Endless Horizons
Mongolia & The Naadam Festival
July 1 - 15, 2007
AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE
There aren’t too many places in the world anymore that offer
endless vistas of landscape where the earth meets the sky, unobstructed
by the corruptions of the modern world. You have to travel pretty far
afield to find somewhere without skyscrapers, power lines, and the din
of traffic. Mongolia is just such a place—so far off the beaten
path that most people would not be able to point it out on a map.
Located on a landlocked plateau between Russian
Siberia and the plains of northern China, Mongolia presents dramatic
impressions, both geographically and culturally. Within this enchanting
country’s borders you will find boundless wonders of nature. Mongolia’s
pristine mountains, unspoiled Gobi Desert and sweeping grasslands are
home to a vast natural heritage and wide array of wildlife, including
snow leopards, wild horses and camels, Gobi bears, wild sheep and goats,
antelope and much more. The crystal clear rivers and astonishingly blue
lakes are abundant with fish and hundreds of species of endemic and
migrating birds.
Ethnographers divide Mongolia’s
population according to their ethnicity, but all Mongolians have one
thing in common: they are nomads, or nomads at heart, even if they live
in cities or towns. About half of Mongolia’s 2.3 million people
live in gers, and about 400,000 herdsman look after nearly 30 million
livestock. Mongolians move their gers and animals several times a year,
constantly searching for better feed, water and weather. The life of
a nomad, and therefore Mongolia, is inextricably linked to the environment
and animals.
Traveling around the countryside for more
than a week, we will definitely get a feel for the simple nomadic lifestyle.
We will also gain an appreciation for the culture, especially since
this tour coincides with the annual Naadam Festival. This celebration
of Mongolian manliness is an Olympics-like competition unlike any other
in the world. This tour will make you feel like you’ve not only
stepped back in time, but also into another world entirely.
Gay
life in Mongolia is not entirely nonexistent, but
that is not the main reason to come here. If you are in search of a
retreat or a creative charge, you will surely find it in Mongolia. This
is a place that thrives on the peace and serenity of the Buddhist culture
and rich heritage of the nomadic lifestyle. And nearly everywhere you
look you will be drawn toward endless horizons of natural beauty.
Note: This tour begins
and ends in Beijing solely for ease of transportation, and as a way
for tour participants to get some rest before beginning the tour in
Mongolia. It is not structured to include any sightseeing in China,
but this can be arranged for you on an individual basis if you wish
to arrive early or remain in Beijing at the end of the tour.
Click on the link above to read about our one- and two-night pre-tour
options in Beijing.
ITINERARY
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Departure from the U.S.
Toto Tours is not arranging group air for this tour. Please depart
the United States today, arriving in Beijing tomorrow. Toto Tours will
be happy to arrange additional hotel nights in Beijing for those who
want to arrive a day or two before the tour begins.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Arrival in Beijing / Welcome Dinner
Toto Tours will coordinate your transfer from the airport to our hotel.
After checking in, enjoy free time until the time appointed to meet
in the lobby for a welcome cocktail followed by dinner. (Welcome
Dinner)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ulaan Baatar
We get an early start this morning, checking out after breakfast and
transferring to the airport in time to board our 9:00am flight to Mongolia’s
Capital—Ulaan Baatar. Our flight (Air China # 901) arrives at
11:15am.
We are greeted at the airport and escorted
to our hotel. After settling in we commence a city sightseeing tour.
Some of the sites we visit today include the Gandan Monastery with its
huge gold plated Buddha, a symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural
revival. See the monks chanting and spin some prayer wheels to invoke
blessings on our journey. Our next stop is Sukhbaatar Square, surrounded
by all the official departments including the Government House. After
a lunch break, visit the Natural History Museum to see examples of the
flora and fauna of Mongolia including complete dinosaur skeletons and
eggs. Our evening concludes with dinner at a local restaurant. (All
Meals)
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
South Gobi Desert / Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Today we commence a six-night journey through exotic Mongolia, staying
in simple ger camps. We will want to travel as lightly as possible,
and will check some of our luggage at the hotel. Just think how nice
it will be to have clean clothes waiting for us when we return to Ulaan
Baatar!
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and
transfer to the airport for a short flight to Dalandzadagad in the South
Gobi Desert. Here we find a dramatic landscape of mountains, rock and
sand, dotted with grazing camels and herders’ gers.
Visit the remarkable “Eagle Valley”
within the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, an exotic setting of green
meadows and dense glaciers situated deep within the arid Gobi. At times
the caverns fill with several meters of ice, forming a stark contrast
to the surrounding desert. With luck, we might see some of this area’s
abundant wildlife, including the rare argali sheep and mountain goat.
Overnight in a Ger camp. (All Meals)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Khongoryn Els “Singing” Sand Dunes
We drive west along the Altai Mountains to Khongoryn Els, Mongolia’s
largest collection of sand dunes. The dunes reach heights of approximately
800 meters and are known locally as the “singing dunes”
because of the eerie, wailing sound the dunes produce as volumes of
sand shifts in the wind. Overnight in a ger camp. (All
Meals)
Friday, July 6, 2007
Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) / Ongi Monastery
Today we see one of Mongolia’s most visited sites—the rock
formations at Bayanzag. In the 1920s American scientist and adventurer
Roy Chapman Andrews discovered a complete nest of dinosaur eggs here,
turning Bayanzag, and Mongolia, into one of the worlds top paleontology
research locations. We spend a portion of the day hiking and exploring
the cliffs.
Later we proceed to the Ongi Monastery, the
former home of more than 500 Buddhist monks. The monastery was destroyed
during the religious purges of the 1930s when many of the monks were
sent to labor camps. On the way to the Monastery we’ll visit a
local camel breeding family and learn about their unique nomadic lifestyle.
Overnight in a ger camp. (All Meals)
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Karakorum City
Today we travel to Karakorum, the former capital of the world’s
greatest land empire, established by Genghis Khan. Here we tour the
fascinating Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, a religious complex spanning
over 400 square meters surrounded by 108 stupas. In its day it was home
to over 1000 monks.
The original monastery was established on the
ruins of Karakorum in 1586. It was destroyed during the communist purges
of the early 20th century, but now it has been rebuilt on its original
foundations. The site has some of the best works of religious art and
architecture in Mongolia, and evening strolls through the grounds provide
a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the amazing history of the
city. Overnight in a ger camp. (All
Meals)
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Khogno Khan Mountain
Our journey continues to the imposing Khogno Khan Mountain, one of
the top attractions of Mongolia. The panoramic view from the mountain
affords an unforgettable impression of Mongolia’s size. On a clear
day we can see more than 125 miles over the landscape. We next visit
the Mongol Els Sand Dunes, located unexpectedly in the middle of the
great steppe. Here we tour the small Ovgon Monastery, nestled in mountain
cliffs. Overnight in a ger camp. (All
Meals)
Monday, July 9, 2007
Terelj National Park
After breakfast we pass quickly through Ulaan Baatar as we journey
onwards about 50 miles east to Terelj National Park. Considered the
home of Genghis Khan, this area contains numerous historical and cultural
sites, as well as unique rock formations and lovely alpine scenery.
In summer, the meadows are filled with colorful wildflowers. Here we
enjoy horseback riding amidst the beauty to see some interesting rock
formations. Overnight in a ger camp. (All
Meals)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Naadam Festival Preview
After breakfast drive back to Ulaan Baatar and check in at our hotel.
In the afternoon enjoy a preview of the Naadam Festival. We visit the
horse racing arena to watch a race of foals. We also see some archery.
The highlight is the 1000 horseman show. This evening we have the option
to attend a national folklore performance. (All
Meals)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Opening Ceremony
Today we attend the inauguration ceremony of Naadam, which is opened
by the president of Mongolia. Among today’s highlights is a performance
of the national instrument, Morin Khuur, and a choir concert. We also
attend the horse races which take place outside the city center. (All
Meals)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Ulaan Baatar Sightseeing
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of the city, beginning with
a stop at the Zaisan Hill War Memorial to get your bearings and enjoy
the panoramic view over the whole city. The afternoon and evening are
free to attend the second day of the Naadam Festival, including wrestling,
archery and traditional games. (All
Meals)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free for you to do as you like. You might choose
to return to the Naadam Festival or do some last-minute souvenir shopping
and sightseeing in the city. This evening our group gathers together
for a festive Farewell Dinner to celebrate the end of our Mongolian
adventure. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Return to Beijing, China
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and drive to the airport
for our group flight back to Beijing. Air China Flight 902 departs at
12:15pm and arrives in Beijing at 2:05pm.
We are greeted and transferred to our hotel
upon arrival. After check-in we might decide to do one more group activity—visit
Tiananmen Square to watch the flag lowering ceremony at sunset. Toto
Tours provides dinner during our final night together in Beijing. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Your tour price
includes your return transfer to the airport, and we arrange this once
we receive your flight itinerary. We are happy to book additional nights
for you at our hotel if you would like to extend your stay in Beijing
at the conclusion of the tour. (Breakfast)
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