| START FROM ZAMYN-UUD, END IN ULAANBAATAR (TOUR THROUGH GOBI AND CENTRAL MONGOLIA) |
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Itinerary name: START FROM ZAMYN-UUD, END IN ULAANBAATAR  Day1. Arrive in Zamyn-Uud border town. (230 km). Day2. Demchig Monastery. (190 km). Day3. Drive to South Gobi province, drive to Yoliin Am (330 km). Early morning, we will drive to Umnugobi province and will drive you to the valley of Yolyn Am. The valley begins from Zuun Saikhan Mountain, a branch of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain system, and stretches over 10 km. It is completely shaded from the sun in some parts by high cliff walls. You will walk through the valley which is famous for the fact that there is ice present there even during the hot summer months. The beauty of the valley, combined with the sound of vultures (Yol means vulture, in Mongolian) creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder – this is an experience not to be missed! Day4. Drive to Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes. (200 km). Today we drive to Khongor sand dunes that extend along the northern side of Sevrei and Zoolun mountain ranges for 180 km, get to ger camp, explore the area, climbing up the Singing Dunes. They extend for 185 kilometers and include dunes that can reach 20 meters in height. The sound produced by the masses of moving sand can be heard from afar, and when it occurs, it is said that it can be mistaken for the sound of an aero plane. Hence their name is 'singing sands', or 'musical sands'. Near Hongor Gol (Hongor River) at the northern edge of the dunes, there is an oasis. We will be riding on camels today to explore these massive sand-dunes. The two-humped camels are very comfortable to ride, as they walk slowly and gently and we will be well supported by the humps, sitting comfortably between them. Our camel man will take us to the sand-dunes. We will stay overnight in a tourist camp close to the dunes. Day5. Hiking over the sand dunes, drive to Bayanzag. (120 km). The sand dunes, which stand 800 meters above sea level, continue for over 100 km, and are about 20 km wide, making them the largest distribution of sand dunes in Mongolia. After lunch, continue the drive towards Bayanzag, a saxual forest and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as skeleton & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there. American zoologist Roy Chapman Andrews named this place as “End of the World”. As scientists defined it was an inland sea bottom some 200 million years ago. There, we will visit local dinosaur museum. The Flaming Cliffs themselves are very imposing from a distance, and are particularly fiery in the light of the setting sun, and it is an interesting place to wander about to get a closer look at one of the world’s most famous palaeontlogical sites. Day6. Drive to Middle Gobi province, Ongi monastery ruin. (180km) After breakfast, we will head to Saikhan Ovoo, a small village in the Middle Gobi province. During the way visit the mountainside remains of the Ongiin Monastery, which now has a small number of novices after years of turmoil. There we will enjoy the peace and beauty of the Delger Khangai Mountains. We will explore the ruins of of Ongi Monastery. Day7. Drive to Karakorum, visit monastery of Erdene-Zuu. (250 km). After breakfast we will drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia where today there is a small local township. On arrival you will notice the first and most obvious landmark which is the massive wall of the Erdene Zuu Monastery. The monastery was built in 1586 by a well-known Mongolian king called Abtai Sain Khaan, and is surrounded by a vast 400m wall. Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples, only a few of which remain standing after the communist purges. In previous times the grounds held over 60 temples with 10,000 monks using them for their daily worship. We will visit there after lunch. Day8. Ulaantsutgalan Waterfall. (110 km). Today we will have a trip to Orkhon Waterfall. This valley is known as the cradle of Mongolian civilization as many of Mongolia’s ancient monuments lie within its borders. The Orkhon Waterfall marks the halfway point of the Orkhon River, the longest River in Mongolia. The area surrounding the waterfall is green and forested and we will spend the day walking in the area and having a picnic lunch. This area of Mongolia is well known for producing the best ‘airag’, or fermented mares’ milk, in the country. Day9. Tsenkher Hot Spa. (90 km). After breakfast we will drive to Tsenkher hot spa for relaxing! We will stay there in a tourist camp and will have well relax there. Tsenkher's curative mineral waters have been used for centuries as the most pure and healing in the Mongolia. Feel the 24 hour mineral water whirlpool massage the tension from your busy life at our refreshing, up scale and sensual countryside center - Sauna bliss - sun bathe au natural - Sleep all day in Mongols' traditional dwelling Ger. Passing through the provincial centre Tsetserleg, you will get legendary rock Taikhar which stands not far from the Tsetserleg. The rock is a steep-sided, 25 meters high pinnacle of granite which rises abruptly from the flat grassland in the basin of River Tamir. Continue the drive to White Lake. It is the top attraction for your tour! En route, we enjoy gorge of River Chuluut and a hundred branch tree. Day11. Stay in Nomadic family. (150 km). Today we will visit to local real nomadic family for seeing their daily life and their animals especially horses. This region is very famous for their milk products which is produced by hand in home. Pure ecological yogurt, cheese, curds, milk tea and other kind of foods up to you. As well you can horseback riding without any time limit and you will feel real nomadic life and real things. As well you will have a tent and you can put up it near nomads' home. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a traditional Mongolian meal ‘Khorhog’ which is made from large chunks of meat and vegetables, ‘pressure cooked’ using hot rocks. You don’t have to eat the rocks but you might be interested to see what is done with them after the meal is cooked! Today we will drive to National Park Khorgo-Terkh. Extinct volcano Khorgo erupted in the Quaternary Period and Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan was penetrated by lava that came into it from the eruption. Result of this meeting has created a truly incredible landscape which is matched by the fascinating extinct volcano craters which have produced a number of rock formations and huge gorges with fast flowing rivers and cascades. The Lake Terkhiin White, where once-active the volcanoes have formed some beautiful terrain suitable for hiking. Today we will be hiking to volcano Khorgo and climbing up to top of the volcano. Day13. Great hiking around the Great white lake and Khorgo died volcano. Hiking here is really fantastic. The landscape here is equally fascinating with extinct volcano craters producing various rock formations and huge gorges with fast flowing rivers and cascades. Terkhiin White Lake, where once-active volcanoes have formed some beautiful terrain suitable for hiking. Today we will hiking to Khorgo volcano and climbing up to top of volcano. Continue the drive north towards Extinct Volcano Uran. This is a long driving day through mountain range Khangai. You will come to a mountainous valley with forest and a River. Will arrive in the area in the late afternoon. It is a dormant volcano and its surrounding is very beautiful. Day15. Monastery Amarbayasgalant. (250 km). Drive to a famous monastery Amarbayasgalant. After having a packed lunch, we walk around the monastery which is the second most important monastery in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu, and was built by Zanabazar in the 18th century. It was badly damaged during the religious purges of the 1930s but restoration work has brought the monastery back to something like its former glory. The area around the monastery is justly famous for its beautiful wild flowers and is a lovely place to spend some time relaxing, hiking and camping. We will set up a base camp. Day16. Return to Ulaanbaatar. (220 km). We head back to Ulaanbaatar via Darkhan city which is the capital city of Darkhan Uul province, and is Mongolia's second largest city, with a population of 90000 residents. The modern city of Darkhan, with foundations which were laid in 1967, is one of the Mongolia's largest industrial centres and has many functioning steel processing factories. Once back in UB you will be transferred to your hotel. Shopping optional. Day17. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar Arrive in Ulaanbaatar city either by train or plane. We will pick you up and transfer to the hotel. Ulaanbaatar city tour: Listen to expert narration from your friendly tour guide as you enjoy all the major city sights. Ride in a local vehicle as you listen to this tour extraordinaire provide smart, interesting & engaging commentary of best sights! - Check out Sukhbaatar Square, Museum of National History, & more on our downtown Ulaanbaatar City Tour. - Listen to expert narration as your knowledgeable guide discusses interesting highlights of UB and more. - Enjoy a delicious nomads’ traditional lunch - Enjoy a guided, 1 hour tour of Gandantegchilen Main Monastery Complex with grand Megjidjanraisag Buddha statue & more. - Shopping! Do you love high fashion at bargain prices? You will have chance to buy famous Mongolian cashmere products with 3% discount. - Welcome to Folk Music concert, listen to Khuumii and see to shamanism ritual dance. - Take home a CD-ROM filled with many photos to show family & friends! - Pick up and return from midtown Ulaanbaatar hotels included. Day18. International departure. /B/
 Horses in river! |
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