaatar. Local guide. Cook. Camping equipment. Bus for max 12+1 persons. Support vehicle from 8+1 pax. All entrance fees to national parks and monuments. All night accommodation in shared double ger camp accommodations.

Excluding:

Beverages. Visa, air or train tickets in and out Mongolia. Meals and hotel accommodations in Ulaanbaatar. Arrival and departure transfers.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Shaman Tour

temuujin — Thu, 31 May 2018 09:11:19 +0000

Mongolian Shamanism

Introduction

Mongolian Shamanism is an ancient ethnic religion, tradition, and way of life. It connects people with nature and all of creation. Like many ancient spiritual practices rooted in nature, Shamanism strengthens our bond with the natural world and centers on the worship of Tenger (Heaven, the God of Heaven). Shamanism is a universal spiritual wisdom inherent to all tribes and cultures, preserving traditions and ancestral memory through the centuries. Mongolian Shamanism combines medicine, religion, ancestor worship, and reverence for nature in one all-encompassing belief system. Shamans enter altered states of consciousness to interact with the spirit world, communicating with ancestors and natural spirits. Depending on culture and occasion, Shamans perform many roles:

Healing and spiritual guidance
Leading sacrifices and rituals
Storytelling and singing to preserve tradition
Fortune-telling
Acting as a psychopomp (“guide of souls”)

A single Shaman may fulfill several of these roles, helping maintain balance and harmony on both personal and planetary levels.

Trip Details
Shaman Tour
Daily

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Practicalities

Practicalities:

Shaman: Our Shaman is a member of the Tenger Bekhi Urguu clan, founded in 2013, with over 30 members worshipping Tengerism. Several kinds of rituals are performed to honor Mother Nature and the Heaven Gods. On this excursion, the Shaman will perform one ritual of their choice, depending on the day. Fortune-telling can also be arranged upon request.
Transport: Supported by jeep or minibus (depending on group size), with a short drive outside Ulaanbaatar to a sacred Shamanic site.
Staff: An English-speaking guide will accompany you at all times. Guides speaking Russian, French, German, Italian, Korean, etc., are available at additional cost upon request.
Meals: Picnic lunch provided.
Additional Options: We can organize a 2-night/3-day tour featuring more extensive rituals, including worshipping 99 heavens, the fire ritual, and the sun & moon rituals (available on request).
Includes: Guide, picnic lunch, transport, and entrance fees.
Excludes: Beverages, transfers and accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, and international/domestic air or train tickets.

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Tour Dates

Dates ex Ulaanbaatar:

Daily

Prices

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:

2 – 8 members: USD 560 per person

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Birding Holidays

temuujin — Mon, 14 May 2018 03:23:49 +0000

Birding Holidays

Introduction

Mongolia is a superb birding destination. The vast Gobi Desert, which covers one third of Mongolia, the endless steppes with lakes, the Khangai mountains and the rich taiga forest – all remote, beautiful, fascinating and full of birds.

It is home to over 440 species of birds which include globally scarce species such as Swan Goose, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, White-naped Crane, Altai Snowcock, Oriental Plover, Henderson’s Ground Jay and Saxaul Sparrow. Raptors are plentiful in this vast country, with good populations of Lammergeier, Black Vulture, Upland Buzzard and Saker Falcon.

This trip will be more than just birding tour – it will be a true adventures travel. Our birding holiday will take us to ancient Saxaul forests, into the mountains of the Khan Khentii.

Trip Details
Birding Holidays
10 Days/ 9 Nights

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Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 1: To South Gobi

Pickup from your hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Dalanzadgad. Meet your expedition vehicle(s) at the airport and drive to Yoliin Am /Lammergeier Valley/with packed lunch. The valley is located within Gobi Gurvansaikhan /Three Beauty/ National Park and named after the Lammergeier, which is called Yol in Mongolia and is very beautiful deep canyon with high rocky cliffs. Birding on the way to get there. Overnight in a Ger camp.

Open land and steppe: Cinereous vulture, Steppe eagle, Oriental plover, Greater sand plover, Desert and pied wheatear, Asian desert warbler. Mongolian finch,

Green wall tree nursing centers: MIGRANTS PASSING. Desert grey shrike, Dauring shrike, Oriental turtle dove, Eagle owl*,

Day 2: To Yol Valley

Early morning drive to Yoliin Am /70 km/. Birding there until lunch time. Birding at the Poplars before and after dinner

Yoliin am: MIGRANTS PASSING. Lammergeier, Cinereous vulture, Himalayan and Eurasian griffin, Saker falcon, Little owl, Altai snowcock, Chukar, Kozlov’s brown alpine accentors, Great* and Chinese beautiful rosefinch Wallcreeper, White winged snowfinch.

