| VISIT GOBI (BAYANZAG, KHONGORYN ELS, YOLYN AM) AND KARAKORUM AND NORTH MONGOLIA (LAKE KHUVSGUL AND DARKHAD DEPRESSION) |
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Itinerary name: VISIT GOBI (BAYANZAG, KHONGORYN ELS, YOLYN AM) AND KARAKORUM AND NORTH MONGOLIA (LAKE KHUVSGUL AND DARKHAD DEPRESSION)  The Gobi desert tours bring a country to life for many people who have enjoyed television programs, documentaries, films and books about Gobi desert. Gobi travel encompasses a number of travel styles, from escorted Gobi tours via jeep to a Gobi oasis or even a camel trekking in Inner Gobi. Vacations ALPHA TEAM tours – Mongolia offers all types of Gobi vacations. In fact, many of our escorted Gobi tours include a jeep tour on the ground of semi desert in addition to see famous dinosaur sites segment. Imagine yourself on one of our Gobi tours, standing in front of the Flaming Cliffs as it gazes across the Gobi desert. Once a huge inland sea, this area held some of the best fossil finds the world has known. Relaxed walking tour to the steep sided Eagle Valley Canyon and sees the Gobi Glacier. Drive to Khongor Els and walk on the towering sand dunes. Darkhadyn Khotgor (Darkhad Depression) - In the northwest of Lake Khuvsgul, is one of the most beautiful places in all of Mongolia: The Darkhad Depression. This mountainous and small rivers basin land, where the great Siberian rivers start flowing, is called Siberian Switzerland for good reason! Darkhad Depression is second to none in the beauty of its landscapes, and in the diversity of its attractions. What is Darkhad Depression? A flowery fragrance of Alpine meadows; the medicinal plants and grasses along the icy mountain streams; the famous Altai honey; the nomadic stone idols and Rerich's trails; the settlements of the "old believers", the Siberian shamans... . The Darkhad Depression has escaped urbanization, remaining unchanged in the diversity of its landscape - limpid rivers, dense taiga, high-mountain meadows, sparkling glaciers, - all features of a gorgeous, majestic, and imposing land! The climate of the Darkhad Depression is an ideal mean between the Asian heat and the Siberian cold. July is the most enjoyable month of the summer, when the clear weather becomes settled in the forested mountains. However, the Altai is also good in autumn, especially in September when one can experience golden larch taiga, dazzling white snow on high black rocks, and clear azure skies! Winter freezes even the fastest rivers - at the bottom of dark gorges water turns into cascades of pale green ice. The springtime in the Altai Mountains is very sunny. Khuvsgul Lake - Most popular tourist site. About midway along border between Siberian Russia and Mongolia, in a gigantic stone bowl nearly 110km long and almost 40km wide, lies 3% of the all the fresh water on earth-Lake Khusgul. On the merits of magnitude alone the lake is renowned as one of the earth's one of the most impressive natural wonders. Day1. 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. Day2. Drive to Middle Gobi province. (260km). After breakfast, we will leave for the Mongolian countryside. The first stop on the Gobi trip list is Baga Gazriin Chuluu (more commonly known as the Small Stones of Middle Gobi). It is granite formation in the middle of the Mongolian Sandy plane. At the food of the formation we will visit the remains of a small monastery named Delgeriin Choir. Day3. Drive to Tsagaan Suvarga. (240km). After breakfast, we will start driving towards the Gobi desert. Today we will see the landscape changing dramatically from the fertile grassland to the inhospitably rocky land. In the evening we could get in Sagaan Suvarga or White stupas. You will watching the scenery change as you drive. Day4. Drive to South Gobi province. (280km). Early morning, we will drive to the South Gobi. After you arrive in Dalanzadgad town, we 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! Day5. 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, 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. Day6. Camel riding and Bayanzag. (140 KM) Today we will enjoy some travel activities of Gobi desert. 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. 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 ger 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 paleontological sites. Day7. Ongi Monastery ruins. (140 KM) 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. Day8. Karakorum. (240 KM) Drive to historical city Kharakhorum, was the main administration capital city of Great 13th century Mongolian Empire and named ‘Silk Road’ by westerns, bridged Asia and European countries, like Greece & Rome once were the biggest cities in the World. Also, you will see & explore there a monastery named ‘Erdene Zuu’, which built as the first Mongolian Buddhist monastery by Abtai Sain Khaan (a Mongolian King) in 1587. Also, you will see phallic rock near from Karakorum. Karakorum - The state of Mongols in the 13th century was among the most powerful of all in the world. Center of the empire was Karakorum city until Khuvilai Khaan