Mongolia Family Fun

Welcome to the capital city of Mongolia. The contrast between ancient traditions and the 21st century is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries are juxtaposed with modern high-rises.

Upon arrival, enjoy our hassle-free VIP airport arrival service, where you will be fast tracked through customs and immigration service. You will be met on the jetway upon disembarkation and escorted to the VIP lounge. While waiting for our staff to process your immigration formalities and collect your luggage, relax and have a glass of wine or a snack. Once completed, a half-hour drive will bring you to the Shangri-La Hotel, located in the heart of the city.

(Shangri-La Hotel - Deluxe Room)

Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery. As you stroll through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple. Here, they observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, or teachings of the Buddha. Visit the recently renovated Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent 82-foot high statue of Migjid Janraisig, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones.

Next, drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia’s history and culture. Explore the museum with a local historian or participate in a scavenger hunt with your guide as you uncover some of the secrets in the museum. Displays include 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, choose up to two of the suggested optional activities:

Option 1: Private Throat Singing Performance – Attend a 30-minute private throat singing performance at the University of Art and Culture of Mongolia.

Option 2: Custom Made Deel – Visit a local tailor to get a custom-made deel for you and your family.

Option 3: Zaisan Memorial – Climb 300 steps to the Zaisan Hill Memorial for a panoramic view of the city and the nearby Tuul river.

Option 4: Calligraphy Class – Learn the elite art of Mongolian calligraphy. Practice your strokes, hand, and pressure techniques as you craft your own artwork.

In the evening, enjoy a taste of local cuisine with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

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

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Ulgii (2.5 hours flight), capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. 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. Ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh, and there will be ample opportunities to meet local families and experience their ancient culture.

After landing pay a visit to the local museum. Located in downtown Ulgii, this two-story museum showcases some of the finest embroidery and artifacts collected from the region, including horse and eagle hunting accessories, handwoven carpets, and other arts and crafts (visit will be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour). Afterwards, stop by the outdoor market and enjoy interacting with the locals.

In the afternoon, drive to your camp (1 hour 10 minutes) overlooking Tolbo Lake.

Option 1: Hike to Tolbo Lake – Enjoy a scenic shoreline hike along Tolbo lake (Duration: 2 hours)

Option 2: Hike to the back of the ger camp – Walk into the valley located just north of the ger camp and explore the area (Duration: 2 hours)

(Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp; B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to snowcapped Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain (2- hour drive). The journey will ride past ancient burial mounds towards the Sagsai river where the Turkish stone man statue, a reminder of Mongolia’s rich ancient history, can be found. Today you will have the opportunity to spend time with a local Kazakh family. Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in embroidery and appliqué, and their homes are decorated with colorful textiles. Handcrafted felt carpets line the floor and delicately embroidered tapestries adorn the walls, with every design unique to each family. Gather around the place of honor – the Kazakh table – and learn traditional Kazakh songs while enjoying tea and bortdsig (fried cakes).

Optional activity:

Option 1: Feltmaking: The local family will teach you how to make felt (duration 1.5 hours; suitable for all ages).

Option 2: Kazakh embroidery: The Kazakhs are well known for their handcrafted and colorful embroidery (duration 1 hour; suitable for teens and adults)

Option 3: Dombre lessons: The dombre is a traditional Kazakh musical two stringed instrument widely played in this region (duration 1 hour; suitable for all).

Spend the rest of the afternoon hiking the foothills of Tsengel Khairkhan to take in the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The hike will take place alongside the stream, as there are no paths. Hikers are expected to walk on soft grass fields with occasional rocks to circumnavigate (duration 2 hours; suitable for all).

Return to your camp in the evening for dinner.

(Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp; B, L, D)

This morning, drive towards the permanently snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountain (13,783 ft.), arriving in the Namarjin Valley(1 hour drive). Stop along the way at a Turkic stone monument dating back to 7-9 A.D. Two ethnic minorities live near Tsambagarav Mountain: the Uulds and the Kazakhs. This valley is the autumn pasture of the Uulds, a Mongol-speaking people belonging to the Oirat ethnic group. The Uulds still use animals for moving and carrying loads, and are very proud of their rich history as well as their King, Amarsanaa Khan, who led the rebellion against the Qin Dynasty’s invasion of Mongolia.

You will be greeted at the home of the three-time champion of the Golden Eagle Festival, where you will spend the afternoon learning about the training and hunting techniques. Kazakh hunters ride dressed in traditional dark coats and scarlet hats with eagles perched on their arms. Weighing as much as fifteen pounds, these magnificent birds are trained from a young age to respond to hand signals and return to their owners after capturing small game (duration 3 – 4 hours).

Return to your ger camp.

