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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 at restaurant
Day 2 : Ulan-Bator - Khukh Nuur
Early morning we leave the bustle of the capital to start our adventure in the homeland of Chinggis Khan. By following a paved road, we go to the east across the vast steppes and discover amazed our first images of Mongolia: herds of wild horses galloping along the track, smoking yurt isolated at the bottom of an irrigated valley ... Soon, we taste the pleasures of the track, which replace the asphalt road to project ourselves into the infinity of the Mongolian steppes. The beautiful alpine lake, Khar Zurkhinii Khukh Nuur (Blue Lake), awaits us down the road. According to the Secret History of Mongolians, this is here that Temüjin was elected emperor of the Mongolian and received the title of Chinggis Khaan (The Emperor of Ocean)
This beautiful lake and its wooded banks are ideal place for a stroll. In the evening, we will visit a nomadic family in order to learn about nomadic lifestyle, their pleasures as their constraints.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike
Day 3 : Khukh Nuur - Bereeven - Binder
We continue our road toward the north-east. We admire, on the way, the typical landscapes of Mongolia: vast green valleys, interspersed with forested mountains, where rivers and streams intersect. But several interesting steps will mark our way, starting with the ruins of the Bereeven monastery. The monastery was founded in the seventeenth century and was the religious center of Eastern Mongolia 8000 monks were living and praying here during its flourishing period. Another important historical site is waiting for us today. This is the fortress of Uglugchiin Kherem, which hides a lots of surprises...
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of hike, 2-3 h of hike
Day 4 : Binder - Dadal
Today, we cross the Onon River, by a log raft. Then we arrive at Dadal village, birthplace of the emperor. Dadal is situated at the confluence of the Onon and Balj river, which is declared as the Onon Balj natural reserve. There are also three small lakes with fresh water. Visit the monument of Chinggis Khan, which was built during the communist period, where speaking loudly about Chinggis Khan was forbidden.
Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike
Day 5 : Dadal
A day of rest in the beautiful landscape of Dadal, to feel what inspired Chinggis Khaan. Walk in the forest, swimming in the lakes or fishing in the rivers with full of fish; you will not be lacked by the natural activities in this idyllic nature.
Night: in yurt of host family
Day 6 : Dadal - Undurkhaan
Today, we will reach the Undurkhaan city (Grand Emperor), capital of the Khentii province. We will visit a small temple which is also the museum of Tsetsen Khan. Night at the Kherlen river banks. Kherlen River, one of the largest rivers of the country, flows to east. Before emptying into the Pacific Ocean, it crosses the vast eastern steppes of Mongolia, while feeding people and livestock.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of drive
Day 7 : Undurkhaan- Khuduu Aral
Another important site, waiting for us today. This is the peninsula of Khuduu Aral, of Kherlen river. Here "the Secret History of Mongolians" was written. We will visit the statue created in 780 th anniversary of this important historical work. Here, archaeologists found the ruins of the Avarga city, which was founded by Chinggis Khan. We also find, Avarga Toson lake. The water of Avarga spring and mud of Toson lake are known by their healing properties and many Mongolians come here for a medical treatment during the summer. Possibility of taking mud baths.
Night: in tent, 4-6 h of drive, 2-3 h of walk
Day 8 : Khuduu - Aral - Mungunmorit
Today we go northward to reach our camp which is at the entrance of Khan Khentii Natural Reserve. It situated in the Northern part of Mongolia and covers a territory of 1.2 million hectares over the forested mointains of Taiga. It marks the southernmost border of the Siberian Taîga. Rare mammals including the musk deer, the moose, the brown bear, the wolf, the fox, the roe deer roam in its forests.
Night: in yurt of host family, 4-6 h of drive, 1-2 h of hike
Day 9 : Burkhan Khaldun
We go to the sacred mount Burkhan Khaldun today, who was worshipped by Chinggis Khan throughout his life. Before every important battle, Chinggis Khan was used to ascent this mountain to implore the protection of the "Eternal Sky ", the God of all the Mongols. According to some scientists, it would be the only possible place where can be buried Chinggis Khan. We shall go to investigate this magnificent mount and its surroundings by trying to find possible indications revealing the presence of the grave of Chinggis Khan.
Night: in tent, 3-4 h of drive, 2-4 h of hike
Day 10 : Mungunmorit
Return at our camp and we will spend the afternoon in a nomadic family. Those who wish, participate in the various daily tasks of herding: milking of animals, making of dairy products etc. In this way we understand better the constraints as the pleasures of the Mongolian nomads.
Night: in yurt of host family, 3-4 h of drive
Day 11 : XIII century National Parc
Today, we go back in time by crossing the doors of the Thirteenth century National Park, where you can revive to the nomadic lifestyle of that time. Visitors can participate in various traditional ceremonies, issued from the 13th century.
Night: in tent, 3-4 h of drive, 2-3 h of walk
Day 12 : Terelj-Gorkhit
Today, we will reach the Terelj-Gorkhit National Park. This beautiful natural park is very popular with tourists and also for the Mongolian. Its appearance lies in its numerous rocky formations. There are streams, forests and mountains covered with rocky formations all strange than one another. Our visit includes the temple of Aryabal and the rock called the Turtle.
Night: in yurt of host family, 3-4 h of drive, 2-3 h of hike
Day 13 : Terelj- UB.
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, 3 h of drive
Day 14: Return
After breakfast at the hotel, a driver is waiting to transfer you to the airport.
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