Day 3: To Khongor Sand Dunes

Early morning drive to Khongor Sand Dunes/170 km/, also called Duut Mankhan is known as the “Singing Sands”, which extends about 180 km. The bottom of the dunes is a small river named Khongoriin Gol, which is sourced by subterranean flows the mountains forming its valley. Have a packed lunch. Overnight at Ger Camp.

On the way to sand dunes:

Orientail plover, Pallas’s sandgrouse, Desert warbler, Henderson’s ground jay, Mongolian finch, Maqueen’s bustard

Hongor sand dune and Hongor river:

MIGRANTS PASSING. Saxual sparrow, desert grey shrike, Henderson’s ground jay, Pallas’s sandgouse,

Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes

Full day birding at Khongor Sand Dunes and Khongor river.

Day 5: To Bayanzag

After breakfast, drive to Bayanzag, /100 km/ means rich in saxaul, also known as Flaming Cliffs, is most famous for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. Have a packed lunch. Overnight at Gobi Tour Ger camp.

On the way to Bayanzag: Oriental plover, Greater sandplover, Pallas’s sandgrouse,

Dal brigade (agricultural spot with trees):

MIGRANTS PASSING. Dark sided Taiga and Asian brown flycatcher, Daurian shrike, Oriental turtle dove.

Day 6: To Gun Galuut

Transfer to Dalanzadgad and fly by to Ulaanbaatar. After arrival at the airport transfer to Gun Galuut for a half day drive. Located in the south-east of Ulaanbaatar /130 km (80 ml) and has a great diversity of ecosystems. There are high mountains named Baits and Berkh where gray wolf, wild sheep, fox, vole and ibex wide steppe and, river- Herlen, lakes- Ayaga and Tseng wetland and where water and wetland birds gather and lay their eggs. There besides birding, also can see some wild animals. Have a packed lunch en route.

Day 7: Gun Galuut

Full day birding at Ayaga lake, Herlen river and Tseng burd wetland.

Day 8: To Jalman Meadows

Early morning drive to Jalman meadow ger camp which is located on the bank of Tuul river and is one of the best eco camp of Mongolia. About 320 km from Khurkh vally to there, but almost a half of which is asphaltic road. Picnic lunch on the way.

Day 9: Jalman Meadows

Full day birding at Tuul river sides and Bugat forested mountain side.

On the pass: Black billed capercaillie*, Eastern buzzard, Goshawk, Eurasian hobby, Peregrine falcon, Booted eagle, Ural owl*, Spotted nutcracker, Coal tit, Eurasian jay

Day 10: To Ulaanbaatar

Early morning birding. After breakfast , depart to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel.

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Tour Dates

Dates 2020 ex Ulaanbaatar:

Daily mid May to end of September.

Prices

PRICE 2020 ex Ulaanbaatar:

2 – 12 members: USD 3060 per person

Single supplement (9n): USD 360

Practicalities

Practicalities:

Transport:

This tour is supported by a jeep or minibus depending on the number of travelers. Dependent on flight times and days, the trip may be done in reverse direction.

Accommodation:

We stay in Ger (yurt) Camps for the duration of this trip. These permanent camps are equipped with a restaurant and shared bathroom and shower blocks.

Staff:

An English-speaking Mongolian guide will accompany you at all times. Other language guides such as Russian, French, German, Italian, Korean etc. available at additional cost, upon request.

Meals:

The meals will be provided in the ger camps, or as picnic lunches.

Including:

Guide, all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights in ger camps. All local transport and entrance fees. Domestic flight tickets.

Excluding:

Beverages. Visa, air or train tickets in and out Mongolia. Meals and hotel accommodations in Ulaanbaatar. Arrival and departure transfers.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Hustai and Bayansonginot Community

temuujin — Wed, 09 May 2018 06:26:28 +0000

Hustai National Park

Bayansonginot Community

Introduction

The Mongolian Government declared Hustai National Park a Specially Protected Area in 1993, one year after the initiation of the world-renowned project to reintroduce the takhi (Przewalski’s horse) to its natural habitat in Hustain Nuruu. Covering 50,600 hectares, the park is home to remarkable biodiversity:

Flora: 459 species of vascular plants, 85 species of lichens, 90 species of moss, and 33 species of mushrooms.
Mammals: 44 species including red deer, Mongolian gazelle, roe deer, wild boar, argali wild sheep, ibex, marmots, grey wolves, lynx, Pallas’ cats, red foxes, corsac foxes, and Eurasian badgers.
Birds: 217 species including golden eagle, lammergeier, great bustard, whooper swan, black stork, Daurian partridge, and little owl.
Other fauna: 16 fish species, 2 amphibians, and 385 insect species (including 21 ant species, 55 butterflies, 10 bush crickets, and 29 grasshoppers). A new soil insect species discovered here has been named Epidamaeus khustaiensis.

