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In this trip you will have rare opportunity and bounty to spend your precious time learn how to ride camel, opportunity to ride horse, milking cow, mare and goat, making cheese by milk, making cream butter, visits to historical places such as “Delger Choir” Monastery, ancient meditating and hiding place of Monks, Moro Lama’s cave, eye mineral spring water, Hunnu dynasty tombs, 17th century ruin drama theater and historical museum where you can see the Bronze Age’s finds which shows historical important period of the humanity and etc. While experiencing the historical and outdoor activities you will also play Mongolian traditional games with the herder families and experience eating local Nomadic food.

In 1917, it used to be operated its activity as 5 religious directions. It was the big religious center where had 1000 Monks, were translated the Buddhism sutras from Tibetan language and Sanskrit language, printed it from blocks and publicized. A famed figure of Mongolian religious, culture and science, philosopher of Buddhism, great historian and the first member of sutra institute, gavj (a lamias’ clerical degree) Zava Damdin was born as the 4th son of herder Shagdar in Tsagaan Khad, Ikh dartsagt, Delgertsogt soum of Daichin beis banner or Dundgovi province in 1867. In 1870, his brother, lama Jamba put his as a pupil and when he was 7 years old, he was taught Tibetan alphabet by teacher Tuvdenjamts and learned it only for 9 days. He lived in Choir of Losolin of Urga in his thirteen and in 1904; he was received by the 13th Dalai Lama during his visit in Urga and was gotten a consecration. Next year, he was examined for the degree of gavj. In 1906, he traveled through Utah and Beijing and gained knowledge and in 1917, established the Delgeriin Choiriin temple and worked as a Monk until he passed away. Damdin Shagdar used to follow properly the way to be Buddha of Buddhism and learned fully 5 basis of philosophy’s internal doctrine so he was awarded by Zava or fame. Zava Damdin wrote 16 volumes of collected works as a direction of gavj Choir’s philosophy and handed down it. Also he wrote “Khorchoijun” historical work in Tibetan language. In doing so, he not only made his contribution towards enriching the Buddhism treasure in Mongolia but also made his important contribution towards civilization, historical tradition and changes of mind and thinking of Mongolians. In 1996, his works and goods that were kept in Delgeriin Choiriin temple were compiled and ger museum was established. In 1997, ger museum was moved to the museum of the province for 130 years’ anniversary of Zava Damdin.

Difficulty of trip: Moderate
Community Fee: $204USD for 5 days/ 4 nights

Additional In-Country Travel Expenses
UB to Mandalgovi Bus Fee (approx.): $8 USD
Rural jeep to first ger and pickup (approx.): $94 USD
Note: One jeep cost can be divided by max number of 4 persons
Booking & travel orientation w/ handbook: $25 USD

Day One - Experience Nomadic life style: You will leave from UB by local bus at 8:00 a.m. and will arrive in Mandalgovi around 15:00 p.m. (Sometimes you may arrive earlier and sometimes late, it depends on the weather and the local bus) Upon arrival, our local drive will take you to the first ger Mrs. Tserendeged by local hired Russian jeep for 50kms and you will have your late lunch at the host family. You will wash, refresh and rest for two hours. During this time you will get to know with the family, and her granddaughter will read a poem about “teacher” in Mongolian. Later in the late afternoon you will walk for 4km to the second herder family (Mr. Bazarpurev). In the evening you will have your dinner with the host family. Later in the late evening you will overnight in the tent.

Day Two - Horseback riding to Delgeriin Choiriin Monastery: After having breakfast and around 8:00 a.m. at the host family, you will departure to the meeting point to next herder family by camel card for 15km, on the way you will visit the Delgeerin Choiriin Monastery. At the Delgeriin Choiriin Monastery you will experience the life of the monk. After visit the monastery, you will continue your journey and on the way you will have your packed lunch. After you reach the meeting point, Mr. Otgonbaatar the third herder family will take you to his ger by horseback ride for 15kms. After the cultural, adventure and tiring trip you will have dinner and get to know with the host family. After the dinner you will experience milking goats and sheep’s and also make yogurt. And late in the evening you will overnight in the tent.

Day Three - Horseback riding trip to the Ancient meditating and hiding place of Monks: Jambaldorj will take you to his ger by camelback ride for 12 kilometers. On the way, you will stop at the ancient meditating & hiding place of monks, Moro Lama’s caves, Hunnu dynasty tombs, and eye mineral spring water. You will have your packed lunch surrounding the area. Upon your arrival at the third herder family Mrs. Jambaldorj will serve you with dinner and tea. After the dinner, Mr. Jambaldorj will teach you how to make arrow type of stick to poke in between the camel nose, beside that he will also teaches how to make leather robe. Later in the evening you will have opportunity to milk camel and overnight in the tent at the host family.

Day Four - Camel back ride to the fourth herder family: After breakfast, you will travel by camel card ride for 18 kilometers single trip to Mr. Tsandoijamtz the fifth herder family and will have your packed lunch in the surrounding area. Upon arrival at Mr. Tsandoijamtz ger, you will experience making Mongolian dumpling called “Buzz” and then you have the dumpling for your dinner with the family. Later on, you will milk cow and help the host family to make dairy products. Late in the evening you will overnight in the tent at the host family.

Day Five - Visit to 16th century ruin drama theater and local museum: After breakfast, you will walk for 4kms and have a bounty to spend your precious time to visit the 17th century ruin traditional Mongolian long song theater. Later in the afternoon you will walk back to the host family and have your lunch before you departure back to Mandalgovi by Russian jeep for 70km. Once you reach Mandalgovi you will over night 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.