From Yak to Kayak

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. 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 democratic nation. 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.

Also visit the recently renovated Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, “the lord who looks in every direction.” This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan’s temples. Next, explore the National Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia’s minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing, and hunting equipment. After lunch, drive to Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the renowned 17th-century artist and politician who was the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

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

Begin the day with a visit to Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Located amidst the modern high rises, one of the architectural gems of Mongolia was originally built by the order of the last king of Mongolia the Bogd Khaan dedicated to his brother and the state oracle Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama. Choijin is an honorary title given to the high rank monks. Consisting of a group of five temples, the Choijin Lama Temple museum houses various Buddhist artifacts dating back to 1800–1900s, including the masterpieces of the famous Mongolian sculptor Zanabazar, some fine thangkas, and the best collection of tsam masks for the religious ceremonies in the country.

After lunch, fly north to Murun (1.5 hours), the capital of Hovsgol Province, and continue overland to Lake Hovsgol (approximately 4 hours), experiencing the Mongolian steppe land, forested mountains, and passing by the Uushgiin Deer stones. Lake Hovsgol is Mongolia’s largest lake by water volume, it extends 85 miles in length and 18 miles in width and is fed by over 90 streams and rivers. Water exits the lake through only one river, the Egiin, whose waters eventually reach Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. Known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” Lake Hovsgol is situated among some of the most pristine forests, mountains, and meadows in the world. Bird life and wildflowers abound, and there will be ample opportunity to discover the lake’s secrets in the following days. Overnight at ger camp.

(Double Lake Ger Camp - Standard Room; B, L, D)

Your day begins as you horse trek into the forested peaks of the Khoridol Saridag Mountains. Bordering the western shore of Lake Hovsgol, the mountains offer spectacular views of the lake and surrounding forests (3 hours). Arrive at your camp site just in time for lunch. After your picnic lunch, hike up to the Hyasaa mountain, on the very roads that were created by the Russian geological team in the 70s and 80s. These roads were used to transport phosphorus from the top of the mountains, zigzagging on the sides to the road that leads straight to the top of the mountain. After about 2 hours of hiking, you will reach the top overlooking Lake Hovsgol. Return to the tent camp for a sumptuous dinner and overnight. Overnight in tents. Guides will set up tents for every two people, outfitted with high-quality sleeping bags and mats.

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

After breakfast, trek back to your ger camp on a horseback (3 hours) and enjoy your lunch on arrival. Later this afternoon, explore the Lake Hovsgol using quality expedition kayaks. Visit the shoreline and photograph the surrounding mountains from the lakeside. Return to the base camp in the late afternoon. Overnight in gers.

(Double Lake Ger Camp - Standard Room; B, L, D)

After breakfast return to Murun for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. If time permits en route, stop for a picnic lunch at Lake Irkh, a small saline lake in the midst of the steppe that is popular with a variety of birds. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon, transfer to the hotel. Your dinner is independent this evening.

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

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 dhole, snow leopard, wild camel, and Gobi bear.

Upon arrival, drive to the Yol Valley National Park (45 mins), 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.

Next, drive to Three Camel Lodge ger camp (1.5 hours), located at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure or explore the surroundings on your own. 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.

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

Wake early to the sight of the sun rising over the vast Gobi landscape. After breakfast drive to Tugregiin Shiree (1 hour) the site where the famous “Fighting Dinosaurs” fossil of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor locked in combat was discovered in the 1970s. Explore this white-sandstone escarpment and nearby sand dunes.

Continue on and visit Bulgan (30 minutes), a small town near a natural spring. Bulgan has one of the only farms in the Gobi, which supplies local ger camps with fruits and vegetables, an example of local businesses being supported by ecotourism. Return to the Three Camel Lodge in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

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

Begin the day with a drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. After exploring, meet the camel wranglers and become familiarized with the camels and riding equipment before beginning a camel trek across the Gobi towards Flaming Cliffs, stopping for a picnic lunch at a spot of your choosing. In the late afternoon, arrive at your tent camp site and enjoy your dinner under thousands of stars in the Gobi (6 hours). Overnight in tents.

(Tent Camp; B, L, D)

In the morning, after breakfast mount your camels and ride to the Flaming Cliffs (2 – 3 hours), named for the red-orange sandstone that glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. To the trained eye, the ancient rock formations of the Flaming Cliffs are rich with fossils, and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. You will have an opportunity to spend some time here to explore or perhaps discover some new fossils. Enjoy your picnic lunch on site and return to the Three Camel Lodge. The afternoon is yours free at leisure to enjoy all the activities at the lodge.

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

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Dalanzagad Airport for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar (1.5 hours). Upon arrival, drive to the Dinosaur museum showcasing the spectacular fossils found in the Gobi Desert. On display are fierce Tarbosaurous fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus rex), dinosaur eggs, large Hadrosaur fossils (duck-billed dinosaurs), and many others, all of which illustrate the richness and importance of the paleontological sites in the Gobi Desert. After lunch, pay a visit to the State Department Store for last minute shopping for something to take back home, plus most notably, Mongolian Cashmere, regarded as one of the finest in the world and reasonably priced. In the evening, enjoy traditional Mongolian musical performance featuring the khoomi singers. Overnight at the hotel.

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

In the morning, drive to Hustain Nuruu National Park (2 hours), home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the takhi - commonly known as Przewalski’s horse. Twenty-five years after becoming extinct in the wild, the takhi was reintroduced to the Mongolian steppe from zoo populations by the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of Przewalski’s Horse. Sixteen horses were flown from the Netherlands to Mongolia in 1994, and around 280 now roam the re-introduction sites in Hustain Nuruu. Learn about current conservation efforts and the status of the herds found within the reserve at the visitor’s center before trying to spot these beautiful horses in their natural habitat. Next, drive further out to the Ungut Monument. A historical site dating back to 6 – 8th century AD. Consisting of man stone, lion stones and other tomb stones. Late in the afternoon, return to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy your farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant.

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

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

 (B)