On this trip you will have rare experience and spiritual bounty living the life as a Monk at the ever beautiful and hidden jewel known as Amarbaysgalant monastery which situated in the Iven River Valley. The monastery was established in 1727-1736 in memory of Undur Gageen Zanabazar at the order of Manchurian emperor. While experiencing the spiritual bounty, you will also get opportunity to visit ancient stupor made of stones, clays where the roofs of the monastery was made, spring water, pick up wild berries (the growing seasons for berries are from end of July to mid of September) play ankle bone game which called ‘Shagai’ in Mongolian, milking cow, learn how to make Mongolian dumpling (buzz). Beside that you will also be entertain by the local cultural events of traditional long and folk songs, traditional dance, chanting with horse headed fiddle and yochin and contortionist acrobatic.
Difficulty of trip: moderate
Community Fee: 305USD for 5 days/ 4 nights
Additional In-Country Expenses:
UB to Darkhan & return Bus Fee (approx): USD 9.00
Micro bus to first ger and pickup (4-10 persons.): $151 USD
Small car to first ger and pickup (2-3 persons.): $121 USD
Note: Jeep cost can be divided by number of persons
Booking & Travel Orientation w/ handbook: USD 25.00
Day One - Darhan city tour: You will leave from UB by local coach at 11:00 a.m. and will arrive in Darkhan city at 15:00 p.m. Upon arrival, our guide will take you to Raja’s Curry House by local taxi and you will have your set lunch at the curry house. Later in the afternoon you will have a short walking tour of the city to Museum, the Youth Theatre, my Mongolia Park, the Buddha’s Statue, the Morin Khuur (horse headed fiddle) complex and the Mongolian first hanging bridge. Later in the evening you will have a nice curry with parata (Indian pancake) and salads at Raja’s Curry House. While you were having you dinner, you will be entertain with local cultural performance such as long songs, folk songs, traditional dance, khuumi (faucets), chanting with horse headed fiddle and yochin and contortionist acrobatic by the name of “Lyrical Enchainment” by Darkhan professional artist with their students. Later in the evening you will overnight at the Raja’s Guest House.
Day two - Trip to Amarbayasgalant Monastery: After having breakfast and pack lunch around 9:00 a.m. at Raja’s Curry House, you will departure to Amarbayasgalant by car or minibus for 160 kilometers and you reach at the Nomadic family (Mr. J Kambaatar) which leaves close to the monastery at noon. You will get to know with the host family and have your packed lunch before make a short tour by walking 2 kilometers to the monastery. During your short visit to the monastery you will be meeting with the director or head Monk of the monastery to get to know the place and have a short briefing before you start a one day live the life as a monk at the monastery on the third day of your trip. Later on you will walk back to the host family, have opportunity to play ankle bone game which called ‘Shagai’ in Mongolian, milking cow, learn how to make Mongolian dumpling (buzz), have your dinner and overnight in the tent.
Day Three - Spend the day experiencing the life of a monk: After having breakfast you will walk 2 kilometers to the monastery and have a rare opportunity from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. to assist and support the Monks with their daily life by cleaning the areas, cutting fire woods, participate in the daily prayers, help the junior Monks during study time, you will be provided with a private place for meditation, opportunity to have lunch and dinner with all the Monks and have privileges to take cultural and historical photos where normal travelers are not aloud. Later in the evening you will have free time by your own to walk around the monastery and then later in the evening will walk back to the host family and overnight.
Day Four - Spend a day horseback riding in the scenic area: After having breakfast, Mr. Kambaatar or his son with the guide will guide you for 15 kilometers by horse back roundtrip to the nearby forest. During the trip you will have opportunity to visit ancient stupor made of stones, clays where the roofs of the monastery was made, spring water, pick up wild berries (the growing seasons for berries are from end of July to mid of September), a picnic lunch, spend the afternoon in the forest and then make your way back to the family, have your dinner and overnight at the family.
Day Five - Depart back to Darhan: After the breakfast, our driver will pick you up by car and then you will reach Darkhan by noon for a nice Indian lunch. Our guide will take you to visit few handy craft and souvenir making family groups for you to observe and purchase some souvenirs for remembrances. You will take a coach back to UB.
Optional: You can extend your stay if you want at the Monastery to experience more on the live the life of the Monks.The Monks likes to play soccer or football, if you can bring a soccer ball during your trip, you will have opportunity to play soccer with the Monks.
Terms and Condition for travelers at the Monastery:
Not permitted to shout or speak loudly in the monastery.
To wear a decent dress code to show the respect and observe the spiritual atmosphere in the monastery.
No alcohol, smoking, whistling, throwing rubbish in and within the monastery.
Photo’s are aloud only after the Monks are agreed to be taken, it is advisable to ask before you take any photos.
Basic daily schedule of the Monks:
08:00 a.m. – The Monks begins their daily work and assemble at the monastery
10:00 a.m. – They start their Pujee (prayers)
13:00 p.m. – Lunch
14:00 p.m. – Study Classes
18:00 p.m. – End of the day
Included services:
Visiting nomadic family
Nomadic breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
Malaysian breakfast, lunch and dinner in Darkhan which are stated on itinerary
One overnight at guest house in Darkhan
English speaking guide on route
City tour in Darkhan
Museum fee
Small folk art concert fee in Darkhan
Amarbaysgalant monastery fee
Herder guide service on route
Sightseeing
Horse riding according to itinerary
Cultural activities (milking animals, play ankle bone game etc)
Boiled water on route
Local jeep arrangement by facilitator
|
