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. You will also get opportunity to visit ancient stupor made of stones, clays where the roofs of the monastery was made, play ankle bone game which called ‘Shagai’ in Mongolian, milking cow, learn how to make Mongolian dumpling (buzz).
Difficulty of trip: moderate
Community Fee: 310USDfor 5 days/ 4 nights
Group size: min 2 per
Additional In-Country Travel Expenses
Two Way Transportation Fees: Bus 10USD
Rural vehicle: 103USD
UB to Darkhan & return Bus Fee (approx): USD 11.00
Booking & Travel Orientation w/ handbook: USD 25.00
Day 1 - Darkhan city tour: You will leave from UB by local coach at 11:00am and will arrive in Darkhan city at 15:00pm. 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 Enchantment” by Darkhan professional artist with their students. Later in the evening you will overnight at the Raja’s Guest House.
Day 2 - Trip to Amarbayasgalant Monastery: After having breakfast 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 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 3 - One day experience the life of the Monks: After having breakfast you will be taken by car (on really cold days) for 12 kilometers to the monastery and have a rare opportunity from 9:00am to 18:00pm 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 allowed. 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 4 - Horseback ride to nearby forest: After having breakfast, Mr. Kambaatar or his son with the guide will guide you for 15 kilometers by horseback round-trip 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 5 - Trip back to Darkhan and Ulaanbaatar: 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 and to experience how they use the local raw materials to produce finish product. You are welcome to purchase souvenirs for remembrances and by purchasing you are supporting them by income generation. Later in the afternoon you will take coach back to Ulaanbaatar.
Bus Departure Times
From Ulaanbaatar to Darhan - 10am (every hour until 6pm)
From Darhan to Ulaanbaatar - 10am (every hour until 6pm)
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