Choose from the following optional activities:

Option 1: Uriankhai Archer Family – Meet a local Uriankhai family and enjoy an archery demonstration. Uriankhai, a minority tribe of Mongolians (estimated as 1% of the population), are renowned for their archery skills. Attend an archery exhibit and learn how the families make formidable compound bows, which with their advanced design were a significant asset to Chinggis Khan and his descendants during their years of conquest. (duration: 2 hours)

Option 2: Horse Ride – Spend the afternoon riding horses from your camp. The activity level is moderate: the ride will be a loop from the ger camp and the terrain is rocky and both downhill and uphill (duration: 1 hour).

(Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp; B, L, D)

In the morning, drive to Ulgii (1 hour 10 minutes). Enjoy an early packed lunch and fly to Ulaanbaatar (2.5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and enjoy independent dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurant.

Choose from the following optional activities if time allows:

Option 1: Intellectual Museum –Inspired by the childhood dream of Mr. Tumen-Olzii, the International Intellectual Museum of Mongolia showcases the fascinating collections of traditional toys, puzzle games designed and created by Mr. Tumen-Olzii and the local artisans, as well as intellectual games gathered from other parts of the world during his personal travels (duration: 1 hour).

Option 2: Bow and Arrow Demonstration – Enjoy a private visit and demonstration with a local bow and arrow maker. Mongolians are renowned as excellent sharp shooters, due in part to the excellent design of the bows. Learn the secrets of bow making, including how it is not crafted from a single piece of wood, but instead from many different materials, including ibex horns joined in the middle by wood and strengthened by a cow or camel tendon. The process of making the bow can take from 6 – 12 months depending on the skill of the maker. In most cases, the bow and arrow makers are also archers who compete in the national archery tournaments (duration: 1 – 1.5 hours).

Option 3: Papercut Master Visit - Take a tour of a local paper cutter’s studio. This is the unique art of creating anything the mind can imagine from paper, and it requires no pre-drawing. Visit with the paper cutter and see how he creates his work, then try your hand at creating your own artwork (duration: 1 hour).

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

After breakfast, depart for Karakorum (5-6 hours), site of the 13th- century capital of the Mongol Empire. The empire created by Chinggis Khan and his descendants was the largest contiguous land empire in recorded history, and its scope has never been matched. Travelers in the 13th century were impressed not only with the beauty of Karakorum, but also by the internationalism and openness of this city where traders, intellectuals, and clergy enjoyed religious freedom.

Along the way stop at Kultegin Monument, erected during the Turkic Empire in the 8th century. Built in honor of a prince, this magnificent statue has been the subject of research by archeologists from around the world, and many roof tiles found in the area, along with other significant artifacts, are exhibited at the newly established museum funded by the government of Turkey.

On arrival, settle into your camp overlooking the spectacular Orkhon River valley.

After lunch, spend the evening hiking through the magnificent grasslands of the Orkhon Valley, considered to be the cradle of Mongolian civilization. The beautiful Orkhon Valley is not just home to many archeological, cultural, and historic sites but it also stands testimony to how age-old nomadic culture has shaped and influenced developmental changes in trade, commerce, military, and religious practices.

Option 1: Horse Trek – Ride horses through the scenic Orkhon Valley (duration: 2 hours).

Option 2: Shaman Ceremony – Attend a private shaman ceremony at your camp.

(Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp; B, L, D)

After breakfast, visit the Karakorum Museum. The newly established Karakorum museum offers fascinating insight into what was once the center of arts, politics, trades, and religions of the world. The museum features permanent exhibits, as well as temporary exhibits showcasing recent findings.

Next, visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s largest monastery, reputedly constructed from the ruins of Karakorum in the 16th century. Surrounded by 108 stupas, Erdene Zuu has been a place of Buddhist activity for more than 500 years. Explore the monastery grounds and observe the monks as they perform their prayers and rituals.

Choose from the following optional activities:

Option 1: Local School and Boarding House – Pay a visit to the local school and its boarding house. The school representatives will provide an introduction to the school, talk about its everyday issues, and the curriculum.

Option 2: Nomadic Family Visit – Spend the afternoon with a local family and participate in their daily activities, including milking their animals, preparing meals, and herding their animals.

(Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp; B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive back to Ulaanbaatar (5 hour-drive), then spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Choose from the following optional activities:

Option 1: Bogd Khan Palace Museum - Upon arrival, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum. It was the home of Mongolia’s last theocrat, Bogd Jabtzan Damba Hutagt VIII, and displays elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of Mongolia’s “8th Living Buddha.”

Option 2: Throat Singing Class: Throat signing is uniquely Mongolian and originates in Western Mongolia in the Altai Mountains. This is a form of singing that imitates the sounds of nature by simultaneously emitting two distinct vocal sounds. There are two main styles, Kharkhiraa (deep) and Isgeree (whistled). Participants are taught both styles by a professior from the Mongolian Arts University.

