Classic option from £2785* PP
Trip code: TMA-C-16 |
Group size: Max 16, Avg 12
START Beijing, Trans-Mongolian Railway, Ulaan Baatar, Lake Khuvsgul, Zuun Nuur, Terkiin Tsagaan Nuur, Tsetserleg, Karakorum & Naadam Festival, Khustai National Park, Ulaan Baatar FINISH
Mongolia is a wild and rugged land with grassy plains and alpine mountains. Few tourists travel to Mongolia, and even fewer spend Naadam festival away from the Ulaan Baatar crowds. Start in Beijing before a two-day trip on the legendary Trans-Mongolian Railway. Meet nomadic families, swim in alpine lakes, and ride rare camels through endless dunes.
Availability
01865 268 940
2013
DAYS 1-3: BEIJING
On arrival in Beijing, transfer to your hotel and meet your small group of fellow adventurers and tour leader for a welcome drink. Visit the Great Wall at the lesser-visited Jinshanling for an extraordinary experience away from the crowds. A stop at a small village gives you an insight into the daily lives of the locals. This evening, you may choose to sample an array of weird and wonderful delicacies at the famous Wangfujing night markets. Board the Trans-Mongolian Express train early in the morning for an overnight adventure across the border.
Hotels: Novotel Xinqiao, Overnight train
DAYS 4-6: ULAAN BAATAR & LAKE KHUVSGUL
Your train arrives in the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar in the early afternoon, where you transfer to your hotel before visiting the National Museum. The next morning a flight brings you to Moron where you transfer to the stunning vistas of Khuvsgul Lake. Here you are surrounded by rolling hills covered in alpine forest, with rivers flowing between them. Enjoy free time exploring this magnificent terrain or just relaxing in your traditional Ger accommodation. You may choose to take a boat trip on the glistening lake in the morning, and then in the afternoon you may get the opportunity to visit a local reindeer herder family to learn about their unique way of life, subject to the migration of the reindeer herders.
Hotels: Bayangol Hotel, Toilogt Ger Camp
DAYS 7-10: ZUUN NUUR & TERKHIIN TSAGAAN NUUR
A long drive leads southwards to Zuun Nuur where you spend the night on the shores of the picturesque lake before a free day to explore this stunning region. Witness spectacular views on the drive along steep mountain roads towards Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, a lake nestled in a valley and surrounded by volcanic rock and grassy slopes. Here, spend some time discovering this magical landscape on an optional hike or horse ride, ascending to an extinct volcanic crater, or take a dip in the refreshing waters of the lake.
Hotels: Zuun Nuur Ger Camp, Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Ger Camp
DAYS 11-12: TSENKHERIIN HOT SPRINGS & TSETSERLEG
Drive on to Tsenkheriin hot springs with time to relax in the therapeutic waters. Continue on to charming Tsetserleg and enjoy free time. For those on our July departure, this is your opportunity to join in the excitement of the Naadam festival, the most important event in the Mongolian calendar. Competitions consist of horse racing, archery and wrestling, with even the children participating.
Hotels: Altan Nutag Ger Camp, Khavtgai Mod Ger Camp
DAYS 13-16: KARAKORUM, KUSTAI & ULAAN BAATAR
Passing through the grassed steppes, travel to Karakorum, ancient capital of the great Genghis Khan, where you will find Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery. Travel to the seemingly endless sand dunes of Mongol Els, which stretch all the way from the Gobi Desert to Central Mongolia. Here, take an exciting ride through the desert on rare two-humped camels. Drive to Khustai National Park - home of Mongolia’s wild horses or Takhi. Once extinct in the wild, these endangered horses are being reintroduced and protected here. Visit the local project which oversees this work, and uncover the Turkic stone monuments in the park. After returning to Ulaan Baatar, visit the Gandan Monastery, considered the centre of Buddhism in Mongolia and enjoy a farewell dinner and cultural show. Enjoy free time before your departure transfer.
Hotels: Khaan Taij Ger Camp, Kustai Ger Camp, Bayangol Hotel
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