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DAY 1: ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the Ulaanbaatar Hotel, a comfortable, centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops. After a few hours to rest or stretch your legs, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D) DAY 2: ULAANBAATAR Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia's nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition with ancient Shamanic practices still evident. Although Buddhist monasteries were either destroyed or converted into museums during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, Gandan Monastery continued to operate as a "showpiece" for government officials. However, in spite of the government's efforts to suppress Buddhism and other religious beliefs, Mongolia's spirituality persisted and a significant resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Monasteries across the country are again opening their doors to worshippers and the few lamas who survived the purges are training a new generation. Massive reconstruction and renovation projects are underway and priceless artifacts that were hidden for safekeeping are now being returned to monasteries by nomadic families. Experience these exciting developments first-hand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, you will hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and can observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras (teachings of the Buddha). Also visit the reconstruction and renovation projects of the Chenrezi and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig ("the lord who looks in every direction"). This 82-foot high statue, gilded in pure gold and clothed with silk and precious stones, completely fills one of Gandan's temples. Next, drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National History Museum for an excellent overview of Mongolia's history and culture. The newly remodeled museum displays traditional implements of daily nomadic life including Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, historical costumes of Mongolia's minority tribes, sacred religious relics, and agricultural, fishing and hunting equipment. After lunch, travel back in time with a visit to the dinosaur halls of the Natural History Museum, showcasing the spectacular fossils found in the Gobi desert. On display are fierce Tarbosaurous fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus Rex), dinosaur eggs, large hadrosaur fossils (duck-billed dinosaurs), and many others, all of which illustrate the richness and importance of the paleontological sites in the Gobi desert. Next, visit to the Bogd Gegen Palace, home of Mongolia's last theocrat, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII (Mongolia's 8th Living Buddha), which displays elaborate ceremonial robes and other personal effects of the leader. In the evening, sample traditional Mongolian dishes at a large ger, based on that owned by Chingis Khan. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D) DAY 3: MANDSHIR MONASTERY Today, drive to Bogdkhan Mountain Reserve, a spectacular site of pine-scented valleys and dramatic cliffs with abundant wildlife. Bogdkhan has been a protected reserve since the 13th century and is home to Mandshir Monastery, built in 1749. Communists destroyed the monastery in the 1930s, but the main temple has since been rebuilt. Visit the local museum for an overview of the region's natural history and an artist's rendition of what the monastery looked like prior to its destruction. After a picnic lunch, visit a nomadic family, where you may have a chance to sample airag, fermented mare's milk. In the evening enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and hoomi (throat) singers followed by dinner at Seoul restaurant, serving Korean and Mongolian dishes. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D) DAY 4: HOGNO HAN After breakfast, set out on a four-hour drive to Hogno Han, a ger camp located in the foothills of the Hogno Han mountains at the confluence of three geographical zones (steppe, desert, and forest). In the afternoon, explore the sand dunes and surrounding area. There will also be the opportunity to visit a nomadic horse-breeder family and experience the warm hospitality offered to passing travelers in the form of food, shelter and friendship. Relatively unchanged for centuries, Mongolia has one of the last remaining horse-based cultures in the world. While in the countryside, you will overnight in gers, the traditional felt tents of nomadic herders. Made of a latticed wood structure covered with layers of felt and canvas, each ger is heated by a wood stove and furnished with beautifully painted wood-framed beds. The camp restaurant and western-style toilet and shower facilities are located in a central building found a few hundred feet from the gers. The gers provide an authentic and memorable taste of Mongolian culture and allow you to visit areas which otherwise lack traveler accommodations. Most visitors find their stays at ger camps to be among their most enjoyable experiences in Mongolia. (B, L, D) DAY 5: KHARAKHORUM / NAADAM FESTIVAL This morning, continue driving to Kharakhorum, site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire. The empire created by Chingis Khan and his descendants was the largest contiguous land empire in recorded history, and its scope has never been matched. The great Khan and his son created the beautiful and legendary Kharakhorum to serve as the heart of this monolithic empire. This bustling, momentous capital was abandoned by Kublai Khan for his new city in Beijing and later fell into ruin. There are only a few traces left, but Mongolia's largest monastery, neighboring Erdene Zuu, was reputedly constructed from the ruins of Kharakhorum in the 16th century. Attend the opening ceremonies of the Naadam Festival. During the day, observe the incredible feats of Mongolia's top athletes as they compete in wrestling, archery, and horseracing. After lunch, attend the opening ceremonies of the Naadam Festival. During the day, observe the incredible feats of Mongolia's top athletes as they compete in wrestling, archery, and horseracing. The sports of the Naadam are central to Mongolian culture, and their performance is heightened with elaborate ceremonies. Long-standing ritual governs the traditional style of wrestling. Each wrestler wears trunks, an open-front, long-sleeved silk vest and ornamental kneeboots with upturned toes. Before the wrestling matches begin, the wrestlers perform the eagle's dance that symbolizes power and invincibility. The wrestler who forces his competitor to touch the ground with his knees or elbow is considered the winner. The victor then repeats the eagle's dance, with his opponent passing under his arm (as though under a wing) as a sign of submission. Horseracing is also a popular event. It originally involved adult jockeys, with the most popular contests being the riding of unbroken horses. Later, so as to ease the burden on horses in long-distance races, the adults were replaced by children aged six to ten years, riding broken horses. The racing is done both with and without saddles and the horses which take part are aged two years and above. Depending on the age of the horses, the distances of the race vary from 5 to 30 km. The winner of the race is honored with a cup of airag (fermented mare's milk) which he or she drinks and sprinkles on the head and croup of his horse. Archery is the final of the three events. The skill of Mongolian archers and their advanced bow design was a significant asset to Chingis Khan and his descendants during their years of conquest. Years ago, sharpshooters would practice by aiming for the heads of marmots (large rodents). Today, small, round leather targets are placed at a distance of 60-100 m from the archers, who still use the formidable compound bows made from wood, horn, and sinew. The archers wear a special glove on the thumb and index finger of the right hand and wrap the left arm in soft belts. Referees, lined up next to the targets, mark each hit and raise their hands and move around the spot singing a short song of praise. The best archer receives the title of "mergen" (marksman). After a full day at the festival, return to the ger camp for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D) DAY 6: ERDENE ZUU MONASTERY / NAADAM FESTIVAL After breakfast, set out to tour the monastic complex of Erdene Zuu. Surrounded by 108 stupas, Erdene Zuu has been a place of Buddhist activity for more than 1,000 years. Explore the monastery grounds and observe the monks as they perform their prayers and rituals. This afternoon attend the final events of Naadam and the awards ceremony. Overnight in gers. DAY 7: KHARAKHORUM - ULAANBAATAR Drive back to Ulaanbaatar, enjoying visits with families and a picnic lunch in the countryside along the way. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D) DAY 8: DEPART ULAANBAATAR After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B) |