Option 3: Shopping: Ulaanbaatar offers an array of treasures made by local artisans. Enjoy an afternoon of shopping for Mongolian goods, such as cashmere shawls, sweaters and other artifacts; you’ll certainly find a beautiful souvenir.

In the evening enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

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

Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for an early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to the Gobi (1.5 hours), the southernmost point of Mongolia. The Gobi is the ultimate playground, with endless swaths of wide open spaces and stunning landscapes, but it’s also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most rare and elusive mammals, such as the dhole, snow leopard, Gobi bear, and the wild Bactrian camel. It is the sort of place where you can let the kids, and their imaginations, run wild.

Upon arrival, drive to the award-winning Three Camel Lodge located at Bulagtai Mountain on the edge of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (1 hour) and check in to your ger.

Choose from the following optional morning activities:

Option 1: Guided Bike Ride – Observing the vast Gobi by bicycle is a treat for travelers and allows you to experience nature you might otherwise miss. Enjoy an easy to moderate, guided bike ride through the countryside. Helmets are provided.

Option 2: Horseback riding - After a safety briefing and helmet fitting, riders are led around the area by our wrangler. More experienced riders should speak to their guide to arrange more challenging rides.

In the late afternoon, drive to Moltsog Els, one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes. Imagine a giant sandbox, and you’ll begin to understand what kind of fun your family can have here. Explore the dunes on foot, but don’t miss riding a Bactrian camel. It is not everyday that you’ll get the chance to get up close and personal with a two-humped camel. In fact, these wooly creatures are native to this region and are only found in Central Asia. After the bumpy ride filled with plenty of laughs (and photos), enjoy dinner by the dunes as your guide shares Mongolian folk stories.

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

After breakfast at the Lodge, you will visit with a local nomadic family. to learn more about their way of life. Help them with their chores, including herding and milking their animals, and learn how to prepare milk tea. You may also get the chance to learn the traditional games of the steppe , utilizing the ankle bones of sheep and goats.

Spend the afternoon at leisure at the Lodge or choose one of these optional activities:

Option 1: Cooking Class - You’re always shooing them out of the kitchen at home, but this time, you’ll bring the whole family into the kitchen to participate in a hands-on cooking class. Learn how to make traditional Mongolian dishes, including buuz (steamed dumplings) and khuushuur (deep fried meat pockets) from our Three Camel Lodge chef.

Option 2: Ger Building – Experience ger building firsthand. Join our Lodge staff to learn the process of raising a traditional Mongolian ger. Building and setting up a ger is a fun and immersive way to soak up the local culture.

In the evening, drive to Havsgait Valley, the site of ancient rock drawings left by early Gobi settlers more than 5,000-7,000 years ago. Hundreds of petroglyphs adorn rocks scattered on the top of the mountain. After your exploration, drive back to the Lodge or burn off a little energy with a mountain bike ride back (duration 1-2 hours).

Note: The walk up to the Havsgait petroglyphs is quite steep and over loose gravel covered ground. This activity is not advisable for those with walking difficulties.

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

Drive to Tugregiin Shiree (1.5 hours), first explored by Polish expeditions in the late-1960s and early-1970s. Tugrigiin Shiree is best known for the famous “Fighting Dinosaurs,” a fossil of a Protoceratops and Velociraptor locked in combat. It is an impressive sight and is something most families would only dream of seeing in a museum.

Return to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a documentary featuring Roy Chapman Andrew, the real-life Indiana Jones, whose expedition discovered the world’s first dinosaur eggs at the Gobi’s Flaming Cliffs.

Next, you head to the legendary Flaming Cliff (1 hour drive). Nicknamed the Flaming Cliffs because of the red-orange sandstone which glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset, it was here, in 1922, 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. The region remains rich with fossils and new discoveries are made each year, though it’s important to note that no finds may be taken from the site.

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your early morning flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, choose from one of the optional activities or spend the day sightseeing or shopping. Ulaanbaatar offers an array of treasures made by local artisans ranging from cashmere shawls and sweaters to handicraft; you’ll certainly find a beautiful souvenir here.

Optional afternoon activities:

Option 1: Dinosaur Museum & Paleontology Laboratory – Visit a Dinosaur Museum and discover Mongolia’s paleontology treasures. You’ll also get a a behind-the-scenes tour led by a local paleontologist and examine the latest batch of dinosaur fossils excavated from the field.

Option 2: Chinggis Khan Equestrian Statue – Drive to Tsonjin Boldog (1.5 hours). The massive statue of Chinggis Khan made of 250 tons of gleaming stainless steel will take your breath away. Once inside the two-story base of the statue, visitors can see a replica of Chinggis Khan’s legendary golden whip and also take an elevator to a deck on the horse’s head and marvel at the surrounding area overlooking the beautiful Mongolian steppe.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight. Enjoy the privileges of the VIP lounge as you reflect on your unforgettable family adventure in Mongolia.

(B)