Mongolia

The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21^st century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers (wooden latticed structures covered with layers of felt and canvas, known as yurts in Russia) and Buddhist monasteries sit alongside modern high-rises. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel, which is within walking distance of museums and shops. After lunch we walk to the Choijin Lama Temple, an impressive historical site in the heart of the modern city, then on to Sukhbaatar Square to view the impressive statues of Mongol leaders erected in front of the government buildings, before heading back to the hotel.

Hotel: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

This morning we explore the Winter Palace complex, where Mongolia’s last king and eighth living Buddha resided, before discovering the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts. After lunch, we drive out of Ulaanbaatar to the Chinggis Khan Statue complex. On the way back to Ulaanbaatar we visit the atmospheric Tonyukuk monument, considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites of the early Turks in all of Mongolia. It is inscribed with a brief history of the Turkic state and the statue is considered one of the most significant examples of runic inscription.

Hotel: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

We fly to Moron and visit its Archaeology and Ethnography Museum which is home to an interesting collection of the traditional dress of Mongolian ethnic groups. After lunch, we see the Hyadagin deer stones, some of which are an imposing nine-feet tall. Next, we continue on to Lake Hovsgol. This crystal-clear alpine lake, known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” is situated among pristine forests, mountains, and meadows. We end today’s exploration at the Achmag deer stones and tonight we enjoy our first night in a traditional ger camp.

Hotel: Harganat Lodge

We complete our study of the region’s deer stones at Uushigiin. Of the many deer stone collections in the Hovsgol Province, those at Uushigiin are a real highlight. Comprised of 14 remarkably preserved deer stones, lined up from north to south, this site is sometimes referred to as the “graveyard of deer stones.” The front stone is carved with a human face at the top and is the only one of its kind. We spend time exploring the monuments, before embarking on a long drive to Jargalant, passing through pastoralist encampments. On arrival at our ger camp we can enjoy an optional traditional hot spring bath.

Hotel: Jargal Jiguur Ger Camp

This morning we explore the region of Jargalant. We visit the ruins of the Ariin Huree Monastery, which include remnants of a staircase that leads to a hilltop shrine. We then travel to our next Ger Camp on the shores of Terkhin Tsagaan Lake.

Hotel: Maikhan Tolgoi Ger Camp

An early morning awaits as we prepare for another day of discovery. Arkhangai Province is home to hundreds of ancient square burial mounds, deer stones, monuments, and petroglyphs. After crossing over Tsagaan Burgasnii Davaa Pass, we encounter decorated deer stones at Shivertin and Tsatssiin. In the afternoon we visit the Tsetserleg Museum, which is housed within the picturesque Zayayn Gegeenii Temple. We also visit the 19th century “Maidar” Buddha statue, located high above the town and valley, before driving on to our ger camp at Kharkhorin, our home for the next three nights.

Hotel: Asa Land Ger Camp

This morning we visit the site of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13^th century. The excellent onsite museum of Mongol and Gokturk artefacts includes those discovered during recent archaeological work that has taken place at the site, now completed, and includes a brick stove, and a section dedicated to recent findings is being rotated continually. We then explore the expansive complex of Erdene Zuu, thought to be the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, constructed on the site of the Mongol capital.

Hotel: Asa Land Ger Camp

After a beautiful morning drive across expansive grass steppe we arrive at the pine forest-covered Khangai Mountains. Leaving the vehicles, we hike up to spectacular Tovkhon Khiid Monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monasteries, founded in the mid-seventeenth century by Zanabazar – the Khalka’s spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism in outer Mongolia. The monastery has numerous places of spiritual importance, and its spectacular rocky location provides expansive views of the surrounding steppe and mountains. In the afternoon we return to our ger camp for free time.

Hotel: Asa Land Ger Camp

This morning is spent exploring the ruins of the ancient citadel of Khar Balgas. Meaning ‘Black Ruins,’ Khar Balgas was the site of a 9^th century Uyghur capital. Chinggis Khan greatly admired the Uyghurs and adopted their script as the official script of the Mongols, which is still used in the country today. Next, we drive northwest to Hoton Village – the site of this journey’s first deer stone. Although half of the stone is missing, locals brought the remaining part to their village for display and preservation. After lunch, we visit the museum built to house the important stelae of early Turkic leaders Kultegin and Bilge Khagan, erected in the 8^th century during the Second Turkic Empire.  We then drive on to beautiful freshwater Ugii Lake, one of the largest lakes in all of Mongolia.

Hotel: Ugii Ger Camp

We begin the day exploring the expansive ruins of Har Buh Fortress, originally constructed by the Uyghurs in the ninth century, and later rebuilt by the Khitan in the tenth. Our afternoon is spent in Hustai National Park, a reserve built to protect wildlife such as Przwalski horses, red deer, and marmot. The national park is also rich in bird life, including black vultures, golden eagles, falcons, cranes and storks.

Hotel: Hustai Ger Camp

In the morning we visit the Turkic Ongot graves, the stones of which are ornately carved with intricate human-like features. In the afternoon, we return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the Hunnu Mall’s dinosaur exhibit, and then on to the Zaisan Soviet era memorial for a stop here that affords excellent views over the city.

Hotel: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

We begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the most important centre of Buddhism in Mongolia. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a showpiece for government officials. In spite of the government’s efforts to suppress Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia’s spirituality persisted, and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Monasteries across the country then began opening their doors to worshipers, and the few lamas who survived the purges began training a new generation. Experience these exciting developments first-hand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras – the teachings of the Buddha. Our afternoon is at leisure.

Hotel: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

This morning we fly to Dalanzadgad and then drive to our ger camp. After free time to rest, we make our way to the Moltsog sand dune, where we meet with local nomads for an introduction to life in the Gobi. After lunch we drive on to the Flaming Cliffs, an area that has yielded many dinosaur fossils, for spectacular sunset views of the Gobi landscape.

Hotel: Gobi Ger Camp

Our first visit of the day is to the ancient Khavsgait petroglyphs, located high up on a rocky ridge above the Gobi. After lunch we drive on to the spectacular Yolyn Am gorge. We first visit the entrance museum and then walk into the gorge for spectacular views of rocky cliffs and dramatic canyons.

Hotel: Gobi Ger Camp

This morning we fly back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we walk to the National Museum of Mongolia to explore its displays of implements from daily nomadic life, including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, religious relics, and equipment used for fishing and hunting. In the evening we come together for our farewell dinner.

Hotel: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar

We transfer to the airport for our return flight back to London.

Extend your tour and experience the celebrated Naadam Festival

If you want to encounter one of Mongolia’s most traditional expressions of nomadic culture, why not extend your stay so that you can experience the one-of-a-kind Naadam Festival. An incredible fusion of arts and sports, this annual event showcases three sports as a way to celebrate the country’s national independence. Here, you can watch wrestling, horse-racing and archery alongside performances of dancing and singing.

The Naadam Festival is a national holiday that lasts for three days and local attendees typically wear traditional, brightly coloured costumes called ‘dell’ throughout. At the event, you’ll be able to sample a traditional dish known as khuushuur – a fried pancake stuffed with meat – and can soak up the atmosphere of this festival, which is held in such high regard by the Mongolian people.

To find out how to add this 2-night extension to your tour and what is included, please contact a member of our Sales Team.