Hustai National Park is located 95 km west of Ulaanbaatar, extending through the Khentii Mountains and the western edge of the Mongolian steppe, covering parts of Altanbulag, Argalant, and Bayankhangai Soums in Töv Province.

Trip Details
Hustai National Park and Bayansonginot Community
Daily

Trip Details

Hustai National Park and

Bayansonginot Community

Daily

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Trip Details

Itinerary

Activities

Early Morning: Depart from Ulaanbaatar after breakfast. Upon arrival, you will have the best chance to see the wild takhi horses grazing on the lower slopes. As the day warms, they usually retreat higher into the mountains.
Midday: After morning hiking to see the takhi horses we’ll have lunch at the local nomad family. Lunch is a Mongolian dish prepared by the nomad family.
Afternoon: Participate in everyday nomadic life: learn about livestock herding, try your hand at dairy production, or simply relax and soak in the surrounding landscapes.

Takhi – The Wild Horse of Mongolia

The takhi, also known as Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), is a rare and endangered subspecies of wild horse (Equus ferus) native to the vast steppes of Central Asia. Unlike most so-called “wild” horses today—such as the American Mustang or the Australian Brumby, which are actually feral descendants of domesticated horses—the takhi has never been domesticated. It remains the only truly wild horse in the world. At one time, the species had become extinct in the wild; in Mongolia, the last wild takhi was seen in 1966. Thanks to international conservation efforts and a reintroduction program, they now roam once again in their native habitat, particularly within Hustai National Park. Takhi live in small, permanent family groups composed of: One adult stallion, one to three mares and their common offspring. Young horses typically stay with the family until they become independent at around two or three years of age. After leaving, bachelor stallions—and sometimes older stallions—form separate bachelor groups. Several family groups can also come together, forming larger herds that move across the steppe.

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Prices

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:

1 person: USD 400 per person

2 people: USD 300 per person

3 people: USD 250 per person

4-7 people: USD 200 per person

8+people: USD 180 per person

Practicalities

Practicalities:

Includes:
- Round-trip transfer
- Lunch outside Ulaanbaatar
- Local English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees to museums and parks

Excludes:
- Drinks and laundry
- Arrival/departure transfers and hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar

Transfers: Operate daily year-round as shared transfers on fixed schedule.
- Departure: 09:00 from Ulaanbaatar
- Return: Around 17:00 to

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Full Day City tour

temuujin — Wed, 09 May 2018 04:16:55 +0000

Ulaanbaatar

Full Day City Tour

Introduction

Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар)—also known as Ulan Bator or simply UB—is the capital and largest city of Mongolia, home to about 1.6 million people. Situated at an elevation of around 1,350 m (4,430 ft) above sea level, the city lies slightly east of Mongolia’s center in the valley of the Tuul River, beneath the sacred Bogd Khan Uul Mountain—one of the world’s oldest legally protected reserves, dating back to the 18th century.

Due to its high elevation and harsh continental climate, Ulaanbaatar holds the title of the coldest national capital in the world. Founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center, it moved locations 28 times before permanently settling at its present site in 1778. Today, Ulaanbaatar serves as the country’s cultural, industrial, and financial hub, and it’s Mongolia’s main transportation gateway, with rail links to both Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railway and China. Whether for business or leisure, almost every traveler to Mongolia will pass through UB.

Trip Details
Fullday City Tour
Daily

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Itinerary

Gandantegchinlen Monastery – A major center of Mongolian Buddhism, this monastery was first established in 1809 by order of the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. Its name means “Great Place of Complete Joy.” The complex features several temples, including the Avalokiteśvara Temple built in 1913, which houses an impressive 26.5 m-high statue of Avalokiteśvara (Migjid Janraisig). The monastery has been revitalized since 1990 and is home to over 150 resident monks.

