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Into the heart of Mongolia
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Type : Cultural tour
Duration: 8 days
From 490 €/pers
Visited sites :
Khustain Nuruu Natural Reserve, Khugnu Khan Natural Réserve, Mount Khugnu Khan, Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune, Orkhon valley, Canyon of Uurtyin Tokhoi, Ulaantsutgalan waterfall, Tuvkhen Monastery , Kharkhorin-ancient capital, Erdenezuu Monastery
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Mongolia as you imagine! That of the steppes, yurts and nomads awaits you in this trip of 8 days which will bring you into the heart of authentic Mongolia. First of all, you are in the heart of the wilderness accompanied by legendary Mongolian wild horses of Prjewalski, then on the strange sand dune Elsen Tasarkhai isolated in the open steppe. The Orkhon Valley, one of the most beautiful of Mongolia welcomes you from the 3rd day. You move across the luxurious vast steppes where you can watch the several scenes of rural life. Between herds and yurts, canyon and waterfalls, you progress through the discovery of the heritage of this region seen as the true cradle of Mongolian people. You have the privilege to spend a day in a nomadic family where you can participate in the different tasks of husbandry. In spite of the rudimentary conditions of their life, Mongolian nomads overflow hospitality. Amazing Hermitage of Tuvkhen perched on the forested foothills of the Khangaï massif, is presented to you now. The place gives you the opportunity for a little lesson on Buddhism. To perfect this typically Mongolian epic, you will not miss to dive into the fascinating history of the Mongolian Empire founded by Chinggis khan at 13th century, by visiting Kharkhorin the ancient imperial capital and Erdene Zuu the first Buddhist monastery of the country.

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Day 1. Ulan-Bator
Reception at the airport by our team. Transfer to the hotel. After lunch, we go to explore Ulan-bator, an amazing city. This Soviet-style city still marked by its history is very much alive today. At the crossroads of Eastern and Western influences, it seems in transition between communist and capitalist economy, nomadic and sedentary lifestyle. Visits of National Museum of History and of Gandan Monastery, the largest religious center of Mongolia, will provide a clear historical and cultural basis for exploring the country. Evening at the national academy for a traditional songs and dances performance.
Night: in hotel, lunch and dinner at restaurant
Day 2. Ulan-Bator - Khustain Nuruu - Khugnu khan
Early morning we leave the bustle of the capital to start our adventure through the vast steppes of central Mongolia. In the Khustain Nuruu natural reserve we expect our first Mongolian meeting. This reserve created to protect rare Mongolian species is known for the successful reintroduction of the legendary wild horses of Prjewalski. A walk in the heart of Khustai Mountains, will allow us to see these wild horses in their morning grazing. Then we join the Khugnu Khan Natural Reserve. This is where the eccentricity of Mongolian nature takes all its sense. Indeed, there is a strange marriage between the green steppe and the huge sand dune planted here as a freak of nature. In the afternoon, a short hike among the strange rocky formations of Khugnu Khan Mountain allows us to reach the ruins of the Uvgunt monastery. Possibility to do a camel trek in the dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai.
Night: in yurt of host family, trajet onmini van: 4-6 h, walk: 2-3 h
Day 3. Khugnu Khan - Uurtyin Tokhoi
Today, we dive into the heart of the famous Orkhon Valley, the true cradle of the Mongolian people, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The Orkhon Valley is one of the most populated valleys. Its more favourable weather conditions have attracted many nomadic families living on their husbandry. Our first step is the Uurtyin Tokhoi canyon offering stunning views over the valley.
Night: in tourist camp, 4-6 h of drive and 1-2 h of hike
Day 4. Uurtyin Tokhoi - Gyatruut
We cross the valley from east to west in order to reach the encampment of our host family, which lives about fifty kilometres at the bottom of the valley. We travel across vast grassy plains, interspersed with basalt rocks and surrounded by ancient dormant volcanoes. On our side, Orkhon follows-up its banks, furrows between beds of Edelweiss and steep gorges. Our slow progress on the damaged track leaves us plenty of time to observe the different scenes of nomadic life. Unexpectedly we find ourselves at the edge of the famous Ulaantsutgalan waterfall. A short walk through the canyon to the foot of the waterfall is worth seeing. In the evening, we arrive at the family of Batsukh, a famous hunter of wolf and breeder of yak of his region. Night: in yurt of host family, 3-4 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike
Day 5. Encampment of nomads
In order to understand, the real life of Mongolian herders, its constraints such as its pleasures, we spend this day with our host family. Those who wish, participate in various daily tasks of herding: deals with pets, make dairy products, etc. Possibility of horseback trekking in the valley. Night: in yurt of host family
Day 6. Gyatruut - Tuvkhen - Kharkhorin
It is a cultural day ahead us today with a visit of the hermitage of Tuvkhen and the monastery of Erdene Zuu, as well as Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire. After saying goodbye to our nomadic hosts we go to visit the monastery of Tuvkhen dating from the seventeenth century. Built in a mountainside on the bottom of the Khangai range, we reach the site by 3-4 km climb on horseback or on foot. Only when we arrived at its foot that we find the monastery perfectly integrated in its natural environment. Immediately, we feel calm, serenity and contemplation emerging from this sacred place, dedicated to the worship of Zanabazar, the first Buddhist spiritual leader of Mongolians. We picnic facing a breathtaking view over the Khangai mountain range and its surrounding valleys. Then we join, Kharkhorin the legendary city of Chinggis Khan, founded in 1220. The former imperial capital is home to important Erdenezuu monastery and other historic sites reflecting the glorious past of the different empires issued from the steppe.
Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike
Day 7. Kharkhorin - Oulan-Bator
We make our last drive in the heart of the Mongolian steppes before reaching Ulaanbaatar. We'll get there in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel. Free time for shopping or some visits in the city. Possibility of visiting the factory stores of cashmere.
Night: in hotel
Day 8. Return flight
After breakfast at the hotel, a driver is waiting to transfer you to the airport.
Breakfast at hotel, transfert hotel- aerport: 30 min
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