MONGOLIA NAADAM FESTIVAL and GOBI - July 7-15, 2012
Day 1, July 7: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
After arriving in Ulaanbaatar. You'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to the hotel. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar.
Day 2, July 8: Ulaanbaatar
City sightseeing tour including visit to Gandan Monastery with its huge gold plated Buddha, a symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival. See the monks chanting, spin prayer wheels and view the intricately embroidered thangkas. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit the National History Museum, which houses artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present Dinner and overnight at Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)
Day 3, July 9: Terelj National Park
Travel to the Terelj National Park. The scenery is magnificent. Hiking and horse back riding opportunities available. Overnight in Terelj Lodge Ger Camp. (B,L,D)
Day 4, July 10: Ulaan Baatar
Visit the largest monument to Chinggis Khan. Return to Ulaan Baatar. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)
Day 5, July 11: Naadam Festival
Early morning transfer to the Ulaanbaatar Central Stadium to see the Naadam Opening Ceremony. After lunch, watch the wrestling and archery competition. Evening return to hotel. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)
Day 6, July 12: Horse race and Karakorum
Drive to horse racing competition, one of the three games of the Naadam festival. In the afternoon, continue with trip towards Karakorum. Visit the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, which was the capital of the Great Mongol Empire founded in the 13th Century by Genghis Khan. Overnight in Mongon Mod Ger Camp (B,L,D)
Day 7, July 13: Erdene-Zuu
Visit the oldest monastery, Erdene-Zuu, built in 1586, with 108 stupas. See the monument to our ancient states in the Orkhon River valley. Lunch. Visit nomads. Enjoy a national folk concert in the evening. Overnight in Mongon Mod Ger Camp. (B,L,D)
Day 8, July 14: Ulaanbaatar
Visit the ancient Buddhist monastery, Shankh. Visit with local nomads on the return to Ulaanbaatar. Tour the National Museum and Fine Arts Museum. In the evening, enjoy a throat singing performance along with dinner. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)
Day 9, July 15: Return Home
Transfer from hotel to airport. (B)
PRICE PER PERSON: $2,395.00 (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement: $599.00
Price includes all accommodations, land transportation, domestic flights, all meals as noted, sightseeing as noted in itinerary.
International flights are not included. Flights to Mongolia connect through Beijin, Seoul or Moscow. Escapes Unlimited can assist you with your flight arrangements or you may secure flights on your own.
$3,299 * per person double occupancy - 7 day trip to Mongolia
Includes:
Airfare from the West Coast on Cathay Pacific Airlines via Beijing and Air China Airlines from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar. Add-on fares from most US cities available. Midweek travel, regular season. Add $350 for high season, $60 for week-end travel.
2 nights in a hotel in the capital of Ulaan Baatar with meals and sightseeing (one night at the beginning, one at the end)
4 nights in comfortable ger tents – double occupancy, all meals.
All transportation, full board, all sightseeing
Price applies for 2-4 travelers traveling together.
For 5-10 people - $3,199
For 10-15 people - $,3099
For 16 plus - $2,999
Trip Highlights:
Terelj National Park with visits to nomad horsemen family, horseback riding
Visit to Elsen Tasarkhal sand dunes, camel riding
Ancient 13th Century capital of the great Mogul Empire of Ghengis Khan at Karakorum
16th Century monastery of Erdene-Zuu with 108 stupas; Gandan Monastery in Ulaan Baatar
Hustai National Park to see Takhi, the Asian wild horses. Hiking and photo ops.
VALIDITY:
Price based on double occupancy, valid in May and from Aug 17 to mid October. It is too cold to go to Mongolia before May and after mid-October. Prices in June, July and the first half of August are $300 higher. Prices and availability during the Naadam festival are the hardest to get and the costliest. Naadam is a horse racing festival held annually in July.
Departures are every Wednesday during the above time period.
We recommend adding a 3 day/2 night package to the Gobi desert for fossil viewing and nomad experiences.
Mongolia is a mid-level physically active trip. There are walking, hiking, horseback riding opportunities. For the more adventuresome, there are camels and yaks to ride. More than anything, Mongolia is about experiencing a rapidly disappearing nomad lifestyle, visible only outside of Ulaan Baatar.
VISA REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO MONGOLIA . MUST BE ARRANGED BEFORE DEPARTURE
A TRIP BACK IN TIME TO A NOMAD LIFESTYLE
Day 1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and city tour
After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, You'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to your hotel. After light lunch, take a city sightseeing tour including a visit Gandan Monastery with its huge gold plated Buddha, a symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival. See the monks chanting, spin some prayer wheels and view the intricately embroidered thanks. Then visit to the National History Museum , where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. Terelj National park and visit a local horsemen family
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Terelj National park (70km). You'll explore the extraordinary formation of rocks and stones; some of them look quite similar to turtles. The Terelj National Park incorporates parts of Khentii Mountain Range. We will then visit a local horsemen family. There we have an opportunity to experience their way of life, their culture and traditions. Free horseback trial. Overnight in tourist camp. Full board.
Day 3. Visit Elsen tasarkhai and camel ride trial
Up early morning, drive to Elsen tasarkhai (280km west from Ulaanbaatar ) a unique area of forest and sand dunes. After lunch in tourist camp, there is an opportunity for a camel ride trial through the sand dunes. In the evening, we will play traditional games and stay overnight in a tourist camp. Full board.
Day 4. Visit the site of Ancient capital and enjoy a real Mongolian barbeque
Today's destination is the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, which was the capital city of Great Mongol Empire founded in the 13th century by Genghis Khan. You will also visit the oldest Monastery Erdene-Zuu built in 1586, with 108 stupas. Enjoy a real Mongolian barbeque which is grilled with hot stones, and has a unique taste. Overnight in tourist camp near Orkhon river.
