HIGHLIGHTS

• A lifetime opportunity to ride a two-humped Bactrian camel in their homeland

• Discover the biggest nomadic country in the world – rich diversity of nomadic culture in the regions

• Professional team and high-quality services

• Relax the nights in comfortable and finest tourist camps and enjoy the delicious meals

• Enjoy horse riding among the locals and get to learn more about their amazing nomadic life

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive UB and Explore Chinggis Khan Complex

 Arrive in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Take an approximately 45-minute car transfer to your hostel. After short freshen up, we will drive 2-3hrs (85km) to west through Ulaanbaatar and reach “Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex”.

Chinggis khan statue complex is located 54 km from Ulaanbaatar among beautiful natural scenery on the bank of river Tuul, in the place called “Tsonjin Boldog”, memorial place connected with historic events. After the complex drive to Terelj national park and have lunch. We will visit a landmark of the area called Turtle rock. Upon reaching a Turtle rock you can climb the curiously shaped rock while listening to a legend how this particular rock played a role in a Mongolian history. Then we will visit the temple of meditation called Ariyabal exploring the whole place. Evening drive back to UB. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2/Sep 5. Khustai national park

 After breakfast drive to Hustai National Park and see Takhi, the Asian wild horse. If you have a chance, see a wolf, argali sheep, and deer. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi's small museum and overnight in hotel. (BLD)

Day 3/Sep 6. Drive to Gobi and come to Eagle Valley

 After early breakfast, we start driving south to one of the best ger camps of Gobi Desert near Eagle valley. /6-7 hrs approx. The Valley is in the Zuun Saikhan Mountain, located in the center of South Gobi aimag. The narrow Valley between high rock walls has breathtaking dramatic scenery, and no doubt is one of the beautiful places in the country. In rainy summers hundreds of small waterfalls appear in the rocky walls. Trekking camel and horse-riding tours are available to the valley. Arrive at 4* Ger camp and rest. (BLD)

Day 4/Sep 7. Drive to Hongoryn Els

 After lunch, Full day driving to the west (200 km), we come out from mountain area into gobi area with small hills. Reach Khongoryn Dunes, the biggest sand dunes in all Asia. The 350-meter-high sand dunes in Sevrei soum, South aimag, are called Khonguryn Els. These dunes are 20 km wide and 100 km long. The Khongurun River flows along the sand dunes and gives birth to oases. Stop for lunch at tourist ger camp, then drive 10-15 km before the sunset to the dunes. Try two humped Bactrian camel riding, which are very comfortable. Overnight in the ger of the tourist camp. (BLD)

Day 5/Sep 8. Bayan Zag Land of Dinosaurs and Ongiin Khiid (90km+150km)

Known to westerners as The Flaming Cliffs, Bayan Zag (Rich with Saxaul) is famed for its’ red sandstone cliffs which take on beautiful red and orange hues during sunset. Sculptural Saxaul trees grow in the arid rocky soil. The area is also recognized as one of the world’s largest dinosaur graveyards. In 1921, the American Roy Chapman Andrews discovered here some of the most important Paleontological findings of the last century. Since then, hundreds of archeological expeditions have come to this remote desert location, and even today with the assistance of local people dinosaur fossils continue to be found in the area. We will drive for 3-4 hours (~ 150km) to Flaming Cliffs, site known for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs and unique landscape. Try your luck for dinosaur fossils here.

After lunch, we drive towards the Ongiin Monastery, formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia founded in 1660. The landscape around the monastery is a semi-desert with endless wide-open dry steppe, random plants and rocks. Gobi desert is not here yet, but the welcome gate is right around the corner. After lunch, visit the temple, talk to local monks, and walk around. Overnight in the ger of the tourist camp. (BLD)

Day 6/ Sep 9 Explore Erdenezuu & Kharkhorin

After driving 5-6hrs to north, we reach KharKhorum. Mongolia's ancient capital, Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan's fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. The symbolic ruins of Kharakhorum (Harhorin), monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas; since 1990, it has become an active monastery again. Turtles carved from the stone marked the boundaries of the  complex. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. Quite a surprise for the scentists was the discovery of a burial of a Mongolian woman which dates to approximately the 14-th century where also two Egiptian masks, a wooden comb and a bronze mirror in a silk case were found. Overnight in the ger of the tourist camp. (BLD)

Day 7/ Sep 10. Drive back to UB

 After breakfast, we drive back to UB and transfer to hotel. Have a rest of the day as free day and explore the city. (B)

Day 8/ Sep 11. Fly to Olgii and Drive to Big Lakes

 Early flight to Western Mongolia. It takes roughly 2 hours. Meet by our team (BWT Team) and start to drive towards the steppe valleys of the lake area. We pitch camp on the shores of Hoton Lake, where you will find numerous petroglyphs. The area is below the snow-capped Ikh Turgen Uul. We are now only 15km from the China border. A fishing rod comes in handy here. The largest subspecies of Mongolian Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is easily fished here. The numerous Great Cormorants in the vicinity are a good indicator that there are plentiful fish in the lakes. Overnight in tent. (BLD).

Day 9/ Sep 12. To Shiveet Khairkhan (2500m)

Drive to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park via TsagaanGo (White River) valley and through Altai Mountains that are Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range at over 3000-4000 meters high. One famous spot is “ShiveetHairhan” Sacred Mountain, where we will see the largest rock painting site from the period of the Huns (approx 200 B.C.). Some ancient Turkic stones can also be seen along the way. We will load our luggage on pack camels and trek toward the base camp of the snow-capped Tavanbogd massif. We will pitch camp next to the 20 km long Potanin glacier – the biggest of the twenty glaciers in Mongolian Altai - and remain there for two nights. Tavanbogd means “the Holy Five” referring to the five highest peaks, of which Huiten Uul is the highest in Mongolia, 4374 meters above sea level. Overnight in tent. (BLD)

Day 10/ Sep 13-14. Explore Tavanbogd Massif (3300m)

This is the day for mountain climbers, and some can stay at the base camp. After breakfast, we start summiting the Malchin peak. Roundtrip takes 7-9 hrs approx.. Quite a considerable height at this latitude. The other peaks are named Nairamdal, Ulgii, Burget and Naran. It is a stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif of high snow-capped peaks. For a full day we will make day hikes to the Malchin Uul. These are non-technical climbs. Overnights in tents. (BLD) (Option to take horse-trekking subject to availability of horses).

Days 11-12/ Sep 15-16. Drive to Lakes Hoton and Hurgan (150 km)

After early breakfast, drive towards Hurgan Nuur and Hoton Nuur, where many Nomadic Kazakh families spend summer. After the wooden bridge on the water channel between the Lakes, we drive to north along the Hoton Lake about 12kms and reach 3 small Rocky Mountains – Biluut 1, 2 and 3. Here you can see the many rock printings (petro-glyphs). Overnights in nomadic style or in tents (subject to availability). (BLD)

Day 13-14/ Sep 16-17. Drive back to Olgii & Altai Eagle Festival

After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulgii and get to Tolbo lake to the 21st Altai Eagle Festival of Blue Wolf Travel. Back to Eagle dreams hotel and rest. (BLD)

10:00    Opening ceremony, introductions, Eagle Hunting history and practice. 10:30    Parade of all participants. 11:00-13:00   Fox Skin (The real test of a hunter’s ability, Eagles must catch a fox skin dragged behind their trainer’s horse.) 13:00-14:00   Break for lunch 14:00-15:00   Fox Skin (The real test of a hunter’s ability, Eagles must catch a fox skin dragged behind their trainer’s horse.) 15:00-16:00   Kyz Kuar (A race between a man and woman on horseback) 14:00-16:00   Bushkashi – Tug of war played on horseback with killed goat, common throughout Central Asia 16:00-17:30   Tiyn Teru – Riders compete to pick up flags or flowers from the ground during the race 19:30    Ethno-Kazakh and Mongol Concert with traditional music and dance

 10:00-13:00   Eagle Call (Tests hunter’s ability to ‘call’ Eagle to their horse from a distance) 13:00-14:00   Break for lunch 14:00-15:00   Tiyn Teru – Riders compete to pick up flags or flowers from the ground during the Race 15:00-16:00   Bushkashi – Tug of war played on horseback with killed goat, common throughout Central Asia 16:00-17:00   Kyz Kuar (A race between a man and woman on horseback) 17:00-17:30   Awards and Closing ceremony

Day 15/ Sep 18. Flight back to Ulaanbaatar

 After early breakfast, transfer to Olgii airport and take a flight (2 hours) to UB. Meet by our guide and transfer to hostel. Today you will have a free day to do shopping and exploring the capital of Mongolia. After checking in, venture out and explore the sprawling city of retro architecture, thrilling nightlife, wild traffic and exciting commerce. There’s plenty to see, do and eat. Overnight in hotel. (BLD)

Day 16. Sep 19. Depart UB

 Early breakfast and transfer to UB airport. Take a flight back to home. (B)