Hosted by a Nomad Family

<p>Starting the tour immediately with your team of guide and driver, you'll approach the vast expanses of Mongolian steppes towards Khogno Khan, one of the 33 Gobi called "Gobi of Center"! </p><p>There, you'll meet the family that will host you and gradually get to know them. Through their lifestyle you will discover activities such as milking, cooking, family life, etc. You can also have a taste of Mongolian dairy products and the famous Aïrak (depending on the season), traditional drink made from fermented mare's milk!</p><p>FB-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</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-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</p>

<p>Early in the morning, you will depart to Karakorum to attend the morning service in the Erdene Zuu buddhist monastery. 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>Then, the tour of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire during the time of Chinggis Khaan (1162-1227). 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 “Erdene Zuu” Monastery.</p><p>It is not far from there that you settle in with your next host family for 3 nights. Your activities include: practice of the Mongolian language, walks, traditional games, among others…</p><p>FB-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</p>

<p>From here, you set off to explore the Orkhon Valley. It 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>FB-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</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></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-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</p>

<p>After breakfast, go on excursions to the Orkhon Falls, planted in the middle of a surprising basalt landscape. Located in the heart of the valley, it is one of the best sights in central Mongolia. The waterfall was formed by a unique combination of volcano eruptions and earthquakes. The fall is naturally most impressive after heavy rain, but getting there allows you to pace around the beautiful area. At about fifteen meters high, it offers a nice walk along the banks of the river and, after a difficult descent, at the bottom of canyon! The most daring ones can even do some kayaking down the river!</p><p>FB-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</p>

<p>You will now head west of the capital, to the Khustain Nuruu nature reserve, which shelters the last wild prehistoric horses, called "Przewalski horses". Upon your arrival, you leave accompanied by a ranger, first to discover the astonishing "stone-men" of the Turkish era (6th - 9th century), while remaining on the lookout for animals that roam the park freely. You will end the day hoping to approach these wild horses near the waterhole where they come to drink at dusk.</p><p>It is at the heart of this protected reserve that your last host family settled up their summer quarters. You'll join them for a time to learn horse riding, herding or traditional songs...</p><p>FB-Local Mongolian cuisine, Night in a friendly family's guest yurt.</p>

<p>Today will be spent on a city tour. You will visit the Gandan Monastery, a historical and spiritual Buddhist temple in the city.</p><p>Afternoon, you can 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, Overnight in a 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>