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Located in west-central Mongolia, Arhangay is called the
"Switzerland of Mongolia" for its beautiful scenery: forests, rivers and
mountains. On the horseback trek we cover approximately 20 miles per day and
meet our support vehicle each night at a new campsite. Our personal luggage
and the accouterments of "catered camping" are transported in the support
vehicle making for light, fast travel on horseback. We camp out each night
with our mobile "American ger" and spacious two-person tents. During each
day's ride we'll visit the gers of local herders and have a chance to
experience nomadic life on the Central Asian steppe. Though we recommend a
riding background for this trip, the support vehicle always has room for
anyone who is ready for a break from the saddle.
 IT-MNRT05
Rates include meals beginning and ending in
UB (dinner on arrival day thru breakfast on
departure day), all transportation upon arrival in
UB, hotel in UB and ger accommodations, tents and
camping gear, horses and tack, guides and entry fees
to museums and parks.
13 days/ 12 nights $ 2,150
... based on 6 to 14 riders
2 to 5 riders only + $200 pp
2008 Dates:
with Nadaam:
07/02-07/14 07/08-07/20
without Nadaam:
07/22-08/03
08/05-08/17
What’s Not Included:
Roundtrip international airfare to/from UB, airport
taxes, gratuities, excess baggage fees and items of
a personal nature.
Min/Max Riders: 6-12
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Itinerary
 Day
One: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capitol of
Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar is also known among foreigners
as “UB”. Your guide and driver will meet you at the
airport, or for late arrivals, use taxi voucher to
transfer to hotel. Your hotel is conveniently
located right in downtown UB, walking distance from
Sukhbaatar Square, museums and theaters. Time
permitting, your guide will offer a short city
orientation before dinner.
Day Two: Enjoy a breakfast buffet
at your hotel before a full day of guided
sightseeing in UB. Begin the tour at Zaisan
Memorial, a prominent landmark looking over the city
of UB built on Bogd Khan Mountain. Walk Sukhbaatar
Square, named after the Mongolian National Hero of
People’s Revolution in 1921. Sukhbaatar Square is
surrounded by Parliament, the Stock Market, cultural
sites, the Palace Royal Opera House and the main
post office. Visit Gandan Hiid (monastery), the
largest Buddhist Temple in Mongolia. Take in the
Museum of National History and the Fine Art Museum
of Zanabazar to acquaint yourself with Mongolian
history, traditional culture and arts. Overnight in
hotel.
Day Three: Depart UB in the
morning. Drive to Kharhorin, the ancient capitol of
the Mongolian Empire, located 400km (6-8 hours with
breaks) southeast of UB. There are presently efforts
to reestablish Kharhorin as the capitol of Mongolia
as it was centuries ago. Explore the restored
Erdenzuu Monastery (Hundred Treasures) originally
built in 1586. Stop for picnic lunch near Elsen
Tasarhai sand dunes. Stay overnight in a ger camp.
(“Ger Camp” is a Mongolian version of motel with
traditionally decorated gers for sleeping, separate
dining hall and basic facilities for shower and
toilet. Normally 2-4 people share the same ger.)
Day Four: Drive to Tsetserleg, the
capitol of Arhangay. Located in west-central
Mongolia, Arhangay is called the "Switzerland of
Mongolia" for its beautiful scenery: forests, rivers
and mountains. After lunch, continue on to camp in
the valley of the Ikh Tamir River. Meet horses and
wranglers. On the horseback trek we cover
approximately 20 miles per day and meet our support
vehicle each night at a new campsite. Personal
luggage and the accoutrements of "catered camping"
are transported in the support vehicle making for
light, fast travel on horseback. Camp out each night
with our mobile "American ger" and spacious
two-person tents. During each day's ride we'll visit
the gers of local herders and have a chance to
experience nomadic life on the Central Asian steppe.
Day Five - Nine: Ride and camp
through the valleys and mountains of Arhangay. A
vehicle will carry all camping goods and food. Local
wranglers take care of the horses. We visit many
families along the way and taste the local foods of
summer; yogurt, cheese and the infamous airag
(fermented horse milk). Though we recommend a riding
background for this trip, the support vehicle always
has room for anyone who is ready for a break from
the saddle. Camp out in tents overnight.
Day Ten: Experience Naadam in
Tsetserleg by horseback. Observe Mongolian
traditional sports called the “Three manly games”.
Naadam, or “festival”, has occurred for centuries in
Mongolia as an exhibition of horse racing (racers
are generally ages 7-11 and race 15-30 kilometers),
wrestling (men only) and archery (women and men).
July 11th is the official date of Naadam established
by the Mongolian government. Stay overnight in ger
camp.
Day Eleven: Drive towards UB.
Arrive at Khogno Khan Natural Reserve. Relax and
hike in the rock formations of the Reserve. The
ruins of the Uvgun Temple first built in 1660 lie at
the base of the mountain of Khogno Khan, a nice
place to begin a short hike. Meet local herders and
experience the hospitality of the Nomads. Stay
overnight in ger camp.
Day Twelve: Arrive at Ulaan Baatar
in the afternoon. Shop at the State Department Store
and cashmere store. See “Tumen Ekh” folk theater
perform throat singing, traditional dances and more.
Farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day Thirteen: Your guide and driver
will take you to the airport for departure home.
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