Nomads and Buddhists 7 days, 6 nights:
UB 2 days, MZ 1 day, BE 4 days
Day 1 Arrival to UB, touring evening UB and Zaisan outlook, if time allows visit National history museum and folk concert. Spend a night in UB.
Day 2 Visit Manzshir museum, ruins of the old moanstery. It takes only an hour from Ulaanbaatar and visitors will have exciting tours in the area of Manzshir Monastery, in Bogd Khaan National Park . This 300 year old national park is one of the most important natural heritage sites in Mongolia famous for its pristine ecosystem and wildlife. Main attraction is the Manzshir monastery, once used to host over 1000 lamas, and was badly destroyed in the 1930's during communist purges. The ruins of the original monastery dating from 1733, are clearly visible. God images, carved in the granite rock at the monastery, is a unique historical and cultural exposition. Travel to Central province capital. Visit small monastery, receive a brief introduction to Lamaist branch of Buddhist religion. Spend a night in center of the Central province.
Day 3 Drive from UB for 150kms to a place called "Ulahiin bulan". It is located on the bank of the river Tuul and is combination of semi-desert and grassy valleys. Visit local family and spend a night in tent or nomadic ger. You can try yourself in the nomadic life by trying daily duties such as herding, milking sheeps and goats, milking the mare etc.
Day 4 Take horseback riding lessons. Local herdsmen will help you to adjust to Mongolian horse. After lunch ride to a hill called "Badrah" in 10-15kms. Visit local nomadic family on the way. Hiking in hills. Overnight in tent or nomadic ger.
Day 5 Ride to a place called "Elsen am" in 10kms. It is a small piece of desert in the middle of grassy valley and nearby mountains and river. There are quite a few camels in the this area. Spend a day in this area. Quite briefly ride camels. Spend a night in tent or nomadic ger.
Day 6 Ride to a place called "Sar". Visit locals. In the afternoon ride to a mountain called "Zotol hairhan". "Zotol hairhan" has a strange rocky shape and usually attracts a quite a few mountaineers. Ride and hike around "Zotol hairhan". Spend a night in tent or nomadic ger.
Day 7 Drive back to UB. I bet that it would feel very nice to be in the comfort of flushing toilet, TV and soft beds after few days in the coutnryside. In one word - civilization. Dive into the best cashmere sale in the world. Mongolia produces a significant share of the world's raw cashmere and produces a variety of cashmere goods at a sale prices. Traditional craft, paintings and other arts became one of the major export items of Mongolia . Check out paintings by contemporary Mongol artists and you will find some amazingly elegant and high-quality pieces. After the dinner explore the nightlife in Ulaanbaatar . For the city of 700 thousand, Ulaanbaatar has an extraordinary lively and cozy nightlife with a number of upscale dance clubs and bars. |