- Jewel of the North and Golden Gobi of the South
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Type: Classic Tour Destination: Khuvsgul, South Gobi, Tuv and Uvurkhangai Highlights: Khuvsgul lake, Flamming Cliffs, Yol Valley, ancient capital Kharkhorin, Erdenezuu Monastery and Bogd National Park Lengths: 13 nights/14 days Adventure level: Moderate Total driving km: 1600 km Transportation: fly-drive (mini van and bus) Season: May 15 – September 15
The Khuvsgul Lake is the princess of northern Mongolia also known as the “Blue Pearl of Asia” among Mongolians. This lake, located in the northernmost province, is sacred to all Mongols and the water is incredibly crystal clean. The surrounding majestic mountains covered by Siberian larch and pine tree forest offer extraordinary atmosphere with rich wild life such as argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, and moose. The highlight of the area is the ethnic reindeer herders called Tsaatan. This small ethnic group of Turkic origin related to the Tuvans are the most exotic and mystical people living in the remotest corner of the amazing taigas. Tsaatan people worship “the Eternal Blue Sky and Mother Earth” and retained their ancient, unusual culture based on shamanistic rituals and forest-based reindeer-herding
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Day 1. Nation's Capital - Ulaanbaatar. You will meet the professional Gucci World Tours Team at the “Chinggis Khan” international airport. Transfer to the best quality hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. We will start our first day exploring Ulaanbaatar, the nation's capital. Sukhbaatar square is a public square at the heart of the capital. Surrounding buildings include the Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace, and House of City Council. Our next stop is Zaisan Hill. This hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. We will visit the Natural History Museum which is well-known for its precious findings such as dinosaur eggs and bones. After the busy afternoon, we will witness a fascinating performance of traditional folk songs, throat singing, beautiful melodies from a horse-headed fiddle, ethnic dances, and artistic contortionism.
Day 2. Gandan Monastery/Gorkhi Terelj National Park.After an Early breakfast in the hotel, we will start our busy day touring the Gandan Monastery, the heart of Mongolian yellow Buddhism. We will experience the influence of Buddhism in Mongolia and see the impressive 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery in Mongolia with 500 monks. Our next stop will be National History Museum which tells rich history of Mongolia with many colorful exhibits; historical findings, traditional handcrafts, and tradional costumes. In the afternoon, we will drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, located in the Khentii Mountain range. This park is the popular getaway destination because of its gigantic granite rock formations, the famous “Crawling Turtle Rock”, alpine forests and flower scenery. You will have wonderful opportunities for horse riding and hiking. We will return to Ulaanbaatar in the evening.
Day 3. Murun/Lake Khuvsgul. We will catch a flight to Murun, the capital of scenic Khuvsgul province. We continue our picturesque drive to the Khuvsgul lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Central Asia with over one percent of the world's freshwater and a maximum depth of 262m. This gorgeous lake is fed by ninety six rivers and streams, but only Egiin River flows out from the lake, joining the Selenge River on the way to the Lake Baikal. The Khuvsgul lake is inhabited by nine species of fish, while the nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, and mountains provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, wolf and moose as well as 244 species of birds and 750 species of plants. The lake is surrounded by dozens of stunning mountains, thick pine forests and lush meadows with grazing yaks and horses. Overnight in the ger camp near the lake.
Day 4. Lake Khuvsgul. In the morning, we will hike in the surrounding forest mountains to have a better look of the crystal blue lake. Riding around the shores is breathtaking. We will have opportunities to fish with boats. In the afternoon, we will ride up north to visit Reindeer village where we can see Tsaatan, reindeer breeders' unique everyday life, traditional tent dwelling “Urts” and herds of reindeers. Return to the ger camp and overnight in the ger.
Day 5. Ulaanbaatar/Natural History Museum. After breakfast at the camp, we will drive back to Murun. On the way, we enjoy the alpine scenery with pine, larch trees and green lush meadows full of yaks, cattle and horses. We will catch our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to visit the Museum of Natural History that holds millions of years old Dinosaur eggs and bones discovered in Mongolia and famous “Fighting Dinosaurs” skeletons. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6. South Gobi.After an early morning breakfast, we will catch a one and a half hour flight to Dalanzadgad, the capital of South Gobi province. The Gobi Desert is called “Golden Gobi”, the mystical place that captivates the imagination. It is an extreme area with wide temperature changes, sparse vegetation and small community of hearty nomads. The Gobi is also unique for its fauna. It is the homeland of “Prince of the Gobi”, the two humped Bacterian camel and the world's only desert bear, the Gobi bear. We will visit camel breeders' families for riding a camel and wonderful photo opportunities. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 7. Yol Valley/Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. After a peaceful morning breakfast we will drive to the majestic Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park where we will enjoy the incredible “Yol Valley”. In the afternoon, we will explore the valley. The valley is an unusual narrow canyon with a river that flows through the Zuun Saikhan Mountains. The sheer rock walls stand 200m and the canyon has stunning green meadows with a thick glacier layer that is deeply set between the walls. During the summer rainfall, water runs from the top of the walls forming waterfalls. We will trek along the canyon and may get a glimpse of rarely seen Argali wild sheep, Ibex mountain goat and Yol Lammergeier. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 8. Bayanzag/Flamming Cliffs. After breakfast at the camp we will travel to Bayanzag commonly known as the “Flamming Cliffs.” During the journey we will witness the dramatic change from a green steppe landscape to an arid desert with camel herds and herding families. Picnic lunch on the soil of Gobi. In the afternoon, we arrive at the ancient red rock creation, Bayanzag, formed 60-70 million years ago. The famous “Flamming Cliifs” were named by Roy Andrew Chapman, an American explorer who visited Mongolia in the 1920s. The striking red Bayanzag cliffs have dinosaur fossils, eggs and bones all over the place and are neighbored by Saxual tree forests. We ride further north to explore Moltsog Els sand dunes where you can ride a camel on the dunes. We drive back to ger camp for overnight.
Day 9. Ulaanbaatar/ Bogd Khaan Palace Museum. In the morning, we will drive to the airport at Dalanzadgad where we will catch our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, we will visit the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 and dedicated to the 8th Bogd Gegeen, the head of Lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Amazing bronze castings, silk paintings, paper icons, mineral paintings, deity statues made by Zanabazar and his students and the main attraction of this Palace. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10. Bogd Khaan National Park/Manzushir Monastery. We will start our day with a tour to the oldest national park after breakfast. The national park lies south of Ulaanbaatar. Bogd Khaan Mountain has been the most ancient national park of the country since 300 years ago. Bogd Khaan Mountain is a blessed mountain because of its religious importance. This powerful mountain has been untouched for many centuries. Several religious ceremonies take place annualy near the highest peak of Tsetsee Gun (2268m). Bogd Khaan Mountain boasts its stunning scenery with green forests of Siberian birch, cedar, and larch covering mountains. In summer time, meadows between forests are covered by various beautiful alpine flowers. Wild animals including stag, wild boar, sable, wolf and fox are widely found in the mountains. Besides the natural scenery, Manzushir Monastery is the key attraction in the area. The monastery was built in the 18th century, but was in ruins after the communist purges of 1930s. This monastery was known throughout Mongolia for its religious services and its celebration of Tsam mask dancing. The monastery accommodated 350 monks in 20 temples including school of medicine, astrology, and Buddhist philosophy. Overnight in the hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Day 11. Kharkhorin/Erdenezuu Monastery. After breakfast, we have a full day of excursions around Kharkhorin, the ancient Capital of Great Mongolian Empire and Erdenezuu Monastery, main treasure of Mongolian Buddhism. Kharkhorin was established in the valley of the Orkhon river in 1220. It was one of the stops along the legendary Silk Road for 140 years. Kharkhorin played significant role in Mongolian history. It was the capital city of the Mongolian Great Empire until Khubilai Khaan, a grandson of Chinggis Khaan, moved the capital to Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty. For almost 800 years, people worship the Turtle Rock near the temple. Erdenezuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia was founded by Avtai Sain Khaan, a descendant of Chinggis Khaan, on the ruins of Kharkhorin in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by beautiful white walls with 108 stupas. For centuries it was a spiritual and intellectual centre of Mongolia. There is an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special costumes for Tsama religious dance and superb Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 12. Bayangobi/Ruins of Uvgun Monastery. After a late morning breakfast, we drive to the Bayangobi. It is a unique place with many different forms of natural landscapes; Gobi sand dunes, forests, and rocky mountains. There are opportunities to hike in the small sand dunes and ride a camel. In the afternoon, we will visit Erdene Khambyn Khuree which is 20 kms drive from our ger camp. The monastery is located in the majestic Khugnu Khaan mountains. Enlightened Bogd Gegeen Zanabazar, a religious leader, philosopher, artist and sculptor; founded the Uvgun and Zaluu temples to honor his religious teacher. The soldiers of an Oirad nobleman Galdan Boshigt destroyed the monasteries and assassinated the monks in 1688. You will also have an opportunity to a visit horse breeder's family and experience making airag, the Mongolian traditional drink made with mare's milk, and riding a horse on traditional Mongolian wooden saddle. Overnight in the ger camp.
Day 13. Hustai National Park/ Ulaanbaatar. After and early breakfast we will start our day trip to the Hustai National Park. On the way, we will explore forest and steppe landscape with cool temperatures, and many wild birds and flowers. The national park lies in the foothills of the southern Khentii mountain range. This is the home of Takhi horses commonly known as Przewalski horses. These wild horses survive have been successfully reintroduced to their homeland after 40 years of near extinction. Currently, the number of Takhi has reached more than 170. We will then drive back to Ulaanbaatar-the nations' capital. Overnight and relax in the hotel.
Day 14. Departure. We conclude our classic journeys by transferring to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with your Gucci World Tours Team.
Tour includes. 6 nights in 4 star hotel, 7 nights in ger camps, 3 meals per day, English, French, Italian, German, Japanese speaking guides, Domestic transportation, Local entry fees Tour excludes. Personal use, International travel, Travel insurance, Alcoholic drinks
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www.gucci.gy / www.gucci.re / www.gucci.gd / www.gucci.mu / www.gucci.ru
www.gucci.sx / www.gucci.cx / www.gucci.io / www.gucci.tl / www.gucci.mn
www.gucci.lc / www.gucci.gg / www.gucci.gl
www.gucci.com.cm / www.gucci.com.gl / www.gucci.com.ms / www.gucci.com.so
www.gucci.com.pe / www.gucci.com.im / www.gucci.com.ro / www.gucci.com.vc