decided to move his capital to Dadu or Beijing. After collapsing of Yuan dynasty Min state’s invaders sacked the city and massacred its inhabitants in 1388 and ruined it. There we will see Great Impreial Maps and phallica rock and Erdene Zuu monastery complex etc historical sightseeing. Day9. National Park Khustai Nuruu and wild horses. (250 km) After breakfast, we will head out west. The drive takes about 3 hours until we reach Khustai National Park where re-introduction of the wild Przewalski horses has taken place since 1992. After we would have camped, we have lunch. The afternoon will be spent at leisure hiking in the surrounding mountains with an evening visit to the wild horses while they come to drink in the evening. In the evening, we will visit to local real nomadic family and will have nice experience with them! Day10. Back to Ulaanbaatar – Shopping (optional). (90 km) On arrival in UB, you will be transferred to your hostel. Today is for your rest. You need to take pause from long drive. In next days, you will be in a long drive. Day11. Fly to Murun (1.5 hrs) – Drive to Darkhad Depression. (150 km) After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for a flight to Murun, provincial center of Khuvsgul. After lunch at local restaurant, you will drive to north Mongolian natural spot Darkhad Depression. Day12. Drive to Darkhad Depression. (120 km) After breakfast we will drive to Darkhad Depression and see Mongolian daily nomadic life and wild nature. Day13. Horseback tour. Horseback riding in this region is a must do! Horseback riding trails near and through the small Rivers areas. No matter what your experience level, a horseback ride through the ride will give you lasting memories. Day14. Visit to nomadic family. Today you will enjoy whole day with local nomadic people and live their home. On arrival you will have lunch at the nomads’ ger. Enjoy the joyful atmosphere and learn the clever nomads' way of life by taking every chance of taking part in the nomadic life activities like a nomad. Experience the milking cows, goats and sheep. Watch how they produce tasty and nutritious dairy products. In the early morning, participate in the nomads’ daily chores - prepare wood from a nearby mountain for the family’s household use and transport it to the family with yak ox drawn cart. This holiday will be an adventure you’ll never forget and never experience anywhere else! After back come you will make your dinner by yourself. Also you will taste mongols’ traditional foods. For example buuz, arkhi, khuushuur, milk tea, boiled mutton with potatoes flat floor onions, white foods etc. Day15. Free day. In the morning you will have time to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. There are a lot of mountain flowers and you can spend the morning hiking or riding alone through forested hillsides amongst beautiful streams with crystal flowing waters. We hope this will increase your appetite for the wonderful farewell dinner to follow Khorkhog is prepared by cutting up the meat of the animal and placing it in a closed container together with hot stones. Day16. Drive to Lake Khuvsgul. (180 km) After breakfast we will drive to Lake Khuvsgul which is the deepest fresh water lake in Central Asia . It has the same geomorphologic & ecological origin as Lake Baikal in Russia and constitutes over 1% of the world’s total surface water. Tourists call it the ‘Switzerland of Mongolia’. For rest of the day, you will be sightseeing & walking around the lake. Day17. Horse riding a short distance in a beautiful green meadow. Breakfast. Today you will be riding in a mountain, right side of the lake. Surrounding nature is very cool! You will see this beautiful nature spirit and visit nomads’ family and interact with those nomads. Day18. Visiting reindeer herders’ family – Riding on reindeer back. Today, you will visit a reindeer herders’ family. You will see & enjoy specific lifestyle of those ‘society isolated’ people. You will see & explore Shaman related items. Then, you can try riding on reindeer back if you want. Day19. Hiking in a coniferous forested mountain (about 10 km round). Breakfast. Today you will hike in most beautiful forested mountain, which is next to the Lake Khuvsgul . This is a branch of Khoridol Saridag Mountains Range , one of the highest mountains (approximately 3351 meter above sea level). While traveling in a green meadow, you can pick some natural wild fruits such as wild strawberry, currant, gooseberry, red bilberry, bog bilberry and etc. Probably, you will see many kinds of wild rare & rarely animals also, such grazing deer, ibex, gazelle or any kinds of birds. Day20. Free time around the lake Khuvsgul - Drive back to Murun (120 km). Breakfast. You will spend this noon around this beautiful lake. After lunch, you will be driven to Murun for a flight to UB. Day21. Free day. Whole day free for you! Day22. International departure. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station or international airport for your international departure. Price range:
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