Day 5. See the Takhi, the Asian wild horse
Early morning drive to Hustai National Park and see the Takhi, the Asian wild horse. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi's small museum and overnight in tourist camp. Full board
Day 6. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar and city tour options
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. You may choose a city tour where you can visit souvenir and cashmere shops before an evening concert of National Folklore. A farewell dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 7. Departure back Mongolia
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport.
Price available upon request.
GOBI EXTENSION: 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS at $1450 per person, double occ.
The Gobi desert can be added either before or after the Naadam Festival itinerary.
Day 1 - Early morning flight to the Gobi Desert. Transfer to the ger camp. Lunch at the camp. Travel to National Park and to the Eagle Canyon. Visit a rural family. Dinner and overnight at Gobi Discovery Ger Camp One. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - Full day tour to the Khongor Sand Dunes. Visit Bayan-Zag, famous for its dinosaur fossils. Dinner and overnight at Gobi Discovery Ger Camp Two. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Half day hiking and exploring the sand dues. Dinner and overnight at Gobi Discovery Ger Camp One. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar.
Day 5 - Transfer to the airport for flight home or begin Day 1 of the Naadam Festival itinerary.
Single supplement: $300
Price includes flights to/from Gobi, all accommodations, land transportation, sightseeing and all meals. Price is subject to change if the price of flights increase.
Land
Located in the landlocked plateau of Central Asia between China and Russian Siberia, Mongolia covers an area roughly the size of Western Europe. The geography of the country is characterized by great diversity. From north to south, it can be divided into four areas: mountain-forest steppe, mountain steppe and, in the extreme south, semi-desert and desert; much of the country's territory is mountainous. Mountains and dense forests predominate central and northern Mongolia. Across the eastern part of the country stretches the vast grasslands of the Central Asian steppe. The Gobi Desert extends throughout southern Mongolia. The Gobi Desert contains large areas of sand dunes in the drier areas of the Gobi near the southern border. The country is dotted with hundreds of lakes, the largest being Uvsnuur, Har Usnurr and Lake Huvsgul which is the largest fresh-water lake in Central Asia.
Population
The population of Mongolia is 2,373,500, out of which 45% are nomadic herdsmen. Most of Mongolia's large land is very scarcely populated making the country one of the sparsest populated nations in the world. The population is homogeneous, with Mongol-speaking people constituting 95% of the total. The only substantial non-Mongol group, representing over 5% of the population, is the Kazaks, a Turkish-speaking people dwelling in the far West.
History
Mongolia's history spans 5,000 years. From nomads herding the Central Asian steppe to the formation of the powerful Mongol Empire and the gradual emergence of the Mongolian republic, its history is steeped in conflict.
The first Mongolian state was established in 209 B.C. by Huns or Hunnu people. The name Hunnu comes from two ancient Mongolian wors. "Hun means "man" and "Nu" translates as "sun". The Huns territory stretched from Korea in the Far East to Tian Shan Mountain in Northern China and from the southern section of the Great Wall to Lake baikal in southern Siberia. The Hun stat was the most powerful nomadic nation residing in the sprawling Central Asian steppe and mountain.
Temujin was born into the Esugui in 1162 and is best know as Chinggis (Genghis) Khan. With the support of his father's friends, Temujin established the Great Mongol State in 1189. By 1206 he had united 81 different Mongolian tribes and established the Great Mongolian Empire in 1206, when he was crowned as Chinggis Khan. He died in 1227. Subsequent Mongolian Khans were chosen from following generations of Chinggis Khan's children. Known as the Golden Era of Mongolian history, during this time the Mongol Empire was the most powerful nation on earth. Chinggis Khan was a great military general, statesman and Mongolian national hero. The Mongol Empire began to fall apart in 1368. This was bound up with the collapse of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, which had been established in China after Kublai Khan named Beijing the new Capital of the Mongol Empire. The Manchurians conquered Mongolia in 1691 and the Manchurian colonization lasted for 220 years.
On July 11, 1921, the socialist revolution, known as People's Revolution took place. In 1924, the Mongolian People's Party proclaimed Mongolia a People's Republic. The congress endorsed the Republic's first constitution. As Mongolia maintained strong links with the former Soviet Union, the socialist era continued until 1990, when democratic changes first started in Mongolia. The county's first multi-party election was held in June 1990. Mongolia became a democratic parliamentary republic operating with a President.
Religion
Mongolia's religious roots are bound up in Shamanism. Shamanism was the major religion during both the ancient Mongol states and the Mongol Empire until Tibetan Buddhism gained more popularity after it was introduced in 13th century. Tibet's Dali, Lama, who lives in India, is the religion's spiritual leader, and is highly respected in Mongolia. Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia from Tibet by Kublai Khan during the late 13th century.
Ger
A round wooden-framed felt tent covered in durable white canvas seems to be the most simple description of this portable home, familiar to many from the Russian word "yurt". The history of the ger goes back to 2500 - 3000 years BC. The Mongolian ger has two key components: the wooden frame work and the felt cover. Any ger has a toono, the smoke hole and baganas, 2 columns supporting the toono. There are several felt layers, covering the wooden frame work and outer white canvas which is designed to make the ger look prettier and protect the felt covers from rain and snow. Mongolian nomads, who move several times each year, pack their gers onto the back of camels or camel and ox carts. The weight of a ger is approximately 550 lbs. It only takes half an hour to collapse an average ger and a bit longer to rebuild it.
