In this trip you will have rare opportunity and bounty to spend you precious time learn how to ride camel, opportunity to ride horse, milking cow, mare and goat, making cheese by milk, making cream butter, make woolen & felt products, visits to historical places such as 18th century “Unustiin ” ruin Monastery, 18th century “Sangin Dalai” Monastery, place of sacrifice of domestic animal for gods and historical museum. While experiencing the historical and outdoor activities, you will also play Mongolian traditional games with the herder families and experience making Mongolian dumpling (buzz) and eating local Nomadic food with local Nomads.
The 18th century “ Unestiin” ruin Monastery - Was established in 1808, by Tseveg Monk who was the learning Buddhism in Tibet at that period and got an advice from his teacher but during that time the teacher said he will send some suggestion later once he goes back to his home land. Once he came back, he was sitting on the hill top of his community; he heard some noise on the top of hill where he saw a picture of Gods called “Tankh” on the sky. When he notices that, it was the protector of “Gongor”. He was so happy that, he thought that it was the gift from his teacher. When he visited a poor family where he meet with an elderly women who complain there was many of black bird surrounding the ash dumping are. Immediately he saw the place where the birds gathered and decided to build the Monastery because the interpreted that the black birds gives signs of good and bad. Then he named the monastery “Unestii Khid” means Hash Monastery. Since then there was 380 Monks served in the Monastery until the demolishing of Monastery and the killing of Monks took place in 1937.
Difficulty of trip: Moderate
Community Fee: $184 USD for 4 days/ 3 nights
Additional In-Country Travel Expenses
UB to Mandalgovi Bus Fee (approx.): $8 USD
Rural jeep to first ger and pickup (approx.): $125 USD
Note: Jeep cost can be divided by number of persons
Booking & travel orientation w/ handbook: $25 USD
Day One - Visit to the ruin Monastery: You will leave from UB by local bus at 8:00 a.m. and will arrive in Mandalgovi at 15:00 p.m. (Sometimes you may arrive earlier and sometimes late, it depends on the weather and the local bus) Upon arrival, you will served a lunch at local hotel. Then our local driver will take you to the first ger Mr. Ganchuluun by local hired Russian jeep for 90kms. Once you arrive at the first ger you will wash, refresh and rest. During this time you will get to know with the host family. In the evening, you will have your dinner with the host family, play traditional game called “shagai” and volley ball with the children. Later in the late evening you will overnight in your own tent.
Day Two - Camelback riding to hilltop place of sacrifice of domestic animal for gods: After having breakfast and around 9:00 a.m. the second herder family Mr. Gansorig will guide you by camelback ride for 16kms (return trip). During the camelback ride you will visit the hilltop place of sacrificial of domestic animals for Gods, the ruin 18th century Monastery and later you will go back to Mr. Ganchuluun ger to have your lunch. After the lunch you will travel by local Russian jeep for 45kms to the third herder family Mr. Turbat. You will get to know with the host family by participating in felt making; his daughter will entertain you by singing a traditional Mongolian song and later you will have your dinner with the herder family. And late in the evening you will overnight in your own tent.
Day Three - Horseback riding to next nomadic family: After breakfast, around 9 a.m. you will travel to the fourth herder family by horseback ride for 15 kilometers. Upon your arrival at the fourth herder family Mr. Manalsuren, you will be serving with late lunch and tea. After the lunch, Mrs. Dalaimandal will teach you how to make products using felt such as mobile phone casing and etc. In the evening you will have your dinner with the host family. Later in the late evening you will overnight in your own tent close to the host family.
Day Four - Camel card ride to visit the 18th century “Sangin Dalai” Monastery: After breakfast, around 9 a.m. you will travel by camel card ride for 7 kilometers single trip to the 18th century “Sangin Dalai” Monastery and will you have bounty to assist the monks to teach English language or anything which is useful for the Monks. You will also participate in the prayers session and help with the cleaning surrounding the Monastery. You will have your lunch at the Monastery. Note: Sometimes the Monks will not be at the monastery because they travel to other soums to perform prayer services to local communities. In the late afternoon, you will departure back to Mandalgovi by local Russian Jeep for 110kms. Once you reach Mandalgovi, you will overnight at the local hotel.
Options:You can visit the local museum by paying 2,000 MNT per-people. Besides that, you can also visit the place where they make the woolen and felt products and also the exhibit of ancient tools which was used to make cattle, jar, cups and etc. You may pay a fee of 1,000 MNT for this service.
Included services:
Visiting nomadic families
All nomadic breakfast, lunch and dinner which are stated on itinerary
One overnight at family’s home according to itinerary
Herder guide service on route
Sightseeing
Cultural activities (learn to make fermented camel’s milk beverage, play ankle bone game etc)
Boiled water on route
Two ways bus tickets reservation service between UB and Mandalgovi
Local jeep arrangement service by facilitator
Guest house and hotel reservation service by facilitator in Mandalgovi
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