MONGOLIA Family Fun Lake Hovsgol National Park & The Gobi
MONGOLIA Family Fun: Lake Hovsgol National Park & The Gobi Featuring two of Mongolia s most magnificent natural wonders, Lake Hovsgol National Park and the Gobi Desert, this trip offers families a special opportunity to share an unforgettable adventure. Discover the incredible scenery, diverse wildlife, ancient history, and traditional culture of Mongolia on a journey designed especially for families with young explorers. Begin the trip in Ulaanbaatar with an introduction to the history of Mongolia, with visits to the Zaisan Memorial and the Chinggis Khan Equestrian Statue. Continue traveling through Mongolia s diverse landscapes, from the mountains, forests, and meadows of Hovsgol National Park to the majestic canyons of the Gobi, exploring these pristine regions atop camels and on horseback. Children and adults alike will enjoy exciting outdoor activities such as hiking and boating, and learn about nomadic life and Mongolian culture through playing traditional games, staying in gers, and visiting the homes of local families.
Y O U R J O U R N E Y RECOMMENDED FOR: Adventurous families seeking an active and enriching holiday that explores Mongolia s pristine natural beauty and nomadic lifestyle through a wide range of activities. HIGHLIGHTS: Boating, horseback riding, and hiking at Lake Hovsgol Camel riding at Moltsog Els Yol Valley Interaction with local nomads ACCOMMODATIONS: 4 nights at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar 3 nights at a ger camp 3 nights at our award-winning Three Camel Lodge Day 2 EXPLORE ULAANBAATAR Begin the day with a visit to Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. 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. Experience these exciting developments firsthand at Gandan Monastery. Strolling through the monastery grounds, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and observe their daily rituals, including the reading of sutras, the teachings of the Buddha. Visit the recently renovated Chenrezig and Kalachakra Temples, as well as the magnificent statue of Megjid 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. Monasteries across the country are again opening their doors to worshippers and the few lamas who survived the purges are training a new generation. In the afternoon drive through downtown Ulaanbaatar to the National 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. Day 1 WELCOME TO ULAANBAATAR The contrast between ancient traditions and a 21st-century democracy is most visible in Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit side by side with modern highrises. In the afternoon, drive to Zaisan Memorial, built by the former Soviet Union to commemorate fallen soldiers of World War II. Those who climb the 300 steps will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the capital city, the Tuul River, and the surrounding countryside. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner in a large traditional ger. (Shangri-La Hotel) Day 3 FLY TO LAKE HOVSGOL Transfer to the airport for the flight to Muron, provincial center of Hovsgol Province. Continue overland to Lake Hovsgol (approximately 3 hours), passing through steppe land and forested mountains. Mongolia s largest lake by water volume, Hovsgol extends 85 miles in length and 18 miles in width, and is fed by over 90 streams and rivers. Water exits the lake only through one river, the Egiin, whose waters eventually reach Lake Baikal in neighboring Siberia. This crystal clear alpine lake, known as Mongolia s dark blue pearl, is situated among some of the most pristine forests, mountains, and meadows in the world. Bird life and wildflowers abound, and there will be ample time to discover the lake s secrets in the following days. Overnight at ger camp.
Day 4 HORSEBACK RIDING / HOVSGOL NATIONAL PARK After meeting the horse wranglers and horses, begin exploring the area around Lake Hovsgol on horseback. Considered to be the cleanest freshwater lake on earth, Hovsgol is also famous for the wide range of animals that inhabit the surrounding wilderness, such as moose, beaver, elk, and ibex. Two hundred and forty-four species of birds have been documented in the park. As evening falls, return to the ger camp for dinner and time for relaxing on the lakeshore. Day 5 BOAT RIDE ON LAKE HOVSGOL / HIKING After breakfast, get ready for some splashing fun, a morning boat ride on the lake that will entertain the children and refresh the adults. Following a picnic lunch, enjoy an afternoon of hiking through alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. Explore the shoreline and photograph the surrounding mountains from the lakeside. Overnight in gers. Day 6 ULAANBAATAR Drive to Muron for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, drive to the Chinggis Khan Equestrian Statue in Tsonjin Boldog, located 30 miles outside of Ulaanbaatar. Children and adults alike can ascend the colossal statue by elevator to take in the view of the surrounding forest and the Tuul River. Enjoy dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 7 GOBI / YOL VALLEY In the morning transfer to the airport for the flight to the Gobi. Of all the world s arid lands, the Gobi has the greatest air of mystery, perhaps because it lies at the heart of Asia s remotest hinterland between the Siberian wilderness to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the south. Contrary to the sameness that the word desert suggests, the Gobi is a diverse and fascinating region, and includes sites of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of the 20th century. For the next three days, explore the stunning landscapes of the Gobi, habitat for Bactrian camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, Golden Eagles, Saker Falcons, jerboas (similar to kangaroo rats), and many endemic reptiles. The Gobi is also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere s most rare and elusive mammals, such as the dhole, snow leopard, and Gobi bear, known in Mongolian as Mazaalai. Upon arrival drive to Yol Valley National Park (1.5 hours), cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. An ancient river carved this surprisingly green valley, and its remnant streams create ice formations at the base of the valley that sometimes persist as late as July. A hike through the valley leads to the habitat of
indigenous vulture-like Lammergeiers, Altai snowcocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain sheep. Next, drive to the Three Camel Lodge (2.5 hours), an eco-lodge located near the Gurvansaikhan Gobi National Park. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge. Day 8 KHAVTSGAIT PETROGLYPH / BIKING Wake early to the sight of the sun rising over the vast Gobi landscape. Following breakfast, drive to Khavtsgait to see the amazing artwork of our distant ancestors. Preserved at the top of the mountain are some of the precious petroglyphs of the Gobi, ancient and beautiful works of art that can be clearly seen as the sun hits the rocks from the right angle. From the depictions of these amazing petroglyphs we can gain a better understanding of the everyday lives of people who lived in the Gobi during the Bronze Age. Explore the area on foot before returning to the Lodge for lunch. In the late afternoon, travel by bicycle to visit a local nomadic family, experience their warm hospitality firsthand, and learn about the basics of the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolia. Day 9 MOLTSOG ELS / FLAMING CLIFFS Begin the day with a drive to Moltsog Els (1.5 hours), one of the few regions of the Gobi covered by sand dunes, and meet the camel wranglers. After becoming familiar with the equipment and the basics of riding a camel, children and their parents can explore the desert atop these beautiful animals. Continue exploring the Gobi with a drive to the legendary Flaming Cliffs (1 hour), named for the red-orange sandstone that glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. It was here in 1923 that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. To the trained eye, the ancient formations of the Flaming Cliffs are rich with fossils, and paleontological expeditions continue to make significant discoveries at this site. Day 10 ULAANBAATAR After breakfast drive to Dalanzadgad for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar. The afternoon is free for last-minute sightseeing and shopping. In the evening enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Day 11 DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your flight home. B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary.