(A UNIT OF NOVA GROUP OF COMPANIES)
NOVA TRAVEL
Mongolia: Land of Blue Sky-12 Days
Itinerary-12 Days
Day 1: Fly to Ulan Bator via Seoul
Evening flight to Ulan Bator with via Seoul. (N)
Day 2: Ulan Bator
Arrive in Ulan Bator and stay at the Hotel for 1 night. Evening traditional music performance and welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Terelj National Park
Travel to Terelj National Park. Take a short walk to a Buddhist monastery, with the chance to spot some of the 250 bird species recorded here. Throughout the journey in the Mongolian wilderness, accommodation will be in ger camps. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Baga Gazriin Chuluu mountains
Continue south to Gazriin Chuluu, a picturesque mountain in the granite belt of Mongolia. Stop en route for a picnic lunch in a scenic spot. (B, L, D)
Day 5: The Gobi desert
Venture into the Gobi desert and the Gurvansaikhan National Park, home to rare species such as the Argali sheep and snow leopards. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Eagle Valley • Khongoryn Els sand dunes
Today explore the Yol valley, a steep-sided canyon also known as Eagle or Vulture Valley. Visit the Gobi glacier en route (subject to environmental conditions). Continue to the towering sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, which demonstrate the ‘singing’ or ‘roaring’ sands phenomenon when blown by the wind. In the evening, visit a family of camel breeders for an opportunity to try camel riding. (B, L, D)
Day 7: The Flaming Cliffs
Today you will see the striking scenery of the Flaming Cliffs, where many dinosaur fossil discoveries have been made. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Ongiin Khiid monastery
Drive to Saikhan Ovoo where the mountainside remains of the Ongiin Khiid monastery can still be visited. Founded in the 17th century, it was destroyed under communist rule and is now is slowly being rebuilt. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Karakorum
Established by Genghis Khan in 1220 as the capital of the Mongolian empire, in its heyday Karakorum was a cosmopolitan city filled with traders and surrounded by huge walls. Little remains today, but visits to the museum and Erdene Zuu monastery are informative. (B, L, D)
Days 10-11: Gurvanbulag community
Travel to the Gurvanbulag nomad community and gain an insight into the nomadic lifestyle by watching and participating in various activities. See the making of dairy products, herding of animals and training of untamed horses. A khorkhog, a Mongolian barbecue of meat grilled over hot stones, and airag, fermented mares milk, can be sampled here. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ulan Bator
Return to Ulan Bator. Stay at the Hotel for 3 nights. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Nadaam festival opening ceremony
Visit the National Sports Stadium for the festival’s grand opening ceremony. Afternoon visit to the Gandan monastery. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Nadaam festival
Watch the horse racing just outside the city, where 200 to 300 riders compete in the races over a distance of 15-35km. Return to the National Stadium for the final rounds of the wrestling competition. (B, L, D)
Day 15: Fly to Seoul
Tour of the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum and Chinggis Square. Late evening flight to Seoul. (B, L, D)
Day 16: Fly back home
Early morning arrival in Seoul, where you will have use of a room at the transit hotel. (N)