Sukhbaatar Square (Chinggis Khaan Square) – The heart of Ulaanbaatar, this grand square has been the site of numerous historical events. While officially renamed Chinggis Khaan Square in 2013 and later reverted in 2016, locals still call it Sukhbaatar Square. Dominating its north side is a grand colonnade monument honoring Chinggis Khaan and his descendants Ögedei and Kublai. At the center stands the equestrian statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar, a leader of Mongolia’s 1921 revolution.

Chinggis Khaan museum – is Mongolia’s largest cultural and historical museum, dedicated to the legacy of Genghis Khan and the history of Mongolian empires. Opened in 2022, the nine-story building combines modern architecture with traditional motifs. Inside, the museum houses over 10,000 artifacts, about 90% of which are originals, spanning from the ancient Hunnu and Turkic states to the era of the Great Mongol Empire and its descendants. Exhibits include royal seals, weapons, letters, artworks, and everyday objects that showcase Mongolia’s rich nomadic heritage and global influence. Visitors can explore immersive halls across multiple floors, culminating in a ceremonial hall with a golden statue of Chinggis Khaan.

Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan – Located in southern Ulaanbaatar on the road to Zaisan, the Winter Palace is one of Mongolia’s most important historical landmarks. Built between 1893 and 1903 in a Chinese architectural style, it was one of four residences of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, later proclaimed Bogd Khan, the spiritual leader and emperor of Mongolia. Today, it serves as a museum. The palace complex consists of six temples filled with exquisite Buddhist art, including sculptures and thangka paintings. Remarkably, it is among the few historic sites in Mongolia that survived Soviet and Communist destruction. Visitors can see a fascinating collection of the Bogd Khan’s personal belongings: his throne, bed, ornate ceremonial ger, and even a pair of ceremonial boots gifted by Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Other highlights include his art collection, taxidermy exhibits, and jeweled regalia once worn by his pet elephant.

Zaisan Memorial (Zaisan Hill) – Located on a hill in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar, the Zaisan Memorial honors Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. This prominent landmark features a large circular mural that celebrates the historical friendship between Mongolia and the Soviet Union. The mural illustrates key moments shared by the two nations: Soviet support for Mongolia’s independence in 1921, the joint victory over Japan’s Kwantung Army at Khalkhiin Gol in 1939, the defeat of Nazi Germany, and later peacetime achievements, including space exploration such as the Soyuz 39 mission, which carried Mongolia’s first cosmonaut, Jugderdemidiin Gurragchaa. Climbing the steps to the memorial rewards visitors with panoramic views of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding mountains, making Zaisan Hill both a place of remembrance and one of the city’s most popular viewpoints.

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Prices

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:

1 person: USD 300 per person

2 people: USD 200 per person

3 people: USD 180 per person

4/7 people: USD 160 per person

8+people: USD 140 per person

Practicalities

Practicalities:

Transfers:

Operates daily as shared transfer on fixed times. Starts at 09:00 and finishes around 17:00.

Includes:

Lunch in Ulaanbaatar. City transfers. Local English speaking guide. Entrance fees to museum and park.

Excludes:

Drinks. Arrival and departure transfers and hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar.

Transfer schedule:

Daily year around.

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

Read all reviews

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

13th Century Park

temuujin — Wed, 09 May 2018 02:52:21 +0000

13th Century Park

Chinggis Khaan Statue

Introduction

Located about 96 km east of Ulaanbaatar in Erdene soum, Tuv province, this unique cultural park spans 88 hectares around Yol Mountain. Designed as a “living museum,” it recreates the lifestyle of the Mongol Empire during Chinggis Khaan’s era. Visitors experience life without modern technology: no television, electricity, or phones—allowing for an authentic 13th-century atmosphere. The park features traditional ger camps, farms, statues, and performance areas, offering a true immersion into Mongolian heritage. Guests can dine in a palace setting reminiscent of the Great Khans, practice archery, ride horses and camels, or simply relax while enjoying Mongolia’s wide-open steppe and clear blue skies.

Trip Details
13th Century Park & Chinggis Khaan Statue
Daily

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Trip Details

Itinerary

Activities

Craftsmen Park: Observe traditional artisans making handmade items such as jewelry, horse tack, tools, woolen felt decorations, and carpets—all crafted in authentic 13th-century style.

Educational Park: Learn Mongolian calligraphy and try writing traditional scripts, while exploring the historical methods of education and literacy.

Herders Park: Experience nomadic life—train and lasso horses, ride camels, yaks, and horses, learn pastoral skills, and see how dairy products and leather goods were traditionally made.

Shaman Park: In keeping with ancient customs, Shamans from different clans across Mongolia gather under the vast blue sky around a sacred bonfire to perform rituals honoring Mother Nature and the gods. These ceremonies aim for a shared spiritual purpose and offer visitors a rare glimpse into Mongolia’s living shamanic traditions. There are several types of shamanic worship rituals, including those devoted to the 33 Heavens, sacred cairns (ovoo), and the bonfire ceremony, which can be arranged by reservation. These are extensive yet deeply magical events that leave a lasting impression. Visitors may also explore the gers of different shaman clans and, if they wish, have their fortune told by a practicing shaman.

Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue
Located 54 km east of Ulaanbaatar at Tsonjin Boldog, the legendary site where Genghis Khan is said to have found a golden whip, this monumental statue has become one of Mongolia’s most iconic landmarks. Erected in 2008, the 40-meter (131 ft) tall stainless-steel statue depicts Chinggis Khaan on horseback and is the largest equestrian statue in the world.The statue stands atop the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, a 10-meter-high visitor center supported by 36 columns representing Mongolia’s 36 khans, from Genghis to Ligden Khan. Symbolically, the statue faces east toward his birthplace. Inside the two-story base, visitors can view a replica of the legendary golden whip, explore exhibitions, enjoy traditional Mongolian cuisine, and learn about Chinggis Khaan’s history and legacy. An elevator takes guests partway up inside the horse; from there, a passage leads through its chest and neck to a viewing platform on the horse’s head, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding steppe and mountains.

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Itinerary map

Gallery

Prices

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar:

1 person: USD 350 per person

2 people: USD 240 per person

3 people: USD 200 per person

4-7 people: USD 180 per person

8+people: USD 160 per person

Practicalities

Practicalities:

Includes: Lunch outside Ulaanbaatar, round-trip transfers, local English-speaking guide, and all entrance fees to museums and parks.
Excludes: Drinks, Ulaanbaatar hotel accommodation, and arrival/departure airport transfers.
Transfer Schedule: Available daily year-round.
- Departure from UB: 09:00
- Return to UB: 17:00

What our guests say

We appreciate your feedback about our tours and services.

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Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Living the mongolian way

Great place to stay and experience mongolian way of living, no tv, wifi, phone. Just nature and great company of the staff and livestocks of mongolia. The toilet is a hole in the ground covered by a shed. It is clean, but can be smelly to those used to city life. Not hot water supply, inform the staff that you like to hot water half an hour earlier so that they can boil it over camel dung

joycel

Portfolios Archive | Tours, Trips & Treks to Mongolia | Travel to Mongolia | Nomadic Journeys

Must 5 places to visit in Mongolia

Must 5 places to visit in Mongolia

1. Gobi

2. The Altai Mountains

3. The Khan Khentii – Gorkhi Terelj National Park

4. The Eastern Steppe

5. Orkhon Valley

What our guests say

Do’s and Don’ts in Mongolia

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

Mongolian Greetings

Mongolia Customs of Respect

Ger Etiquette

Pipe Smoking and Passing the Snuffbox

Mongolian Eating Customs

Mongolian Drinking Customs

Religious Customs

What our guests say

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN MONGOLIA

I. Sleep under thousands of stars in a ger

II. Travel like a Nomad

III. Enjoy solitude in a wild and beautiful place

IV. Experience the ancient history of the Great Mongol Empire

V. Go on a natural adventure

What our guests say

Happy Naadam

Happy Naadam

Program of Naadam Festival

July 10, WEDNESDAY

Rural Naadam

July 10, WEDNESDAY

July 11, THURSDAY

July 12, FRIDAY

July 13, SATURDAY

Horse Trainer’s Naadam Festival

Birding in the East

Birding in the East

Introduction

Trip Details

Day 1: To Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

Day 2-3: Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

Day 4: To Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

Day 5: Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

Day 6: To Jalman Meadows

Day 7-8: Jalman Meadows

Day 9: To Ulaanbaatar

PRICE 2020 ex Ulaanbaatar:

Practicalities:

Transport:

Accommodation:

Staff:

Meals:

Including:

Excluding:

What our guests say

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Introduction

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Dates ex Ulaanbaatar:

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Birding Holidays

Introduction

Trip Details

Day 1: To South Gobi

Day 2: To Yol Valley

Day 3: To Khongor Sand Dunes

Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes