Out of NowHere: Comfort in Geolodges

<p>Arrival at the Chinggis Khaan international airport in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Your guide-interpreter and driver will welcome you at the airport and lead you on the city tour. The capital has plenty to offer. On the tour you will visit the Gandan Monastery, a historical and spiritual Buddhist temple in the city. Then you can walk around the National History Museum and the Chinggis Khaan Square in front of the Mongolian Parliament house to help you get a general knowledge and information about the Mongolian history and culture.</p><p>FB, Peaceful night at "White House" tourist hotel</p>

<p>Today, a one of a kind “Gobi Desert” awaits you!</p><p>After your breakfast at the hotel, you will take off from the capital on your private vehicle to see one of the 33 “Gobi” (a local word for “Desert”), the Central Gobi. After you settle at the "SWEET GOBI" geolodge, you can freely set off to the sand dunes of Elsen Tasarkhai, one of the most picturesque places of Mongolia, where you can see a wonderful combination of sand dunes, majestic granite mountains, grassy green land, a clear fresh spring and a tiny lake. Make your experience even better by walking and climbing on the sand dunes or opt to riding a two-humped camel.</p><p>FB, cozy night in a DOUBLE, SINGLE or TWIN yurt at "SWEET GOBI"</p>

<p>Today you can meet a traditional nomadic family, settled in the middle of the pastures. Upon the visit, you can have a taste of “White food” and notably Airag, a traditional drink made from fermented mare’s milk. Mongolians transform the milk of their livestocks (sheep, goats, cows, yaks, camels and mares) in many different products that preserve well and assure their sustenance during the long and rigorous winters. The white food occupies a very important place in the nourishment of Mongolians on both symbolic and ritual levels. </p><p>One of your next destinations is an ancient Buddhist monastery in the mountain and ruins of Ovgon temples. The Erdene Khamba monastery, located in the sacred Mountain Khogno Khan, was rebuilt in the 1990s after being destroyed during the Soviet purges. Today there are only the ruins and 3 small temples left. The monastery had two sections: the lower one called the Zaluu Khiid and the upper one called the Ovgon Khiid. The Ovgon Khiid (meaning “Old temple”) was destroyed during middle age feuds between western and eastern Mongolians after the collapse of the Mongol Empire.</p><p>FB, cozy night in a DOUBLE, SINGLE or TWIN yurt at "SWEET GOBI"</p>

<p>After breakfast in the Grand yurt restaurant, an early departure is required to attend the Buddhist services of the Shankh Monastery. This will be a nice stop on the way to the valley.</p><p>You leave in the direction of the Orkhon Valley. The Orkhon Valley was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage (one of a few in Mongolia) as representing the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions and includes numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century. The beauty of the natural site consists not only of green plains and hills bursting with basalt lines extending on both sides of the Orkhon River, but also of deer steles, hirgesuur (tombs in cairn), tombs with slabs, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic statues, ruins of ancient capitals.</p><p>At the end of the day, you will arrive at the “URSA MAJOR” geolodge camp, located on the valley. At night, when the sky is clear, you can stargaze by MEADE LX-200, the most powerful telescope in Mongolia. You can observe the stars, planets and galaxies from the steppes of the Orkhon Valley…</p><p>FB, cozy night in a DOUBLE, SINGLE or TWIN yurt at "URSA MAJOR"</p>

<p>On this day, you will be hiking and visiting the Tuvkhun monastery, which is the mountains, far from people and cities.</p><p>After breakfast, with your team you will take off in the direction of Shireet Mountain. Arriving at the parking area, you can start hiking through the conifer forest to reach the monastery located at 2.300 metres high. The temple was built in 1654 to serve as a refuge for Zanabazar, the 1st Bogdo Gegeen (spiritual and political leader) of Mongolia. A refuge where, in the hectic 17th century, he drew his strength to govern the country and preserve it from Manchu; but also, a refuge where he drew his inspiration as a religious leader and lavish artist. It was in this monastery that Zanabazar created the Soyombo alphabet, which later became a national symbol of Mongolia, and has been on the national flag since 1921.</p><p>FB, cozy night in a DOUBLE, SINGLE or TWIN yurt at "URSA MAJOR"</p>

<p>Early in the morning, you will depart to Karakorum. Upon arrival start the tour of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire during the time of Chinggis Khaan (1162-1227). The current city of Karakorum is above all the seat of the best-known monastery in Mongolian territory: Erdene Zuu. Now it is a small town in the middle of the grasslands. There are some remains of the city scattered to see around. However, most stones of the old buildings were later used to build the nearby “Erdene Zuu” Monastery. </p><p>Erdene Zuu means’ hundred treasures. The building dates from 1586 and once consisted of more than a hundred temples. Sadly, the complex has been subjected to many political ups and downs, at last being actively restored since 1990 around twenty remain today. It is one of the cultural and spiritual highlights in Mongolia. The complex is fully fenced and every fifteen meters there are stupas, 108 in total, in the walls.</p><p>From here your tour nears its end, and you'll be on your way back to the capital. Leaving Karakorum, you continue by car to Khogno Khan nature reserve, the beautiful mountains considered sacred since the time of the Turks; and return to the "Sweet Gobi" lodge for one last night in a yurt.</p><p>FB, cozy night in a DOUBLE, SINGLE or TWIN yurt at "SWEET GOBI"</p>

<p>After breakfast you return to the capital Ulaanbaatar and arrive at your hotel. Take this time to have a little rest, then you’ll go shopping in the State Department Store, the largest shopping mall in Mongolia, a leftover of the Soviet occupation. There, you can find cashmere, leather, and whatever you want for souvenirs, presents and gifts.</p><p>In the evening you’ll indulge in Mongolian culture with a folklore show, concert of traditional music and contortion. You’ll hear performances with the Traditional Mongolian instrument Morin Khuur, a two-string fiddle adorned with a carved horse’s head; overtone singing, previously only used by shamans to enter into communication with the spirits.</p><p>At last, a farewell dinner with your team to wrap up an excellent journey full of memories.</p><p>FB, Night in “White House” tourist hotel</p>

<p>After having breakfast in the hotel, your team will drive you to the “Chinggis Khaan” international airport 2 hours before your departure.</p><p>Have a safe journey back!</p>