MAJESTIC MONGOLIA

"Mongolia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage" Trip date: May 18 – 27, 2018

Itinerary

Day 1, May 18 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Built as a ger capital over 350 years ago, the modern day Ulaanbaatar is surrounded by white ger districts around it. After resting in your hotel room, we will enjoy a brief city tour including of Zaisan Hill where you can get a magnificent bird’s eye view of the city. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Hotel Ulaanbaatar or similar; D)

Day 2, May 19 Ulaanbaatar / Hustain Nuruu National Park

In the morning, we will head west to Hustai Nuruu National Park, one of three sites where the wild horses, known as the Takhi or Przewalski’s Horse have been reintroduced during the last two decades. After the last individuals disappeared from the wild in Mongolia in late 1960s, genetically pure animals were bred in captivity in European zoos and have been reintroduced into three distinctive

habitats in Mongolia. We will be able to observe these handsome, completely wild horses in their natural steppe habitat. Together with the Tarpan of the European steppe – which no longer exists in a pure state – the Takhi was a dominant grazer of the arid grasslands of the Eurasian continent. This is one of the few instances in which a large mammal, extirpated in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced within its former range. After lunch, we will drive to Ungut monument of 7th century Turkik monument for a brief historical introduction of the area. Later, transfer to Moilt eco-lodge. Enjoy dinner and overnight in log cabins. (Approx. 2.5 hours driving, including stops along the way; Moilt Eco-Lodge; B, L, D)

Day 3, May 20 Hiking at Hustai Park We will have breakfast leisurely. Next, enjoy hiking in the surrounding area and

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explore local flora and fauna. In the afternoon, we will meet with the park officials and learn about their achievements and challenges. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the lodge. (Moilt Eco-Lodge; B, L, D)

Day 4, May 21 Hogno Han Mountain / Kharakhorum

In the morning, we will resume our quest and drive west to Hogno Han Mountain where three ecosystems meet at one place: that of forest, desert and grassland. Here, we will visit the ruins of 18th century Buddhis temple, enjoying a pack lunch at the temple.

In the afternoon, we will continue our journey and reach Kharakhorum. Enjoy dinner and overnight in gers. (Approx. 6 hours driving, including stops along the way; Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 5, May 22 Kharakhorum

After early breakfast, begin your exploration of this historic land. The construction of Kharakhorum city was completed during Ogedei Khan’s ruling in 1228, Chinggis Khan’s third son who inherited the empire his father created. It is located in picturesque valley of Orkhon river, which bears hundreds of historically and archeologically significant sites, waiting to be discovered. There are 5000 year old burial sites, deer stones and ruins of cities pre-dating the time of Chinggis Khan. Visit Erdenezuu, built in 1586 by Avtai khan, most influential Prince of Mongolia of that time. The Erdene-Zuu monastery preserves precious works of Mongolian artists of the XVII-XIX centuries. It had some 60 temples and 300 gers inside the walls and, at its peak, up to 1000 monks resided there. Erdenezuu Monastery was destroyed by communists in 1930s during the political purges. Erdene Zuu monastery was closed until 1965 to be reintroduced as a museum to public.

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We will begin the morning with a visit to the magnificent Erdenezuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful temple grounds. Strolling through its 108 stupas, you will find plenty of oportunities to photograph its temple grounds. In the afternoon, visit the newly built Kharakhorum museum which displays artcrafts found in the Shoroon Bumbagar archeological site in 2011. Next, drive to the Tuvkhun Monastery where Mongolia’s renowned Zanabazar resided for personal meditation retreats. Located on the top of a Hangai Mountain range, the monastery offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. In the afternoon, drive back to Kharakhorum and overnight in gers. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Day 6,May 23 Ogii Lake / Khar Balgas / Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, drive to Ogii lake via Kultegen monuments, erected to commemorate two brothers: Kultegen and Bilge Khan, who have been local rulers of an ancient Turkik state, one of the greatest empires ever established by nomadic tribes of inner Asia. Continue onto Ogii lake. In the afternoon, continue driving through Khar Balgas of Kidan period, one of Mongolia’s earlier steppe kingdoms, pre-dating the Great Mongolian Empire. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (Approx. 8 hours driving, including stops along the way; Hotel Ulaanbaatar or similar; B, L, D)

Day 7, May 24 Gun Galuut Nature Reserve Today, we will drive to the Kherlen River near Gun Galuut, a nature reserve protecting the Argali wild sheep and a small population of White-Naped cranes.

En route, we will stop at the large Chinggis Khan Equestrian statue.

In the afternoon, we will visit a traditional nomadic family for a private lunch. Passed down to generations, nomads in Mongolia have knowledge and experience that helps them to develop simple but practical lifestyle that survives harsh Mongolian winter. You will have an opportunity to learn about their age old traditions and culture.

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We will stay in a tent for the next two days, set up on the banks of the picturesque Kherlen River. Expedition style camping gears will be provided. (Approx. 2 hours driving, including stops along the way; Tent Camp; B, L, D)

Day 8, May 25 Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

In the morning, we will go for a day hike in the surrounding area. Return to the tent camp in the afternoon. Overnight in tents. (Tent camp; B, L, D)

Day 9, May 26 Gun Galuut Nature Reserve / Ulaanbaatar After breakfast, we will

drive back to Ulaanbaatar and spend the reminder of the day for last minute sight seeing and shopping.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance followed by a farewell dinner at fine local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (Approx. 2 hours driving, including stops along the way; Hotel Ulaanbaatar or similar; B, L, D)

Day 10, May 27 Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Mongolia Quest reserves the right to alter the above itinerary if deemed necessary. Land prices include: Based on 4-5 paying participants: $2,005 per person, based on a twin occupancy; Based on 6-7 paying participants: $1,875 per person, based on a twin occupancy;

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Based on 8 and more paying participants: $1,650 per person, based on a twin occupancy; Single supplement: $225 per person, based on a single occupancy;

- Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary based on using cruiser jeeps to Kharakhorum and a tourist class bus to Gun Galuut;

- Accommodations based on a standard twin occupancy in tents and ger camps; - Expedition type tents, sleeping bags and mats; - All meals indicated as B, L or D; - All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary; - English Speaking guide throughout your stay; - Bottled waters per person per day.

Land prices do not include: International and domestic airfare; personal laundry and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary; travel insurance; medical evacuation costs; excess baggage charges; visa fees; gratuities; photography and video fees and any other item not mentioned as included. Payment and Cancellation Policy Full payment is due by April 10 2018. Please send us a cancellation request by email. The cancellation fees are: by April 20, 2018: 25% of the land price; by April 30, 2018: 50% of the land price; by May 10, 2018: 75% of the land price May 11, 2018 or later: no refund.

THANK YOU!