From the Altai to the Gobi

The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern high-rises.

Upon arrival at the airport you are welcomed by your Mongolian guide and transferred to a centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room)

Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia’s nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan Buddhist tradition in which ancient shamanist practices are still evident. 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. However, 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 are again opening their doors to worshippers, and the few lamas who survived the purges are training once again.

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, or the teachings of the Buddha. Visit the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed in silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples.

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, or the teachings of the Buddha. Visit the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed in silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples.

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, or the teachings of the Buddha. Visit the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed in silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples.

Enjoy your welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room; B, L, D)

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Ulgii (2.5 hours), capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. Ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh. There will be ample opportunities to meet local families and experience Kazakh culture in the next few days. Dominated by the Mongolian Altai Mountains, the highest mountains in Mongolia, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people found here.

Explore the town, visiting the local museum to learn more about history of province and its people, the local mosque and market before driving (2-hours) to Nomadic Expeditions Three Eagle Camp located at the base of permanently snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountain (13,783 ft.).

(Three Eagle Camp - Deluxe Ger; B, L, D)

A cross country 1.5 hour drive brings us to Bayan Nuur Lake, located on the north-eastern side of the Tsambagarav mountain. Set dramatically with high mountains on its south and north banks, the lake is also rich with migratory birds. Spend some time walking along its shores spotting birds and visiting with nomads who bring their animals to water. 

Explore Namarjin Valley that lies in the shadow of Tsambagarav mountain, and visit with one of the many nomadic families that make this region their summer home. The afternoon is spent learning and understanding the nomadic way of life through the eyes of the family. Not surprisingly, there is strong emphasis on dairy and dairy products, as the Mongol nomads for generations, have used milk products from the animals that they herd. Every region has their own ways of making dairy products. The most common of all is called “aaruul” or simply hardened milk curd. Today there are over 100 varieties of dairy products in Mongolia.

(Three Eagle Camp; B, L, D) 

In the morning witness the horsemanship of the local nomads, as they demonstrate how they lasso horses and ride bare back. Followed by “Tinge Ilu”, a game of grabbing coins from the ground while riding a horse at full gallop. Another fun game is the “Kizguar”, a Kazakh dating horse game, where the boy on a horse chases the girl on a horse and if he can catch her he gets to kiss her on the cheek and in return if the girl likes the boy, she can chase the boy back. 

The afternoon/evening will be spent visiting with Kazakh falconers. For over a millennium the Kazakh’s have been practicing the art of falconry, a tradition passed down from their Turkic ancestors, using golden eagles as their choice of rapture. Female eagles are preferred for their aggression and size. Weighing up to fifteen pounds, the females are nearly one-third bigger than the males and their vision is eight times more acute than the human eye. Through the winter months the Kazakhs hunt foxes, rabbits and marmots, with their eagle. 

After a conversation, where all your questions on falconry, training, care and well being of the eagle will be answered, we head outside to see a demonstration of how the eagle and the hunter interact, communicating with each other and together hunt.

We will have dinner with the Kazakh family of their traditional cuisine - Kazakh meat platter, locally known as “Besbermakh.” Kazakh are great musicians and singers and over dinner we will also be entertained by a musical performance. 

(Three Eagle Camp; B, L, D)

If time permits in the morning, we will drive to Ulgii (about 1 hour and 10 minutes) and visit the local market and Mosque before the flight back to Ulaanbaatar.

Upon arrival, you will transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Your dinner is independent this evening.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room; B, L)

Today continue with your journey south to the Gobi (1.5 hours), Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-arid desert. Contrary to the sameness that the word ‘desert’ suggests, the Gobi is a fascinating and diverse region, and includes sites of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of the 20th century. For the next few days, explore the stunning landscapes of the Gobi, habitat for Bactrian camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, Golden Eagles, Saker Falcons, jerboas (similar to kangaroo rats), and many endemic reptiles.

The Gobi is also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most rare and elusive mammals, such as the snow leopard, wild camel, and Gobi bear. On arrival, drive to the award winning Three Camel Lodge located at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park (1 hour). The lodge offers a wide variety of activities to travelers from reading a book on Mongolia to watching a documentary about nomadic culture, and from learning traditional Mongolian games to enjoying a relaxing massage.

Later this afternoon, drive to Moltsog Els (45 minutes), one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. Upon arrival, you will meet with your camel wrangler at his home and mount your camels and begin your trek. You will head southeast on an almost 4-hour journey before returning back to the family. Return to the lodge in time for dinner.

(Three Camel Lodge - Deluxe Ger; B, L, D)

Spend today enjoying the local Naadam Festival. True to its name, the festival is dedicated to the “Three Manly Games.” including wrestling, archery, and horse racing. These three sports traditionally measured the courage, strength, and pride of nomads and warriors, although men, women, boys, and girls all take part in contemporary Naadam games. 

In the evening, if time permits, drive to the Havsgait Valley (25 minutes), site of ancient rock drawings left by early Gobi settlers more than 15,000-40,000 years ago. Hundreds of petroglyphs adorn rocks scattered on the top of the mountain. Return to the Lodge for dinner. 

(Three Camel Lodge - Deluxe Ger; B, L, D) 

Depart early morning for Yol Valley National Park (1.5 hours), cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river carved this surprisingly green valley, and its remnant streams create ice formations that sometimes persist as late as July. A hike through the valley leads to the habitat of indigenous vulture-like lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep. After exploring the valley, visit the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the surrounding area, followed by a drive to Dungenee Valley, a deep and narrow gorge where it is possible to view Argali sheep, Altai snowcocks, and ibex. 

Return to the Lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure or participate in lodge-based activities, such as horseback riding, or a nature walk.

In the late afternoon, drive to Bayan Zag (40 minutes), commonly known as the Flaming Cliffs because of their orange glow at dawn and dusk. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the world’s first nest of dinosaur eggs. Although not obvious to the untrained eye, the Flaming Cliffs are rich with dinosaur fossils and have been the site of important paleontological discoveries. Return to the Three Camel Lodge for overnight. 

(Three Camel Lodge - Deluxe Ger; B, L, D) 

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar (1.5 hours). On arrival, visit the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, named in honor of Zanabazar, the renowned 17th-century artist and politician, who was also the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia. The museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, and includes many of Zanabazar’s original works. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and proceed to your hotel for check-in.

Note: Check-in time at the hotel is 2:00 PM

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore the shops nearby. In the evening, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room; B, L, D)

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary.