A yurt story - Nomadays

Mongolia

A yurt story

A stay with the nomads of Arkhangai during which you will learn how to set up a yurt. You will participate in making felt and attend the work of the wood (structure of the yurt and furniture).

A journey prepared and organized in cooperation with AVSF and the cooperative Ar Arvidjin Delgerekh, respecting the habits for a fair and sustainable tourism.

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

Day 1Arrival at Ulan Bator and visit of the city

  • Arrival at the airport, meeting with our driver. Transfer to your hotel, settling in, and rest.

  • Appointment at 12 o'clock at your hotel with your guide. He will take you to the restaurant of your choice.

  • Let's immerse ourselves in the heart of the Mongolian history, in the wonderful National History Museum. Three floors of a rich, glorious, violent and noble past, from prehistory to Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongolian Empire by Genghis Khan.

  • Walk in the centre of Ulan-Bator. Discovery of Gengis Khan Square and the House of Parliament.

  • At 18 o' clock, Mongolian traditional show at Tumen Ekh: folkloric dances, contortion, and of course khoomi, the overtone singing.

4h 30m-280km

Day 2On the way to Mini-Gobi

Day 2On the way to Mini-Gobi

Ulan Bator - Khogno Khan

  • Visit of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. In the morning, lamas get together to pray. They will answer your questions at the Mongolian Buddhist Centre.

  • We arrive at the splendid rocky formations of Khogno Khan. Discovery of the park : semidesert steppes, taiga, stunning rocky formations, 80-kilometre (49,71 miles) long sand dunes, are characteristic of this arid area nicknamed "Mini-Gobi".

  • Pony trek until Erdene Khambiin Monastery. "Monk Erdene's Monastery" dates from 17th century and was built in the mountain. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, monk Erdene.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 2 stars hotel
Lunch: Made by your team
Dinner: Eden camp
Accommodation: Eden camp

Day 3Hot baths in Tsenkher springs

Day 3Hot baths in Tsenkher springs

Khogno Khan - Tsenkher hot springs

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Eden camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: Shiveet Mankhan

Day 4-5Making dairy products

Day 4-5Making dairy products

Tsenkher hot springs - Tsetserleg

  • Stop at Tsetserleg, small lovely village nested in mountains of larches. We'll buy fresh supplies at the local market and visit Zayan Gegeen Museum.

Tsetserleg - Ondor Ulaan

Day 5

  • Discover how to make dairy products : cheese, airag and vodka made with milk.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Shiveet Mankhan (4)
Breakfast: Made by your team (5)
Lunch: Local restaurant (4)
Lunch: made by the family (5)
Dinner: made by the family

Day 6-9Felt making and working wood

Day 6-9Felt making and working wood

Ondor Ulaan - Jargalant

Day 7

  • We begin our learning about the yurt, with the traditional making of felt. The day is dedicated to the work of wool.

Day 8

  • Today we help with the making of felt.

Day 9

  • During our third day in the area, we will drive to Jargalant village and visit the workshop of a cabinetmaker. This day is dedicated on learning how to make the wooden structure of the yurt and the Mongolian traditional furniture. Visite of solar greenhouse.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team (6)
Lunch: made by the family (7, 8, 9)
Dinner: made by the family
3h 30m-110km

Day 10-11Setting up the yurt

Day 10-11Setting up the yurt

Jargalant - Tariat

Day 10

  • Once arrived at Lhagvadondov's home, we'll participate in putting up the yurt where we'll sleep during our stay.

Day 11

  • Road to Khorgo – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Natural Park that is located 2060 metres (1,28 mile) above sea level. This lake, called "the great white lake", and its whole volcanic surroundings, are the emblematic area of the province of Arkhangai. The waters of the lake are full of fish and it's possible to fish if you wish.

  • Hiking along the banks of the lake. We go towards Southeast where Khorgo Volcano reaches its highest point at 2240 metres (1,39 mile). (Easy) ascent of the volcano. From the top, we enjoy a splendid view of the lake and the surrounding hills. Nearby the volcano, stunning lava flows form an original landscape never seen up to now.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Made by your team (10)
Lunch: made by the family (11)
Dinner: made by the family

Day 12Visit of the Mongolian former capital

Day 12Visit of the Mongolian former capital

Tariat - Kharkhorin

  • Journey to Kharkhorin, the former capital of Mongolia. The legendary city of Genghis Khan was founded in 1220 and was one of the stages of the silk road. The Mongolian Empire was governed from this city until Kubilai Khan set up the capital in Beijing. Today, there are only a few vestiges left of the former capital.

  • Visit of Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 by a nomad prince. The Chinese and Tibetan-inspired buildings are surrounded with 108 sacred stupas. Visit of the Museum of Kharkhorin.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Local restaurant
Dinner: Anja camp
Accommodation: Anja camp

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

Day 13Back to the Mongolian capital

Kharkhorin - Ulan Bator

  • Back to Ulan-Bator. Last herds of wild horses crossing the road outside our dumbfounded eyes, last yurts smoking far away, the steppe will be with us until the last moment.

    Arrival in town and settling in at your hotel, where you can rest a few moments.

  • Rest of the day free. With our guide, you can go shopping in the centre of the city.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Anja camp
Lunch: Picnic from the camp
Accommodation: 2 stars hotel
Flight back

Day 14Have a good journey and see you soon !

Day 14Have a good journey and see you soon !

  • Breakfast at the hotel. We go with you to the international airport of Ulan Bator. The transfer can be organized at the time you want, according to the schedule of your flight.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 2 stars hotel