 
Mysterious
Mongolia is just opening up to the outside world. This nation, which
is mostly nomadic, still sees few tourists and maintains its culture
and religion much as it has for the past several centuries. In this
trip we visit museums, monasteries and temples and spend the night
in a Mongolian ger, the traditional felt tent of nomadic herders.
Citizens of most Asian nations can visit Mongolia without a visa
for a certain period of time. Please check with the Mongolian Embassy
or Consulate in your country. Citizens of most Western countries
require a visa to visit Mongolia. However, if the visit is for less
than one month, no official or private invitation is needed (except
for citizens of Russia and China). Visas are usually issued within
24 hours by Mongolian Diplomatic Missions. Foreign nationals
who wish to pay a visit to Mongolia for more than 30 days should
have an official or private invitation.
Departs Beijing: Approximately 9:00 am Fridays
Returns to Beijing: Approximately 12:30 pm Mondays
Morning flight from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar,
transfer to Ulaanbaatar Hotel. After lunch, explore downtown Ulaanbaatar
and visit the National History Museum for an excellent overview
of Mongolia's history and culture. In the evening, enjoy dinner
at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism
in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia's nomadic culture is a rich
Tibetan-Buddhist tradition with ancient Shamanist practices still
evident. Also visit the reconstruction and renovation projects of
the Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent
statue of Migjid Janraisig ("the lord who looks in every direction").
This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk
and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan's temples.
 Drive
to Bogdkhan Mountain Reserve, a spectacular site of pine-scented
valleys and dramatic cliffs with abundant wildlife. Bogdkhan has
been a protected reserve since the 13th century and is home to Mandshir
Monastery, built in 1749. Visit the local museum for an overview
of the region's natural history and an artist's rendition of what
the monastery looked like prior to its destruction. In the afternoon,
drive to Undur Dov ger camp and visit a nomadic family, where you
may have a chance to sample airag, fermented mare's milk. Overnight
in gers, the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders.
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar and visit the Bogd Khan Palace, home of
Mongolia's last theocrat, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII (Mongolia's
8th Living Buddha), which displays the elaborate ceremonial robes
and other personal effects of the leader. Next, travel back in time
with a visit to the dinosaur halls of the Natural History Museum,
showcasing the spectacular fossils found in the Gobi desert. On
display are fierce Tarbosaurous fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus
Rex), dinosaur eggs, large hadrosaur fossils (duck-billed dinosaurs),
and many others. In the evening, enjoy a folk performance featuring
traditional hoomi (throat) singers, Mongolian dancers and musicians.
Sample traditional Mongolian dishes while dining at a large ger,
like one once owned by Chingis Khan.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Beijing.
$1299
per person;
$1199
per person for 2 or more.
(include roundtrip airfare from Beijing - Ulaanbaatar, airport transfers,
accommodations, all meals, English-speaking guides and all activities.)
E-MAIL
US TO BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW!
E-mail your full name, contact number, e-mail address & trip
descriptions.
We will contact you within 2 business days to book your trip.
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AsianConnections
thanks Worldwide Escapes, LLC for offering these exciting adventures
to our members.
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